Ch. 62, Jesus’ Betrayal and Arrest
“Son of Man: Urantia,” 2nd edition
Jesus’ Betrayal and Arrest
Jesus suggested that John, James, and Peter get some rest for tomorrow’s duties, but they were wide awake and refreshed from their short naps. They were also stirred by the arrival of two excited messengers who asked for David Zebedee, and then quickly ran off to where Peter had told them he was keeping watch.
Although the other eight apostles were sound asleep, the Greeks who were camped alongside of them were restless and ready for trouble, so much so that they had posted a guard in case of danger. When David’s two messengers hurried into camp, the Greek sentinel woke up his fellow countrymen who all rushed out of their tents dressed and well-armed. The entire camp was now awake except for the eight apostles. Peter wanted to wake them, but Jesus expressly forbid him from doing so. Jesus mildly scolded everyone trying to get them to return to their tents, but they were unwilling.
Jesus left the camp and walked down toward the olive press near the entrance to Gethsemane Park. While the Greeks, the three apostles, and the other members of the camp hesitated to follow him, John Mark hurried around through the olive trees and hid in a small shed near the press. Jesus had left the camp and his friends so that the soldiers coming to arrest him could do so without disturbing the apostles. Jesus was afraid to have the apostles awake and present when he was arrested. He knew the sight of Judas betraying him might get the them so mad that they would fight with the soldiers and also be taken into custody, and if they were arrested with him they would probably die with him.
Although Jesus knew that the plan to kill him had originated with the Jewish rulers, he was also aware that all such nefarious schemes had the full approval of Satan, Lucifer, and Caligastia. He well knew that these rebels of the realms would be pleased to see all of the apostles destroyed along with him. Jesus sat down alone on the olive press and waited for the betrayer to come; he was seen only by John Mark and a vast host of celestial watchers.
The Father’s Will
There is great danger in misunderstanding the meaning of the numerous sayings and many of the events associated with the end of Jesus’ life. Jesus’ cruel treatment by ignorant servants and calloused soldiers, and his unfair trials and the unfeeling attitude of the professed religious leaders must not be confused with the fact that Jesus, in patiently submitting to all of this suffering and humiliation was truly doing the Father’s will. It was indeed and in truth the will of the Father that his Son should drink the cup of mortal experience from birth to death, but the Father in heaven had nothing what-so-ever to do with instigating the barbarous behavior of those supposedly civilized human beings who brutally tortured Jesus and horribly heaped successive indignities on his non-resisting self. These inhumane and shocking experiences that Jesus endured in the final hours of his mortal life were not in any sense part of the divine will of the Father whose human nature had triumphantly pledged to carry out the final surrender of a man to God, as shown in Jesus’ threefold prayer in the garden while his weary apostles slept.
The Father in heaven wanted the Son to finish his Earth career naturally, just like all mortals must finish their lives on Earth. Ordinary people cannot expect to have their last hours on Earth and the interrupting episode of death made easy by a special dispensation. Accordingly, Jesus elected to lay down his life in the manner that was in keeping with natural events, and he steadfastly refused to remove himself from the cruel clutches of a wicked conspiracy sweeping on with horrible certainty toward his disgraceful death and unbelievable humiliation. Every bit of this astounding hatred and this unprecedented cruelty was the work of evil and wicked men and women. God in heaven did not will it, neither did the archenemies of Jesus dictate it, though they did do much to ensure that evil unthinking people would reject the gifted Son. Even the father of sin turned his face away from the excruciating horror of the crucifixion.
Judas in the City
After Judas abruptly left the table while they were eating the Last Supper, he went directly to his cousin’s house and then both of them went straight to the captain of the temple guards. Judas asked the captain to assemble the guards, and told him that he was ready to lead them to Jesus. Since Judas appeared on the scene before he was expected, there was a delay in starting for the Mark’s home where Judas assumed they would find Jesus still visiting with the apostles. But Jesus and the eleven left the Mark’s home fifteen minutes before the guards and the betrayer arrived, and they were well outside the walls of the city on their way to the Olivet camp.
Judas was troubled by this failure to find Jesus at the Mark’s where he would have been in the company of only eleven men, with just two of them armed. He knew that in the afternoon when they had left camp only Simon Peter and Simon Zelotes were carrying swords. Judas had hoped to take Jesus when the city was quiet and when there was little chance of resistance. The betrayer feared that if he waited for them to return to their camp more than sixty devoted disciples would be there. He also knew that Simon Zelotes had an ample store of arms, enough for everyone. Judas became increasingly nervous as he thought about how the eleven loyal apostles would detest him, and he was afraid they would all want to kill him. He was not only disloyal, but at heart a real coward.
When they failed to find Jesus in the upper chamber, Judas asked the captain of the guard to return to the temple. By this time the Sanhedrin and others had begun to gather at the high priest’s home to receive Jesus: their bargain with the traitor called for his arrest by midnight of that day. Judas explained that they had missed Jesus at the Mark’s home and that they now had to go to Gethsemane to arrest him. The traitor told them that more than sixty devoted followers were camped with Jesus, and that they were all well-armed. The Jewish high priests reminded Judas that Jesus had always preached nonresistance, but Judas replied that they could not depend on all of Jesus’ followers to obey his orders. Judas was afraid for himself and because of that he mustered up the courage to ask for a company of forty armed soldiers. Since the Jewish authorities had no such force of armed men under their command, they went at once to the Antonia fortress and asked the Roman commander to give them this guard. But when he learned that they intended to arrest Jesus, the commander promptly refused their request and referred them to his superior officer. More than an hour passed going from one authority to another, until finally they had to go to Pilate himself to obtain permission to use the armed Roman guards. It was late when they arrived at Pilate’s house and he had already retired to his private chambers with his wife. Pilate hesitated to have anything to do with the scheme, all the more so since his wife asked him not to grant their wish. But since the head officer of the Jewish Sanhedrin was there making a personal request for his assistance, the governor thought it wise to appease him thinking that later he could correct any wrong they might do.
When Judas Iscariot started out from the temple about eleven-thirty that night, he had more than sixty people with him: temple guards, Roman soldiers, and the Sanhedrin’s curious servants.
The Master’s Arrest
When the company of guards and armed soldiers arrived at the garden, Judas stepped up to the front of the group so he could quickly identify Jesus. His hope was that they could easily arrest him before anyone came to his defense. But there was another reason Judas wanted to get to the camp in front of all of the others: he wanted to arrive on the scene ahead of the soldiers so that the apostles would not directly connect him with the armed guards following closely behind. Judas had even thought about acting like he had rushed out to the camp to warn them about the people coming to arrest Jesus, but this part of the plan was frustrated by the way Jesus greeted the betrayer—although Jesus spoke to Judas kindly, he greeted him as a traitor.
As soon as John, James, Peter, and about thirty of the others camped in the park saw the soldier’s torches turn the corner around the brow of the hill, they all rushed down to the olive press where Jesus was sitting alone in the moonlight. As the company of soldiers approached on the one side, the three apostles and their friends came up on the other. Judas strode forward to identify the Master, and there the two groups stood motionless with Jesus between them; Judas ready to place his traitorous kiss on Jesus’ forehead.
It had been Judas’ hope that after leading the guards to Gethsemane he could simply point out Jesus to the soldiers, or at the most carry out his promise to greet Jesus with a kiss and then quickly leave the area. Judas feared that the apostles would all be there, and that they would focus their anger on him for daring to betray their beloved teacher. But when Jesus greeted Judas as a betrayer, Judas was so confused that he did not try to run away.
Jesus made one last effort to save Judas from actually betraying him. Before Judas made his way over to Jesus, Jesus moved to one side and speaking to the first soldier on the left, the captain of the Romans, said “Who do you seek?”
The captain replied “Jesus of Nazareth.”
Jesus immediately stepped up in front of the officer and standing there in the calm majesty of the God of all this creation said “I am he.”
Many of the men in this armed band had heard Jesus teach in the temple, and others knew about his mighty works; when they heard Jesus boldly announce his identity, those in the front ranks suddenly stepped back: they were surprised at Jesus’ calm and majestic announcement. Now there was no need for Judas to go through with his plan to betray Jesus: the Master had revealed himself to his enemies, and they could have taken him right then and there without Judas’ help. But the traitor felt he had to do something to account for being with the armed group, and besides, he wanted to make a show of doing his part in betraying Jesus so he could claim the rewards and lofty honors that he believed the Sanhedrin was going to heap on him.
As the guards regained their composure and as the apostles and disciples drew nearer, Judas stepped up to Jesus and placing a kiss on his forehead said “Hail, Master and Teacher.” As Judas then hugged his Master, Jesus said “Friend, is it not enough to do this! Would you even betray the Son of Man with a kiss?”
The apostles and disciples were stunned, and for a moment no one moved. Jesus broke himself away from the traitor’s hug, stepped up to the guards and soldiers, and again asked “Who do you seek?”
Again the captain said “Jesus of Nazareth.”
And again Jesus replied “I have told you that I am he. If then you are looking for me, let these others go their way. I am ready to go with you.”
Jesus was ready to go back to Jerusalem with the soldiers, and the captain of the guard was altogether willing to allow the three apostles and the others to go away in peace. But before they started to leave the Syrian bodyguard of a high priest named Malchus stepped up behind Jesus and started to bind his hands behind his back, even though the Roman captain had not ordered him to do so. When Peter and the others saw their Master being subjected to this indignity they could no longer hold themselves back. Peter drew his sword and with the others rushed forward to kill Malchus. But before the soldiers could defend the high priest’s servant Jesus raised a forbidding hand to Peter and speaking sternly said “Peter, put away your sword. They who take up the sword will die by the sword. Do you not understand that it is the Father’s will that I drink this cup? Do you not know that I could even now command more than twelve legions of angels and their support who would save me from the hands of these few men?”
Even though Jesus stopped his follower’s physical resistance, the captain of the guard was now worried enough that he, with the help of his soldiers, roughly grabbed Jesus and quickly bound him. As he tied Jesus’ hands with heavy cord, Jesus asked “Why do you come out against me with swords and spears like you were arresting a robber? I was with you daily in the temple publicly teaching the people and you made no effort to take me.”
Once done with Jesus the captain ordered his men to seize the people supporting Jesus. But the soldiers were not quick enough, because having overheard the captain’s orders to arrest them Jesus’ followers had quickly run away back into the ravine. All this time John Mark was hidden in the nearby shed. When the guards started to go back to Jerusalem with Jesus, John Mark tried to sneak out of the shed to catch up with the apostles and disciples who were running away. But just as he left the shed one of the last of the returning soldiers who had been chasing the disciples was passing close by and started chasing him, almost catching him. In fact the soldier got near enough to grab ahold of John’s coat, but the young man slipped out of it and ran off naked leaving the soldier holding an empty garment. John Mark ran as fast as he could to where David Zebedee was at on the upper trail. After he told David what had happened, they both ran back to the tents where the apostles were sleeping to tell them about Jesus’ betrayal and subsequent arrest.
At about the same time as when David and John were waking up the eight apostles, the people who had run away up the ravine were now returning and they all gathered around the olive press to talk about what they should do. In the meantime Simon Peter and John Zebedee, who had hid out in the olive trees, were already following after the mob of guards, soldiers, and servants who were leading Jesus back to Jerusalem just like they would have led a desperate criminal. John followed close behind the mob, but Peter followed from a way farther off. After John Mark’s escape from the clutch of the soldier he found himself another coat in Simon Peter and John Zebedee’s tent. John Mark guessed that the guards were going to take Jesus to Annas’ home, the ex-high priest, so he took a short-cut running through the olive orchard and arrived ahead of the mob hiding himself near the entrance to the gate of the high priest’s palace.
Discussion at the Olive Press
James Zebedee had become separated from Simon Peter and his brother John, so he joined the other apostles and their fellow campers at the olive press discussing what should be done in view of the Master’s arrest. Andrew had been released from all responsibility as the apostles’ leader, and in this most significant crisis of their lives he was silent. Simon Zelotes stood up on the stone wall surrounding the olive press and made an impassioned plea for loyalty to the Master and the cause of the kingdom, urging his fellow apostles and the others to quickly go after the mob and rescue Jesus. The majority of the group would have followed Simon’s aggressive leadership if it had not been for Nathaniel’s advice. Standing up the moment that Simon finished speaking, Nathaniel called their attention to Jesus’ often repeated teachings about nonresistance. He went on to remind them that Jesus had that very night told them that they should save their lives for the time when they could go out into the world announcing the good news of the gospel of the heavenly kingdom. Nathaniel was supported by James Zebedee who now told everyone how Peter and some of the others had drawn their swords to defend Jesus, but that Jesus ordered Simon Peter and the others to shield their blades. Phillip and Matthew also made speeches but nothing definite came from any of this discussion until Thomas, calling their attention to the fact that Jesus had advised Lazarus against letting himself get killed, pointed out that they could do nothing to save their Master because he refused to allow his friends to defend him and he persisted in not using his divine powers to frustrate his human enemies. Thomas persuaded them to all scatter, every man for himself, with the understanding that David Zebedee would stay at the camp to keep a headquarters for the group. By half past two o’clock that morning the camp was deserted; only David remained with three or four messengers, the others having been sent to find out where Jesus had been taken and what was being done with him.
Five of the apostles—Philip, Matthew, Nathaniel, and the twins—went into hiding at Bethany and Bethpage. James, Andrew, Thomas, and Simon Zelotes hid in the city while Simon Peter and John Zebedee followed those who had arrested Jesus to Annas’ house. Shortly after dawn Simon Peter wandered back into the Gethsemane camp a dejected picture of despair. David had a messenger take him to join his brother, Andrew, who was at Nicodemus’ home in Jerusalem. Until the end of the crucifixion John Zebedee remained, as Jesus had told him to do, always near at hand and it was he who every hour gave David’s messengers information that was relayed to Jesus’ family and the apostles in hiding.
Surely the shepherd had been smitten and the sheep were scattered! While they all vaguely realized that Jesus had forewarned them of this situation, they were so shocked by his sudden disappearance that they were not thinking correctly.
It was just after daybreak and just after Peter had been sent to join his brother that Jude, Jesus’ brother in the flesh, arrived in the camp almost breathless ahead of the rest of Jesus’ family only to learn that Jesus had already been placed under arrest. Jude then ran back down the Jericho road to tell his mother and the rest of the family. David Zebedee sent word to Jesus’ family, via Jude, to gather at Mary and Martha’s house in Bethany and to wait there for news that his messengers would regularly bring them.
That was the situation with the apostles, disciples, and Jesus’ family the last half of Thursday night and the early morning hours on Friday. Everyone kept in touch with each other through David Zebedee’s messengers that he directed from the headquarters at the Gethsemane camp.
On the Way to the High Priest’s Palace
Before the captain of the guard started out from the garden with Jesus in tow, he had an argument with the Jewish captain of the temple guards about where they were going to take Jesus. The Jewish captain had given orders that he should be taken to Caiaphas, the acting high priest. But the Roman captain ordered that Jesus be taken to Annas, the former high priest and Caiaphas’ father-in-law, because the Romans were in the habit of dealing directly with Annas in all matters that had to do with enforcing Jewish religious law. It was the Roman captain who was obeyed, and they took Jesus to Annas’ house for his preliminary examination.
Judas marched along near the captains overhearing everything that was said, but he took no part in the argument. Neither the Jewish captain nor the Roman officer would so much as speak to the betrayer, they held him in such contempt.
About this time John Zebedee remembered his Master’s orders to always stay near at hand, and he hurried up to be nearby Jesus as he was marched along between the two captains. The Jewish commander of the temple guards saw John come up alongside Jesus and told his assistant, “Take this man and bind him. He is one of this fellow’s followers.”
But when the Roman captain heard this and looked around and saw John, he ordered the apostle to come over by him and said no man should molest him. Then looking at the Jewish captain, he said “This man is neither a coward nor a traitor. I saw him in the garden and he did not draw a sword to resist us. He has the courage to come forward to be with his Master, and no man will lay hands on him. The Roman law allows that any prisoner can have at least one friend stand with him before the judgment bar, and this man will not be prevented from being by the side of his Master, the prisoner.” When Judas heard this he was so ashamed and humiliated that he dropped back behind the marchers and came up to Annas’ palace alone.
John Zebedee was allowed to remain near Jesus through his trying experiences this night and the next day. The Jews feared to say anything to John or to molest him in any way because he had something of the status of a Roman counselor designated to watch the proceedings of the Jewish religious court. John’s privileged position was made all the more secure when the Roman captain told the captain of Annas’ temple guards to “Go along with this prisoner and see that these Jews do not kill him without Pilate’s consent. Watch that they do not assassinate him and see that his friend, the Galilean, is allowed to stand by and watch everything that happens.” Because of the Roman captain’s protection, John was able to stay near Jesus right up to the time of his death on the cross while the other ten apostles were forced to remain in hiding.
The entire way to Annas’ palace Jesus never said a word: from the time he was arrested to the time he appeared before Annas the Son of Man never spoke.