Matthew 26:47-56, Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus

47 While he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. 48 Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; seize him.” 49 And he came up to Jesus at once and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” And he kissed him. 50 Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you came to do.” Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and seized him. 51 And behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear. 52 Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword. 53 Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?” 55 At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. 56 But all this has taken place that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left him and fled.

Comments

The Jewish temple guard, at the disposal of the Sanhedrin, arrested Jesus under Jewish authority, conspiring with Judas. Judas not only betrayed Jesus but publicly repudiated him with an uninvited kiss that no disciple would give a Rabbi without permission. Without thinking, Peter jumped in to defend Jesus, cutting off the ear of Malchus. (We learn these names in John’s Gospel, not here.)

Jesus’ command not to fight was not a blanket statement of pacifism, but an acknowledgement to carry out God’s will. Jesus needed no one’s help. He chose to let this happen. Scripture, the unchangeable word of God, guided his decisions. It was predicted, and with the scattering of the disciples, Zechariah 13:7 was fulfilled.

Prayer

My God, I am not my own but yours.

Take me for your own,

and help me in all things to do your holy will.

My God, I give myself to you,

in joy and sorrow,

in sickness and in health,

in success and in failure,

in life and in death,

in time and for eternity.

Make me and keep me your own;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

(Source unknown)