Matthew 26:46-50

Mat 26:46 (KJB)
Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.

Once their time of rest was over, Jesus commanded them to rise and it was time for them to go. Judas the betrayer was at hand with troops from the temple guard to arrest Jesus and probably some Roman soldiers were also there. They were going to meet them so Jesus could be betrayed into their hands. This verse shows that Jesus gave Himself and no one took Him by force. (John 10:18 KJV) No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

Mat 26:47 (KJB)
And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people.

While Jesus was speaking the entourage had arrived at the Garden to take Jesus. Notice the verse says that Judas was “one of the twelve.” This is a consistent warning that there will be those down through the ages who will pretend to be a Christian but are not and can cause havoc in any church or ministry. This is why we are to be very discerning when we choose people to join a church or to work in a certain ministry. They came out to Jesus carrying swords and staves. Staves are like clubs almost like a staff. They were expecting Jesus to resist and His disciples to put up a fight. After all the miracles they witnessed, did they actually think swords and staves could really force Jesus to come with them if He did not want to? Well the chief priests and elders were acting according to the only way they knew, force as if they were coming against a criminal.

Mat 26:48 (KJB)
Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast.

Judas gave them a sign that whoever he kisses will be the one that they want since these guards did not know who Jesus was. There was obviously some commotion at this point so Judas wanted to be sure they arrested the right person and not someone else who would have tried to protect Jesus and give Him time to escape. Then Judas tells them that they need to hold Him fast, that is, to seize Him or forcibly take hold of Him. This is where the saying “kiss of death” had originated.

Mat 26:49 (KJB)
And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him.

Then Judas, upon coming to Jesus says to Him “Hail Master.” The greeting “hail’ was a common greeting and meant “to rejoice.” How could Judas greet Jesus with a greeting like that while he was betraying Him. Then after Judas greeted Jesus, he then gave Him the “kiss of death,” so now the identification was made.

Mat 26:50 (KJB)
And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.

Then Jesus responds with the word “friend” which was a greeting but it was a greeting to the people one did not know. It was a prophecy of things to come for Judas. (Mat 7:23 KJV) And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Jesus did not acknowledge the name of Judas even though He knew him. Then Jesus asks him basically for what reason are you here? Then the time for talk was over as they apprehended Jesus and took Him to appear before the Sanhedrin which would have been called together in its fullness.

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