Marcos 14
David Guzik · Citado em PreceptAustin
Marcos 14
Guzik writes "Others think the name Iscariot is linked to the word sicarius, meaning “assassin” – a connection to the Jewish zealots who carried out underground warfare against the Roman occupiers." (I think this supposition while intriguing is unlikely). Iscariot - 11x in 11v - Matt. 10:4; Matt. 26:14; Mk. 3:19; Mk. 14:10; Lk. 6:16; Lk. 22:3; Jn. 6:71; Jn. 12:4; Jn. 13:2; Jn. 13:26; Jn. 14:22 Betray (hand over) (3860) paradidomi from para = alongside, beside, to the side of, over to + didomi = to give) conveys the basic meaning of to give over from one's hand to someone or something, especially to give over to the power of another, exactly what Judas did to Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. Paradidomi is used in legal parlance to describe handing someone into the custody of the police, authorities, etc. To deliver up one to custody, to be judged, condemned, punished, scourged, tormented, put to death. Paradidomi in Gospels - Matt. 4:12; Matt. 5:25; Matt. 10:4; Matt. 10:17; Matt. 10:19; Matt. 10:21; Matt. 11:27; Matt. 17:22; Matt. 18:34; Matt. 20:18; Matt. 20:19; Matt. 24:9; Matt. 24:10; Matt. 25:14; Matt. 25:20; Matt. 25:22; Matt. 26:2; Matt. 26:15; Matt. 26:16; Matt. 26:21; Matt. 26:23; Matt. 26:24; Matt. 26:25; Matt. 26:45; Matt. 26:46; Matt. 26:48; Matt. 27:2; Matt. 27:3; Matt. 27:4; Matt. 27:18; Matt. 27:26; Mk. 1:14; Mk. 3:19; Mk. 4:29; Mk. 7:13; Mk. 9:31; Mk. 10:33; Mk. 13:9; Mk. 13:11; Mk. 13:12; Mk. 14:10; Mk. 14:11; Mk. 14:18; Mk. 14:21; Mk. 14:41; Mk. 14:42; Mk. 14:44; Mk. 15:1; Mk. 15:10; Mk. 15:15; Lk. 1:2; Lk. 4:6; Lk. 9:44; Lk. 10:22; Lk. 12:58; Lk. 18:32; Lk. 20:20; Lk. 21:12; Lk. 21:16; Lk. 22:4; Lk. 22:6; Lk. 22:21; Lk. 22:22; Lk. 22:48; Lk. 23:25; Lk. 24:7; Lk. 24:20; Jn. 6:64; Jn. 6:71; Jn. 12:4; Jn. 13:2; Jn. 13:11; Jn. 13:21; Jn. 18:2; Jn. 18:5; Jn. 18:30; Jn. 18:35; Jn. 18:36; Jn. 19:11; Jn. 19:16; Jn. 19:30; Jn. 21:20; QUESTION - Who was Judas Iscariot? ANSWER - Judas Iscariot is typically remembered for one thing: his betrayal of Jesus. He was one of the twelve disciples who lived with and followed Jesus for three years. He witnessed Jesus’ ministry, His teaching, and His many miracles. He was the treasurer for the group and used this trusted position to steal from their resources (John 12:6). Judas was a common name in that era, and there are several other Judases mentioned in the New Testament. One of the other disciples was named Judas (John 14:22), and so was one of Jesus’ own half-brothers (Mark 6:3). To differentiate, John 6:71 and John 13:26 refer to Christ’s betrayer as “Judas, son of Simon Iscariot.” Scholars have several ideas about the derivation of the surname. One is that Iscariot refers to Kerioth, a region or town in Judea. Another idea is that it refers to the Sicarii, a cadre of assassins among the Jewish rebels. The possible association with the Sicarii allows for interesting speculation about Judas’ motives for his betrayal, but the fact that he made a conscious choice to betray Jesus (Luke 22:48) remains the same. The surname Iscariot is useful, if for no other reason, in that it leaves no doubt about which Judas is being referred to. Here are some of the facts we glean from key verses about Judas and his betrayal: Money was important to Judas. As already mentioned, he was a thief, and, according to Matthew 26:13–15, the chief priests paid him “thirty silver coins” to betray the Lord. Jesus knew from the very beginning what Judas Iscariot would do. Jesus told His disciples, “Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!” (John 6:70). And at the Last Supper, Jesus predicted His betrayal and identified the betrayer: “Jesus answered, ‘It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.’ Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, son of Simon” (John 13:26). Jesus said that Judas Iscariot was not “clean”; i.e., he had not been born again and was not forgiven of his sins (John 13:10–11). In fact, Judas was empowered to do what he did by the devil himself: “As soon as Judas took the bread [that Jesus had given him], Satan entered into him” (John 13:27). The other disciples had no clue that Judas Iscariot harbored treacherous thoughts. When Jesus mentioned a betrayer in their midst, the other disciples worried that it was they who would prove disloyal (John 13:22). No one suspected Judas. He was a trusted member of the Twelve. Even when Jesus told Judas, “What you are about to do, do quickly,” (John 13:27), and Judas left the Last Supper, the others at the table simply thought Judas had been sent to buy more food or to give something to charity (verses 28–29). Judas Iscariot betrayed the Lord with a kiss, perfectly in keeping with his brazen duplicity (Luke 22:47–48). After committing his atrocious act, Judas “was seized with remorse and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders” (Matthew 27:3). But we learn that remorse does not equal repentance—rather than make amends or seek forgiveness, “he went away and hanged himself” (Matthew 27:5). Judas Iscariot fulfilled the prophecy of Psalm 41:9, “Even my close friend, someone I trusted, one who shared my bread, has turned against me” (cf. John 13:18). Yet Judas was fully responsible for his actions. Jesus said, “The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born” (Matthew 26:24). Matthew 27:6–8 reports that the chief priests took the “blood money” from Judas and bought a potter’s field as a place for burying foreigners (thus fulfilling the prophecy of Zechariah 11:12–13). Acts 1:18–19 continues the story of what happened after Judas’ death and gives some additional information. Luke reports, “With the reward he got for his wickedness, Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out. Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this, so they called that field in their language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.” The additional detail we learn from Luke is that, after Judas hanged himself, his dead body fell into the very field purchased with his ill-gotten gains. Given the fact of Judas’ close proximity to Jesus during three years of ministry, it is hard to imagine how he could follow through on such a dastardly betrayal. Judas’ story teaches us to guard against small, gradual failings that gain strength and power in our lives and that could open the door to more deadly influences. His story is also a great reminder that appearances can be deceiving. Jesus taught, “Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” (Matthew 7:22–23).GotQuestions.org Related Resources: Why did Judas betray Jesus? | GotQuestions.org How did Judas die? | GotQuestions.org Was Judas Iscariot forgiven / saved? | GotQuestions.org Why did Jesus choose Judas? | GotQuestions.org What is the significance of Judas betraying Jesus with a kiss? | GotQuestions.org What is the Gospel of Judas? | GotQuestions.org Mark 14:11 They were glad when they heard this, and promised to give him money. And he began seeking how to betray Him at an opportune time. NET Mark 14:11 When they heard this, they were delighted and promised to give him money. So Judas began looking for an opportunity to betray him. NLT Mark 14:11 They were delighted when they heard why he had come, and they promised to give him money. So he began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus. ESV Mark 14:11 And when they heard it, they were glad and promised to give him money. And he sought an opportunity to betray him. NIV Mark 14:11 They were delighted to hear this and promised to give him money. So he watched for an opportunity to hand him over. GNT Mark 14:11 οἱ δὲ ἀκούσαντες ἐχάρησαν καὶ ἐπηγγείλαντο αὐτῷ ἀργύριον δοῦναι. καὶ ἐζήτει πῶς αὐτὸν εὐκαίρως παραδοῖ. KJV Mark 14:11 And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. And he sought how he might conveniently betray him. YLT Mark 14:11 and having heard, they were glad, and promised to give him money, and he was seeking how, conveniently, he might deliver him up. ASV Mark 14:11 And they, when they heard it, were glad, and promised to give him money. And he sought how he might conveniently deliver him unto them. CSB Mark 14:11 And when they heard this, they were glad and promised to give him silver. So he started looking for a good opportunity to betray Him. NKJ Mark 14:11 And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. So he sought how he might conveniently betray Him. NRS Mark 14:11 When they heard it, they were greatly pleased, and promised to give him money. So he began to look for an opportunity to betray him. NAB Mark 14:11 When they heard him they were pleased and promised to pay him money. Then he looked for an opportunity to hand him over. they were: Ho 7:3 Lu 22:5 promised: 1Ki 21:20 2Ki 5:26 Pr 1:10-16 28:21,22 Mt 26:15 1Ti 6:10 2Pe 2:14,15 Jude 1:11 he began seeking: Lu 22:5,6 Mark 14 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Matthew 26:15 and said, “What are you willing to give me to betray Him to you?” And they weighed out thirty pieces of silver to him. 16 From then on he began looking for a good opportunity to betray Jesus. COMMENT: 500 years prior Zechariah prophesied about "30 pieces of silver" (Zech 11:12NET) "Thirty pieces of silver" was the value placed on the fatal goring of a man's slave by his neighbor's ox (Exodus 21:32+). The value of this divine Servant to His nation was greater than the wealth of all the world, yet its leaders appraised His death as worth only the price of a dead slave.
Marcos 14
Guzik says "God would use the wicked works of Judas to further His eternal plan. This was the appointed time for Jesus to go to the cross, but before Judas’ treachery the religious leaders did not intend to do it at the time out of a fear of the people." NET Note - The leaders were delighted when Judas contacted them about betraying Jesus, because it gave them the opportunity they had been looking for, and they could later claim that Jesus had been betrayed by one of his own disciples.
Marcos 14
Guzik - Relying on how you feel at the moment is not a stable foundation. Peter felt brave at the moment, but would soon be intimidated before a humble servant girl, and deny to her that he even knew Jesus.ii. “It is sometimes easier to bear a great load for Christ than a small one. Some of us could be martyrs at the stake more easily that confessors among sneering neighbors.” (Maclaren) Jon Courson - Did Peter’s faith fail? No (ED: I'M NOT 100% SURE PETER DID NOT HAVE A BIT OF A "FAITH FAILURE."). He believed in the Lord, even though he ended up denying the Lord. Nor did his love fail. What failed? His hope. When he saw Jesus being led away in ropes, being brought to Caiaphas, his hope was lost. Maybe you’re in Peter’s sandals. You believe in the Lord. You have a definite love for the Lord. But your hope has been diminished because you can’t figure out how what’s happening to you could possibly work for good. (ILLUSTRATION) A number of years ago, a study was done on Norwegian wharf rats. After being thrown in the open water, one group paddled for about three and a half minutes before drowning. A second group was thrown in, but plucked out right before they drowned. The next day, when the rats were thrown back into the water, scientists were astounded to find them able to tread water for forty-five minutes or more—evidently because they were hoping they would be rescued as they were the previous day. The same is true with us. If we don’t have hope that we’ll be rescued, we sink. But if we have hope that a rescue is coming, we can tread water through the hard times. I don’t think it is at all coincidental that the doctrine of the Rapture is called the blessed hope (Titus 2:13) because, although sometimes we feel we’re in a rat race and going under quickly, we know today could be the glorious day of the Lord’s return.
Marcos 14
Guzik on Gethsemane - It was a place where olives from the neighborhood were crushed for their oil. So too, the Son of God would be crushed here. The modern location of this garden is uncertain so that "Today there is a Latin (Roman Catholic), Armenian, Greek Orthodox, and Russian Orthodox Gethsemane.” (Brooks)
Marcos 14
Guzik - Jesus knew what the Father’s will was; yet He still endured this agony. It was because Jesus was to be a sacrifice for sins, and He wasn’t an unknowing sacrificial animal. Nor was He a victim of circumstances. He resolved willingly to lay down His life. It was not so much the horror of physical torture that affected Jesus so, but it was the spiritual horror of the cross—of being made sin (2 Corinthians 5:21).
Marcos 14
Guzik - Jesus wasn’t asking for permission to let humanity perish in hell; He was asking the Father, “If there is any other possible way to save humanity other than the agony which awaits Me at the cross—let it be.” Yet there was no other way, so Jesus went to the cross.. This prayer of Jesus eliminates any other way of salvation. If there is another way, His death was not necessary and His prayer was not answered. Henry Blackaby - If you want to learn how to pray, use Jesus as your model. Jesus did not always receive what He asked for, but His prayers were always heard and always answered (Mark 14:36; Heb. 5:7). If you do not sense the Holy Spirit's power in your life, you may not be spending adequate time in prayer. Perhaps you are pursuing your own agenda rather than seeking the Father's will. You may have abandoned the place of prayer before God's answer came. If you will commit yourself to spend sustained time in prayer, asking for God's kingdom on earth, God will work in your life just as He did in the lives of Jesus and His disciples. MacArthur on the cup - In the Old Testament, the cup was often used as a metaphor for the wrath of God (cf. Pss. 11:6; 75:8; Isa. 51:17, 22; Jer. 25:15–17; 49:12; Lam. 4:21; Ezek. 23:31–33; Hab. 2:16; Zech. 12:2). On the cross, Jesus would drink the cup of divine wrath against sin (John 18:11).(MNTC-Mark)
Marcos 14
Guzik - Repeatedly in the Old Testament, the cup is a powerful picture of the wrath and judgment of God (Psalm 75:8, Isaiah 51:17, Jeremiah 25:15). Matthew 20:22–23 speaks of a cup that the followers of Jesus must also drink. Matthew 20:22-23 But Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?” They *said to Him, “We are able.” 23He *said to them, “My cup you shall drink; but to sit on My right and on My left, this is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by My Father.”
Marcos 14
Guzik - Jesus came to a point of decision in Gethsemane. It wasn’t that He had not decided nor consented before, but now He came upon a unique point of decision. He drank the cup at Calvary, but He decided once for all to drink it at Gethsemane. The struggle of the cross was won at the Garden of Gethsemane.
Marcos 14
Guzik writes that "Peter must have been a bit startled to hear Jesus call him Simon. This was the old sleeping Simon, not the new man Peter. Peter was ready to resist any attack, except the attack of the Sandman....Jesus found victory at the cross by succeeding in the struggle in Gethsemane. Peter—just like us—failed in later temptation because he failed to watch and pray. The spiritual battle is often won or lost before the crisis comes. Barton - He had told them to stay and keep watch (14:34), but instead of showing support for Jesus by remaining awake with him and praying themselves for strength in the coming hours, they had fallen asleep, “exhausted from sorrow” (Luke 22:45NIV). Also, the hour was very late, perhaps after midnight. (LAC) Swete has this note: “The Lord rises again, and returning to the three, finds that His warning (v. 34) has been in vain; all are asleep. Luke explains their sleep as resulting from the exhaustion produced by their deepening realization of the Passion (compare v. 19, John 16:20). Peter is addressed as the first of the three; but the rebuke is partly personal, as Mark at least is aware. Mark has not used the personal name ‘Simon’ since Peter’s call to the Apostolate (3:16), and its appearance here is certainly suggestive; compare John 21:15, Simon, son of Jonas, where the reference to natural, perhaps hereditary, character is still more plainly emphasized. For the time he is ‘Peter’ no more; the new character which he owes to association with Jesus is in abeyance. He who was ready to die with the Master (v. 31) has been proved not to possess the strength of will requisite for resisting sleep during the third part of a single watch.” WAKE UP! Peter wasn’t the only sleeper. James and John were sleeping, too. Should Peter feel singled out for blame? Yes, he was. Peter was supposed to be the leader of his group. He professed his loyalty, and he knew that leadership required extra responsibility. Peter should have kept the others awake, along with himself. Yet aren’t we like Peter? How difficult is it for us to pray for one hour when we’re worried and exhausted, when our energy and motivation are at low levels? We must be leaders who are watchful, who remain prepared for the Lord’s work. We must learn leadership skills from teachers who see our potential and work hard to build our character. When Jesus singles you out for a special responsibility, he wants you to grow into a leader. Stay awake; step up; follow Christ. (LAC) Illustration: Finding strength through prayer: at the great cathedral at Worms, Germany, along the Rhine River. . . all the powers of Europe were assembled in that place: the Roman emperor, in all his robes and dignity; the papal delegates, the bishops and archbishops of all the Catholic realms of Europe. It was the most imposing array of power possible on the face of the earth of that day, all gathered in that great cathedral against one lone man, Dr. Martin Luther, on trial for his life. The account tells us that the night before, someone overheard Martin Luther praying and wrote down the words of his prayer. It was a long, rambling, disconnected prayer of a soul in deep distress and fear, crying out to God for help, casting himself anew, again and again, upon the strength of God and reminding himself that there is no source of hope or help except God. All his reliance upon the princes of the German state disappeared. Martin Luther cast himself in naked helplessness upon the grace and sustaining strength of God. I am sure that is why, at that very moment, he received strength to stand and say, "Unless someone can show me from these books and from Holy Scripture the error in my thinking, I will not and cannot recant. Here I stand. I can do no other, God help me!" And though he was condemned as an heretic, it was then that the torts of the Reformation began to spread throughout all of Europe. Nothing could stop the shining forth of the light. (Stedman) Mark 14:38 "Keep watching and praying that you may not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." Keep watching: Mk 14:34 Mt 24:42 25:13 26:41 Lu 21:36 22:40,46 1Co 16:13 1Pe 5:8 Rev 3:2,3,10 The spirit: Ro 7:18-25 Ga 5:17 Php 2:12 Mark 14 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Matthew 26:41 “Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Luke 22:40, 46+ When He arrived at the place, He said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.”...46 and said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not enter into temptation.” KEEP WATCHING AND PRAYING Keep watching and praying that you may not come into temptation (peirasmos) - Jesus gives the Peter, James and John 2 commands, both in the present imperative (both plural = for all 3 disciples) calling for them to keep on watching and keep on praying. On one level the meaning of Keep watching is literal, conveying the idea that the disciples were simply to refrain from sleeping. On a deeper level the idea is for the disciples to remain alert, watchful, ready to meet the danger and be quick to perceive and act. Jesus told them to pray for themselves. He knew they were about to be more severely tested than ever before. Hiebert - In Mark 14:34, Jesus urged their watchfulness in connection with His own sorrow; now they need it for their own safety. Watching and praying will enable them to resist the fierce temptation that will assail them. Outward circumstances will test their confidence in Him as Messiah; their attitude of alertness and prayer will enable them to escape a damaging entrance into the temptation of believing that He is not the Messiah. That temptation they can escape through active compliance with His exhortation. (The Gospel of Mark: An Expositional Commentary) Adam Clarke makes the point that if the disciples (and applicable to all saints) could not "endure a little fatigue when there is no suffering, how will they do when the temptation, the great trial of their faith and courage, comes? Watch—that ye be not taken unawares; and pray—that when it comes ye may be enabled to bear it." In short, the order is important - (1) Watch (2) Pray. The commands to watch and pray precede the warning about temptation. In other words, don't wait until the temptation comes to begin to watch and pray. Watch and pray before the temptation comes! Then you are ready to deal with the temptation and much more likely to come through the testing time victoriously. Jesus gave us one of the best "preventative" prayers to pray when He instructed His disciples to pray… "Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from (Greek preposition = apo = marker of dissociation, put distance between, away from) evil" (Matthew 6:13+). Comment: The idea is "Lord, don't lead me into a time of testing that I will not be able to resist." Deliver (rhuomai)is in the form of a command, (aorist imperative) an urgent cry for God to rescue us out of evil. Beloved, this whole world lies in the power of the evil one (Satan, 1Jn 5:19+) and therefore as we begin our days and our interactions with the world, this is a great prayer to start the day! Remember God's promise when we pray according to His will (1 Jn 5:14, 15+), which should further encourage us to pray Mt 6:13 on a regular basis. Always beware however of the "weakness of the flesh" to turn spiritual disciplines into "religious works", so that we begin to pray this prayer almost like a "good luck charm" or "mantra." Gilbrant - To be tempted is not sinning in itself. Peirasmos can be used of an inclination to evil when a person is "drawn away of his own lust" (James 1:14). It can also indicate a legitimate test as when our Lord was tested by Satan (Matthew 4:1-11+). Regardless of their prayers, the test would come; the purpose of their praying would be that they would not "enter into temptation" in the sense of being overcome by it. There was still time for them to receive spiritual help that would enable them to stand the test successfully. The spirit" may be the Holy Spirit, but it probably means the human spirit. He recognized that in their spirits they desired to be faithful, but their flesh was no match for the tempter. "The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak" was not an excuse for their failure. Jesus made them aware of this so they would be motivated to pray. Some commentators have made this merely a contrast of body and mind; this is not an adequate equivalence. It is more scriptural to see the spirit of man as that which is directly dependent on the Spirit of God, the means of communication with God. The "flesh" denotes their frail sinful nature expressing itself in attitudes contrary to the will of God. Obviously it is always opposed to the Holy Spirit. It also always acts in opposition to the spirit of the believer (Galatians 5:17+; Romans 8:9ff.). (Complete Biblical Library – Mark) Jesus' double command pictures watchfulness and prayer as if they were two sentinels or soldiers on duty at their guard post constantly watching over the entrance of our heart (Pr 4:23+), alerting us to sneak attacks, continually guarding against the subtle, often sudden approach of danger and giving us forewarning of that danger. The implication is clear that temptation lurks about, waiting for our unguarded moments and then attacks. God warned Cain… If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? (context = Ge 4:5,6) And if you do not do well, Sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it. (Ge 4:7) THOUGHT - Beloved of God, our mortal enemy Sin is ever crouching, ready to pouch, ready to send arrows of temptation which "desire" to destroy our witness, our credibility, even our very life (see what happened because Cain refused to stay alert and instead letting sin pounce on him - Ge 4:8) Now where did Cain stumble? His pride, right? What did he refuse to do? Didn't he refuse to humble himself? The moment we stake our "turf" and say "I'll take care of this my way God", is the moment we call down upon ourselves a veritable "holy war". Look at the results of proud flesh whether it be Cain, Peter, et al. God opposes ("stiff arms") the man or woman who refuses to humble themselves (cp 1 Pet 5:5+, Jas 4:6+). Jesus is laying out for His disciples His "strategy" for victory over temptation - keep watching, keep praying. If we refuse to humble ourselves and obey His commands to watch and pray, we are setting ourselves up for a fall. Why? Because God always opposes the proud heart (in James 4:6 the verb anthistemi is in the present tense [continually] which means God continually sets Himself against pride even as opposing armies would arrange themselves against one another in battle). How can a disciple of Jesus stand firm in the hour of testing and not fall into temptation?" The disciples, and specifically Peter, thought that in the own strength, the strength of their flesh, they would never fall away from their Lord. Jesus however knew their flesh and knew the results that would occur in their "hour of testing (temptation)". Peter filled with bravado and a great deal of "self", first failed the "Malchus test", cutting off the ear of the slave of the Jewish high priest (Jn 18:10). Shortly thereafter Peter steadfastly denied His Lord three times (Jn 18:25, 26, 27). Jesus knew what was coming and He was preparing them to understand that in their own strength they could never stand with Him and against His enemies (the world, the flesh and the devil). He was calling them to understand what it meant to die to self (Mk 8:34), and to learn to continually depend on the provision He would send after His ascension. Ultimately this warning of coming temptation was part of His preparing them for their Helper, the Holy Spirit (see Jn 7:38, 39, 14:16, 17, Lk 3:16). He wanted them to learn the lesson that ultimately they in their humanness ("flesh") could never stand against their adversaries, but that only "clothed with power from on high" (Lk 24:49, Acts 2:4, 4:8, 4:31, 9:17, 13:9, 13:52) could they be more than conquerors in Christ (Ro 8:37KJV). And so in His parting words the resurrected Savior reminded the disciples (and us today) of their (our) great need for spiritual power promising that "you shall receive power (dunamis = inherent power to accomplish a task, "supernatural power for a supernatural life") when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses (Greek = martus = gives us our English "martyr", something that most of them literally became!) both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth." (Acts 1:8) THOUGHT - Are you trying to fend off temptation from the world, the flesh and the devil in your own strength (your weak "flesh") or are you learning the "secret" that the disciples and apostles had to learn -- of continual dependence on the Holy Spirit, Who gives us both the will and the power (Php 2:13+) to keep watching and keep praying? Puritan John Owen explains that keeping watch means "as much as to be on our guard, to take heed, to consider all ways and means whereby an enemy may approach to us… (this watchfulness requires) a universal carefulness and diligence, exercising itself in and by all ways and means prescribed by God, over our hearts and ways, the baits and methods of Satan, the occasions and advantages of sin in the world, that we be not entangled, is that which in this word is pressed on us. Keep watching (1127) (gregoreuo from egeiro = to arise, arouse) pictures a sleeping man rousing himself from slumber and so means to refrain from sleep and by default to be awake, alert, and watchful. A secular use of gregoreuo described a person carefully crossing a river while stepping on slippery stones. If they did not pay strict attention to their steps, they would end up in the water (compare "enter into temptation"). Gregoreuo is in the present imperative, which is a charge to continually stay awake! Jesus is saying that it is imperative that His disciples (and by application this includes us today) not become indolent and lazy and let down our guard or we will become easy prey for our inveterate, intractable enemies - the world, the flesh and the devil. The internal and external forces that come against us demand us to be alert and vigilant. Jesus is calling His disciples to be on the alert, maintaining a constant state of vigilance (vigilance suggests intense, unremitting, wary watchfulness; keenly alert to or heedful of trouble or danger as others are sleeping or unsuspicious). Gregoreuo - 22x - alert, 10; awake, 1; keep, 1; keep watch, 4; keep watching, 1; keeping alert, 1; stay on the alert, 1; stays awake, 1; wake, 2 Mt. 24:42, 43; 25:13; 26:38, 40, 41; Mk. 13:34, 35, 37; 14:34, 37, 38; Lk. 12:37; Acts 20:31; 1 Co. 16:13; Col. 4:2; 1Th 5:6, 10; 1Pe 5:8; Re 3:2, 3; 16:15 Note that most of the 22 uses of gregoreuo are in the latter part of Gospels in the context of Jesus' soon to come crucifixion and repeated exhortations to His disciples to be on the alert for His future return. For example, Jesus concluded the parable of the 10 virgins with the warning Be on the alert (gregoreuo - also a present imperative) then, for you do not know the day nor the hour. (Mt 25:13) Comment: If we as believers today really believed (and therefore really heeded = belief dictates behavior, creed influences conduct) this command to continually be on "high alert" for the return of our Lord (Second Coming), what effect might it have on our daily conduct and our prayer life? (see 1Jn 3:2+, 1Jn 3:3+) Gregoreuo is used three times in Mark 13 (Mk. 13:34, 35, 37+) which closes with an exhortation to watchfulness in view of the Lord’s Return. Jesus' addressing His disciples, Peter and James and John and Andrew, on the Mount of Olives tells them a parable of the doorkeeper, declaring that It is like a man, away on a journey, who upon leaving his house and putting his slaves in charge, assigning to each one his task, also commanded the doorkeeper to stay on the alert (gregoreuo). Therefore, be on the alert (gregoreuo)-- for you do not know when the master of the house is coming, whether in the evening, at midnight, at cockcrowing, or in the morning-- lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. And what I say to you I say to all, 'Be on the alert (gregoreuo)!' (Mk 13:34-37+)
Marcos 14
Guzik - Jesus repeated the prayer outlined in Mark 14:34–36. Some say it is unspiritual, or reflects a lack of faith, to repeat prayers, yet we could never accuse Jesus of being unspiritual or of lacking faith. Gilbrant - His going again and praying the same words was not "vain repetition" such as He had forbidden (Matthew 6:7). Repetition is vain only when it is offered as a means of merit without proper spiritual hunger. Jesus was at the very juncture of the eternal plan of the Triune God. He was determined to do the will of the Father (Hebrews 10:7, 9); yet the One who knew no sin recoiled against becoming the Sin Offering, having all sin of all time imputed to Him, even if only temporarily (2 Corinthians 5:21). The two desires created a tension within Him that demanded three sessions of prayer. (Complete Biblical Library – Mark) Mark 14:40 And again He came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy; and they did not know what to answer Him. they did not know: Mk 9:33,34 Ge 44:16 Ro 3:19 Related Passages: Matthew 26:43 Again He came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. SECOND EPISODE OF SOMNOLENCE And again He came and found them sleeping - After His second time of prayer to His Father, He again found them asleep. For -(gar) - Term of explanation. Explains why they kept falling asleep. Their eyes were very heavy - Very heavy is katabaruno used only here in the Scriptures and in the present tense depicts their eyes (eyelids) and continually weighed down. We all know that feeling when we are driving late at night and catch ourselves nodding off because our eyelids feel weighed down and easily fall shut. They were so drowsy, they could not keep their eyes open. In fairness, they had experienced an unusually busy, emotion filled day and it was now probably around midnight. NET Note - “because their eyes were weighed down,” an idiom for becoming extremely or excessively sleepy
Marcos 14
Guzik - In a real sense, it wasn’t Jesus on trial at all—it was more accurate to say that the religious leaders were on trial. They seemed to win, but they really lost. In fact, we all are on trial before Jesus and will be held to account for what we do with Him. Tearing his clothes - Caiaphas had achieved what he sought, but in time and eternity would realize that it was far more than he sought as he would stand before the Judge he had once judged and it would be at the Great White Throne judgment where he would sentenced to everlasting punishment (Rev 20:11-15+). At that future time Caiaphas would learn that he had not made a good decision to tear his clothes!
Marcos 14
Guzik says "Peter’s first problem was that he followed Him at a distance (Mark 14:54). When we distance ourselves from Jesus, it is hard to make a proper stand for Him at the critical time." Daniel Akin introduces this section - A very popular saying today is the phrase, “I got your back.” There is even a song entitled “I Got Your Back” by rapper T.I. Basically the idea is “ I am your friend and I am watching out for you. I am watching out for what’s behind you as you are busy looking ahead. “ In other words you can trust me to look out for you, to even “take a bullet for you” if necessary. It is a pledge of devotion, loyalty and true friendship. Such friends are few and should be cherished as precious gifts. Peter had made such a pledge to Jesus just a few hours earlier (Mark 14:29, Mark 14:31, contrast Mk 14:50).....Now, however, we find him, and only him, drawing close to the place where our Lord is being held. Maybe he does have Jesus’ back. On the other hand, maybe he doesn’t. Darrel Bock adds that "The Gospels differ about who elicits Peter’s denials; the slave girls are more prominent in Matthew (Mt 26:69, 71) and Mark (Mk 14:66, 69) than in Luke (Lk 22:56). Hiebert adds "All four Gospels candidly record three denials by Peter (Matt. 26:69–75; Luke 22:55–62; John 18:15–18, 25–27), but the details vary considerably. Efforts to arrange all the Gospels into one consistent narrative have produced varied combinations. In the synoptics, the three denials are told together, but in the Fourth Gospel, they are related to the course of events that evening." (The Gospel of Mark: An Expositional Commentary) As Peter was below in the courtyard - Note the location of "below." Jesus "trial was apparently at a higher level of the palace.
Marcos 14
Guzik - A hostile man of authority interrogated Jesus. Peter did not face this kind of interrogation, only one of the servant girls. But she was enough to make Peter deny Jesus. “A silly wench daunteth and dispiriteth this stout champion.” (Trapp) Hiebert - The unexpectedness, as well as the publicity, of the exposure filled Peter with sudden panic. Instead of making a bold confession, he played the coward. (The Gospel of Mark: An Expositional Commentary) Adam
Marcos 14
Guzik - There is a significant contrast between Judas and Peter. Both of them denied Jesus in one way or another, but one was restored and the other was not. Restoring Peter was important to Jesus; after His resurrection, Jesus had a private meeting with Peter (Luke 24:34) and a public restoration with Peter (John 21). Judas ended up as an apostate, and Peter was a backslider who suffered spiritual decline from an experience he once enjoyed.