Luke 22:47-5347And 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. 48But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss? 49When they which were about him saw what would follow, they said unto him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword? 50And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear. 51And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him. 52Then Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders, which were come to him, Be ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and staves? 53When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness. (Luke 22:47‑53)
Judas had at other times stayed with the Lord and the other disciples at night on the Mt. of Olives, just outside the city of Jerusalem, so he knew well where to lead the soldiers to take Jesus, without the people in the city knowing. It was still night when they came to the place, and they had lanterns, torches and weapons.
It was a large band of men; the priests came also with their servants, to see that all their wicked plan was done; no doubt they were afraid of the power of Jesus and that He would escape, that they brought so many to help. They perhaps thought to surprise Jesus and the disciples sleeping, but He knew the moment to expect them, and stepped forward to meet them.
The soldiers did not know Jesus from the disciples, so Judas had agreed with them on a sign: the person he would kiss was the one for them to take. A kiss was a common greeting among friends in that land, and Judas spoke to the Lord and kissed Him. How deceitful to act as a friend to one he was betraying to His enemies! But Jesus was not deceived, He said, “Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?”
When the other disciples saw that the soldiers had come to capture Jesus, they asked Him if they should fight, and one of them at once struck a man with a sword, cutting off his ear. It was not the Lord’s way that they should fight, and He restored the man’s ear, healing him. That man surely learned the power and kindness of the Lord. Jesus could have instantly sent the soldiers away; and it is told by John that at His voice they went backward and fell to the ground. But He allowed them to take. Him that He should give His life, that even they could be forgiven, if they would believe on Him.
The soldiers, with the priests and servants, led Jesus into the city to the house of their leader. So Judas succeeded in his evil plan to deliver Jesus to those who hated Him, when the people in the city did not see it.
No doubt the men paid Judas the thirty pieces of silver agreed to, that same night. He may have expected Jesus to use His power to free Himself, and yet he has the money. Anyway the money gained so wickedly did Judas no good, and was not used by him, for when he saw that Jesus was not freed, he went to the priests to return the money, as though that would excuse him of his sin.
But the priests were satisfied with the result of their bargain, and would not take the money. Then Judas threw the thirty pieces of silver on the floor of the temple before them and went away (see Matt. 27:3-53Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, 4Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that. 5And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself. (Matthew 27:3‑5)).
It was written long before of harm to be done to the holy One by a “friend... which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.” Those words meant, to do harm to. It was also written what price would be paid for Him: “So they weighed for My price thirty pieces of silver.”
ML 02/24/1946