47 And while He was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, with a great multitude with swords and clubs, came from the chief priests and elders of the people. 48 Now His betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him.” 49 Immediately he went up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed Him. 50 But Jesus said to him, “Friend, why have you come?” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and took Him.
Now we come to the arrest of the Son of Man.
26:47
And while He was still speaking [to the three disciples], behold, Judas, one of the twelve, with a great multitude with swords and clubs, came from the chief priests and elders of the people.
It is interesting that one of Jesus’ original disciples led the goon-squad to arrest Jesus. What infamy!
26:48
Now His betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him.”
Evidently the goon-squad did not recognize Jesus, so Judas had to point Him out.
26:49
Immediately he went up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed Him.
How ironic that Judas used a sign of affection as the method of betrayal. Demon possession caused this treachery (Lu 22:3).
26:50
But Jesus said to him, “Friend [fellow, companion, comrade], why have you come?”
Jesus broke no Jewish or Roman law, but the mob arrested Him anyway (Jn 19:4). His question to Judas placed onus on his treachery.
Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and took Him.
Mobs in every age have aligned themselves against Christ. Group-think is an ongoing problem even to this day.
PRINCIPLE:
No mob or group can daunt the plan of God.
APPLICATION:
Jesus’ death for the sin of the world was in God’s eternal plan.
Ac 2: 23 Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death;
