ACC ~ Mark 14 v43 - 52

OVERVIEW:

The timing of Jesus’ betrayal fell between the Passover, when he instituted the holy supper, and when he himself was sacrificed as a lamb (BEDE). Jesus was patient even with his betrayer (DIONYSIUS OF ALEXANDRIA). Judas lost everything—his money, soul and life (CHRYSOSTOM)—and thereby became an instance of teaching (EPHREM THE SYRIAN).

14:43 | Judas Came and with Him a Crowd with Swords and Clubs

THE TYRANNY OF COVETOUSNESS

CHRYSOSTOM: Consider what befell him, how he simultaneously lost the money, committed the sin, and destroyed his own soul. Such is the tyranny of covetousness. He did not even enjoy the money in this life nor did he have any benefits in the life to come. He lost everything at once and, branded as a bad character even by his co-conspirators, hanged himself. [1] THE GOSPEL OF ST. MATTHEW 85.2. [2]

[1] Cf. Mt 27:3-10.

[2] NPNF 1 10:508; TLG 2062.152, 58.760.11-17.

14:44 | The One I Shall Kiss Is the Man; Seize Him

JESUS’ RESPONSE WAS SOFTER THAN A KISS

DIONYSIUS OF ALEXANDRIA: How magnificent is the endurance of evil by the Lord who even kissed his own traitor, and then spoke words even softer than a kiss! For he did not say, O you abominable one, or traitor, is this what you do in return for great kindnesses? He simply says “Judas,” using his first name. [1] This is in the voice of one commiserating with another or who wished another to come back to him, not the voice of anger. EXEGETICAL FRAGMENTS. [2]

[1] Cf. Lk 22:48.

[2] PG 10:1596; ANF 6:116*.

14:46 | They Seized Him

WHEN WAS HE SEIZED?

BEDE: At last, after five days, having observed up to that point the sacraments of the old Passover, he brought them to perfection, and handed over the new sacraments to his disciples to be observed from that time forward. Then, having gone out to the Mount of Olives, he was seized by the Jews and crucified the next morning. He redeemed us from the sway of the devil on that very day when the ancient people of the Hebrews remembered casting aside the yoke of slavery under the Egyptians by the immolation of a lamb. [1] HOMILIES ON THE GOSPELS 2.3. [2]

[1] Cf. Ex 12:1-30.

[2] Cetedoc 1367, 2.3.10; HOG 2:24.

WHAT JESUS TAUGHT THROUGH JUDAS

EPHREM THE SYRIAN: Why did he choose [Judas], and … make him steward? To show his perfect love and his mercy. [It was] also that our Lord might teach his church that, even if there are false teachers in it, it is nevertheless the true seat [of authority]. For the seat of Judas did not come to naught with the traitor himself. It was also [to teach] that, even if there are evil stewards, the stewardship itself is true. He therefore washed his feet, [1] [those very feet] by means of which he had arisen and gone to [Jesus’] slayers. Jesus kissed the mouth of him who, by means of it, gave the signal for death to those who apprehended him. [2] He reached out and gave bread into that hand that reached out and took his price, and sold him unto slaughter. COMMENTARY ON TATIAN’S DIATESSERON. [3]

[1] Cf. Jn 13:5.

[2] Cf. Mt 26:48-49; Mk 14:44-45; Lk 22:47-48.

[3] Leloir 1963:124; JSSS 2:219*.