47And while he was still speaking, behold, Judas — one of the Twelve — came, and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and elders of the people. [26:48] Now the one betraying him gave them a sign, saying, 'Whomever I kiss, he is the one; seize him.' [26:49] And immediately, having come up to Jesus, he said, 'Greetings, Rabbi!' and kissed him fervently and repeatedly. [26:50] And Jesus said to him: 'Companion, for what you have come.' Then, having come to him, they laid hands on Jesus and seized him. [26:51] And behold, one of those with Jesus, having stretched out his hand, drew his sword and, having struck the servant of the high priest, cut off his ear. [26:52] Then Jesus said to him: 'Return your sword to its place, for all those who take the sword will perish by the sword. [26:53] Or do you think that I am not able to call upon my Father, and he will furnish me presently more than twelve legions of angels? [26:54] How then may the Scriptures be fulfilled, that so it must come to be?' [26:55] In that very hour Jesus said to the crowds: 'As against a bandit did you come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Day after day I was sitting in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. [26:56] But all this has come to pass that the Scriptures of the prophets may be fulfilled.' Then all the disciples left him and fled.
MAT 26:47-56
The Betrayal of Jesus
In the world it was spoken into
In the 1st-century Jewish context, the arrival of Judas with a large crowd armed with swords and clubs would have signaled a deliberate and potentially violent act. Crowds in this period were often associated with disorder or mob action, particularly in politically charged situations. The kiss Judas gives Jesus is not a casual greeting but an intimate and fervent gesture, heightening the betrayal’s intensity. In Jewish culture, a kiss could signify respect, affection, or allegiance, making Judas’ act deeply hypocritical. Jesus’ address to Judas as (companion or comrade) underscores the betrayal’s personal nature, as this term often implied a close, trusted relationship. The accusation that Jesus was leading a rebellion reflects Roman fears of insurrection and Jewish leaders’ desire to present Jesus as a threat to Roman order. The scene unfolds in Gethsemane, a place associated with prayer and solitude, contrasting sharply with the violent intrusion.
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How other translations render this
MAT 26:47
- KJV
- And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people.
- BSB
- While Jesus was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived, accompanied by a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and elders of the people.
- Koinōnos
- And while he was still speaking, behold, Judas — one of the Twelve — came, and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and elders of the people.
MAT 26:48
- KJV
- Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast.
- BSB
- Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The One I kiss is the man; arrest Him.”
- Koinōnos
- Now the one betraying him gave them a sign, saying, 'Whomever I kiss, he is the one; seize him.
MAT 26:49
- KJV
- And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him.
- BSB
- Going directly to Jesus, he said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed Him.
- Koinōnos
- And immediately, having come up to Jesus, he said, 'Greetings, Rabbi!' and kissed him fervently and repeatedly.
MAT 26:50
- KJV
- And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus and took him.
- BSB
- “Friend,” Jesus replied, “do what you came for.” Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus, and arrested Him.
- Koinōnos
- And Jesus said to him: 'Companion, for what you have come.' Then, having come to him, they laid hands on Jesus and seized him.
MAT 26:51
- KJV
- And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest’s, and smote off his ear.
- BSB
- At this, one of Jesusʼ companions drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.
- Koinōnos
- And behold, one of those with Jesus, having stretched out his hand, drew his sword and, having struck the servant of the high priest, cut off his ear.
MAT 26:52
- KJV
- Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.
- BSB
- “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him. “For all who draw the sword will die by the sword.
- Koinōnos
- Then Jesus said to him: 'Return your sword to its place, for all those who take the sword will perish by the sword.
MAT 26:53
- KJV
- Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?
- BSB
- Are you not aware that I can call on My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels?
- Koinōnos
- Or do you think that I am not able to call upon my Father, and he will furnish me presently more than twelve legions of angels?
MAT 26:54
- KJV
- But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?
- BSB
- But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen this way?”
- Koinōnos
- How then may the Scriptures be fulfilled, that so it must come to be?
MAT 26:55
- KJV
- In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me.
- BSB
- At that time Jesus said to the crowd, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest Me as you would an outlaw? Every day I sat teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest Me.
- Koinōnos
- In that very hour Jesus said to the crowds: 'As against a bandit did you come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Day after day I was sitting in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me.
MAT 26:56
- KJV
- But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.
- BSB
- But this has all happened so that the writings of the prophets would be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted Him and fled.
- Koinōnos
- But all this has come to pass that the Scriptures of the prophets may be fulfilled.' Then all the disciples left him and fled.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
MAT 26:47
- a crowd:The word translated 'a crowd' here often referred to an unruly, unorganized, or even riotous multitude, not just a neutral gathering of people.
MAT 26:49
- kissed:The word translated 'kissed' implies a fervent or repeated kissing, often used to show deep affection or devotion, making Judas's act particularly poignant.
MAT 26:50
- Friend,:The term translated 'Friend' was often used for a companion or associate, rather than an intimate friend, suggesting a more formal or even detached relationship.
MAT 26:55
- a robber:The word translated 'a robber' often referred to a bandit or brigand, someone who used violence, and could even imply a revolutionary or insurgent, not just a thief.