47While he was still speaking, behold, a crowd, and the one named Judas — one of the Twelve — was going before them, and he drew near to Jesus to kiss him. [22:48] Jesus then said to him: "Judas, with a kiss are you betraying the Son of Man?" [22:49] Those around him, having seen what was going to be, said to him: "Lord, shall we strike with the sword?" [22:50] And one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear. [22:51] Answering, Jesus said: "Allow it as far as this." And having touched the ear, he healed him. [22:52] Jesus said to those who had come out against him — chief priests and captains of the temple and elders: "As against a robber have you come out with swords and clubs? [22:53] Daily, being with you in the temple, you did not stretch out your hands against me. But this is your hour and the authority of darkness."
LUK 22:47-53
The Betrayal of Jesus
In the world it was spoken into
In the 1st century, a kiss was a common gesture of greeting, respect, or affection, often used between friends or disciples and their teacher. Judas’ use of this gesture to betray Jesus would have been deeply shocking to the original audience, as it subverted a symbol of trust and intimacy into an act of treachery. The presence of a crowd armed with swords and clubs suggests an organized force, likely authorized by the temple authorities, who viewed Jesus as a threat to their power and Roman order. The servant of the high priest, a slave, represents the temple hierarchy’s involvement. Jesus’ healing of the servant’s ear contrasts sharply with the violence of the moment, emphasizing His refusal to engage in armed resistance. The accusation that Jesus led a band of (bandits or insurgents) reflects the Roman and temple authorities’ perception of Him as a political threat, though His actions demonstrate a different kind of authority.
›See the receipts
How other translations render this
LUK 22:47
- KJV
- And while he yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him.
- BSB
- While He was still speaking, a crowd arrived, led by the man called Judas, one of the Twelve. He approached Jesus to kiss Him.
- Koinōnos
- While he was still speaking, behold, a crowd, and the one named Judas — one of the Twelve — was going before them, and he drew near to Jesus to kiss him.
LUK 22:48
- KJV
- But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?
- BSB
- But Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”
- Koinōnos
- Jesus then said to him: "Judas, with a kiss are you betraying the Son of Man?
LUK 22:49
- KJV
- When they which were about him saw what would follow, they said unto him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword?
- BSB
- Those around Jesus saw what was about to happen and said, “Lord, should we strike with our swords?”
- Koinōnos
- Those around him, having seen what was going to be, said to him: "Lord, shall we strike with the sword?
LUK 22:50
- KJV
- And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear.
- BSB
- And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear.
- Koinōnos
- And one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear.
LUK 22:51
- KJV
- And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him.
- BSB
- But Jesus answered, “No more of this!” And He touched the manʼs ear and healed him.
- Koinōnos
- Answering, Jesus said: "Allow it as far as this." And having touched the ear, he healed him.
LUK 22:52
- KJV
- Then Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders, which were come to him, Be ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and staves?
- BSB
- Then Jesus said to the chief priests, temple officers, and elders who had come for Him, “Have you come out with swords and clubs as you would against an outlaw?
- Koinōnos
- Jesus said to those who had come out against him — chief priests and captains of the temple and elders: "As against a robber have you come out with swords and clubs?
LUK 22:53
- KJV
- When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness.
- BSB
- Every day I was with you in the temple courts, and you did not lay a hand on Me. But this hour belongs to you and to the power of darkness.”
- Koinōnos
- Daily, being with you in the temple, you did not stretch out your hands against me. But this is your hour and the authority of darkness.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Where the historical framing draws from
- Josephus, AntiquitiesAntiquities 18.3.3
›Josephus, Antiquities Antiquities 18.3.3
“And when Pilate, at the suggestion of the principal men amongst us, had condemned him to the cross”
Cited to ground: Pilate ... had condemned him to the cross
Translator's notes
LUK 22:47
- Twelve:The word translated 'Twelve' here refers to the group of Jesus's closest disciples, emphasizing their specific role and identity within his ministry.
LUK 22:48
- Judas,:The term used here for 'kiss' was a common greeting among friends and family, making Judas's act a profound betrayal of trust and intimacy.
LUK 22:50
- servant:The word translated 'servant' here more accurately means a 'slave' or 'bondservant,' indicating a person who was legally owned and completely subject to their master's will.
LUK 22:52
- against:The word translated 'against' in this context refers to a 'bandit' or 'robber,' often implying someone who was also a revolutionary or insurgent, not just a common thief.