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Jesus Is Betrayed and Arrested

47 And even as Jesus said this, Judas, one of the twelve disciples, arrived with a crowd of men armed with swords and clubs. They had been sent by the leading priests and elders of the people. 48 The traitor, Judas, had given them a prearranged signal: “You will know which one to arrest when I greet him with a kiss.” 49 So Judas came straight to Jesus. “Greetings, Rabbi!” he exclaimed and gave him the kiss.

50 Jesus said, “My friend, go ahead and do what you have come for.”

Then the others grabbed Jesus and arrested him. 51 But one of the men with Jesus pulled out his sword and struck the high priest’s slave, slashing off his ear.

52 “Put away your sword,” Jesus told him. “Those who use the sword will die by the sword. 53 Don’t you realize that I could ask my Father for thousands[a] of angels to protect us, and he would send them instantly? 54 But if I did, how would the Scriptures be fulfilled that describe what must happen now?”

55 Then Jesus said to the crowd, “Am I some dangerous revolutionary, that you come with swords and clubs to arrest me? Why didn’t you arrest me in the Temple? I was there teaching every day. 56 But this is all happening to fulfill the words of the prophets as recorded in the Scriptures.” At that point, all the disciples deserted him and fled.

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Footnotes

  1. 26:53 Greek twelve legions.

Jesus Arrested(A)

47 While he was still speaking, Judas,(B) one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. 48 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.” 49 Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!”(C) and kissed him.

50 Jesus replied, “Do what you came for, friend.”[a](D)

Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. 51 With that, one of Jesus’ companions reached for his sword,(E) drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.(F)

52 “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword.(G) 53 Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?(H) 54 But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled(I) that say it must happen in this way?”

55 In that hour Jesus said to the crowd, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching,(J) and you did not arrest me. 56 But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.”(K) Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.

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Footnotes

  1. Matthew 26:50 Or “Why have you come, friend?”