Luke 22:47 - Printer Friendly

ESV: While he was still speaking, there came a crowd, and the man called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He drew near to Jesus to kiss him,

NIV: While he was still speaking a crowd came up, and the man who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him,

NASB: While He was still speaking, behold, a crowd came, and the one called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading the way for them; and he approached Jesus to kiss Him.

CSB: While he was still speaking, suddenly a mob came, and one of the Twelve named Judas was leading them. He came near Jesus to kiss him,

NLT: But even as Jesus said this, a crowd approached, led by Judas, one of the twelve disciples. Judas walked over to Jesus to greet him with a kiss.

KJV: And while he yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him.

NKJV: And while He was still speaking, behold, a multitude; and he who was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them and drew near to Jesus to kiss Him.

Jesus has been praying in the garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives. While He prays, the disciples sleep. At least twice, He has awakened them, telling them to pray so they don't fall into temptation. But now, their chance to prepare themselves is over (Luke 22:39–46; Matthew 26:36–46).

Pharisees and those loyal to Herod Antipas have been trying to destroy Jesus since the beginning of His ministry (Mark 3:6). The Pharisees hate Him because He doesn't support their extra-biblical rules. The Sadducees join in because His miracles make Him so popular. Of note is how He raised Lazarus from the dead (John 11:45–53). Then His triumphal entry and the cleansing of the temple sent the different groups on a crusade to tear down His authority; they all failed (Luke 19—20). Opposition to Jesus has joined the Pharisees, Sadducees, Herodians, and elders of Jerusalem to a single purpose: to eliminate Him.

The biggest obstacle to this is that the people love Jesus. If the religious and civil leaders arrest Him, the people will riot and kill them (Luke 22:2). Fortunately for them, Judas, one of Jesus' closest disciples, agrees to betray Jesus in a quiet place, away from the crowds (Luke 22:3–6). During the Last Supper, Jesus tells Judas it is time and dismisses him (John 13:26–27).

Judas has gone to the chief priest. The priests have given him servants and members of the temple guard. Judas knows that Jesus spends His nights on the Mount of Olives. It's dark. The disciples are groggy with sleep. Judas leads the guards, armed with swords and clubs, to Jesus (Mark 14:43).

Judas cries, "Rabbi!" and kisses Jesus (Mark 14:45). Jesus wants Judas to feel the weight of what he is doing. Kissing one's teacher is a sign of honor. Judas uses it as a sign for the guards to identify which dark shape on a dark mountain they have come for. Judas doesn't fully understand until he realizes the priests, scribes, and elders don't merely want to arrest Jesus; they want Him dead (Matthew 27:3–5).

Hundreds of years before, David described the heartbreak of this moment:

For it is not an enemy who taunts me—
then I could bear it;
it is not an adversary who deals insolently with me—
then I could hide from him.
But it is you, a man, my equal,
my companion, my familiar friend.
We used to take sweet counsel together;
within God's house we walked in the throng (Psalm 55:12–14).

Luke 22:47–53 records Jesus' betrayal by Judas and arrest by members of the Sanhedrin. After spending years trying to destroy Jesus, the religious leaders have found an ally in one of His disciples. Judas leads soldiers and servants to where Jesus spends His nights. The arrest will be in the dark, away from the crowds. Peter, quick to prove his loyalty, cuts off a servant's ear. Jesus heals it and allows Himself to be taken. Jesus' arrest is also recorded in Matthew 26:47–56, Mark 14:43–50, and John 18:2–12.

Luke 22 is a long chapter which records events leading to Jesus' political trials and crucifixion. He has successfully taught crowds at the temple and proved His authority over the religious leaders (Luke 19:47—20). Meanwhile the leaders have spent the week planning to arrest Jesus and have Him killed (Luke 19:47–48). This chapter records the Last Supper, the arrest on the Mount of Olives, and the trials before the Jewish religious leaders. Matthew 26, Mark 14, and John 18 cover much of the same information.

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.