Category:Arrest of Jesus (subject)

Taking Christ into Custody (1886 Repin), art

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The Arrest of Jesus / Kiss of Judas refers to an episode in the Passion of Jesus, according to the Gospels of Mark (14:43–52), Matthew (26:47-56), Luke (22:47-53), and John (18:3-12).

< Passion of Jesus : Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem -- Cleansing of the Temple -- Plot to Kill Jesus -- Anointing of Jesus -- Betrayal of Judas -- Last Supper -- Agony in the Garden -- Arrest of Jesus -- Trial of Jesus before the High Priest -- Peter's Denial -- Trial of Jesus before Pilate -- Trial of Jesus before Herod Antipas -- Barabbas -- Flagellation of Jesus -- Mocking of Jesus -- Way to Golgotha -- Crucifixion of Jesus -- Burial of Jesus >

< Life of Jesus : Nativity of Jesus -- Childhood of Jesus -- Jesus' Hidden Years -- Ministry of Jesus (Parables of Jesus, Miracles of Jesus) -- Passion of Jesus -- Resurrection of Jesus -- Relics of Jesus >

Overview

The messianic preaching at Jerusalem had put Jesus and his disciples in an obvious situation of danger. After the Last Supper they did not go back to Bethany but decided to spend the night hiding among the crowd camped on the Mount of Olives.

According to Mark Jesus was "distressed and agitated" and spent the night in prayer (see Agony in the Garden). Suddenly "Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived" with the Temple Police and identified Jesus with "a kiss" (Mk 14:43-45; Mt 26:47-50; Lk 26:47-48). There was a moment of confusion and also an attempt to resistance, when a disciple of Jesus struck the hear of a servant of the High Priest. The Temple police however soon accomplished his goal; Jesus was arrested and the disciples "deserted him and fled". Mark only has the narrative of a "young man... wearing a linen cloth," who "ran away naked" to avoid capture. The detail seems to suggest that other people may have been arrested with Jesus. Later Christian tradition would identify the unnamed character with either John or Mark.

Matthew and Luke follow the Markean narrative. Matthew emphasized that everything happened according to Scripture, while Luke added the detail that Jesus healed the "right" hear of the servant struck by one of his disciple.

The Gospel of John offers a theological reinterpretation of the narrative, showing a confident Jesus perfectly in control of the situation. There is no Agony in the Garden and when Judas arrives, the detail of the kiss is omitted. It was Jesus, who "knowing all that was happening to him, came forward" (Jn 18:3-5) and identified himself in front of not only the Temple police but an entire cohort of Roman soldiers who also had came to arrest him. When Jesus introduced himself pronouncing the divine name ("I am"), every one fell into the ground. It was then that a disciple of Jesus (Peter, according to John) with a sword struck the hear of a servant of the High Priest (here named Malchus), but quickly Jesus reproached his disciple and gave himself up.

Arrest of Jesus, in ancient sources

Gospel of Mark

Mark 14:43–52 (NRSV) -- 43 Immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived; and with him there was a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. 44 Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, "The one I will kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard." 45 So when he came, he went up to him at once and said, "Rabbi!" and kissed him. 46 Then they laid hands on him and arrested him. 47 But one of those who stood near drew his sword and struck the slave of the high priest, cutting off his ear. 48 Then Jesus said to them, "Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me as though I were a bandit? 49 Day after day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not arrest me. But let the scriptures be fulfilled." 50 All of them deserted him and fled. 51 A certain young man was following him, wearing nothing but a linen cloth. They caught hold of him, 52 but he left the linen cloth and ran off naked.

Gospel of Matthew

Matthew 26:47-56 (NRSV) -- 47 While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived; with him was a large crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. 48 Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, "The one I will kiss is the man; arrest him." 49 At once he came up to Jesus and said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" and kissed him. 50 Jesus said to him, "Friend, do what you are here to do." Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and arrested him. 51 Suddenly, one of those with Jesus put his hand on his sword, drew it, and struck the slave of the high priest, cutting off his ear. 52 Then Jesus said to him, "Put your sword back into its place; for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. 53 Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then would the scriptures be fulfilled, which say it must happen in this way?" 55 At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, "Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me as though I were a bandit? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not arrest me. 56 But all this has taken place, so that the scriptures of the prophets may be fulfilled." Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.

Gospel of Luke

Luke 22:47-53 (NRSV) -- 47 While he was still speaking, suddenly a crowd came, and the one called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him; 48 but Jesus said to him, "Judas, is it with a kiss that you are betraying the Son of Man?" 49 When those who were around him saw what was coming, they asked, "Lord, should we strike with the sword?" 50 Then one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear. 51 But Jesus said, "No more of this!" And he touched his ear and healed him. 52 Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple police, and the elders who had come for him, "Have you come out with swords and clubs as if I were a bandit? 53 When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness!"

Gospel of John

John 18:3-12 (NRSV) -- 3 So Judas brought a detachment of soldiers together with police from the chief priests and the Pharisees, and they came there with lanterns and torches and weapons. 4 Then Jesus, knowing all that was to happen to him, came forward and asked them, "Whom are you looking for?" 5 They answered, "Jesus of Nazareth." Jesus replied, "I am he." Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. 6 When Jesus said to them, "I am he," they stepped back and fell to the ground. 7 Again he asked them, "Whom are you looking for?" And they said, "Jesus of Nazareth." 8 Jesus answered, "I told you that I am he. So if you are looking for me, let these men go." 9 This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken, "I did not lose a single one of those whom you gave me." 10 Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it, struck the high priest's slave, and cut off his right ear. The slave's name was Malchus. 11 Jesus said to Peter, "Put your sword back into its sheath. Am I not to drink the cup that the Father has given me?" 12 So the soldiers, their officer, and the Jewish police arrested Jesus and bound him.