Christ Taken Captive
When Christ returned from praying the third time in the secluded portion of the garden, He again found His disciples asleep, but upon this return it was to submit himself to be taken captive by the company that Judas had brought to the garden. As soon as Jesus and His followers came out of the garden, they met a mob of people who carried sticks and stones and other such weapons. Judas then stepped up to the Savior, kissed Him on His cheek, and said, "Master."
Jesus asked the people who they were seeking. They replied they were seeking Jesus of Nazareth. He answered, "I am He." He then rebuked them. He told them that daily He had sat teaching in the temple but they had not tried to take Him there. Now they came in the middle of the night with their sticks and stones as though He were a thief. They would not have been able to take Christ in the temple because they feared the multitudes of friends that constantly followed Him. This was the opportunity the leader had been looking for -- a chance to take Him in the night when His friends were not near.
At this time, Peter drew the sword he was carrying, smote the High Priest's servant and cut off his ear. Jesus asked Peter to put up his sword and then healed the person, thus performing the last miracle during His mortal life.
When Christ was taken by the mob led by Judas, He asked His disciples not to follow. However, Peter and one other disciple did follow along some distance away. Jesus was taken first to Annas, a very influential man, and the father-in-law of the high priest. Although Annas had no authority to try such cases, the Jews didn't care as they were simply looking for a way to find Jesus guilty of something serious enough to inflict the death penalty upon Him. After Jesus was taken from the house of Annas, He was bound as a dangerous prisoner and brought before Caiaphas, the high priest. Here a maid recognized Peter, who stood outside the door, and accused him of being one of Christ's followers. Peter promptly denied it. Another person then recognized him and for the second time, he denied it, saying he did not know Jesus of Nazareth. He was challenged yet a third time. Peter again denied it saying,
"'Man, I know not what thou sayest.' And immedietly while he yet spake, the cock crew. And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said unto him, Before the cock crow, though shalt deny me thrice. And Peter went out, and wept bitterly." (Luke 22:60-62)
Until the sun rose, the Jews taunted Christ, striking Him and asking Him to prophesy for them. They were trying to find some way that He might be found guilty of a grievous crime. Many Jewish leaders, including chief priests, elders, and scribes, were gathered with Caiaphas to condemn Jesus to death. Many of them spit in His face, slapped Him, and mocked Him. Numerous false witnesses testified against Jesus, but because they were lying, their stories did not agree. Finally, two people simultaneously accused Jesus of saying that He would destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days. When Jesus was asked to answer this accusation, He said nothing. (See Matthew 26:60-63) Finally the high priest asked Jesus to tell them whether or not he was Christ, the Son of God. Jesus answered,
"I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven." (Matthew 26:64)
The high priest was very upset and he accused Jesus of falsely calling himself the Son of God.
"'What further need have we of witnesses? What think ye?', he asked the council. 'He is guilty of death', the council answered." (Matthew 26:65-66)
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