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Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 14:10-52

Betrayal. We now approach the darkest of all the dark hours through which our Redeemer passed in this world, so overcast with clouds. "The Son of man is betrayed into the hands of men." It was by "one of the twelve," and "unto the chief priests," and for "money I. What lessons on THE FRAILTY OF THE POOR HUMAN HEART ! The hand that received "the sop," that dipped into the same dish with Jesus, received into its hardened palm the miserable pittance—a slave's price. Ah! even... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 14:27-72

Peter's fall. The painful declaration that the words of the prophet, "I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered abroad," would find their fulfillment in them, and in "All ye shall be offended," roused Peter's spirit, and with a bold but mistaken estimate of his own courage and devotion, he fearlessly, even presumptuously, affirmed, "Although all shall be offended, yet will not I." St. Luke has preserved for us words which throw much light upon the incident of Peter's... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 14:43-50

The betrayal. It involved in its very conception a rude, profane intrusion upon our Lord's devotions. At the head of the band was Judas, and with him the Roman soldiers with their swords, and the servants of the chief priests with staves (cudgels, thick sticks). Having met the temptations of the soul in the solitude of prayer, the Lord is now the better able to meet the external trials of which the garden is also the scene. I. THE PRETENDED FRIENDS OF CHRIST ARE HIS ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 14:43-50

The betrayal. I. A TRANSCENDENT CRIME . Because of: 1 . The character of Jesus . 2 . The betrayer's relations to him. Ingratitude. Callous selfishness. Breach of trust . 3 . Circumstances of the act . Intrusion upon holy retirement. Simulation of highest regard and purest sentiment. The spiritual interests of humanity trifled with. II. A SUPREME FOLLY AND FAILURE . Overdone. Foreseen. Ending in contempt and misery.—M. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 14:43-52

Betrayal and arrest. The agony and the betrayal are most closely related. Neither can be understood apart from the other. Why did Jesus so suffer in the garden, and endure sorrow such that there was none like it? Doubtless it was because he was anticipating the approaching apprehension, and all the awful events which it involved. His soul was darkened by the knowledge that the Son of man was about to be betrayed into the hands of sinners. And how came Jesus, when the crisis arrived, to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 14:43-52

Violence and meekness. I. THE INFLUENCE OF SELF - COMMAND SELF - COMMAND . HOW majestic does the Savior appear in this refusal to employ force against force! Moral grandeur is illustrated against the background of brute violence. It is but the show of violence that can ever be opposed to the majesty of truth. The Divine and the spiritual is conscious that it cannot be hurt. Evil, having no real substance nor personality, flees from it. II. IN THE PROVIDENCE OF ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 14:44

Now he that betrayed him had given them a token, saying, Whomsosver I shall kiss, that is he; take him, and lead him away safely. Why was Judas so anxious that Christ should be secured? Perhaps because he feared a rescue, or because he feared lest our Lord should hide himself by an exercise of his miraculous power; and so Judas might lose the thirty pieces of silver. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 14:45

And when he was come, straightway he came to him, and saith, Rabbi; and kissed him ( κατεφίλησεν αὐτόν ); literally, kissed him much. The kiss was an ancient mode of salutation amongst the Jews, the Romans, and other nations. It is possible that this was the usual mode with which the disciples greeted Christ when they returned to him after any absence. But Judas abused this token of friendship, using it for a base and treacherous purpose. St. Chrysostom says that he felt assured by... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 14:47

But a certain one of them that stood by drew his sword, and smote the servant of the high priest, and struck off his ear ( ἀφεῖλεν αὐτοῦ τὸ ὠτίον ) . We learn from St. John ( John 18:10 ) that this was Peter. St. John also is the only evangelist who mentions the name (Malchus) of the high priest's servant. Malchus would probably be prominent amongst them. St. Luke ( Luke 22:51 ) is the only evangelist who mentions the healing of the wound by our Lord. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 14:48

We learn from St. Matthew ( Matthew 26:52 ) that our Lord rebuked his disciples for their resistance; after which he proceeded to rebuke those who were bent upon apprehending him. Are ye come out, as against a robber ( ὡς ἐπὶ λῃστὴν ), with swords and staves to seize me? The order of events in the betrayal appears to have been this: First, the kiss of the traitor Judas, by which he indicated to those who were with him which was Jesus. Then follows that remarkable incident... read more

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