Mark 14:48
And Jesus answered and said unto them, Are ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and with staves to take me?
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 16
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἀποκριθεὶς
answered
G611
ἀποκριθεὶς
answered
Strong's:
G611
Word #:
2 of 16
to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by hebraism (compare h6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
4 of 16
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
αὐτοῖς
unto them
G846
αὐτοῖς
unto them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
6 of 16
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
Ὡς
as
G5613
Ὡς
as
Strong's:
G5613
Word #:
7 of 16
which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
ἐπὶ
against
G1909
ἐπὶ
against
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
8 of 16
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
μετὰ
with
G3326
μετὰ
with
Strong's:
G3326
Word #:
11 of 16
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
μαχαιρῶν
swords
G3162
μαχαιρῶν
swords
Strong's:
G3162
Word #:
12 of 16
a knife, i.e., dirk; figuratively, war, judicial punishment
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
13 of 16
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ξύλων
with staves
G3586
ξύλων
with staves
Strong's:
G3586
Word #:
14 of 16
timber (as fuel or material); by implication, a stick, club or tree or other wooden article or substance
Historical Context
First-century Judea saw numerous revolutionary movements (Zealots, sicarii) that violently opposed Rome. The term lēstēs carried political implications—Josephus uses it for rebels. By treating Jesus as a revolutionary, the authorities ironically prepare His Roman execution as "King of the Jews." Barabbas, the actual revolutionary, would be released while peaceful Jesus is crucified—ultimate injustice serving ultimate justice.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the armed arrest of an unarmed teacher teach about how guilty consciences overreact to truth's exposure?
- How does Jesus' patient questioning even during arrest model redemptive engagement with unjust opposition?
- In what ways might Christians be tempted to treat Jesus as a "revolutionary" to co-opt for political agendas rather than submit to as Lord?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And Jesus answered and said unto them, Are ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and with staves to take me? Jesus' question (ὡς ἐπὶ λῃστήν, hōs epi lēstēn, "as against a robber/revolutionary") exposes the absurdity of armed arrest for one who taught publicly. The term λῃστής (lēstēs) denotes not a common thief but a violent revolutionary or bandit—the term used for Barabbas (John 18:40) and the two crucified with Jesus (Mark 15:27).
The rhetorical question indicts their guilty conscience: Why nighttime? Why weapons? Why such force for an unarmed teacher? Their methods betray their awareness that they act unjustly. Jesus forces them to confront the contradiction between His peaceful ministry and their violent response. Yet in being numbered with transgressors (λῃσταί), Jesus begins fulfilling Isaiah 53:12: "He was numbered with the transgressors."