Judas Kisses Jesus

Mark 14:42-52

Men often kissed their friends. They kissed the side of the face. So it did not seem strange that Judas did this to Jesus. But Judas did not do this because he wanted to be friendly.

Judas had led many men into the garden. These men came from the important priests. The men carried knives and heavy sticks. They had come to take Jesus away. Judas kissed Jesus so that the men would recognise Jesus.

Immediately, everyone became very confused. One disciple tried to fight against the men. (It was Peter — see John 18:10.) Other disciples were running away. One young man even left his clothes behind. People often say that this young man was Mark. But really, we do not know.

Jesus was the only person present who was not confused. He knew the things that would happen to him. He said that the men did not need to take him away by night. He taught all the people. He was not doing anything secretly.

But Jesus knew the things that the Bible said. And so these things had to happen.