Harmony of the Gospels

 HARMONY OF THE GOSPELS

Title: (25) Betrayal, Arrest, Desertion

Scripture: Matthew 26:47-56, Mark 14:43-52, Luke 22:47-53, John 18:2-12 (Focal Passage)

Tom Lowe

1/18/2008

Date: Friday of Jesus’ Last week
Location: Gethsemane

Jesus said to those who had come to arrest Him, “But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.” Because He had prayed and was yielded to the Father’s will, Jesus was prepared for the arrest, but the disciples were not. If ever the work of Christ appeared to be ruined, it was in the garden; but that was when Jesus was doing His very best in the Father’s will.

 
And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples. (John 18:2)

Jesus had left the Upper Room with the express intention of going forth to meet the prince of evil and his human allies, for He had already resisted the temptation to pray “Father, save me from this hour,” knowing that if that prayer had been granted, there would have been no complete glorification of His Father, and mankind would never have known the wonder of His redeeming love.

Judas knew that the Lord spent a great deal of time praying in this secluded garden, called Gethsemane, because He had often taken His disciples there to pray, and to rest from the stresses of their daily ministry. Judas, by some word Christ had dropped, may have known that He intended to be there that night

Judas then, having received a band of men and  [1]officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons. (John 18:3)

And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves (strong sticks), from the chief priests and elders of the people. (Matthew 26:47)

And immediately, while he yet spake, cometh Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. (Mark 14:43)

And while he yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him. (Luke 22:47)

John called this mob a “band of men and officers,” Matthew and Luke said it was a “multitude,” while Mark called it a “great multitude.”

Judas had experienced the power of Christ in various ways. But He was determined to make sure that he could carry out his evil plan. Therefore, when he came to arrest Jesus he brought a Roman  [2]cohort; included in the mob along with the soldiers; there were the officers who were Jewish officials, representing the chief priests and Pharisees. They came with lanterns, torches, and weapons; as if they were going to capture a dangerous felon. “They came to seek the Light of the world with lanterns.”

But, why did Judas think it was necessary to bring so many soldiers with Him. For sure, the Jewish leaders believed Jesus to be a dangerous man, and they feared that the people might try to stop them from arresting Him.

Note the paradox: they came with torches to take the Light of the world, and they came with weapons to arrest the Prince of Peace.

Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast. (Matthew 26:48)

And he that betrayed him had given them a token, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he; take him, and lead him away safely. (Mark 14:44)

The betrayer had a prearranged signal. He would kiss the One whom they should seize.

Stewart comments: “It was the crowning touch of horror, the last point of infamy beyond which human infamy could not go, when out in the garden Judas betrayed his master, not with a shout or a blow or a stab, but with a kiss.

But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss? (Mark 14:48)

Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye? (John 18:4)

The Lord went forth (forward) from the garden to meet the crowd as they approached the gate, instead of waiting for them to find Him. He was completely aware of Judas’ plan.  Jesus knowing all things means that He was omnificent, therefore He was God.  He was not taken by surprise, but was a willing voluntary sacrifice ([3]John 10:14, 17-18).  This demonstrated His willingness to go to the cross. The soldiers could have left their weapons at home; the Savior would not resist.  If He had not yielded Himself, all the weapons those men had would have been absolutely useless and worthless. The savior was in command.  In the darkness of the night, He could have fled as all the disciples would soon do.  But instead He gave Himself up.
The question “Whom seek ye?” was designed to hear from their own lips the nature of their mission, and it was not asked of anyone in particular. Mark reports that Jesus, with infinite sadness, said to His former companion, “Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?” Both questions were very soft and mild.

They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them. (John 18:5)

They were looking for i{i}Jesus of Nazareth, little realizing that He was their Creator and their Sustainer—the best Friend they ever had. He answered them with a very calm and mild answer:  Jesus said, “I am he.” (The “He” is not found in the original, but is needed in English.) He meant not only that He was Jesus of Nazareth but that He was Jehovah as well. As mentioned previously, I AM ( [4]John 8:58) is one of the sacred Names of Jehovah in the Old Testament ([5]Exodus 3:14). Did this cause Judas to wonder once again, as he stood with the others in the crowd; “Could He really be God?”

{i}Jesus of Nazareth. This was the name that appeared on the official arrest warrant issued by the Sanhedrin and the Roman government. It appears that their ability to recognize Our Lord was temporarily kept from them (That includes Judas.). It is highly probable that many of the Roman band, at least the officers of the temple, had often seen him, if only to satisfy their curiosity; Judas, however, knew him well enough, and yet none of them could say with confidence, You are the man we seek. Hence He showed them the foolishness of bringing lights to see Him, since He could make them not know Him when they saw Him. Remember, some of these same men had found themselves unable to lay hands on Him previously (John 7:45-46).

And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him. (Matthew 26:49)

And as soon as he was come, he goeth straightway to him, and saith, Master, master; and kissed him. (Mark 14:45)

So he strode up to Jesus, addressed Him as Master, and kissed Him enthusiastically. (The emphatic form in the original suggests repeated or demonstrative kissing.) Judas’ greeting was customary for a disciple meeting with his rabbi.

Why did Judas betray the Lord? Was he disappointed that Jesus had not seized the reins of government? Were his hopes dashed for a place of prominence in the kingdom? Was he overcome by greed? All of these might have contributed to his infamous deed.

When people today pretend to know and love the Lord they are committing the sin of Judas. It is bad enough to betray Christ, but to do it with a kiss, a sign of affection, is the basest treachery of all. It is born in the pit of hell.

As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground. (John 18:6)

The crowd was caught off guard by the unusual behavior of Christ. He calmly faced the crowd, identified Himself, and made no effort to escape. Then for a brief moment, the Lord Jesus had revealed Himself to them as the “I AM”, the Almighty God. The revelation was so overpowering that [6]they went backward, and fell to the ground like men struck by lightning. They were struck down by a power such as that that struck down Saul of Tarsus and his companions to the earth ([7]Acts 26:14).

Our Lord Jesus gloriously repulsed the first assault of the enemy. Psalm 27:2 is the prophesy that said this would happen; “When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.”

Think for a moment about what he could have done to them. When he struck them down, he could have struck them dead; when he spoke them to the ground, he could have spoken them to hell; but he would not do that. Why? Because it was time for Him to suffer, and he had His heart set on going to the Cross.  But first He would show that his life was not taken from him, but he laid it down by himself, as he had said.

Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth. (John 18:7)

They did not stay down where they fell, for very long, but, by divine permission, they got up again. While they were down, one would have thought that Christ would have tried to escape; when they were up again, one would have thought they would have given up their mission; but that was not what happened. Again the Lord asked them to tell Him whom they were seeking. And again the answer was the same—in spite of the effect that two words (I AM) of Christ had just had upon them (they fell backwards and laid on the ground). Now they were back on their feet, and as eager as ever to capture Him, and He was as willing as ever to be captured.

By them repeating the same answer to His question (Whom seek ye?), they showed a stubborn determination to complete their mission, and they still called Him Jesus of Nazareth, with as much disdain as ever, and Judas was as unrelenting as any of them. When they said they were after Jesus of Nazareth, and didn’t include anyone else, Jesus was forcing them to acknowledge that they had no authority to take His disciples.  In fact, He demanded that they let the disciples go.

Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way: (John 18:8)

The mob raged against Him, but again Jesus answered that He was the One, and that He was Jehovah. “I have told you that I AM” shows His courage, and He shows how much He cares for His disciples, when He says” Let these go their way.” It was a command spoken with authority, not a request. They were not aware of it but they were at His mercy. His disciples had other work to do; they must go their way, for they are to go into the entire world, to preach the gospel.

There is a generous and heroic love, which will enable us to lay down our lives for the brethren ([8]1 Jn. 3:16). In the moment of personal crisis, the Shepherd’s concern was not for Himself, but for His sheep. It is wonderful to see His unselfish interest in others at a time when His own life was in peril. In this way, too, the words of  [9]John17:12 were fulfilled.

Jesus will die for His disciples and for everyone else, and this aggravated the sin of the disciples in forsaking him, and particularly Peter’s in denying him, that Christ had given them this affirmation, or guarantee of protection, and yet they did not have faith and courage enough to rely upon it, but instead they relied upon themselves for their security.

That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none. (John 18:9)

Now our Lord confirmed the word which he had spoken a little time before this ([9]John 17:12); “those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost.” Christ, by fulfilling that word has given us an assurance that it would be accomplished to the full extent of it, not only for those that were now with him, but for all that would believe on him through their word. Although Christ’s protecting them meant mainly the preservation of their souls from sin and apostasy, nevertheless He applied it here to the preservation of their natural lives. Christ will preserve the natural life for the service to which it is designed; it is given to Him to be used for Him, and He will not lose the service of it, but will be magnified by it, whether by life or death—but the body will live as long as any use is to be made of it. Christ’s witnesses will not die until they have given their message or testimony. But this is not all; this preservation of the disciples was also a spiritual preservation. They were now so weak in faith and resolve that in all probability, if they had been called out to suffer at this time, they would have shamed themselves and their Master. Therefore, because He would lose none, He would not expose them to suffering at this time.  So He made sure it did not happen.
All believers are weak and vulnerable if not protected by the Lord.  But He never let them be tempted beyond what they can bear ([10]1 Corinthians 10:13), as evidenced here.  Believers are eternally secure, not in their own strength, but by the gracious and constant protection of the Savior ([11]Romans 8:35-39).

And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him. (Matthew 26:50)

And they laid their hands on him, and took him. (Mark 14:46)

The armed henchmen of the betrayer stepped forward and arrested the Lord.

When they which were about him saw what would follow, they said unto him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword? (Luke 22:49)

The disciples realized what was going to happen, and they were ready to take the offensive.

Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus. (John 18:10)

And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest’s, and smote off his ear. (Matthew 26:51)

 And one of them that stood by drew a sword, and smote a servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear. (Mark 14:47)

And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear. (Luke 22:50)

Simon Peter thought the time had come to use violence in an effort to save his Master from the crowd. Acting without instructions from the Lord, he quickly drew his {ii}sword and struck the high priest’s servant, a man by the name of Malchus. It was a natural reaction, not a spiritual one. Peter was using carnal weapons to fight a spiritual warfare. Undoubtedly he intended to kill him, but the sword was deflected by an Unseen Hand, so that it cut off only his right ear.

The disciples had two swords among them as mentioned in Luke 22:38; “And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.”  They apparently thought that they could foil the attempt of His enemies to slay Him by using the swords. This was the farthest thought from His mind!
Peter foolishly exposed himself and his fellow disciples to the fury of this enraged mob. If he had cut off Malchus’s head instead of his ear the soldiers would most likely have attacked all the disciples, and cut them to pieces.

Peter certainly misunderstood what Jesus had said about swords earlier that evening ( Luke 22:35-38). He had warned them that from now on the situation would change, and men would treat them as transgressors. He was not suggesting that they use material swords to fight spiritual battles, but that they get a new mind-set and expect opposition and even danger.

Peter would discover that the sword of the Spirit is the weapon God’s servants use to fight spiritual battles ([13]Hebrews 4:12). He would use that sword at Pentecost and slay 3,000 souls!

   {ii}he Greek word used here is machaira which denotes any long knife.

And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him. (Luke 22:51)

His hour had come, and God’s predetermined purposes must come to pass. Graciously, Jesus touched the ear of the victim and healed him, — “For the Son of Man came not to destroy lives, but to save them” (Luke 9:56)—and then He rebuked Peter for using carnal means to fight a spiritual warfare.

If Jesus had not healed the servant’s ear, Peter may have been arrested and crucified along with Christ. He was acting like one of the Jewish “zealots” and not like a disciple of Jesus Christ.

This was the Lords last public miracle before the Cross. Keep in mind that this miracle reveals His grace toward us. If Jesus had the power to stun an armed mob and heal a severed ear, He could have saved Himself from arrest, trial, and death. But He willingly submitted, and He did it for us.

It is a sad thing when well-meaning and ignorant Christians take up the sword to defend the Lord Jesus Christ. Peter hurt Malchus, something a believer should never do. Peter hurt the testimony of Christ and gave the false impression that His disciples hate their enemies and try to destroy them.

Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it? (John 18:11)

Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. (Matthew 26:52)

Christ rebuked Peter for his ill-advised zeal by stating that He will drink of the cup which the Father hath given me. This cup refers to the suffering and agony of the cross.

The Lord’s reprimand was gentle, because it was Peter’s zeal that carried him beyond the bounds of discretion. He did not make matters worse by criticizing Peter for His actions; He only asked him to do so no more.

Peter must put up his sword, because it was the sword of the Spirit that was to be entrusted to him—weapons of warfare that were not carnal, but mighty. When Christ with a word knocked down the aggressors, he showed Peter how he should be armed with a word, quick and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and it was with that sword, Peter, not long after this, struck Ananias and Sapphira and left them dead at his feet.

This incident illustrates that in spite of His constant teaching about His approaching death ([14]John 3:14) the disciples did not understand why it was necessary.

In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me. (Matthew 26:55)
But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. (Matthew 26:56a)

And Jesus answered and said unto them, Are ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and with staves to take me? (Mark 14:48)
 I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took me not: but the scriptures must be fulfilled. (Mark 14:49)

Then Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders, which were come to him, Be ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and staves? (Luke 22:52)
When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness. (Luke 22:53)

Our Lord knew the answer to His own question. He knew that the Scriptures must be fulfilled which prophesied that He would be betrayed ([15]Psalms 41:9), arrested ([16]Isaiah 53:7), manhandled ([17]Psalms 22:12) and forsaken ([18]Zechariah 13:7).

Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled. (Matthew 26:56b)
And they all forsook him, and fled. (Mark 14:50)

Jesus predicted that they would all desert Him:  “And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered (Mark 14:27)”

Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? (Matthew 26:53)

My wife Sierra sings a song that I truly love; I Could Have Called Ten Thousand Angels. It always brings me to this verse. It is a reminder of Christ’s great sacrifice; that the One who created all things, had all power in heaven and earth, and could have called such a multitude of angels to take Him off the Cross and back to heaven chose instead to die alone for you and me.

But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be? (Matthew 26:54)

They bound the One who had come to set them free ([19John 8:36).

Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him, (John 18:12)

The Lord calmly surrendered and allowed himself to be their prisoner, not because he could not escape, but because he would not. One would have thought the cure of Malchus’s ear would have made them give up, but nothing would stop them. We should take note of three things:
1. How they seized him: They took Jesus. Only a few of them could lay hands on Him, but all of them share the blame, because they were all aiding and abetting.
2. How they secured him: They bound him. As soon as He was taken, He was bound; tradition says, "They bound him with such cruelty that the blood started out at his fingers’ ends; and, having bound his hands behind him, they clapped an iron chain about his neck, and with that dragged him along.’’
3. He did not resist: You will notice that Jesus did not resist arrest. He is the Lamb of God who offers no resistance… “as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth” (Isaiah 53:7). The dignity our Lord shows at this time is absolutely amazing.

This was the first time that wicked men had been able to lay hold of Jesus and to tie up His arms. They bound the One who had come to set them free ([19]John 8:36).
This shows the extent of His persecutors hatred of Him. Why did they tie Him up?
a) So they could torment him, and inflict pain.
b)  So they could disgrace him, and put him to shame.
c) So they might prevent his escape. Judas told them to hold him fast. But it was pure foolishness for them to think they could bind that power which they had just now witnessed and that proved His omnipotentness.
d) They bound him as if He was already condemned, because they were resolved to prosecute him and condemn Him to death, and that He must die like a fool, that is, as a malefactor, with his hands bound. Christ had bound the consciences of His persecutors with the power of His word, which galled them; and they wanted their revenge, so they tied Him up.

He was already bound to the horns of the altar with the cords of His own love for man, and by His duty to his Father; mere physical ropes never would have held him. We were bound with the cords of our iniquities (Proverbs 5:22), and with the yoke of our transgressions, (Lamentations 1:14). We owe our liberty to His bonds; therefore the Son maketh us free. Paul’s salutation to his friends is “Christ’s to us all”: "Remember my bonds” (Colossians 4:18). Christ’s bonds for us were designed to make our bonds for him easy for us. These bonds enabled Paul and Silas to sing in the stocks, and Ignatius to call his bonds for Christ spiritual pearls.

There is one more thing that is important for us to note. Remember in previous incidents, when the enemies of our Lord Jesus tried to close in on Him, He hid Himself. Apparently, He could just disappear miraculously. Now He lays Himself wide open to being taken.

And there followed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body; and the young men laid hold on him: (Mark 14:51)
And he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked. (Mark 14:52)

Mark is the only evangelist who records this incident. It is widely believed that Mark himself was the young man since no other purpose for its inclusion can be found. In his frenzy to escape, he left his covering in the grasp of the armed men.

The linen cloth was not a regular garment but a piece of cloth which he had picked up quickly for an improvised covering.

Erdman comments: “Probably this picturesque incident is added to show how completely Jesus was forsaken in the hours of His peril and pain. He surely knew what it was to suffer alone.”

______________________Scripture Reference_______________________

  [1](officers) Refers to temple police who were the primary arresting officers since Jesus’ destination after the arrest was to be brought before the high priest.

  [2](cohort) A full auxiliary cohort had the potential strength of 1000 men (i.e., 760 foot soldiers and 240 cavalry, led by a chiliarch or “leader of 1000”).  Usually, however, in practice a cohort normally numbered 600 men, but it could as few as 200. Probably Judas was accompanied by less than a full cohort. 

  [3](John 10:14, 17-18) 14I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine…17Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. 18No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

  [4](John 8:58) “Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.” The Lord Jesus here made another clear claim to be God. He did not say, “Before Abraham was, I was.” That might simply mean that He came into existence before Abraham. Rather, He used the Name of God: I AM. The Lord Jesus had dwelt with God the Father from all eternity. There was never a time when He came into being, or when He did not exist. Therefore He said, “Before Abraham was, I AM.” 

  [5](Exodus 3:14) “And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.” Moses anticipated questions from the children of Israel when he returned to them as the Lord’s spokesman, and he wanted to be able to tell them who sent him. It was at this point that God first revealed Himself as Jehovah, the great I AM.

  [6]They took a few steps backwards , and then fell to the ground. Listen to Psalm 40:14: “Let them be ashamed and confounded together that seek after my soul to destroy it; let them be driven backward and put to shame that wish me evil.” 

  [7](Acts 26:14) And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. 

  [8](1 Jn. 3:16) “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” This means that our lives should be a continual giving-out on behalf of other believers, and that we should be ready to die for them also if necessary. Most of us will never be required to die on behalf of others, but every one of us can manifest brotherly love by sharing our material things with those in need. That is what is emphasized in verse 17.

  [9](John 17:12) While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.

  [10](1 Corinthians 10:13) There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. 

  [11](Romans 8:35-39) 35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

  [12](Luke 22:35-38) 35”And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing. 36Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one. 37For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end. 38And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.”  The disciples completely misunderstood the Lord. They brought forth two swords, implying that these would surely be enough for any problems that lay ahead. The Lord Jesus ended the conversation by saying “It is enough.” They apparently thought that they could foil the attempt of His enemies to slay Him by using the swords. This was the farthest thought from His mind! 

  [13](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. 

  [14](John 3:14) And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 

  [15](Psalms 41:9) Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me. 

  [16(Isaiah 53:7) He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

  [17](Psalms 22:12) Many bulls have compassed me: strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round. 

  [18](Zechariah 13:7) Therefore it is come to pass, that as he cried, and they would not hear; so they cried, and I would not hear, saith the LORD of hosts:

  [19](John 8:36) “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” There is no question that the word Son in this verse refers to Christ Himself. Those who are made free by Him are made free indeed. This means that when a person comes to the Savior and receives eternal life from Him, that person is freed from the slavery of sin, legalism, superstition, and demonism.