but he pulled free of the linen cloth and ran away naked.
We have here the seizing of our Lord Jesus by the officers of the chief priests. This was what his enemies had long aimed at, they had often sent to take him; but he had escaped out of their hands, because his hour was not come, nor could they now have taken him, had he not freely surrendered himself.
Commenting on Mark 14:43-52
And the chief priests, and all the council,.... Especially the former, who were of all most busy and active in this matter: sought for witness against Jesus to put him to death; on which they were determined, right or wrong; in this they went contrary to one of their own canons, which runs thus (k): "in pecuniary causes, they begin either for absolution, or condemnation...
And he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked - It has often been intimated, by the inhabitants of India, that a European in strait clothes must be in great danger when his clothes take fire. From their loose clothing they can suddenly disengage themselves.