The Judas Kiss

⁴⁷ While He was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, suddenly arrived.^(A) A large mob, with swords and clubs, was with him from the chief priests and elders of the people. ⁴⁸ His betrayer had given them a sign: “The One I kiss, He’s the One; arrest Him!” ⁴⁹ So he went right up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed Him.

⁵⁰ “Friend,”^(B) Jesus asked him, “why have you come?”^[a]

Then they came up, took hold of Jesus, and arrested Him. ⁵¹ At that moment one of those with Jesus reached out his hand and drew his sword. He struck the high priest’s slave and cut off his ear.^(C)

⁵² Then Jesus told him, “Put your sword back in its place because all who take up a sword will perish by a sword.^{(D) 53} Or do you think that I cannot call on My Father, and He will provide Me at once with more than 12 legions^[b] of angels?^{(E) 54} How, then, would the Scriptures be fulfilled^(F) that say it must happen this way?”

⁵⁵ At that time Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out with swords and clubs, as if I were a criminal,^[c] to capture Me? Every day I used to sit, teaching in the temple complex, and you didn’t arrest Me.^{(G) 56} But all this has happened so that the prophetic Scriptures^[d](H) would be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples^(I) deserted Him and ran away.

The Judas Kiss

⁴³ While^(A) He was still speaking, Judas,^(B) one of the Twelve,^(C) suddenly arrived. With him was a mob, with swords and clubs, from the chief priests, the scribes,^(D) and the elders.^{(E) 44} His betrayer had given them a signal. “The One I kiss,” he said, “He’s the One; arrest Him and take Him away under guard.” ⁴⁵ So when he came, he went right up to Him and said, “Rabbi!”^(F)—and kissed Him. ⁴⁶ Then they took hold of Him and arrested Him. ⁴⁷ And one of those who stood by drew his sword, struck the high priest’s slave, and cut off his ear.

⁴⁸ But Jesus said to them, “Have you come out with swords and clubs, as though I were a criminal,^[a] to capture Me? ⁴⁹ Every day I was among you, teaching in the temple complex,^(G) and you didn’t arrest Me. But the Scriptures^(H) must be fulfilled.”^{(I) 50} Then they all deserted Him and ran away.^(J)

⁵¹ Now a certain young man,^[b] having a linen cloth wrapped around his naked body, was following Him. They caught hold of him, ⁵² but he left the linen cloth behind and ran away naked.^(K)

The Judas Kiss

⁴⁷ While^(A) He was still speaking, suddenly a mob was there, and one of the Twelve named Judas was leading them. He came near Jesus to kiss Him, ⁴⁸ but Jesus said to him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”

⁴⁹ When those around Him saw what was going to happen, they asked, “Lord, should we strike with the sword?” ⁵⁰ Then one of them struck the high priest’s slave and cut off his right ear.

⁵¹ But Jesus responded, “No more of this!”^[a] And touching his ear, He healed him. ⁵² Then Jesus said to the chief priests, temple police, and the elders who had come for Him, “Have you come out with swords and clubs as if I were a criminal?^{[b] 53} Every day while I was with you in the temple complex,^(B) you never laid a hand on Me. But this is your hour^(C)—and the dominion of darkness.”^(D)