The story of the young man who fled naked appears only in the Gospel of Mark, right after Jesus’ arrest in the garden of Gethsemane. Here is the full account from Mark 14:51-52 (ESV):
And a young man followed him, with nothing but a linen cloth about his body. And they seized him, but he left the linen cloth and ran away naked.
This brief, cryptic account leaves many questions unanswered. Who was this young man? Why was he following Jesus in the garden, wearing only a linen cloth? Why did he flee naked when Jesus was arrested? Let’s explore some of the main theories about the identity of this young man:
1. Mark himself
Some scholars theorize that the young man was Mark, the author of the gospel. This comes from the detail that the young man fled naked. Most people would be wearing an undergarment under a linen cloth, so Mark may have mentioned the nakedness to explain why he specifically was identified, having left behind his clothing.
Mark is not mentioned explicitly in his gospel like Matthew and John are in theirs. So this could be Mark’s way of inserting himself into the story while retaining anonymity. The detail about the linen cloth could suggest Mark was sleeping there prior to Jesus’ arrest, then followed him to the garden.
2. A resident of the nearby house
Gethsemane was located at the foot of the Mount of Olives, and there were likely olive groves and homes nearby. Some propose that the young man was simply a resident who came out to see what the commotion was about. Woken up in the middle of the night, he may have wrapped a linen sheet around himself before venturing out to investigate.
When the temple guards arrived to arrest Jesus, perhaps this bystander was caught up in the frenzy and his linen cloth was seized, causing him to flee naked. This may match details like the linen cloth and lack of other clothing.
3. A follower of Jesus
Other commentators think the young man was one of Jesus’ followers, perhaps one of the wider group of disciples beyond the Twelve. This would explain why he was present in the garden with Jesus on that important night. The linen cloth may have been serving as an improvised sleeping garment.
When the temple guards arrived, this follower may have feared being arrested too, so he fled quickly, leaving his only clothing behind. If he was one of Jesus’ disciples, even a less prominent one, this event may have been traumatic for him.
4. An angel
A more supernatural perspective is that the young man was an angelic messenger sent to serve Jesus in the garden prior to his arrest. Angels elsewhere in Scripture are described as looking like young men (Genesis 18:2; Daniel 9:21).
The linen cloth is reminiscent of angelic garments described in other places (e.g. Revelation 15:6). And as a spiritual being, an angel would have no need for clothing and could easily flee naked without shame.
However, nothing else specifically points to an angelic identity here. But some see this as a plausible explanation that fits the supernatural themes surrounding Jesus’ passion.
5. A symbolic figure
Symbolic interpretations have also been offered. For example, some see the young man as representing the disciples who will all desert Jesus (Mark 14:27). The linen cloth represents the righteousness of Christ, which the disciples are clothed with despite their weakness and failures.
When the guards come to arrest Jesus, it shows that on our own strength we cannot stand. We can only flee from persecution and death, abandoning even the righteous garment Christ gave us. This emphasizes our dependence on Christ’s strength.
Other symbolic meanings have been suggested too. So in this view, the young man serves as an “anonymous representative” meant to make a theological point, not an actual historical figure.
6. Fulfillment of prophecy
A few commentators tie the fleeing naked man to biblical prophecy. Specifically, they link it to Amos 2:16, which says: “He who is stout of heart among the mighty shall flee away naked in that day.”
The connection is not immediately obvious. But some have proposed that Mark was drawing a parallel between the young man fleeing naked at Jesus’ arrest and Amos prophesying soldiers fleeing naked on the day of God’s judgment.
Beyond this verse, there are not a lot of textual clues to support a fulfillment of prophecy. But it remains a possibility based on the similar language.
7. A literary device
Many scholars see the account of the naked young man simply functioning as a literary device within Mark’s gospel. Here are some of its possible narrative purposes:
- It heightens the drama – A startling event increases tension after Jesus’ arrest.
- It shows Jesus’ abandonment – Even his unknown followers desert him.
- It contrasts weakness and strength – The disciples fall away, but Jesus stands strong.
- It symbolizes nakedness and shame – The danger and indignity Jesus faced.
In this reading, the focus is not on the identity of the young man per se, but on how this brief episode advances Mark’s theological purposes in recounting Jesus’ passion. The lack of detail suggests Mark did not intend to give the man definite identity or meaning outside of his literary role.
8. John Mark
A traditional view is that the young man was John Mark, the author of the Gospel of Mark. Proponents of this view offer several reasons:
- The man fled naked, suggesting it was the author himself.
- The linen cloth implies sleeping there prior, like an eyewitness.
- Mark was from a wealthy family in Jerusalem who owned the house.
- The man is not mentioned in the other Gospels, fitting Mark’s restraint in mentioning himself.
However, there are also objections to this view:
- Nowhere does Mark explicitly identify himself in his Gospel.
- If this event was traumatic, it seems odd for Mark to insert himself this way.
- Mark being from a prominent family in Jerusalem is merely church tradition.
So while an intriguing possibility, the evidence is too limited either way. The John Mark hypothesis remains speculative.
9. James the brother of Jesus
A related view is that the young man was James, a brother of Jesus. Reasons for proposing James:
- As Jesus’ brother, he likely stayed with him during the Passion week.
- James was prominent in the early church, so his presence fits.
- Josephus describes James as being executed while only wearing linen underwear.
However, there are again objections:
- nowhere else is James associated with the events in Gethsemane.
- James likely would not have fled naked when his brother was arrested.
- James probably would have been identified explicitly if it were him.
With limited evidence, James being the young man remains speculative. The parallel with his death described by Josephus is intriguing but inconclusive.
10. Lazarus resurrected
A creative suggestion is that the young man was Lazarus, who Jesus raised from the dead in John 11. Reasons why it could be Lazarus:
- Lazarus lived in Bethany near the Mount of Olives where Gethsemane was located.
- His resurrection foreshadowed Jesus’ own.
- Having died, Lazarus had no more need for earthly clothes.
However, this is highly speculative since there is no solid evidence that Lazarus was present at Gethsemane. And presumably Lazarus would not have been naked, despite being raised from the dead.
So while an intriguing idea, Lazarus as the young man lacks strong supporting evidence. It seems speculative to associate the two events in this way.
The mystery remains
The identity of the naked young man who fled at Gethsemane remains uncertain. There are several creative theories, but no consensus. Some see the figure as symbolic, while others look for a definite historical person. But in the end, the Gospel of Mark gives too few details about this strange episode to draw any firm conclusions.
This passage remains opaque. We know there was an unnamed young man associated with Jesus who fled naked when Jesus was arrested. But his precise identity and role in that critical moment defy certainty. For now the brevity of Mark’s account leaves the young man’s identity a mystery.
Regardless of who he was, his presence highlights Jesus’ forsakenness in his final hours. Even nameless followers abandoned him in fear and shame, underscoring how alone Jesus was as he approached the cross. This unnamed figure shows that we all need the strength and righteousness that only Christ provides.