| Back to Home Page | Back to
Book Index |
Mark Chapter
Fourteen
Mark 14
Chapter 14 resumes the thread of the history
but with
the solemn circumstances that belong to the close of the Lord's life.
The scribes and Pharisees were already consulting how they might take
Him by craft and put Him to death. They feared the influence of the people
who
admired the works and goodness and meekness of Jesus. Therefore they wished to
avoid taking Him at the time of the feast
when the multitude flocked to
Jerusalem: but God had other purposes. Jesus was to be our Paschal Lamb
blessed Lord! and He offers Himself as the victim of propitiation. Now the
counsels of God and the love of Christ being such
Satan was not wanting in
suitable agents to perform all that he could do against the Lord. Jesus
offering Himself for it
the people would soon be induced to give up
even to
the Gentiles
the One who had so much attracted them; and treachery would not
be wanting to throw Him without difficulty into the hands of the priests. Still
God's own arrangements
which owned Him and displayed Him in His grace
should
have the first place; and the supper at Bethany and the supper at Jerusalem
should precede-the one
the proposal
and the other
the act of Judas. For
let
the wickedness of man be what it may
God always takes the place He chooses
and never allows the enemy power to hide His ways from faith
nor leaves His
people without the testimony of His love.
This portion of the history is very remarkable. God
brings forward the thoughts and fears of the leaders of the people
in order
that we may know them; but everything is absolutely in His own hands; and the
malice of man
treachery
and the power of Satan when working in the most
energetic manner (never had they been so active)
only accomplish the purposes
of God for the glory of Christ. Before the treachery of Judas He has the
testimony of Mary's affection. God puts the seal of this affection upon Him who
was to be betrayed. And
on the other hand
before being forsaken and delivered
up
He can testify all His affection for His own
in the institution of the
Lord's supper
and at His own last supper with them. What a beautiful testimony
to the interest with which Godcares for and comforts His children in the
darkest moment of their distress!
Remark also
in what manner love to Christ finds
amid
the darkness that gathers round His path
the light that directs its conduct
and directs it precisely to that which was suitable to the moment. Mary had no
prophetic knowledge; but the imminent danger in which the Lord Christ was
placed by the hatred of the Jews
stimulates her affection to perform an act
which was to be made known wherever the death of Christ and His love for us
should be proclaimed in the whole world. This is true intelligence-true
guidance in things moral. Her act becomes an occasion of darkness to Judas; it
is clothed with the light of divine intelligence by the Lord's own testimony.
This love for Christ discerns that which is suitable-apprehends the good and
the evil in a just and seasonable manner. It is a good thing to care for the
poor. But at that moment the whole mind of God was centred on the sacrifice of
Christ. They had always opportunity to relieve the poor
and it was right to do
so. To put them in comparison with Jesus
at the moment of His sacrifice
was
to put them out of their place
and to forget all that was precious to God.
Judas
who cared only for money
seized the position according to his own
interest. He saw
not the preciousness of Christ
but the desires of the
scribes. His sagacity was of the enemy
as that of Mary was of God. Things
advance: Judas arranges with them his plan to deliver up Jesus for money. The
thing in fact is settled according to his thoughts and theirs. Nevertheless it
is very remarkable to see here the way in which-if I may so speak-God Himself
governs the position. Although it is the moment when the malice of man is at
its height
and when the power of Satan is exerted to the utmost
yet all is
accomplished exactly at the moment
in the manner
by the instruments
chosen
of God. Nothing
not the least thing
escapes Him. Nothing is accomplished but
that which He wills
and as He wills
and when He wills. What consolation for
us! and
in the circumstances which we are considering
what a striking
testimony! The Holy Ghost has therefore reported the desire (easy to be
understood) of the chief priests and scribes to avoid the occasion of the
feast. Useless desire! This sacrifice was to be accomplished at that time; and
it is accomplished.
But the time drew near for the last feast of the Passover
that took place during the life of Jesus-the one in which He was Himself to be
the Lamb
and leave no memorial to faith except that of Himself and of His
work. He therefore sends His disciples to prepare all that was needed to keep
the feast. In the evening He sits with His disciples
to converse with them
and to testify His love for them as their companion
for the last time. But it
is to tell them (for He must suffer everything) that one of them should betray
Him. The heart at least of each one of the eleven answered
full of grief at
the thought. [1]
So should one have done who was eating from the same dish with Him;
but woe to that man! Yet neither the thought of such iniquity
nor the sorrow
of His own heart
could stop the outflowing of the love of Christ. He gives
them pledges of this love in the Lord's supper. It was Himself
His sacrifice
and not a temporal deliverance
that they were henceforth to remember. All was
now absorbed in Him
and in Him dying on the cross. Afterwards
in giving them
the cup
He lays the foundation of the new covenant in His blood (in a figure)
giving it to them as participation in His death-true draught of life. When they
had all drunk of it
He announces to them that it is the seal of the new
covenant-a thing well known to the Jews
according to Jeremiah; adding that it
was shed for many. Death was to come in for the establishment of the new
covenant
and for the ransom of many. For this
death was necessary
and the
bonds of earthly association between Jesus and His disciples were dissolved. He
would drink no more of the fruit of the vine (the token of that connection)
until
in another way
He should renew this association with them in the
kingdom of God. When the kingdom should be established
He would again be with
them
and would renew these bonds of association (in another form
and in a
more excellent way
no doubt
yet really). But now all was changing. They sing
and go out
repairing to the accustomed place in the Mount of Olives.
The connection of Jesus with His disciples here below
should indeed be broken
but it would not be by His forsaking them. He
strengthened
or
at least
He manifested
the sentiments of His heart
and the
strength (on His part) of these bonds
in His last supper with them. But they
would be offended at His position
and would forsake Him. Nevertheless the hand
of God was in all this. He would smite the Shepherd. But when once raised from
the dead
Jesus would resume His relationship with His disciples-with the poor
of the flock. He would go before them to the place where this relationship
commenced
to Galilee
afar from the pride of the nation
and where the light
had appeared among them according to the word of God.
Death was before Him. He must pass through it
in order
that any relationship whatsoever between God and man might be established. The
Shepherd should be smitten by the Lord of hosts. Death was the judgment of God:
could man sustain it? There was but One who could. Peter
loving Christ too
well to forsake Him in heart
enters so far into the path of death as to draw
back again
thus giving a testimony all the more striking to his own inability
to traverse the abyss that opened before his eyes in the Person of his disowned
Master. After all
to Peter it was but the outside of what death is. The
weakness that his fears occasioned made him unable to look into the abyss which
sin has opened before our feet. At the moment when Jesus announces it Peter
undertakes to face all that was coming. Sincere in his affection
he knew not
what man was
laid bare before God
and in the presence of the power of the
enemy who has death for his weapon. He had trembled already; but the sight of
Jesus
which inspires affection
does not say that the flesh which prevents our
glorifying Him is
in a practical sense
dead. Moreover he knew nothing of this
truth. It is the death of Christ which has brought our condition out into full
light
while ministering its only remedy-death
and life in resurrection. Like
the ark in Jordan
He went down into it alone
that His redeemed people might
pass through dryshod. They had not passed this way before.
Jesus approaches the end of His trial-a trial which only
brought out His perfection and His glory
and at the same time glorified God
His Father
but a trial which spared Him nothing that would have had power to
stop Him
if anything could have done so
and which went on even unto death
and unto the burden of wrath of God in that death
a burden beyond all our
thoughts.
He approaches the conflict and the suffering
not with
the lightness of Peter who plunged into it because he was ignorant of its
nature
but with full knowledge; placing Himself in the presence of His Father
where all is weighed
and where the will of Him who laid this task upon Him is
clearly stated in His communion with Him; so that Jesus accomplishes it
even
as God Himself looked upon it
according to the extent and the intention of His
thoughts and of His nature
and in perfect obedience to His will.
Jesus goes forward alone to pray. And
morally
He passes
through the whole compass of His sufferings
realising all their bitterness
in
communion with His Father. Having them before His own eyes
He brings them
before His Father's heart
in order that
if it were possible
this cup might
pass from Him. If not
it should at least be from His Father's hand that He
received it. This was the piety on account of which He was heard and His prayers
ascended up on high. He is there as a man-glad to have His disciples watch with
Him
glad to isolate Himself and pour out His heart into the bosom of His
Father
in the dependent condition of a man who prays. What a spectacle!
Peter
who would die for his Master
is not able even to
watch with Him. The Lord meekly sets his inconsistency before him
acknowledging that his spirit indeed was full of goodwill
but that the flesh
was worthless in conflict with the enemy and in spiritual trial.
The narrative of Mark
which passes so rapidly from one
circumstance (that displays the whole moral condition of the men with whom
Jesus was associated) to another
in such a manner as to place all these events
in connection with each other
is as touching as the development of the details
found in the other Gospels. A moral character is imprinted on every step we
take in the history
giving it as a whole an interest that nothing could
surpass (excepting that which is above all things
above all thoughts) save
that only One
the Person of Him who is here before us. He at least watched
with His Father; for after all
dependent as He was by grace
what could man do
for Him? Completely man as He was
He had to lean on One alone
and thus was
the perfect man. Going away again to pray
He returns to find them again
sleeping
and again presents the case to His Father
and then awakens His
disciples
for the hour was come in which they could do no more for Him. Judas
comes with his kiss. Jesus submits. Peter
who slept during the earnest prayer
of his Master
awakes to strike when his Master yields Himself as a lamb to the
slaughter. He smites one of the assistants
and cuts off his ear. Jesus reasons
with those who were come to take Him
reminding them that
when He was constantly
exposed
humanly speaking
to their power
they had laid no hands upon Him; but
there was a very different reason for its now taking place-the counsels of God
and the word of God must be fulfilled. It was the faithful accomplishment of
the service committed to Him. All forsake Him and flee; for who beside Himself
could follow this path to the end?
One young man indeed sought to go farther; but as soon as
the officers of justice laid hold of him
seizing his linen garment
he fled
and left it in their hands. Apart from the power of the Holy Ghost
the farther
one ventures into the path in which the power of the world and of death is
found
the greater the shame with which one escapes
if God permits escape. He
fled from them naked.
The witnesses fail
not in malice
but in certainty of
testimony
even as force could do nothing against Him until the moment God had
appointed. The confession of Christ
His faithfulness in declaring the truth in
the congregation
is the means of His condemnation. Man can do nothing
although he did everything as regards his will and his guilt. The testimony of
His enemies
the affection of His disciples-everything fails: this is man. It
is Jesus who bears witness to the truth; it is Jesus who watches with the
Father-Jesus who yields Himself to those who were never able to take Him until
the hour came that God had appointed. Poor Peter! He went farther than the
young man in the garden; and we find him here
the flesh in the place of
testimony
in the place where this testimony is to be rendered before the power
of its opposer and of his instruments. Alas! he will not escape. The word of
Christ shall be true
if that of Peter be false-His heart faithful and full of
love
if that of Peter (alas! like all ours) is unfaithful and cowardly. He
confesses the truth
and Peter denies it. Nevertheless the grace of our blessed
Lord does not fail him; and
touched by it
he hides his face and weeps.
The word of the prophet has now again to be fulfilled. He
shall be delivered into the hands of the Gentiles. There He is accused of being
a king
the confession of which must assuredly cause His death. But it was the
truth.
The confession that Jesus had made before the priests
relates
as we have seen in other cases in this Gospel
to His connection with
Israel. His service was to preach in the congregation of Israel. He had indeed
presented Himself as King
as Emmanuel. He now confesses that He is to Israel
the hope of the people
and which hereafter He will be. "Art thou
"
had the high priest said
"the Christ
the Son of the Blessed?" That
was the title
the glorious position
of Him who was the hope of Israel
according to Psalm 2. But He adds that which He shall be (that is to say
the
character He would assume
being rejected by this people
that in which He
would present Himself to the rebellious people); it should be that of Psalm 8
110
and also Daniel 7
with its results-that is to say
the Son of man at the
right hand of God
and coming in the clouds of heaven. Psalm 8 only presents
Him in a general manner; it is Psalm 110 and Daniel 7 which speak of the
Messiah in that particular manner
according to which Christ here announces
Himself. The blasphemy which the high priest attributed to Him was only the
rejection of His Person. For that which He said was written in the word.
[1]
There is something very beautiful and touching in this inquiry Their hearts
were solemnized
and Jesus' words have all the weight of a divine testimony in
their hearts. They had not a thought of betraying Him
save Judas; but His word
was surely true
their souls owned it
and there was distrust of themselves in
presence of Christ's words. No boasting certainty that they would not
but a
bowing of heart before the solemn and terrible words of Jesus. Judas avoided
the question
but afterwards
not to seem to be but as the rest
asks it
only
to be personally marked out by the Lord
a sure relief to the rest (Matt.
26:25).
── John Darby《Synopsis of Mark》
Mark 14
Chapter Contents
Christ anointed at Bethany. (1-11) The passover
Jesus
declares that Judas would betray him. (12-21) The Lord's supper instituted.
(22-31) Christ's agony in the garden. (32-42) He is betrayed and taken. (43-52)
Christ before the high priest. (53-65) Peter denies Christ. (66-72)
Commentary on Mark 14:1-11
(Read Mark 14:1-11)
Did Christ pour out his soul unto death for us
and shall
we think any thing too precious for him? Do we give him the precious ointment
of our best affections? Let us love him with all the heart
though it is common
for zeal and affection to be misunderstood and blamed; and remember that
charity to the poor will not excuse any from particular acts of piety to the
Lord Jesus. Christ commended this woman's pious attention to the notice of
believers in all ages. Those who honour Christ he will honour. Covetousness was
Judas' master lust
and that betrayed him to the sin of betraying his Master;
the devil suited his temptation to that
and so conquered him. And see what
wicked contrivances many have in their sinful pursuits; but what appears to
forward their plans
will prove curses in the end.
Commentary on Mark 14:12-21
(Read Mark 14:12-21)
Nothing could be less the result of human foresight than
the events here related. But our Lord knows all things about us before they
come to pass. If we admit him
he will dwell in our hearts. The Son of man
goes
as it is written of him
as a lamb to the slaughter; but woe to that man
by whom he is betrayed! God's permitting the sins of men
and bringing glory to
himself out of them
does not oblige them to sin; nor will this be any excuse
for their guilt
or lessen their punishment.
Commentary on Mark 14:22-31
(Read Mark 14:22-31)
The Lord's supper is food for the soul
therefore a very
little of that which is for the body
as much as will serve for a sign
is
enough. It was instituted by the example and the practice of our Master
to
remain in force till his second coming. It was instituted with blessing and
giving of thanks
to be a memorial of Christ's death. Frequent mention is made
of his precious blood
as the price of our redemption. How comfortable is this
to poor repenting sinners
that the blood of Christ is shed for many! If for
many
why not for me? It was a sign of the conveyance of the benefits purchased
for us by his death. Apply the doctrine of Christ crucified to yourselves; let
it be meat and drink to your souls
strengthening and refreshing your spiritual
life. It was to be an earnest and foretaste of the happiness of heaven
and
thereby to put us out of taste for the pleasures and delights of sense. Every
one that has tasted spiritual delights
straightway desires eternal ones.
Though the great Shepherd passed through his sufferings without one false step
yet his followers often have been scattered by the small measure of sufferings
allotted to them. How very apt we are to think well of ourselves
and to trust
our own hearts! It was ill done of Peter thus to answer his Master
and not
with fear and trembling. Lord
give me grace to keep me from denying thee.
Commentary on Mark 14:32-42
(Read Mark 14:32-42)
Christ's sufferings began with the sorest of all
those
in his soul. He began to be sorely amazed; words not used in St. Matthew
but
very full of meaning. The terrors of God set themselves in array against him
and he allowed him to contemplate them. Never was sorrow like unto his at this
time. Now he was made a curse for us; the curses of the law were laid upon him
as our Surety. He now tasted death
in all the bitterness of it. This was that
fear of which the apostle speaks
the natural fear of pain and death
at which
human nature startles. Can we ever entertain favourable
or even slight thoughts
of sin
when we see the painful sufferings which sin
though but reckoned to
him
brought on the Lord Jesus? Shall that sit light upon our souls
which sat
so heavy upon his? Was Christ in such agony for our sins
and shall we never be
in agony about them? How should we look upon Him whom we have pierced
and
mourn! It becomes us to be exceedingly sorrowful for sin
because He was so
and never to mock at it. Christ
as Man
pleaded
that
if it were possible
his sufferings might pass from him. As Mediator
he submitted to the will of
God
saying
Nevertheless
not what I will
but what thou wilt; I bid it
welcome. See how the sinful weakness of Christ's disciples returns
and
overpowers them. What heavy clogs these bodies of ours are to our souls! But when
we see trouble at the door
we should get ready for it. Alas
even believers
often look at the Redeemer's sufferings in a drowsy manner
and instead of
being ready to die with Christ
they are not even prepared to watch with him
one hour.
Commentary on Mark 14:43-52
(Read Mark 14:43-52)
Because Christ appeared not as a temporal prince
but
preached repentance
reformation
and a holy life
and directed men's thoughts
and affections
and aims to another world
therefore the Jewish rulers sought
to destroy him. Peter wounded one of the band. It is easier to fight for Christ
than to die for him. But there is a great difference between faulty disciples
and hypocrites. The latter rashly and without thought call Christ Master
and
express great affection for him
yet betray him to his enemies. Thus they
hasten their own destruction.
Commentary on Mark 14:53-65
(Read Mark 14:53-65)
We have here Christ's condemnation before the great
council of the Jews. Peter followed; but the high priest's fire-side was no
proper place
nor his servants proper company
for Peter: it was an entrance
into temptation. Great diligence was used to procure false witnesses against
Jesus
yet their testimony was not equal to the charge of a capital crime
by
the utmost stretch of their law. He was asked
Art thou the Son of the Blessed?
that is
the Son of God. For the proof of his being the Son of God
he refers
to his second coming. In these outrages we have proofs of man's enmity to God
and of God's free and unspeakable love to man.
Commentary on Mark 14:66-72
(Read Mark 14:66-72)
Peter's denying Christ began by keeping at a distance
from him. Those that are shy of godliness
are far in the way to deny Christ.
Those who think it dangerous to be in company with Christ's disciples
because
thence they may be drawn in to suffer for him
will find it much more dangerous
to be in company with his enemies
because there they may be drawn in to sin
against him. When Christ was admired and flocked after
Peter readily owned
him; but will own no relation to him now he is deserted and despised. Yet
observe
Peter's repentance was very speedy. Let him that thinketh he standeth
take heed lest he fall; and let him that has fallen think of these things
and
of his own offences
and return to the Lord with weeping and supplication
seeking
forgiveness
and to be raised up by the Holy Spirit.
── Matthew Henry《Concise Commentary on Mark》
Mark 14
Verse 3
[3] And
being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper
as he sat at meat
there came
a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she
brake the box
and poured it on his head.
Verse 4
[4] And there were some that had indignation within themselves
and said
Why
was this waste of the ointment made?
Some had indignation — Being incited thereto by Judas: and said - Probably to the women.
Verse 10
[10] And
Judas Iscariot
one of the twelve
went unto the chief priests
to betray him
unto them.
Judas went to the chief priests — Immediately after this reproof
having anger now added to his
covetousness. Matthew 26:14; Luke 22:3.
Verse 12
[12] And the
first day of unleavened bread
when they killed the passover
his disciples
said unto him
Where wilt thou that we go and prepare that thou mayest eat the
passover?
Verse 13
[13] And he sendeth forth two of his disciples
and saith unto them
Go ye into
the city
and there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water: follow
him.
Go into the city
and there shall meet you a
man — It was highly seasonable for our Lord to
give them this additional proof both of his knowing all things
and of his
influence over the minds of men.
Verse 15
[15] And
he will shew you a large upper room furnished and prepared: there make ready
for us.
Furnished —
The word properly means
spread with carpets.
Verse 17
[17] And
in the evening he cometh with the twelve.
Verse 24
[24] And
he said unto them
This is my blood of the new testament
which is shed for
many.
This is my blood of the New Testament — That is
this I appoint to be a perpetual sign and memorial of my blood
as shed for establishing the new covenant
that all who shall believe in me may
receive all its gracious promises.
Verse 25
[25]
Verily I say unto you
I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine
until
that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God.
I will drink no more of the fruit of the
vine
till I drink it new in the kingdom of God —
That is
I shall drink no more before I die: the next wine I drink will not be
earthly
but heavenly.
Verse 26
[26] And
when they had sung an hymn
they went out into the mount of Olives.
Matthew 26:30; Luke 22:39; John 18:1.
Verse 27
[27] And
Jesus saith unto them
All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for
it is written
I will smite the shepherd
and the sheep shall be scattered.
This night —
The Jews in reckoning their days began with the evening
according to the
Mosaic computation
which called the evening and the morning the first day
Genesis 1:5. And so that which after sunset is
here called this night is
Mark 14:30
called to-day. The expression there
is peculiarly significant. Verily I say to thee
that thou thyself
confident
as thou art
to-day
even within four and twenty hours; yea
this night
or
ever the sun be risen
nay
before the cock crow twice
before three in the
morning
wilt deny me thrice. Our Lord doubtless spoke so determinately
as
knowing a cock would crow once before the usual time of cock crowing. By Mark 13:35
it appears
that the third watch of
the night
ending at three in the morning
was commonly styled the cock
crowing. Zechariah 13:7.
Verse 32
[32] And
they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples
Sit ye here
while I shall pray.
Verse 33
[33] And
he taketh with him Peter and James and John
and began to be sore amazed
and
to be very heavy;
Sore amazed —
The original word imports the most shocking amazement
mingled with grief: and
that word in the next verse which we render sorrowful intimates
that he was
surrounded with sorrow on every side
breaking in upon him with such violence
as was ready to separate his soul from his body.
Verse 36
[36] And
he said
Abba
Father
all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup
from me: nevertheless not what I will
but what thou wilt.
Abba
Father —
St. Mark seems to add the word Father
by way of explication.
Verse 37
[37] And
he cometh
and findeth them sleeping
and saith unto Peter
Simon
sleepest
thou? couldest not thou watch one hour?
Saith to Peter —
The zealous
the confident Peter.
Verse 43
[43] And
immediately
while he yet spake
cometh Judas
one of the twelve
and with him
a great multitude with swords and staves
from the chief priests and the
scribes and the elders.
Matthew 26:47; Luke 22:47; John 18:2.
Verse 44
[44] And
he that betrayed him had given them a token
saying
Whomsoever I shall kiss
that same is he; take him
and lead him away safely.
Whomsoever I shall kiss — Probably our Lord
in great condescension
had used (according to the
Jewish custom) to permit his disciples to do this
after they had been some
time absent.
Verse 47
[47] And
one of them that stood by drew a sword
and smote a servant of the high priest
and cut off his ear.
Matthew 26:51; Luke 22:49; John 18:10.
Verse 51
[51] And
there followed him a certain young man
having a linen cloth cast about his
naked body; and the young men laid hold on him:
A young man — It
does not appear
that he was one of Christ's disciples. Probably hearing an
unusual noise
he started up out of his bed
not far from the garden
and ran
out with only the sheet about him
to see what was the matter.
And the young men laid hold on him — Who was only suspected to be Christ's disciple: but could not touch them
who really were so.
Verse 53
[53] And
they led Jesus away to the high priest: and with him were assembled all the
chief priests and the elders and the scribes.
Matthew 26:57; Luke 22:54; John 18:12.
Verse 55
[55] And
the chief priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus to put
him to death; and found none.
All the council sought for witness and found
none — What an amazing proof of the overruling
providence of God
considering both their authority
and the rewards they could
offer
that no two consistent witnesses could be procured
to charge him with
any gross crime. Matthew 26:59.
Verse 56
[56] For
many bare false witness against him
but their witness agreed not together.
Their evidences were not sufficient — The Greek words literally rendered are
Were not equal: not equal to the
charge of a capital crime: it is the same word in the 59th verse.
Verse 58
[58] We
heard him say
I will destroy this temple that is made with hands
and within
three days I will build another made without hands.
We heard him say — It
is observable
that the words which they thus misrepresented
were spoken by
Christ at least three years before
John 2:19. Their going back so far to find
matter for the charge
was a glorious
though silent attestation of the
unexceptionable manner wherein he had behaved
through the whole course of his
public ministry.
Verse 61
[61] But
he held his peace
and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him
and
said unto him
Art thou the Christ
the Son of the Blessed?
Verse 66
[66] And
as Peter was beneath in the palace
there cometh one of the maids of the high
priest:
Matthew 26:69; Luke 22:56; John 18:25.
Verse 72
[72] And
the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus
said unto him
Before the cock crow twice
thou shalt deny me thrice. And when
he thought thereon
he wept.
And he covered his head — Which was a usual custom with mourners
and was fitly expressive both of
grief and shame.
── John Wesley《Explanatory Notes on Mark》
Chapter 14. Anointment and Covenant
Spend
Waste
I. Pour Costly
Fragrant Oil
II. The Feast
of Unleavened Bread
III. Jesus
Arrested and Tried
── Chih-Hsin Chang《An Outline of The New Testament》
JESUS BEFORE THE HIGH PRIEST.
Mark 14:53-64
If
there is one thing more than another that impresses one in the life of Christ
it is the revealing power of His person
as He comes in contact with men. His
presence was the searchlight to shew men in their real character.
There
are seven characters in which Christ is seen in the portion of Scripture before
us.
Ⅰ.
The Passive Victim. “ They led Jesus
away” (verse 53; Isaiah 53:7
8; Acts 8:32). There is no resistance on the part
of Christ
but meekly and humbly He allows Himself to be led away. What majesty
there is in His passiveness! With a look He could have made His enemies fall
back (John 18:6); with a word He could have called twelve legions of angels to
His aid (Matt.26:53)
and by His own power He could have escaped (Luke 4:30)
but He wills to allow Himself to be in the hands of wicked men
that the
purpose of God may be accomplished (Acts 2:23).
Ⅱ.
The Neglected Lord (verse 54). Where
now is Peter’s willingness to go even to death with Christ (verse 29)? Alas!
Peter
instead of following close to the Lord (Psalm 63:8)
is following “ afar
off.” Christ neglected by the man who professed so much. How true are the words
of Cecil
“ Our very virtues
left to themselves
bear us down
like weights to
destruction.”
Ⅲ.
The Falsely Accused (verse 55-59).
There are three things about the false witnesses who spoke against Christ. They
had to be sought or hired for the occasion; their witness was contradictory;
and they told a lie in relation to the destruction of the Temple. If we compare
John 2:19 with Mark 14:58
it will be found that Christ did not say that He
would destroy the Temple
but if the Jews destroyed it
He would build it again
in three days.
Ⅳ.
The Silent Saviour (verse 60
61). “
He opened not His mouth” to vindicate Himself. He might have defended Himself
from His false accusers. How truly was “ silence golden” in the case of Christ
and herein the Holy Spirit points Him out to us as our Example (see 1. Peter
2:21-23). Euripides was wont to say
“ Silence was an answer to a wise man.”
What an answer we may see in the silence of Christ
if we are made wise by the
Spirit of wisdom.
Ⅴ.
The Blessed Christ (verse 61
62).
Christ never hesitated to answer when the question touched His Deity. For Him
not to answer then
would be to betray Himself. There is no hesitation in the
reply of Christ when the High Priest asks Him if He is “ The Christ.” Like a
clear trumpet blast
the answer comes: “ I Am.” Thus Christ says He is The
Great I AM (Ex.3:14). It has often been said that Christians claim for Christ
what He never claimed for Himself
namely
that He was God. But if the “ I
AM’S” of Christ in the Gospel of John are studied
it will be seen that He claims
to be God again and again.
Ⅵ.
The coming Man (verse 62). Christ
proclaims that there is a day coming when He will be the Judge and not the
judged; when Caiaphas will stand before Him
instead of Christ standing before
Caiaphas; when the Prisoner will be the Potentate; when the Despised will be
the Honoured One; and when the Weak One shall come in power.
There
is no truth so prominent in the New Testament as the coming of the Lord Jesus
but of one thing we must be careful
and that is
to note the character in
which He is coming. Here He says He will come as “ The Son of Man
” and hence
in judgment (John 5:27)
and not in grace
as when He comes as our Hope (1.
John 3:2
3)
and Saviour (Phil.3:20
21).
Ⅶ.
The Condemned Man (verse 64). They
condemned the Son of Man
and God the Son
as being guilty of blasphemy
and
therefore worthy of death. Can we not see beneath the hatred and cruelty of the
authorities who condemned Christ to death
that He was delivered for our
offences (Rom.4:25)
that we might be freed from condemnation (Rom.8:1)
and be
able to say
“ Who is he that condemneth” (Rom.8:34)?
── F.E. Marsh《Five Hundred Bible Readings》