Matthew 26:47-56

Living Bible

⁴⁷At that very moment while he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived with a great crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent by the Jewish leaders. ⁴⁸Judas had told them to arrest the man he greeted, for that would be the one they were after. ⁴⁹So now Judas came straight to Jesus and said, “Hello, Master!” and embraced^[a] him in friendly fashion.

⁵⁰Jesus said, “My friend, go ahead and do what you have come for.” Then the others grabbed him.

⁵¹One of the men with Jesus pulled out a sword and slashed off the ear of the high priest’s servant.

⁵²“Put away your sword,” Jesus told him. “Those using swords will get killed. ⁵³Don’t you realize that I could ask my Father for thousands of angels to protect us, and he would send them instantly? ⁵⁴But if I did, how would the Scriptures be fulfilled that describe what is happening now?” ⁵⁵Then Jesus spoke to the crowd. “Am I some dangerous criminal,” he asked, “that you had to arm yourselves with swords and clubs before you could arrest me? I was with you teaching daily in the Temple and you didn’t stop me then. ⁵⁶But this is all happening to fulfill the words of the prophets as recorded in the Scriptures.”