Jesus returned to the sleeping disciples. "Look," he said, "my betrayer is close at hand." He had hardly said the words when Judas came in sight with a crowd of people with swords and staffs. Judas came to Jesus and exclaimed, "I am glad to see you, Rabbi," and kissed him. (Twentieth Century N. T., Matt. 26:46-50.)
Scheffer, Plate 137, attempts to place the two characters, Jesus and Judas, in strong contrast before our eyes; but he hardly touches even the outside!
Hofmann, Plate 138, represents the captive Christ. Judas, smitten already with remorse, skulks along clutching his bag of silver. Mary is watching from a distance. John is weeping upon Peter's neck. "So the band and the chief captain and the officers of the Jews, seized Jesus, and bound him, and led him to Annas." (John 18:12-13.) Simon Peter and another disciple followed Jesus afar off, and managed to gain admittance to the court of the high priest's house. There Peter denied his Lord.
West, Plate 140, represents Peter denying before the maid-servant (John 18:17), evidently the first time, for he was more violent the second time the maid questioned him. (Mark 14:70-71.) The painter has introduced the figure of Jesus to make the picture more intelligible. The maid seems to be asking Jesus if Peter has told the truth.
Harrach, Plate 139, gives the denial of Peter before the soldiers in the presence of the maid-servant. (Mark 14:54 and 67.) As Peter denies, the cock, above in the branches of a vine, crows as Jesus had predicted. Harrach has seized upon the moment recorded by Luke alone. "And the Lord turned and looked upon Peter." (Luke 22:61.) And Peter remembered, and went out and wept bitterly. (Verse 6.)
In the morning the trial is continued before Pilate. Probably no one has painted that scene so well as has Munkacsy, Plate 141. The picture is true to the accounts of the evangelists, and is besides a great study of character. The face of Christ is about the only inadequate piece of representation in the whole picture. Munkacsy has evidently followed Luke's account. "And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this man perverting our nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Cæsar." The moment may be that after which Pilate says, "I find no fault in this man," and the accusers "become more urgent, saying, He stirreth up the people" (Luke 23:4, 5).