Matthew 26:47-68

Holman Christian Standard Bible

The Judas Kiss

⁴⁷ While He was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, suddenly arrived.^(A) A large mob, with swords and clubs, was with him from the chief priests and elders of the people. ⁴⁸ His betrayer had given them a sign: “The One I kiss, He’s the One; arrest Him!” ⁴⁹ So he went right up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed Him.

⁵⁰ “Friend,”^(B) Jesus asked him, “why have you come?”^[a]

Then they came up, took hold of Jesus, and arrested Him. ⁵¹ At that moment one of those with Jesus reached out his hand and drew his sword. He struck the high priest’s slave and cut off his ear.^(C)

⁵² Then Jesus told him, “Put your sword back in its place because all who take up a sword will perish by a sword.^{(D) 53} Or do you think that I cannot call on My Father, and He will provide Me at once with more than 12 legions^[b] of angels?^{(E) 54} How, then, would the Scriptures be fulfilled^(F) that say it must happen this way?”

⁵⁵ At that time Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out with swords and clubs, as if I were a criminal,^[c] to capture Me? Every day I used to sit, teaching in the temple complex, and you didn’t arrest Me.^{(G) 56} But all this has happened so that the prophetic Scriptures^[d](H) would be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples^(I) deserted Him and ran away.

Jesus Faces the Sanhedrin

⁵⁷ Those^(J) who had arrested Jesus led Him away to Caiaphas^(K) the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had convened. ⁵⁸ Meanwhile, Peter was following Him at a distance right to the high priest’s courtyard.^[e] He went in and was sitting with the temple police^[f] to see the outcome.^[g](L)

⁵⁹ The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false testimony against Jesus so they could put Him to death.^{(M) 60} But they could not find any, even though many false witnesses^(N) came forward.^[h] Finally, two^[i] who came forward ⁶¹ stated, “This man said, ‘I can demolish God’s sanctuary^(O) and rebuild it in three days.’”

⁶² The high priest then stood up and said to Him, “Don’t You have an answer to what these men are testifying against You?” ⁶³ But^(P) Jesus kept silent.^(Q) Then the high priest said to Him, “By the living God I place You under oath:^(R) tell us if You are the Messiah, the Son of God!”^(S)

⁶⁴ “You have said it,”^[j] Jesus told him. “But I tell you, in the future^[k] you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.”^(T)[l]

⁶⁵ Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has blasphemed!^(U) Why do we still need witnesses? Look, now you’ve heard the blasphemy!^{(V) 66} What is your decision?”^[m]

They answered, “He deserves death!”^{(W) 67} Then they spit in His face^(X) and beat Him; others slapped Him ⁶⁸ and said, “Prophesy to us, Messiah! Who hit You?”^(Y)