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

⁴⁷ And, while he was still speaking, Judas, who was one of the Twelve, came in sight; and with him was a great crowd of people, with swords and clubs, sent from the Chief Priests and Councillors of the Nation. ⁴⁸ Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them. "The man whom I kiss," he had said, "will be the one; arrest him." ⁴⁹ So he went up to Jesus at once, and exclaimed: "Welcome, Rabbi!" and kissed him;

⁵⁰ On which Jesus said to him: "Friend, do what you have come for." Thereupon the men went up, seized Jesus, and arrested him. ⁵¹ Suddenly one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and striking the High Priest's servant, cut off his ear.

⁵² "Sheathe your sword," Jesus said, "for all who draw the sword will be put to the sword. ⁵³ Do you think that I cannot ask my Father for help, when he would at once send to my aid more than twelve legions of angels? ⁵⁴ But in that case how would the Scriptures be fulfilled, which say that this must be?"

⁵⁵ Jesus at the same time said to the crowds: "Have you come out, as if after a robber, with swords and clubs, to take me? I have sat teaching day after day in the Temple Courts, and yet you did not arrest me." ⁵⁶ The whole of this occurred in fulfillment of the Prophetic Scriptures. Then the disciples all forsook him and fled.

⁴³ And just then, while he was still speaking, Judas, who was one of the Twelve, came up; and with him a crowd of people, with swords and clubs, sent by the Chief Priests, the Teachers of the Law, and the Councillors. ⁴⁴ Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them. "The man whom I kiss," he had said, "will be the one; arrest him and take him away safely." ⁴⁵ As soon as Judas came, he went up to Jesus at once, and said: "Rabbi!" and kissed him. ⁴⁶ Then the men seized Jesus, and arrested him. ⁴⁷ One of those who were standing by drew his sword, and struck at the High Priest's servant, and cut off his ear.

⁴⁸ But Jesus interposed, and said to the men: "Have you come out, as if after a robber, with swords and clubs, to take me? ⁴⁹ I have been among you day after day in the Temple Courts teaching, and yet you did not arrest me; but this is in fulfillment of the Scriptures." ⁵⁰ And all the Apostles forsook him, and fled.

⁵¹ One young man did indeed follow him, wrapped only in a linen sheet. They tried to arrest him; ⁵² But he left the sheet in their hands, and fled naked.

⁴⁷ While he was still speaking, a crowd appeared in sight, led by the man called Judas, who was one of the Twelve. Judas approached Jesus, to kiss him; ⁴⁸ On which Jesus said to him: "Judas, is it by a kiss that you betray the Son of Man?"

⁴⁹ But when those who were round Jesus saw what was going to happen, they exclaimed: "Master, shall we use our swords?" ⁵⁰ And one of them struck the High Priest's servant and cut off his right ear;

⁵¹ On which Jesus said: "Let me at least do this"; and, touching his ear, he healed the wound. ⁵² Then, turning to the Chief Priests and Officers in charge at the Temple and Councillors, who had come for him, he said: "Have you come out, as if after a robber, with swords and clubs? ⁵³ When I was with you day after day in the Temple Courts, you did not lay hands on me; but now your time has come, and the power of Darkness."