But he left the linen cloth, and fled naked. This somewhat ignominious flight is characteristic of what we know of St. Mark. It shows how great was the panic in reference to Christ, and how great was the hatred of the Jews against him, that they endeavored to seize a young man who was merely following with him. It shows also how readily our Lord's enemies would have seized his own disciples if they had not taken refuge in flight. read more
And they led Jesus away to the high priest . This high priest was Caiaphas. But we learn from St. John ( John 18:13 ) that our Lord was first brought before Annas, the father-in-law of Caiphas. Annas and his five sons held the high priesthood in succession, Caiaphas, his son-in-law, stepping in between the first and the second son, and holding the office for twelve years. It is supposed that it was in the house of Annas that the price of the betrayal was paid to Judas. Annas, though not... read more
The trial before Caiaphas. Surely this is the most amazing scene in the long history of humanity! The Redeemer of mankind upon his trial; the Savior at the bar of those he came to save;—there is in this something monstrous and almost incredible. But the case is even worse than this. The Lord and Judge of man stands at the tribunal of those who must one day appear before his judgment-seat. They judge him in time whom he must judge in eternity. It is a spectacle the most affecting and the... read more
Jesus at the bar of Judaism. I. THE CHARACTER OF THE EVIDENCE AGAINST HIM . 1 . Not in support of any clear and definite indictment . 2 . Encouraged by a desire on the part of the judges to incriminate . "They sought witness." The death of the Prisoner a foregone conclusion. 3 . The accusations unreliable and conflicting . II. HIS REPLY TO HIS ACCUSERS . Silence: The impressive dignity of this attitude. He would not justify himself before... read more
First trial of Jesus. I. JUDICIAL INJUSTICE . Optimi corruptio pessima . The judge who should represent on earth the equal dealing of God, may turn the name of justice into a mockery. Names will not influence men to right if the heart be not right. Under the name and garb of judge, men have sometimes concealed the worst passions, the most arbitrary instincts. So do extremes meet in human life. Only in God do names and realities perfectly correspond. II. TRUTH ITSELF MAY BE... read more
Parallel passages: Matthew 26:57-75 ; Luke 22:54-62 ; John 18:13-27 — The denial by Peter. I. THE CAUSES THAT LED TO PETER 'S SIN 1. —The first cause of Peter's sin. The first cause, as we may infer from this very chapter, was self-confidence. Our Lord foretold the smiting of the Shepherd, as predicted long before in ancient prophecy—of himself the good Shepherd, appropriating the title; and along with the smiting of the Shepherd, he foretold, as a consequence,... read more
And Peter had followed him afar off, even within, into the court ( εἰς τὴν αὐλὴν ) of the high priest . This court was the place where the guards and servants of the high priest were assembled. Our Lord was within, in a large room, being arraigned before the council. St. John informs us ( John 18:15 ) that he himself, being known to the high priest, had gone in with Jesus into the court of the high priest; and that he had been the means of bringing in Peter, who had been standing... read more
Following afar off. The story of Peter's denial is not omitted by any of the evangelists. They were more anxious for truth than for reputation. They set before us the strongest disciple at his weakest moment without a word of wonder, of blame, or of excuse. Our text indicates the state of mind which led to his fall. He was just beginning his descent to the depths of shame. Because he "followed afar off" he found the door of the house shut against him, cutting him off from John and from his... read more
Peter denying Christ. The seeming discrepancies of the accounts by the evangelists of Peter's threefold denial are explained on the ground of their independency of one another, and their making prominent various portions of a lengthened and complex series of actions. "Three denials are mentioned by all the evangelists, and three occasions are distinguished; but on some of these there was more than one speaker, and probably more than one answer." This circumstance was— I. AN EVIDENCE... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 14:51
And a certain young man followed with him, having a linen cloth cast about him, over his naked body: and they lay hold on him . St. Mark is the only evangelist who mentions this incident; and there seems good reason for supposing that he here describes what happened to himself. Such is the mode in which St. John refers to himself in his Gospel, and where there can be no doubt that he is speaking of himself. If the conclusion in an earlier part of this commentary be correct, that it was at... read more