Mark 14:32-52
I’ve been thinking about this …crowd with swords and clubs… (v. 43b) that came to meet Jesus. To get to the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus had to go “over the ravine of the Kidron” (John 18:1) to the upslopes of the Mount of Olives (Luke 22:39). The crowd included a band of <Roman> soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees (John 18:3). In that same verse the NASB also records that Judas had “procured” their services. I’m wondering to what extend this entire mob was either ordered to go (in some official capacity, serving the Jewish leaders) or paid to go if their services could not be required (townspeople and off-duty Roman soldiers?). But think about it – this mob was not being asked to go just a few blocks from the temple area. [Aren’t most riots just a few blocks’ walk?] They weren’t just going to the local city park. They were being asked to leave Jerusalem, traverse the Kidron ravine/valley and climb the Mount of Olives to get to the Garden. Oh yeah, and bring swords and clubs! All in the middle of the night! Go get Him and bring Him back to the high priest. That’s what’s really going on in these few verses where “a crowd” somehow shows up at Jesus’ nighttime rest area. This is a full-blown chief priests’ plot!
See also: November 13 / Mark 14:32-42; November 15 / Mark 14:43-52