ACC ~ Mark 14 v18b

CHARACTER TESTED

ORIGEN: While he might have at once specially pointed out the betrayer, he did not do so, but said generally, “One of you will betray me,” [1] so the character of each might be tested by the witness of his astonished heart. This underscored the goodness of the disciples who believed Christ’s words more than their own consciousness, and the wickedness of Judas because he did not believe the One who knew his plans. He embraced the obscurity by lying through his own teeth. COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW 50. [2]

[1] Mt 26:21; Mk 14:18; Jn 13:21.

[2] PG 13:1730; AEG 5:235-6*.