THEMES FROM THE SYNOPTIC GOSPELS AND THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLE (a) "And a young man followed him, with nothing but a linen cloth about his body and they seize...

Answer Details

(a) Events leading to the incident of the young man who fled naked

The statement comes from the arrest of Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane. The events leading to it were as follows:

After the Last Supper, Jesus and His disciples sang a hymn and went out to the Mount of Olives, to a place called Gethsemane. There Jesus told the disciples to sit while He prayed. He took Peter, James and John further, and began to be greatly distressed and troubled, saying, "My soul is very sorrowful, even to death."

Jesus went a little farther, fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him: "Abba, Father, all things are possible to thee; remove this cup from me; yet not what I will, but what thou wilt." He returned and found the three disciples sleeping, and rebuked Peter, urging them to watch and pray lest they enter into temptation. This happened three times; the third time He said, "The hour has come; the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going; my betrayer is at hand."

Immediately, while He was still speaking, Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, came with a crowd bearing swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, scribes and elders. Judas had given them a sign: "The one I shall kiss is the man; seize him." He went up to Jesus, said "Master!" and kissed Him. Then they laid hands on Jesus and seized Him.

One of those standing by drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. Jesus protested that they had come out as against a robber, though He taught daily in the temple and they did not seize Him; but this was to fulfil the Scriptures. Then all the disciples forsook Him and fled.

At that point, a young man followed Him with nothing but a linen cloth about his body; when they seized him, he left the linen cloth and ran away naked.

(b) Four reasons why some people forsake their friends

1. Fear of danger or persecution - people abandon friends to save their own lives, as the disciples fled at Jesus' arrest.
2. Selfishness and self-interest - when friendship no longer brings personal gain or benefit.
3. Loss of wealth or status - friends desert when one becomes poor or falls from a position of influence.
4. Misunderstanding, quarrels or betrayal - disagreements and broken trust cause people to abandon one another.