verse 31 would have immediately followed 20. (Verses 21-23 it will be remembered belong to between verses 16 and 17.) Comparing the four narratives it appears that the warning to Peter was spoken by Christ on the way to the Mount or Olives just after leaving the house where the Supper was held in Jerusalem. The resemblance between Matthew and Mark is here very close, Matt. ver. 30 and Mark ver. 26 being identical, and Matt. vs. 31-33, Mark vs. 27-29 showing but little difference except such as might result from their being independent translations of the same Aramaic original. Matt. vs. 34, 35 and Mark vs. 30, 31 show a greater divergence, the Lord's prediction in the latter being more detailed, and Peter's protestation more emphatic. Luke bears less resemblance to the others than usual, ver. 34 being the only text that exhibits the common influence. John's account is quite independent, and supplies a part of the conversation which is not recorded by either of the others. GETHSEMANE Matthew xxvi. 36-46; Mark xiv. 32-42; Luke xxii. 39-46; John xviii. 1, 2 The words spoken by Jesus in His prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane were heard only by Peter, James and John. He was parted from the other eight disciples about a stone's cast' (Luke); He 'went forward a little' only from the three (Matthew, Mark). The accounts in Matthew, Mark and Luke were written in conference as usual; but that of Matthew, who was among the eight and did not hear the prayer, was gathered by him from Peter whose own account is preserved in Mark. Hence the accounts in Matthew and Mark are almost word for word alike. James, on the other hand, heard for himself; his account therefore, though in substance the same, is somewhat differently worded. It should be noted that verses 43, 44 in Luke, which have no parallel in the other Gospels, are of doubtful authenticity. John records the arrival at the Garden but does not mention the Agony or the Prayer. Although John's narrative was not, like the others, written in conference with the rest of the Apostles, and hence shows none of the indications of the common influence which dominates them, it is probable that John was aware that the Aramaic writers were recording the Prayer, which was doubtless spoken in that language. THE ARREST Matt. xxvi. 47-56; Mark xiv. 43–52; Luke xxii. 47-53; John xviii. 3-II The common influence is here very apparent in Matthew, Mark and Luke, the resemblance between the two former being specially striking. But it should be observed that, whereas in the previous section, wherein Matthew was indebted to Peter for most of his information, Mark's account is fuller than Matthew's, in this one Matthew's account is fuller than Mark's. There is one incident related in Mark that is not mentioned in either of the others. It is that of the young man who was seized by the officers, and who left his garment in their hands and fled (vs. 51, 52). In all probability this was Mark himself, and these two verses were inserted by him when redacting Peter's notes, doubtless with the Apostle's permission. BEFORE ANNAS AND CAIAPHAS Matt. xxvi. 57-xxvii. 1; Mark xiv. 53-xv. 1a 57 As stated in John ver. 24 Annas sent Jesus bound to MATT. xxvi. And they that had taken Jesus led him away to the house of Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were gathered together. But 58 Peter followed him afar off, unto the court of the high priest, and entered in, and sat with the officers, to see the end. even within, into the court of the high priest; and he was sitting with the officers, and warming himself in the light of the fire. PETER'S DENIALS Luke xxii. 54-71; John xviii. 12-27 Caiaphas the high priest. 54 55 LUKE Xxii. And they seized him, and led him away, and brought him into the high priest's house. But Peter followed afar off. And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the court, and had sat down together, Peter sat in the midst of them. 15 And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Now that disciple was known unto the high priest, and entered in with Jesus into the court of the high priest; but 16 Peter was standing at the door without. So the other disciple, which was known unto the high priest, went out and spake to her that kept the door, and 17 brought in Peter. The maid therefore that kept the door saith unto Peter, Art thou also one of this man's disciples? He 18 saith, I am not. Now the servants and the officers were standing there, having made a fire of coals; for it was cold; and they were warming themselves and Peter also was with them, standing and warming himself. 55 Now the chiet priests and the whole council sought witness against Jesus to put him to 56 death; and found it not. For many bare false witness against him, and their witness agreed 57 not together. And there stood up certain, and bare false wit58 ness against him, saying, We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another made without 59 hands. And not even so did their witness agree together. 60 And the high priest stood up in the midst, and asked Jesus |