Scripture Daily

Context No. 909 of 4322 · Mark

Context · Reflection

Mark 14:43-47: in context

43Immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, came—and with him a multitude with swords and clubs, from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. 44Now he who betrayed him had given them a sign, saying, “Whomever I will kiss, that is he. Seize him, and lead him away safely.” 45When he had come, immediately he came to him and said, “Rabbi! Rabbi!” and kissed him. 46They laid their hands on him and seized him. 47But a certain one of those who stood by drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.

This is the arrest in Gethsemane. While Jesus is still speaking, Judas arrives, one of the twelve, leading an armed crowd with swords and clubs sent from the chief priests and elders. He has given them a signal: the one I kiss is the man, seize him. He steps up, says Rabbi, Rabbi, and kisses him. They lay hands on Jesus and seize him. One bystander draws a sword and cuts off the ear of the high priest's servant.

The detail that stays with you is the kiss. Judas does not point, or call out a name, or simply walk up beside him; he chooses the sign of affection and intimacy, the greeting of a friend and disciple, as the instrument of betrayal. He turns Rabbi, my teacher, and a kiss, the very gestures of loyalty, into the trap. That is what makes this betrayal so haunting: it wears the face of love. The armed crowd with clubs is the honest violence, out in the open; the kiss is the quiet treachery that guides it home. And notice Jesus lets it happen. The sword that flashes out to defend him, cutting off an ear, is the disciples' instinct, to meet clubs with a blade, and in the other Gospels Jesus stops it and heals the man. He will not be rescued by violence and he will not be spared the kiss. He receives the betrayer, and the mob, and the cross, without lifting a hand to escape.

Where am I tempted to dress betrayal or self-interest in the gestures of affection, using the language of loyalty to cover something else?

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