Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him,
The band with its captain and the officers of the Jews seized Jesus and bound him, an armed company including the Jewish officers taking him into custody. His hands were bound tightly and securely, so that he moved painfully, and under close guard he was hurried away while a hooting mob followed hurling scorn and ridicule. The hands they bound were hands that had been used continually for good.
He gave himself up willingly and did not resist being taken and bound, though he had power to deliver himself from his enemies. He had just shown power to stop them and to heal the wounded servant, yet he allowed himself to be captured. He submitted to arrest because he was sent to bear the sins of the world and must pay the penalty of man's transgression, drinking the cup the Father had given him rather than resisting. In this he bore humanity's guilt and was numbered with transgressors.
The seizure and binding came after his agony in Gethsemane and following betrayal by Judas and the desertion of his disciples. It belongs with the Gospel accounts underlying the events surrounding that agony. Bound, he was led away first to Annas, the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year and had advised that one man should die for the people. Annas was one whose counsel the Jewish people and leaders sought and carried out as authoritative as the voice of God.
Annas had been waiting eagerly for the arrest and craved the satisfaction of first seeing Jesus of Nazareth as a bound captive. He looked with satisfaction on Jesus standing bound before him, believing that the one who had exposed the hypocrisy of the rulers was at last in their power. After being shown to Annas he was hurried on without delay. The priests and rulers had decided that once they had possession of him there should be no delays in his trial and condemnation, fearing that the people remembering his acts of charity and mercy would rescue him out of their hands.
His arrest began proceedings that carried him through questioning and abuse and from Annas to Caiaphas to Pilate to Herod. The charges against him were contradictory and Pilate found no fault in him. Though mocked and scourged he remained dignified and patient, speaking only what was essential and what honored God. The betrayal, arrest, condemnation, humiliation, and death were an ordeal he had foreseen, and he had prepared his faithful disciples beforehand so that these events would not take them by surprise or destroy their faith.
His arrest and the abuse he endured, with his suffering and death, foreshadow the hostility and mistreatment his followers must be prepared to bear for his name. His suffering and death strengthen them when wicked people make them suffer for faith. Those who hold fast remain faithful and receive his righteousness.
The band with its captain and the officers of the Jews seized Jesus and bound him, an armed company including the Jewish officers taking him into custody. His hands were bound tightly and securely, so that he moved painfully, and under close guard he was hurried away while a hooting mob followed hurling scorn and ridicule. The hands they bound were hands that had been used continually for good.
He gave himself up willingly and did not resist being taken and bound, though he had power to deliver himself from his enemies. He had just shown power to stop them and to heal the wounded servant, yet he allowed himself to be captured. He submitted to arrest because he was sent to bear the sins of the world and must pay the penalty of man's transgression, drinking the cup the Father had given him rather than resisting. In this he bore humanity's guilt and was numbered with transgressors.
The seizure and binding came after his agony in Gethsemane and following betrayal by Judas and the desertion of his disciples. It belongs with the Gospel accounts underlying the events surrounding that agony. Bound, he was led away first to Annas, the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year and had advised that one man should die for the people. Annas was one whose counsel the Jewish people and leaders sought and carried out as authoritative as the voice of God.
Annas had been waiting eagerly for the arrest and craved the satisfaction of first seeing Jesus of Nazareth as a bound captive. He looked with satisfaction on Jesus standing bound before him, believing that the one who had exposed the hypocrisy of the rulers was at last in their power. After being shown to Annas he was hurried on without delay. The priests and rulers had decided that once they had possession of him there should be no delays in his trial and condemnation, fearing that the people remembering his acts of charity and mercy would rescue him out of their hands.
His arrest began proceedings that carried him through questioning and abuse and from Annas to Caiaphas to Pilate to Herod. The charges against him were contradictory and Pilate found no fault in him. Though mocked and scourged he remained dignified and patient, speaking only what was essential and what honored God. The betrayal, arrest, condemnation, humiliation, and death were an ordeal he had foreseen, and he had prepared his faithful disciples beforehand so that these events would not take them by surprise or destroy their faith.
His arrest and the abuse he endured, with his suffering and death, foreshadow the hostility and mistreatment his followers must be prepared to bear for his name. His suffering and death strengthen them when wicked people make them suffer for faith. Those who hold fast remain faithful and receive his righteousness.