47 And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people. 48 Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast. 49 And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him. 50 And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him. 51 And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest’s, and smote off his ear. 52 Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. 53 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be? 55 In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me. 56 But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled. (Matthew 26:47-56)
Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus
Jesus was seized and taken into custody immediately after his agony, while he was still speaking. From beginning to end, there was no pause in his suffering. His inward anguish now turned into outward violence—“The breath of our nostrils, the Lord’s anointed, was caught in their traps” (Lamentations 4:20).
Judas, one of the twelve, led the group that arrested him (Acts 1:16). Without his guidance, they would not have found Jesus in that secluded place. The first to appear with Jesus’ enemies was one of his own disciples, who had just shared a meal with him. A large crowd came with him, fulfilling “Lord, how many are my foes!” (Psalm 3:1). The group included Roman soldiers from the tower of Antonia and servants of the High Priest—ordinarily divided, now united against Christ.
They came armed with swords and clubs—Roman soldiers with swords, the temple servants with clubs. This was a disorderly crowd, not a formal military force. But such force was unnecessary. Jesus could not have been taken if he had not allowed it. Just as a butcher does not need an army to slaughter a lamb, neither did they need weapons to take the Lamb of God.
They acted on orders from the chief priests and elders—the Sanhedrin. Pilate gave no such command (John 18:35); it was the religious leaders who were most opposed to Christ. This highlights that he was upheld by divine power, for every earthly power was against him.
Judas carried out his betrayal with calculated effort. As the leader of the group, he gave the soldiers a sign (Matthew 26:48), identifying Jesus with a kiss so they wouldn’t seize the wrong man. Though the Jews may have recognized him, the Roman soldiers might not have. The kiss helped delay Jesus just long enough for them to grab him.
Judas came close to Jesus and greeted him with, “Greetings, Master,” and kissed him. A kiss is a symbol of loyalty (Psalm 2:12), but Judas used it as a weapon. Like Joab before him, he betrayed with a kiss. Many still do the same—professing honor while opposing Christ’s cause.
Jesus responded gently (Matthew 26:50). He called him “friend,” not traitor or villain. He teaches us not to speak bitterly, even when wronged. Judas had once seemed to be a friend and was now fulfilling God’s plan. Jesus asked him, “Why have you come?”—a question that cuts through pretense. Was he a friend or an enemy? Apostates are often the fiercest enemies.
Then the crowd arrested Jesus. They grabbed him and took him into custody. Though they laid hands on the Lord’s Anointed, they could do nothing without his surrender, “by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge” (Acts 2:23). God had once said of his servants, “Do not touch my anointed ones” (Psalm 105:15), yet did not spare his own Son (Psalm 78:61). Jesus became a prisoner to bear our punishment—“The yoke of my transgressions was bound upon his neck” (Lamentations 1:14). He allowed himself to be taken so we could be set free: “If you are looking for me, then let these men go” (John 18:8).
Peter, in a moment of rash zeal, tried to defend Jesus (John 18:10). There were only two swords among them (Luke 22:38), and Peter used his to strike the servant of the High Priest, cutting off his ear (Matthew 26:51). Likely aiming for the head, he missed. His intentions were sincere—he had vowed to die for Jesus—but his timing and method were wrong. He acted without clear direction, endangering himself and others.
Jesus rebuked him (Matthew 26:52): “Put your sword back in its place.” Though Peter acted out of loyalty, Jesus made it clear his kingdom was not to be defended by violence (2 Corinthians 10:3–4). Religion cannot be forced. Jesus had already forbidden the use of coercion (Matthew 20:25–26); now he forbids violence. He never told Peter to draw his sword again. Two reasons are given for this rebuke:
First, it was dangerous. “All who draw the sword will die by the sword.” Violence invites retaliation. Without Jesus’ intervention, Peter might have been killed. Some suggest this warning also applied to those arresting Jesus, whose violent fate came when Rome destroyed Jerusalem. Therefore, “Do not take revenge…for it is written: ‘I will repay,’ says the Lord” (Romans 12:19). We endure, knowing God will judge (Revelation 13:10).
Second, it was unnecessary. Jesus had divine resources: “Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?” (Matthew 26:53). He needed no human defense. His submission was a choice, not a weakness. Even at this moment, he could summon angel armies.
This affirms his favor with the Father—“I can ask my Father”—and his authority over angels. A legion is over 6,000 soldiers; twelve legions is more than 72,000 angels. Angels are countless (Hebrews 12:22), obedient (Psalm 103:20–21), and always ready to serve Christ (Hebrews 1:14). The Father commands them, not us (Psalm 91:11), and Jesus had full command over them. “He shall give them to me”—the Father was ready to hear him, and the angels to obey.
This reminds us that Christ, even in suffering, was fully in control—and that the armies of heaven are always at his command.