LESSON VII.—SABBATH, FEBRUARY 17, 1900.
"Now he that betrayed Him had given them a token, saying, Whosoever I shall kiss, that is He; take Him, and lead Him away safely." "And they all left Him, and fled." "And they led Jesus away to the high priest; and there come together with Him all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes." "Judas then, having received the band of soldiers, and officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons. Jesus therefore, knowing all the things that were coming upon Him, went forth, and saith unto them, Whom seek ye? They answered Him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am He. And Judas also, which betrayed Him, was standing with them. When therefore He said unto them, I am He, they went backward, and fell to the ground. Again therefore He asked them, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus answered, I told you that I am He; if therefore ye seek Me, let these go their way; that the word might be fulfilled which He spake, Of those whom Thou hast given Me I lost not one. Simon Peter therefore having a sword drew it, and struck the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. Now the servant's name was Malchus. Jesus therefore said unto Peter, Put up the sword into the sheath: the cup which the Father hath given Me, shall I not drink it?" "So the band and the chief captain, and the officers of the Jews, seized Jesus and bound Him." "While He yet spake, behold, a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them; and he drew near unto Jesus to kiss Him. But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss? And when they that were about Him saw what would follow, they said, Lord, shall we smite with the sword?" "But Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And He touched his ear, and healed him. And Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and elders, which were come against Him, Are ye come out, as against a robber, with swords and staves?" Note.—The texts inclosed in marks of parentheses, while not essential to the lesson study, will be found to throw much light upon the lesson, and are suggested for those who wish to study further. 1. Before entering the garden where Jesus was, what sign had Judas given his companions, by which they might recognize Christ? Mark 14:44. 2. Who were those in company with Judas? What did they carry with them? John 18:3. (Acts 1:16.) 3. Knowing their object, what did Jesus do? Verse 4. 4. What then transpired? Verses 5-7. 5. What final reply did Jesus make? Verse 8. Note 1. 7. With what words did Jesus meet him? Verse 48. (Matt. 26:50.) 8. Seeing the situation to be critical, what question did the disciples ask? Verse 49. 10. What reproof did Jesus then administer to Peter? Verse 11. (Matt. 26:52, 53.) 11. How did Jesus repair the mistake Peter had made? Luke 22:51. 12. What question did Jesus then ask the throng of armed men? Verse 52. 13. What was the next step taken by the company of officers? John 18:12. 14. In this what did the disciples do? Mark 14:50. 15. To what place was Jesus taken? Verse 53. Note 2. (John 18:13.) Side Lights.—"Desire of Ages," chapter 74; "Spirit of Prophecy," vol. 3, chapter 7. 1. It is a remarkable thing that, in the midst of all His danger, Jesus did not for a moment forget to care for His disciples, and so the only favor asked of His captors was that His disciples might retain their liberty. 2. ANNAS had been appointed high priest in A.D. 7, by the Emperor Quirinius, but because of his constant intrigue and unwearied plottings, was deprived of his office in A.D. 14, by Valerius. He, however, had the privilege of seeing his five sons successively raised to the same office. Caiaphas, being son-in-law to Annas, gave way to the influence of the latter to such an extent that the father-in-law really ruled matters in the office of high priest.