Matthew 26:47-56
New Catholic Bible
47 Jesus Is Arrested.[a][b]While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him there was a large crowd of men, armed with swords and clubs, who had been sent by the chief priests and the elders of the people. 48 Now his betrayer had agreed with them on a signal, saying, “The one I shall kiss is the man. Arrest him.” 49 Proceeding directly to Jesus, he said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him. 50 Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you are here to do.” Then they came forward, seized Jesus, and placed him under arrest.
51 Suddenly, one of those who were accompanying Jesus reached for his sword, drew it, and struck a servant of the high priest, slicing off his ear. 52 Then Jesus said to him, “Put back your sword into its place. For all who take the sword shall die by the sword. 53 Do you suppose that I cannot appeal to my Father for help[c] and he will not immediately send me more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But then how would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?”
55 At that hour, Jesus said to the crowd, “Why are you coming forth with swords and clubs to arrest me, as though I were a bandit? Day after day I sat teaching in the temple, and you did not arrest me. 56 But all this has taken place so that the writings of the Prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Matthew 26:47 Jesus practices what he had taught (Mt 5:39). He regards himself as the suffering Servant (see Isa 53) who accepts his sacrifice in silence so as to accomplish his mission. It is love that reestablishes order, for in the face of hypocritical force violence remains powerless.
- Matthew 26:47 Judas was well aware of the customs of his Master, and that he was wont to retire to the garden of Gethsemane. A kiss was the customary greeting of a disciple for his teacher.
- Matthew 26:53 Do you suppose that I cannot appeal to my Father for help . . . ?: by these words Jesus emphasizes the voluntary character of his Passion. Jesus freely accepts the will of God, expressed in Scripture. The same reason is repeated in v. 56. Twelve legions: a Roman legion consisted of 6000 men.
