Mark 14:45 Commentary - Dr Peter Masters

Navigator

Mark 14:45

Comments

As the Scripture had predicted, Judas proceeded to betray the Lord. He did so in the most despicable way. Matthew includes the Lord’s piercing question to Judas: ‘Friend, wherefore art thou come?’ (Matthew 26:50). This ought to have cut Judas’ heart to the quick, but even this did not yet awaken his conscience, and that would not happen until it was too late, and then suicide would follow. Luke records, ‘But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?’ (Luke 22:48). It was a familiar greeting which was part of the culture, but Judas kept up pretence of friendship to the very end. How much Judas forfeited for how little! What did the chief priests and elders think of a man who could betray his master in this way? Even they must have felt this was a worthless man conducting a sordid business, but for now it suited them to do business with him, because it delivered their great enemy into their hands, so what did they care? Their contempt for Judas’ action is shown later when even they cannot bring themselves to use the thirty pieces of silver thrown back at them, for anything other than the purchase of a burial plot.

Application

This whole scene gives us a fearful picture of how men and women behave when they try to hide their real intent from God. The Lord Jesus, who had foretold Judas betrayal, identified him as the betrayer, and warned of his approach to the Gethsemane, now watched as this pantomime of affection was played out. It must happen because Scripture must be fulfilled, and yet Psalm 41:9 tells us how painful this was for Christ: ‘Mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me’ (Psalm 41:9). It was a horrible lie. It was such a show of falsehood. It was such a terrible devaluing of the Son of God. But Judas seemed to think he could pass muster, at least for the moment. He seemed to have no idea that he stood naked before the Lord of glory with all his deceit exposed. How brazen man is in carrying out his sin, and how self-deceived in thinking he can get away with it!

Questions

Outline

Purpose

Introduction

Mark 14:45 Commentary and Bible Study