“Part of a writer’s job should be to dishearten the happily deceived, to quash the misconceptions of the pharisaical; to unsettle and upset. If someone isn’t riled by what you write, you aren’t writing truthfully enough. Hateful comments in the comments section is what happens when you do.”

William Giraldi, The New Republic

 

Mark 14:43 – “And immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders.”

 

Jn. 18:3 – “…procured a band of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees.”

“Band of soldiers,” Gk. σπεῖρα (speira), Roman military term meaning a tenth of a legion

 

Legion=6,000

Cohort=600

 

Mark 14:44-45 – “Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man. Seize him and lead him away under guard.” 45 And when he came, he went up to him at once and said, “Rabbi!” And he kissed him.”

 

“Kiss,” Gk. καταφιλέω (kataphileō), “a passionate kiss”

 

Mark 14:46 – “And they laid hands on him and seized him.”

 

Mark 14:47 – “But one of those who stood by drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear.”

 

Mark 14:48-50 – “And Jesus said to them, ‘Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? 49 Day after day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. But let the Scriptures be fulfilled.’ 50 And they all left him and fled.”

 

Mark 14:51-52 – “And a young man followed him, with nothing but a linen cloth about his body. And they seized him, 52 but he left the linen cloth and ran away naked.”

 

Acts 12:12

 

Mark 14:53-59 – “And they led Jesus to the high priest. And all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes came together. 54 And Peter had followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. And he was sitting with the guards and warming himself at the fire. 55 Now the chief priests and the whole council were seeking testimony against Jesus to put him to death, but they found none. For many bore false witness against him, but their testimony did not agree. 57 And some stood up and bore false witness against him, saying, 58 “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another, not made with hands.’” 59 Yet even about this their testimony did not agree.”

 

Deut. 19:15 – “A single witness shall not suffice against a person for any crime or for any wrong in connection with any offense that he has committed. Only on the evidence of two witnesses or of three witnesses shall a charge be established.”

 

Mark 14:60-64 – “And the high priest stood up in the midst and asked Jesus, ‘Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?’ 61 But he remained silent and made no answer. Again, the high priest asked him, ‘Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?’ 62 And Jesus said, ‘I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.’” Another reference to the Son of Man figure in Daniel 7. Verse 63: “And the high priest tore his garments and said, ‘What further witnesses do we need? 64 You have heard his blasphemy. What is your decision?’ And they all condemned him as deserving death.”

 

“I am,” Gk. ἐγώ εἰμι, the covenant name of God [YHWH]

 

Ex. 3:14 – “I AM has sent me to you.”

 

Mark 14:65 – “Some began to spit on him and to cover his face and to strike him, saying to him, “Prophesy!” And the guards received him with blows.”

 

The Many Faces of Hate

1. Deceitful Flattery

 

2. Intimidation

 

3. Bearing False Witness

 

COMMUNION

 

The Bread:

Mark 14:22 – “And as they were eating, he took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.”

 

The Cup:

Mark 14:23-24 – “And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. 24 And he said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.”