^26:47While he was still speaking, Judas,⁵⁴ one of the twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent by the chief priests and elders of the people. ^26:48(Now the betrayer⁵⁵ had given them a sign, saying, “The one I kiss is the man.⁵⁶ Arrest him!”)⁵⁷^26:49Immediately⁵⁸ he went up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi,” and kissed him.⁵⁹^26:50Jesus⁶⁰ said to him, “Friend, do what you are here to do.” Then they came and took hold⁶¹ of Jesus and arrested him. ^26:51But⁶² one of those with Jesus grabbed⁶³ his sword, drew it out, and struck the high priest’s slave,⁶⁴ cutting off his ear. ^26:52Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back in its place!⁶⁵ For all who take hold of the sword will die by the sword. ^26:53Or do you think that I cannot call on my Father, and that he would send me more than twelve legions⁶⁶ of angels right now? ^26:54How then would the scriptures that say it must happen this way be fulfilled?” ^26:55At that moment Jesus said to the crowd, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me like you would an outlaw?⁶⁷ Day after day I sat teaching in the temple courts, yet⁶⁸ you did not arrest me. ^26:56But this has happened so that⁶⁹ the scriptures of the prophets would be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left him and fled.

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Matthew 26:56: “But all this has taken place that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left him and fled.

Footnotes

54 Grk “behold, Judas.” The Greek word ἰδού (idou) has not been translated because it has no exact English equivalent here, but adds interest and emphasis ( 1).
55 Grk “the one who betrays him.”
56 Grk “The one I kiss is he.”
57 This remark is parenthetical within the narrative and has thus been placed in parentheses.
58 Here καί (kai) has not been translated.
59 Judas’ act of betrayal when he kissed Jesus is especially sinister when it is realized that it was common in the culture of the times for a disciple to kiss his master when greeting him.
60 Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
61 Grk “and put their hands on Jesus.”
62 Grk “And behold one.” The Greek word ἰδού (idou) has not been translated because it has no exact English equivalent here, but adds interest and emphasis ( 1).
63 Grk “extending his hand, drew out his sword, and struck.” Because rapid motion is implied in the circumstances, the translation “grabbed” was used.
64 See the note on the word “slave” in .
65 The translation “put your sword back in its place” for this phrase is given in L&N 85.52.
66 A legion was a Roman army unit of about 6,000 soldiers, so twelve legions would be 72,000.
67 Or “a revolutionary.” This term can refer to one who stirs up rebellion: λῃστής 2 has “revolutionary, insurrectionist, guerrilla” citing evidence from Josephus ( 2.13.2–3 [2.253–254]). However, this usage generally postdates Jesus’ time. It does refer to a figure of violence. Luke uses the same term for the highwaymen who attack the traveler in the parable of the good Samaritan (Luke 10:30).
68 Grk “and” (καί, kai), a conjunction that is elastic enough to be used to indicate a contrast, as here.
69 Grk “But so that”; the verb “has happened” is implied.