Matthew 26:47-56 - The Betrayal And Arrest Of Jesus

⁴⁷ And while He was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve apostles, came with a large crowd who were carrying swords and clubs. They had come from the leading priests and elders of the [Jewish] people. ⁴⁸ Now the one who betrayed Him had given them a signal, saying, "Whoever I give a kiss [of greeting to], he is the one, take hold of him." ⁴⁹ So, immediately he went to Jesus and said, "Greetings, Rabbi," and [then] kissed Him [enthusiastically].

⁵⁰ And Jesus said to him, "[My] friend, [go ahead], do what you came to do." Then the Jewish officers came and arrested Jesus and began taking Him away. ⁵¹ Just then, one of those who were with Jesus [i.e., Peter. See John 18:10], reached out with his sword and struck the head priest's servant [with it], shearing off his ear.

⁵² Then Jesus said to him, "Put your sword back in your belt again, for all those who use the sword will die by the sword. ⁵³ Or, do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father and He will immediately send me more than twelve legions of angels [i.e., Jesus could have called about 72,000 angels to minister to Him. See Matt. 4:11]? ⁵⁴ How [else] then should the Scriptures be fulfilled that this must happen [than what is taking place]?"

⁵⁵ [Then] Jesus said to the crowds at that very time, "Have you come out to arrest me with swords and clubs as [you would apprehend] a thief? I sat everyday teaching in the Temple, and you did not [come to] take me. ⁵⁶ But all this has happened so that the Scriptures of the prophets would be fulfilled." Then all of His disciples left Him and ran away.

⁴³ And immediately, as Jesus was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve apostles came with a crowd who were carrying swords and clubs. [They had come] from the leading priests, the experts in the law of Moses and the [Jewish] elders. ⁴⁴ Now the one who turned Him over to the Jewish leaders [i.e., Judas] had given them a signal, saying, "Whoever I give a kiss [of greeting] to, he is the one; arrest him and lead him away under guard." ⁴⁵ And when Judas came, immediately he went to Jesus and said, "Rabbi," and then kissed Him [enthusiastically]. ⁴⁶ Then the soldiers and officers arrested Him and began taking Him away. ⁴⁷ But a certain disciple that was standing nearby [i.e., Peter. See John 18:10] drew his sword and struck the head priest's servant [i.e., Malchus. See John 18:10], shearing off his ear.

⁴⁸ Then Jesus said to them, "Have you come out to arrest me with swords and clubs like you would a thief? ⁴⁹ I was with you every day, teaching in the Temple, and you did not [come to] take me. But this has happened so that the Scriptures would be fulfilled." ⁵⁰ And all of His disciples left Him and ran away.

⁵¹ And a certain young man [Note: Some think this is a reference to Mark himself], who had a linen outer garment thrown over his scantily clad body, was following Jesus until they [i.e., the soldiers and officers] took hold of him. [Note: The wording here does not indicate total nakedness, but rather the wearing of underclothing only] ⁵² Then he ran away in his underclothing, leaving his linen outer garment behind.

⁴⁷ While He was still speaking suddenly one of the twelve apostles, named Judas, [who was] leading a crowd, came near Jesus to kiss Him. ⁴⁸ But Jesus said to him, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of man with a kiss?"

⁴⁹ And when [the rest of] the disciples, who were gathered around Jesus, saw what was about to happen, they said, "Lord, do you want us to strike them with a sword?" ⁵⁰ Then a certain one of them struck the head priest's slave and sheared off his right ear. [Note: It was Peter who struck this man, whose name was Malchus. See John 18:10].

⁵¹ But Jesus replied, "Stop it; [that is] enough!" Then He touched the man's [partially severed] ear and healed him. ⁵² And Jesus said to the leading priests and captains of the Temple [guard] and the [Jewish] elders that came to take Him, "Have you come out [to arrest me] with swords and clubs as you would [apprehend] a thief? ⁵³ When I was with you every day in the Temple you did not raise a hand against me. But this is your hour [i.e., the time for you to act against me] and the power of darkness [has now taken over]."