Judas’s betrayal during the arrest of Jesus becomes even more shocking when Mark reminds his audience that Judas was one of the 12 disciples. Judas had already agreed with the leading priests to betray Jesus at the right time and place (14:10–11).
He then led an armed crowd to arrest Jesus secretly at night, away from the people (14:1–2). Although the leaders wanted to avoid a public conflict, the crowd was large enough to stop any resistance from Jesus or his followers (see Luke 22:52; John 18:3).