Truth About The Crucifixion — Page 90
He who has dipped his hand in the dish with me will betray me. (Matt. 26:21). After supper Jesus proceeded to a place called Gethsemane. According to Matthew, Mark and Luke, Jesus appeared disturbed and restless at the time. He directed the disciples to stay behind and occupy themselves in prayer and supplication while he advanced a short space ahead of them and fell down on his knees and began to pray. After a short while he came back and observed that the disciples were asleep. . He addressed Peter:. Simon, are you asleep? Could you not watch one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit indeed is willing but the flesh is weak. (Mark, 14: 37-38). He then left them again and began to pray and returning after a short while, again found them asleep. The same happened a third time and he said to them:. Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand. (Matthew, 26: 45-46). . While he thus admonished his disciples, Judas arrived with the officers of the Chief Priests and Pharisees and with a body of soldiers. Judas walked ahead of them. He advanced and identified Jesus by kissing him. The crowd advanced towards Jesus and seized him. The soldiers secured him and tied him up and took him to the house of Caiaphas, the. Chief Priest. (John, 18: 12-14). The father-in-law of the Chief Priest Caiaphas inquired from Jesus about his teachings, to whom he returned a wise answer. In the end Caiaphas asked him to tell them truly whether he was the Messiah, to which he replied:. I am; and you will see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven. (Mark, 14:62). Thereupon Caiaphas rent his clothes and said:. Why do we still need witnesses? You have heard his blasphemy. What is your decision? And they all condemned him as deserving death. (Mark 14: 63-64). . The night was now spent and morning was close. The. Chief Priests and the leaders of the people determined upon 93