43 No sooner were the words out of his mouth when Judas, the one out of the Twelve, showed up, and with him a gang of ruffians, sent by the high priests, religion scholars, and leaders, brandishing swords and clubs. 44 The betrayer had worked out a signal with them: "The one I kiss, that's the one - seize him. Make sure he doesn't get away." 45 He went straight to Jesus and said, "Rabbi!" and kissed him. 46 The others then grabbed him and roughed him up. 47 One of the men standing there unsheathed his sword, swung, and came down on the Chief Priest's servant, lopping off the man's ear. 48 Jesus said to them, "What is this, coming after me with swords and clubs as if I were a dangerous criminal? 49 Day after day I've been sitting in the Temple teaching, and you never so much as lifted a hand against me. What you in fact have done is confirm the prophetic writings." 50 All the disciples cut and ran.
51 A young man was following along. All he had on was a bedsheet. Some of the men grabbed him 52 but he got away, running off naked, leaving them holding the sheet.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Mark 14:43-52
Commentary on Mark 14:43-52
(Read Mark 14:43-52)
Because Christ appeared not as a temporal prince, but preached repentance, reformation, and a holy life, and directed men's thoughts, and affections, and aims to another world, therefore the Jewish rulers sought to destroy him. Peter wounded one of the band. It is easier to fight for Christ than to die for him. But there is a great difference between faulty disciples and hypocrites. The latter rashly and without thought call Christ Master, and express great affection for him, yet betray him to his enemies. Thus they hasten their own destruction.