Big Idea: This is the first terrible contrast during Jesus’s trial: the horror of people condemning Jesus without seeking truth versus the reality of Jesus as final eschatological judge (which turns out to be the final stage in the christological development in Mark).

Understanding the Text

There is a frightening chronology and logical progression in each of the final scenes of Jesus’s passion. The movement away from Jerusalem to Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives is preparatory, as Jesus prayerfully conquers his own dread of what is to come even as the disciples fail to support him in prayer. Then there is movement back to Jerusalem as Jesus is arrested and brought back into the city, following the same path to his trial/hearing before the authorities. Again the disciples fail him as the…