But quickly the scene changed. The mob started up. The Roman soldiers, the priests and Judas, gathered about Christ. They seemed ashamed of their weakness, and fearful that He would yet escape. Again the question was asked by the Redeemer, "Whom seek ye?" They had had evidence that He who stood before them was the Son of God, but they would not be convinced. To the question, "Whom seek ye?" again they answered, "Jesus of Nazareth." The Saviour then said, "I have told you that I am He: if therefore ye seek Me, let these go their way"--pointing to the disciples. He knew how weak was their faith, and He sought to shield them from temptation and trial. For them He was ready to sacrifice Himself.

Men billedet skiftede hurtigt. Skaren for op. De romerske soldater, præsterne og Judas flokkedes om Jesus. De syntes at skamme sig over deres svaghed og at være bange for, at han dog skulle undslippe. Atter lød dette spørgsmål fra Frelseren: "Hvem leder I efter" De havde fået bevis for, at han, som stod foran dem, var Guds Søn, men de ville ikke lade sig overbevise. De besvarede atter spørgsmålet: "Hvem leder I efter?" med at sige: "Jesus fra Nazaret!" Så sagde Frelseren: "Jeg har sagt jer, at det er mig; når det altså er mig, I leder efter, så lad disse gå!" og han pegede hen på disciplene. Han vidste, hvor svag deres tro var, og han ville skærme dem mod fristelse og prøvelse. For deres skyld var han rede til at ofre sig selv.