Hebrews 4:12

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Who's The Naked Guy and Why Does He Matter?

Desiring God Blog


Who's the Naked Guy and Why Does He Matter?

Posted: 10 Apr 2009 11:13 PM PDT

(Author: David Mathis)

One puzzle in the passion story is, Who's the young man running through the garden without his clothes on?

Mark 14:51—52 says,

And a young man followed [Jesus], with nothing but a linen cloth about his body. And they seized him, but he left the linen cloth and ran away naked.

There are several options for who this is. But the best may be that it's the Gospel-writer Mark himself, who was in the city and an eyewitness to the Passion week proceedings. William Lane explains:

Several Fathers of the Church conjectured that the young man was Mark himself, who is known to have been a resident in Jerusalem (Acts 12:12) and in whose house, it was held by tradition, Jesus celebrated the [Passover] meal. If this is correct, Mark was an eyewitness to the transactions in Gethsemane. His primary purpose for including this vignette, however, appears to have been to emphasize the fact that all fled, leaving Jesus alone in the custody of the police. No one remained with Jesus, not even a valiant young man who intended to follow him. (The Gospel According to Mark, 527-528)

Jesus had no help at the cross from his followers. Only he could bring about our salvation, and so he had to work alone. Not even the young man Mark, with all the strength and vigor of youth, could help the Savior in his darkest hour.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

The story of this man who fled is to show us that it is Jesus who covers us.
It is an allegory to the fact that our nakedness is covered by Jesus Christ and the linen cloth represents the garment which Christ provides.
This is the type of scripture which just goes straight into the spirit whether the mind catches it or not.