Mark 14

vs 49

They had their plan - to wait till after Passover. That's what they did, and now they're here. But God also had his plan - the last supper has now taken place, and Jesus is ready for this to all go down.

vs 50

Weak. I mean totally weak. Jesus predicted it, and so it happened. This is the start of a time where the Son of God is alone, and no-one will speak up for him.

vs 51-2

These two verses (which could easily be one verse) always stumps me. Some people say that it was Mark, and he writes this to put himself in the story, to show he was there. Others say it relates to an Old Testament verse, but I can't even remember which one. At the very least, it shows that Jesus' disciples would rather run around naked than stand by him clothed.

vs 53

Basically, all those who had set themselves up as enemies of Jesus. They're obviously the best people to hold him to trial.

vs 54

To us it would seem weird that someone might come and stand by the fire of another person's courtyard, especially someone powerful like a high priest. But times were different then, and cultural mores of hospitality would have prevented even a stranger from being turned away in such a situation. I've got to say, good on Peter for turning up. He ran at first, but at least he's here trying to stick relatively close.

vs 55

D'oh. You'd think someone would have put together a brief beforehand. See, they all knew they hated him, and probably just assumed they'd find something eventually.

vs 56

They couldn't even stitch up a fake charge! Talk about bumbling. Even Ahab could organise getting Naboth bumped off.

vs 57

We assume we get this from Peter mostly, who was close and perhaps could hear this all going on. But it's also possible one of the high priests or teachers of the law later became a Christian, and told this story. Anyway, some guy gets up and says something.

vs 58

This is of course not exactly what Jesus said, but it's not far wrong. He at least heard something.

vs 59

But others then seem to have promptly stood up and made some stupid counterclaim, and the bungling continued.

vs 60

Obviously the right to remain silent is one Jesus was quite fond of. But then, what do you say to stupid, obviously false charges? "That's stupid"?