Matthew 26:47-56

Expanded Bible

Jesus Is Arrested^(A)

⁴⁷ While Jesus was still speaking, Judas, one of ·the twelve apostles [the Twelve], came up. With him were many people carrying swords and clubs who had been sent from the ·leading [^Tchief] priests and the Jewish elders of the people. ⁴⁸ Judas had planned to give them a ·signal [sign], saying, “The man I kiss is ·Jesus [the one]. ·Arrest [Seize] him.” ⁴⁹ At once Judas went to Jesus and said, “Greetings, ·Teacher [^LRabbi]!” and kissed him.

⁵⁰ Jesus answered, “Friend, do what you came to do.”

Then the people came and grabbed Jesus and arrested him. ⁵¹ ·When that happened [^LAnd look/^Tbehold], one of ·Jesus’ followers [^Lthose with Jesus] reached for his sword and pulled it out. He struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear.

⁵² Jesus said to the man, “Put your sword back in its place. [^LFor] All who ·use swords [^Ltake the sword] will ·be killed with swords [^Ldie/perish by the sword]. ⁵³ ·Surely [^LDon’t…?] you know I could ask my Father, and he would give me more than twelve ·armies [legions] of angels. ⁵⁴ But ·it must happen this way to bring about what the Scriptures say [^Lhow, then, could the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen this way?].”

⁵⁵ Then Jesus said to the crowd, “You came to get me with swords and clubs as if I were a ·criminal [revolutionary; rebel; ^Lrobber; ^Cthe term “robber” was used by the Romans of insurrectionists]. Every day I sat in the Temple teaching, and you did not arrest me there. ⁵⁶ But all these things have happened ·so that it will come about as the prophets wrote [^Lto fulfill the writings/scriptures of the prophets].” Then all of Jesus’ ·followers [disciples] ·left [deserted] him and ·ran away [fled].