Matthew 26:47-56

Betrayal and Arrest

26:47 While he was still speaking, Judas, ¹  one of the twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent by the chief priests and elders of the people. 26:48 (Now the betrayer ²  had given them a sign, saying, “The one I kiss is the man. ³  Arrest him!”) ⁴  26:49 Immediately ⁵  he went up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi,” and kissed him. ⁶  26:50 Jesus ⁷  said to him, “Friend, do what you are here to do.” Then they came and took hold ⁸  of Jesus and arrested him. 26:51 But ⁹  one of those with Jesus grabbed ¹⁰  his sword, drew it out, and struck the high priest’s slave, ¹¹  cutting off his ear. 26:52 Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back in its place! ¹²  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 legions ¹³  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? ¹⁴  Day after day I sat teaching in the temple courts, yet ¹⁵  you did not arrest me. 26:56 But this has happened so that ¹⁶  the scriptures of the prophets would be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left him and fled.

[26:47]  ¹ tn Grk “behold, Judas.” 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).

[26:48]  ² tn Grk “the one who betrays him.”

[26:48]  ³ tn Grk “The one I kiss is he.”

[26:48]  ⁴ sn This remark is parenthetical within the narrative and has thus been placed in parentheses.

[26:49]  ⁵ tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated.

[26:49]  ⁶ sn Judas’ act of betrayal when he kissed Jesus is especially sinister when it is realized that it was common in the culture of the times for a disciple to kiss his master when greeting him.

[26:50]  ⁷ tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.

[26:50]  ⁸ tn Grk “and put their hands on Jesus.”

[26:51]  ⁹ tn 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]  ¹⁰ tn 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]  ¹¹ tn See the note on the word “slave” in 8:9.

[26:52]  ¹² tn The translation “put your sword back in its place” for this phrase is given in L&N 85.52.

[26:53]  ¹³ sn A legion was a Roman army unit of about 6,000 soldiers, so twelve legions would be 72,000.

[26:55]  ¹⁴ tn 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]  ¹⁵ tn Grk “and” (καί, kai), a conjunction that is elastic enough to be used to indicate a contrast, as here.

[26:56]  ¹⁶ tn Grk “But so that”; the verb “has happened” is implied.