Morning Bible Study: Matthew 26:47-56

Judas’s Betrayal of Jesus

47 While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, suddenly arrived. 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 immediately he went up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him.

50 “Friend,” Jesus asked him, “why have you come?” [or Jesus told him, “do what you have come for.”]

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 servant and cut off his ear.

52 Then Jesus told him, “Put your sword back in its place because all who take up the sword will perish by the sword. 

53 Or do you think that I cannot call on my Father, and he will provide me here and now with more than twelve legions of angels? 

54 How, then, would the Scriptures be fulfilled 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, [literally as against a criminal] to capture me? Every day I used to sit, teaching in the temple, and you didn’t arrest me. 

56 But all this has happened so that the writings of the prophets would be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted him and ran away.

Commentary
(the following is from Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary -- www.christianity.com)

"No enemies are so much to be abhorred as those professed disciples that betray Christ with a kiss. God has no need on my iPad of our services, much less of our sins, to bring about his purposes. Though Christ was crucified through weakness, it was voluntary weakness; he submitted to death. If he had not been willing to suffer, they could not conquer him. It was a great sin for those who had left all to follow Jesus; now to leave him for they knew not what. What folly, for fear of death to flee from Him, whom they knew and acknowledged to be the Fountain of life!"