All the gospels record the capture of Jesus, and perhaps John’s account is best suited to record here. “Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons. Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, ‘Whom seek ye?’ They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, ‘ I am he.’ And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them. As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground. Then asked Jesus them again, ‘Whom seek ye?’ And they said, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus answered, ‘I have told you that I am he; if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way: that the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, of them which thou gayest me have I lost none. Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servants name was Malchus. Then Jesus said unto Peter, ‘Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?’ Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus and bound him, and led him away to Anna’s first: for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year. Now Caiaphas was he , which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people. John 18:3-14.
There is no doubt that this is one of the most extraordinary captures ever recorded. In the first place the victim, namely Jesus, exerted no resistance whatever, in fact it would seem he was more than willing to go along. As soon as Jesus said ‘I am he,’ those that were so brave and so anxious to take him, fell back as though they feared the consequences. When Christ said “let these go their way,” there was no effort made to hold any of the disciples.
When Jesus commanded Peter to put up the sword, the heart of the disciples melted and they fled; where they went there is no record. Only John and Peter stayed close by. Mark 14:50.
Mark gives us information that is recorded nowhere else: “And there followed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body;. and the young men (some of the multitude) laid hold on him: and he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked.” Mark 14:51-52. Many speculations have been advanced as to who the young man might be but there is no real answer. Perhaps he was curious as to what the commotion was and came to see. And why the young men in the multitude would want to hold him also goes unanswered. One would wonder what thoughts Malchus had about this event in after years, and calls to mind that Jesus healed his ear by touching it.
As “the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus and bound him, and led him to Annas first,” (John 18:12-13), there is no doubt but what that other disciple of verse 15 was John, and being personally known of the high priest and officers went right along with Jesus. Peter followed but not too closely for his thoughts worried him and he wondered what the whole thing was about.
There is no explanation as to how Judas knew that Jesus could be found in the garden of Gethsemane at the hour of midnight, yet he “came and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people, now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast. And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him. And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come?” Then came they and laid hands on Jesus.” Matt. 26:47-50. Mark mentions this incident (Mark 14:44) and Luke quotes Jesus as saying: “Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?”
Whatever the words used, it would seem from all records that Jesus never spoke to Judas again. Perhaps Judas, being the grasping and covetous person he was, thought that here was a chance to beat the enemies of Jesus at their own game; he would collect the money and when the high priest went to take Jesus he would escape out of their hands as he had done in the past, for surely one as great as his master would never be taken. Luke 22:1-6.
The one thing Judas did not understand though was: Jesus was the Lamb of God, and this was the 14th day of the month of Abib when the Passover was kept, only this time there was a lamb in the person of Jesus to be offered for the “sins of the world,” a greater and more far reaching covering for sin than that which was offered for the children of Israel only.
The gospels all record the capture of Jesus in their own way; to cover the account, Luke’s record is the clearest, so we quote beginning at the 54th verse of chapter 22. “Then took they him (Jesus), and Led him, and brought him into the high priests’ house. And Peter followed afar off. And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them. But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said, This man was also with him. And he denied him, saying, woman, I know him not. And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, man, I am not. And about the space of one hour after, another confidently affirmed, saying, of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilean. And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew. And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. Then Peter went out, and wept bitterly.”
Faith is something that the human being talks a lot about; faith in ones ability, faith in judgment, faith in religion; but there is no one great enough to measure their faith when it comes to a real test as to how much a persons faith will endure. So it was with Peter.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One