Matthew 26:47-56

English Standard Version

Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus

^47 (A)While he was still speaking, ^(B)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, ^(C)Rabbi!” And he kissed him. ⁵⁰ Jesus said to him, ^(D)“Friend, ^(E)do what you came to do.”^[a] 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 ^(F)sword and struck the servant^[b] of the high priest and cut off his ear. ⁵² Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place. For ^(G)all who take the sword will perish by the sword. ^53 (H)Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me ^(I)more than twelve ^(J)legions of angels? ^54 (K)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 ^(L)I sat in the temple ^(M)teaching, and you did not seize me. ⁵⁶ But ^(N)all this has taken place that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” ^(O)Then all the disciples left him and fled.