43 And immediately, even as Jesus said this, Judas, one of the twelve disciples, arrived with a crowd of men armed with swords and clubs. They had been sent by the leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the elders. 44 The traitor, Judas, had given them a prearranged signal: “You will know which one to arrest when I greet him with a kiss. Then you can take him away under guard.” 45 As soon as they arrived, Judas walked up to Jesus. “Rabbi!” he exclaimed, and gave him the kiss.
46 Then the others grabbed Jesus and arrested him. 47 But one of the men with Jesus pulled out his sword and struck the high priest’s slave, slashing off his ear.
48 Jesus asked them, “Am I some dangerous revolutionary, that you come with swords and clubs to arrest me? 49 Why didn’t you arrest me in the Temple? I was there among you teaching every day. But these things are happening to fulfill what the Scriptures say about me.”
50 Then all his disciples deserted him and ran away. 51 One young man following behind was clothed only in a long linen shirt. When the mob tried to grab him, 52 he slipped out of his shirt and ran away naked.
Read Mark 14:43-52 in context and/or in other translations on BibleGateway.com!
In all the commotion surrounding Jesus’ arrest in the garden, every gospel writer shares something unique during this key point in Jesus’ night before His crucifixion. However, out of all the gospel writers, Mark shares with us a detail that is incredibly unique.
This detail actually is even more interesting because it is one of the very, very few places that Mark shares something that at least one of the other gospel writers don’t.
At the very end of Mark’s version of this event, we read, “Then all his disciples deserted him and ran away. One young man following behind was clothed only in a long linen shirt. When the mob tried to grab him, he slipped out of his shirt and ran away naked.” (v. 50-52)
While all the gospel writers include the disciples fleeing the scene, only Mark includes a detail about a young man barely escaping – only able to do so naked. Some people believe this detail to be from Mark himself, who was the author of this gospel. If this is the case, then with Jesus at the garden may have been more followers than just the twelve disciples.
However, Mark the gospel writer may have included this detail about one of the lesser famous members of Jesus group of twelve.
What this detail tells me about Jesus is that His promise and statement was true. Mark includes the closest that any of the mob came to arresting one of Jesus’ followers, and even then, they were not successful.
In this odd detail for Mark to include, my faith in God’s protection is strengthened. Sure, our enemies may get the shirt off my back, but Jesus has promised to keep me safe for eternity! And this is a promise that means way more than a piece of clothing that can be replaced!
This thought was inspired by studying the Walking With Jesus “Reflective Bible Study” package. To discover insights like this in your own study time, click here and give Reflective Bible Study a try today!
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