Mark 14:46

And they laid their hands on him, and took him.

And {G1161} they laid {G1911} their {G846} hands {G5495} on {G1909} him {G846}, and {G2532} took {G2902} him {G846}.

Then they laid hold of Yeshua and arrested him;

Then the men seized Jesus and arrested Him.

And they laid hands on him, and took him.

Commentary

Mark 14:46 (KJV) concisely describes the moment of Jesus's arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane. Following Judas Iscariot's treacherous kiss, the armed crowd that accompanied him immediately moved to seize Jesus.

Context

This verse is the direct aftermath of Judas's signal (the kiss) and the culmination of the plot by the Jewish religious leaders to apprehend Jesus secretly. The scene unfolds in the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus had just finished a fervent prayer, wrestling with the Father's will but ultimately submitting to it. The "they" refers to the detachment of soldiers, temple guards, and servants sent by the chief priests and elders, as described in the parallel accounts. This was not a subtle invitation, but a forceful apprehension that marked the beginning of His passion.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Act of Arrest: The verse plainly states the physical act of "laying hands on him" and "taking him," signifying a forceful and official apprehension. This marked the end of Jesus's public ministry and the beginning of His journey to the cross.
  • Betrayal Realized: This action immediately follows Judas's betrayal, making the treachery tangible and irreversible. It highlights the depth of human sin and the vulnerability of even the innocent to malicious schemes.
  • Jesus's Submission: Despite His divine power, Jesus does not resist this capture. His peaceful submission, even when Peter attempts to intervene (mentioned in subsequent verses like Mark 14:47), underscores His willingness to fulfill God's redemptive plan. This aligns with His earlier declaration that no one takes His life from Him, but He lays it down of His own accord.
  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: This arrest was a necessary step in the unfolding of Old Testament prophecies concerning the suffering Messiah. Jesus Himself alluded to this, stating in Luke 22:53, "this is your hour, and the power of darkness."

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "laid their hands on him" is a direct translation of the Greek epebalon tas cheiras autō (ἐπέβαλον τὰς χεῖρας αὐτῷ), which is a common idiom in ancient Greek for seizing or arresting someone. The subsequent "and took him" comes from ekratēsan auton (ἐκράτησαν αὐτόν), meaning they "held him fast" or "secured him," emphasizing that the arrest was effective and he was now in their custody.

Practical Application

Mark 14:46 reminds us that even in moments of profound injustice and betrayal, God's sovereign plan is at work. Jesus's unresisting capture teaches us about humble submission to divine will, even when it leads through suffering. It challenges believers to trust in God's ultimate control, even when facing opposition or experiencing personal betrayal. This verse sets the stage for the trials and crucifixion, emphasizing the voluntary nature of Christ's sacrifice for humanity.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Judges 16:21

    But the Philistines took him, and put out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza, and bound him with fetters of brass; and he did grind in the prison house.

  • Lamentations 4:20

    The breath of our nostrils, the anointed of the LORD, was taken in their pits, of whom we said, Under his shadow we shall live among the heathen.

  • Acts 2:23

    Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:

  • John 18:12

    Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him,
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