Matthew 26:51-56

Context
26:51 But¹ one of those with Jesus grabbed² his sword, drew it out, and struck the high priest’s slave,³ cutting off his ear. 26:52 Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back in its place!⁴ For all who take hold of the sword will die by the sword. 26:53 Or do you think that I cannot call on my Father, and that he would send me more than twelve legions⁵ of angels right now? 26:54 How then would the scriptures that say it must happen this way be fulfilled?” 26:55 At that moment Jesus said to the crowd, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me like you would an outlaw?⁶ Day after day I sat teaching in the temple courts, yet⁷ you did not arrest me. 26:56 But this has happened so that⁸ the scriptures of the prophets would be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left him and fled.

[26:51] ¹tn Grk “And behold one.” The Greek word ἰδού (idou) has not been translated because it has no exact English equivalent here, but adds interest and emphasis (BDAG 468 s.v. 1).

[26:51] ²tn Grk “extending his hand, drew out his sword, and struck.” Because rapid motion is implied in the circumstances, the translation “grabbed” was used.

[26:51] ³tn See the note on the word “slave” in 8:9.

[26:52] ⁴tn The translation “put your sword back in its place” for this phrase is given in L&N 85.52.

[26:53] ⁷sn A legion was a Roman army unit of about 6,000 soldiers, so twelve legions would be 72,000.

[26:55] ¹⁰tn Or “a revolutionary.” This term can refer to one who stirs up rebellion: BDAG 594 s.v. λῃστής 2 has “revolutionary, insurrectionist, guerrilla” citing evidence from Josephus (J. W. 2.13.2-3 [2.253-254]). However, this usage generally postdates Jesus’ time. It does refer to a figure of violence. Luke uses the same term for the highwaymen who attack the traveler in the parable of the good Samaritan (Luke 10:30).

[26:55] ¹¹tn Grk “and” (καί, kai), a conjunction that is elastic enough to be used to indicate a contrast, as here.

[26:56] ¹³tn Grk “But so that”; the verb “has happened” is implied.