The Arrest of Jesus

(Mark 14:43–50; Luke 22:47–53; John 18:3–12)

47 Jesus was still speaking when Judas, one of the twelve disciples, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs and sent by the chief priests and the elders. 48The traitor had given the crowd a signal: “The man I kiss is the one you want. Arrest him!”

49 Judas went straight to Jesus and said, “Peace be with you, Teacher,” and kissed him.

50 Jesus answered, “Be quick about it, friend!”a

Then they came up, arrested Jesus, and held him tight. 51One of those who were with Jesus drew his sword and struck at the High Priest’s slave, cutting off his ear. 52“Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him. “All who take the sword will die by the sword. 53Don’t you know that I could call on my Father for help, and at once he would send me more than twelve armies of angels? 54But in that case, how could the Scriptures come true which say that this is what must happen?”

55 *Then Jesus spoke to the crowd, “Did you have to come with swords and clubs to capture me, as though I were an outlaw? Every day I sat down and taught in the Temple, and you did not arrest me. 56But all this has happened in order to make what the prophets wrote in the Scriptures come true.”

Then all the disciples left him and ran away.