Key Passage
Every day I was with you teaching in the temple area. You did not arrest me there. But all these things have happened so that it will be like the Scriptures said."
— Mark 14:49 ERV (Read Full Text)
Key Thought
Just as Jesus used a question in the previous verse to confront his accusers about their injustice, he confronts their fear and treachery in this verse. They come to arrest him at night in the place of prayer away from the crowds. They feared the crowds who were loyal to Jesus. They feared the people because they believed in him. So rather than conducting their "arrest" of Jesus of Nazareth in the daytime, they slither through the darkened streets to a place they can arrest him without being seen by the crowds. However, Jesus wants to make clear that their treacherous schemes work only because he allows them to work: he is determined to honor his Father's will and fulfill what the Scriptures had said about him. Jesus will be arrested, brutalized, and murdered by these people. However, their evil deeds happen only because he offers himself for our sins, not because they have power over him.
Prayer
Father, for your Son's faith, obedience, and sacrifice, I give you thanks. May his example motivate me to be faithful no matter what circumstances I find myself facing. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Related Scriptures
It was almost time for the Jewish Festival of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover. The leading priests and teachers of the law were trying to find a quiet way to kill Jesus. They were afraid of what the people would do to them. One of Jesus' twelve apostles was named Judas Iscariot. Satan (the devil) went into Judas and made him do a bad thing. Judas went and talked with the leading priests and some of the soldiers who guarded the temple. Judas talked to them about a way to give Jesus to them. The priests were very happy about this. They promised to give Judas money {if he would give Jesus to them}. Judas agreed. Then Judas waited for the best time to give Jesus to them. Judas wanted to do it when there were no people around to see him do it.
— Luke 22:1-6
The leading priests and the teachers of the law heard these things. They began trying to find a way to kill Jesus. They were afraid of Jesus because all the people were amazed at his teaching. But we can't say that John's baptism was from someone else." (These leaders were afraid of the people, because the people believed that John was a prophet. )
— Mark 11:18, 32
Jesus and the people with him were going to Jerusalem. Jesus was leading the people. Jesus' followers were amazed. But those people that followed behind them were afraid. Jesus gathered the twelve apostles again and talked with them alone. Jesus told them what would happen in Jerusalem.
— Mark 10:32
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