Then said Nathanael, whose eager zeal to destroy Jesus had led him to join the soldiers, "You are responsible to the council that he does not escape." At Selpha's command Malchus and Balbus had seized Christ, and were busily engaged in tying his hands together with cords. Slowly, one by one, the disciples stole away, leaving Jesus alone in the midst of his captors.
In reply to Nathanael, the soldiers said, "Out of our hands he will not escape."
Then cried with a loud voice the traders, with Dathan at their head, "Now, we will wreak our vengeance." And Dathan added, "Dost thou still remember what thou didst to us in the temple?"
Josaphat said to the other Pharisees, "We will hasten on into the city. The Sanhedrin will be awaiting our arrival with impatience."
The traders replied, "But we will not leave this scoundrel for an instant."
"First," said Nathanael, "we must go to the High Priest Annas. Lead him thither!"
Selpha said, "We follow thee!"
As the band prepared to obey the word of command a trader came up to Judas and said approvingly, "Thou art a man, indeed. Thou knowest how to keep thy word."
Judas complacently answered, "Did I not tell you that he would be in your power today?"
The Pharisees said, "Thou hast placed the whole council under an obligation to thee."