The Arrest of Jesus
Matthew 26:47-56
Matt.26.47 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Και: CONJ
- ετι: ADV
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,3,m
- λαλουντος: VERB,pres,act,part,gen,sg,m
- ιδου: INTJ
- Ιουδας: PROPN,nom,sg,m
- εις: PREP
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- δωδεκα: NUM,acc,pl,m
- ηλθεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- και: CONJ
- μετ᾽αυτου: PREP+PRON,gen,sg,m
- οχλος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- πολυς: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- μετα: PREP
- μαχαιρων: NOUN,gen,pl,f
- και: CONJ
- ξυλων: NOUN,gen,pl,n
- απο: PREP
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- αρχιερεων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- πρεσβυτερων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- λαου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Mark 14:43 (verbal): Parallel account of Judas arriving with a crowd to arrest Jesus; Mark uses similar language about Judas coming and the armed crowd (swords and clubs).
- Luke 22:47-48 (verbal): Luke records Judas arriving and identifying Jesus with a kiss and notes the crowd that accompanied him — closely parallel in event and sequence to Matthew's description.
- John 18:3 (structural): John describes Judas leading a band of soldiers and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees to arrest Jesus — the same motif of a large armed party coming with Judas found in Matthew 26:47.
- John 13:18 (cf. Psalm 41:9) (allusion): Jesus' statement about the one who eats bread with him lifting up his heel is applied to Judas earlier in John (13:18), serving as a prophetic/explicit link to the betrayal narrated in Matthew 26:47.
Alternative generated candidates
- While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, came; and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and elders of the people.
- And while he was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people.
Matt.26.48 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- παραδιδους: VERB,aor,act,ptc,nom,sg,m
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m,3
- εδωκεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτοις: PRON,dat,pl,m
- σημειον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- λεγων·Ον: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,sg,m+PRON,acc,sg,m
- αν: PART
- φιλησω: VERB,pres,act,subj,1,sg
- αυτος: PRON,nom,sg,m
- εστιν·κρατησατε: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg+VERB,aor,act,imp,2,pl
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m,3
Parallels
- Mark 14:44 (verbal): Nearly identical wording — Judas gives the same sign ('Whomever I kiss, seize him'), a close verbal parallel to Matthew's report.
- Luke 22:47-48 (verbal): Luke narrates Judas approaching to kiss Jesus and records Jesus' rebuke ('Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?'), highlighting the kiss as the identifying sign.
- John 13:26-27 (thematic): Earlier in John Jesus identifies the betrayer by giving him a morsel; different concrete sign but the same theme of Jesus marking Judas for the ensuing betrayal/arrest.
- Psalm 41:9 (allusion): A prophetic/background allusion used in the NT for Judas' betrayal — 'Even my close friend... has lifted his heel against me' — portrays betrayal by a trusted companion.
Alternative generated candidates
- Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, 'Whomever I kiss is the man; seize him.'
- Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, "Whomever I kiss, he is the one; seize him."
Matt.26.49 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- ευθεως: ADV
- προσελθων: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,sg,m
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- Ιησου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- ειπεν·Χαιρε: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- ραββι·και: NOUN,voc,sg,m
- κατεφιλησεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m,3
Parallels
- Mark 14:44-45 (verbal): Near-verbatim synoptic parallel: Judas signals the arrest by a kiss; Mark records the same immediate approach and kiss as the identifying sign.
- Luke 22:47-48 (verbal): Another synoptic parallel: Judas comes up to Jesus and kisses him; Luke adds Jesus' rebuke ('Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?').
- John 13:26-27 (thematic): John’s account prefigures the betrayal: Jesus gives Judas the morsel that identifies him and indicates Satan's entrance into Judas—another narrative means of marking the betrayer prior to the arrest.
- Psalm 41:9 (allusion): Old Testament motif of a close friend betraying the speaker; the NT (cf. John 13:18) links this psalm to Judas’ treachery, framing the kiss as false friendship.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he came up to Jesus at once and said, 'Greetings, Rabbi!' and kissed him.
- And he came up to Jesus at once and said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" and kissed him.
Matt.26.50 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- Ιησους: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ειπεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτω·Εταιρε: PRON,dat,sg,m+NOUN,voc,sg,m
- εφ᾽ο: PREP+PRON,acc,sg,m
- παρει: VERB,aor,act,ind,2,sg
- τοτε: ADV
- προσελθοντες: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,pl,m
- επεβαλον: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- τας: ART,acc,pl,f
- χειρας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- επι: PREP
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- Ιησουν: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- εκρατησαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m,3
Parallels
- Mark 14:45-46 (verbal): Synoptic parallel: Judas' kiss and the arrest; wording and sequence closely match Matthew's account of Jesus' address and the soldiers laying hands on him.
- Luke 22:47-48 (verbal): Luke records Judas' kiss and Jesus' rebuke ('Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?'), then the men seize Jesus—parallel action and confrontation.
- John 18:4-6 (structural): John's arrest narrative: Jesus identifies himself and the arresting party draws back/falls, after which he allows them to take him—different details but parallels the capture and Jesus' control of the moment.
- Psalm 41:9 (allusion): OT echo: 'Even my close friend in whom I trusted... has lifted his heel against me'—an implicit background to Jesus calling his betrayer 'Friend' and the theme of intimate betrayal.
Alternative generated candidates
- Jesus said to him, 'Friend, do what you have come to do.' Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and seized him.
- But Jesus said to him, "Friend, do what you have come to do." Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and seized him.
Matt.26.51 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- ιδου: INTJ
- εις: PREP
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- μετα: PREP
- Ιησου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- εκτεινας: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,sg,m
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- χειρα: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- απεσπασεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- μαχαιραν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,3,m
- και: CONJ
- παταξας: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,sg,m
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- δουλον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- αρχιερεως: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- αφειλεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,3,m
- το: ART,nom,sg,n
- ωτιον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
Parallels
- John 18:10 (verbal): Peter (named) draws a sword and cuts off the ear of the high priest’s servant (Malchus). Close narrative parallel that preserves the same action and includes Jesus’ immediate rebuke.
- Mark 14:47 (verbal): Nearly identical synoptic report: one of those with Jesus drew a sword and struck the servant of the high priest. Mark’s wording closely parallels Matthew’s description.
- Luke 22:50-51 (verbal): Peter strikes the servant’s ear, but Luke uniquely records that Jesus healed the ear—emphasizing Jesus’ nonviolent, compassionate response to the assault.
- Matt.5:39 (thematic): Jesus’ teaching to ‘turn the other cheek’ and reject retaliation provides a moral/ethical contrast to the disciple’s use of violence at the arrest, highlighting tension between Jesus’ ethic and the action described in 26:51.
Alternative generated candidates
- And behold, one of those with Jesus reached out his hand and drew his sword, and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.
- And behold, one of those with Jesus put out his hand and drew his sword, and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.
Matt.26.52 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- τοτε: ADV
- λεγει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- Ιησους·Αποστρεψον: PROPN,nom,sg,m+VERB,aor,act,imp,2,sg
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- μαχαιραν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- σου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- εις: PREP
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- τοπον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- αυτης: PRON,gen,sg,f
- παντες: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- γαρ: CONJ
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- λαβοντες: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,pl,m
- μαχαιραν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- εν: PREP
- μαχαιρη: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- απολουνται·: VERB,pres,mid,ind,3,pl
Parallels
- John 18:11 (quotation): Jesus similarly tells Peter to put away his sword (literally 'put your sword into the sheath'), a direct parallel in the arrest scene addressing use of violence.
- Luke 22:36-38 (structural): Earlier in Luke Jesus tells the disciples to buy swords ('it is enough'), creating a structural tension with his later rebuke of violent defense and highlighting narrative complexity about preparedness and nonviolence.
- Luke 22:49-51 (thematic): When a disciple strikes the high priest's servant, Jesus rebukes the violence and heals the servant, illustrating the same theme of rejecting retaliatory force found in Matthew 26:52.
- Romans 12:17-19 (thematic): Paul enjoins believers not to repay evil with evil and to leave vengeance to God, reflecting the ethical principle behind 'all who take the sword will perish by the sword.'
- 1 Peter 2:21-23 (thematic): Peter points to Christ's example of not reviling or retaliating when abused, echoing the call to non-retaliation and trust in God's justice implicit in Matthew 26:52.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then Jesus said to him, 'Put your sword back into its place; for all who take up the sword will perish by the sword.'
- Then Jesus said to him, "Put your sword back into its place; for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.
Matt.26.53 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- δοκεις: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- οτι: CONJ
- ου: PART
- δυναμαι: VERB,pres,mp,ind,1,sg
- παρακαλεσαι: VERB,aor,act,inf
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- πατερα: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- μου: PRON,gen,sg,1
- και: CONJ
- παραστησει: VERB,fut,act,ind,3,sg
- μοι: PRON,dat,sg,1
- αρτι: ADV
- πλειω: ADJ,acc,pl,m,comp
- δωδεκα: NUM,acc,pl,m
- λεγιωνας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- αγγελων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
Parallels
- Psalm 91:11-12 (verbal): Speaks of God commanding his angels to guard someone and lift them up—language closely parallels Jesus' claim that the Father could send angels to protect him.
- Psalm 34:7 (thematic): Declares that 'the angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him'—a thematically similar promise of angelic protection surrounding God's servants.
- 2 Kings 6:15-17 (structural): Elisha's servant is shown a visible host of heavenly chariots and horses sent to protect them—narrative echo of a many-armed angelic host defending God's servant (parallel to 'legions of angels').
- Acts 12:7-11 (thematic): An angel miraculously frees Peter from prison, illustrating the concrete activity of angels sent by God to rescue his people, which underlies Jesus' assertion.
- Hebrews 1:14 (thematic): Describes angels as 'ministering spirits sent out to serve those who will inherit salvation,' providing theological background for Jesus' ability to summon angelic ministry.
Alternative generated candidates
- Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels?
- Do you suppose that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he would at once provide me with more than twelve legions of angels?
Matt.26.54 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- πως: ADV
- ουν: CONJ
- πληρωθωσιν: VERB,aor,pass,subj,3,pl
- αι: ART,nom,pl,f
- γραφαι: NOUN,nom,pl,f
- οτι: CONJ
- ουτως: ADV
- δει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- γενεσθαι: VERB,pres,mid,inf
Parallels
- Mark 14:49 (verbal): Mark records Jesus' same remark at the arrest — 'so that the Scriptures might be fulfilled' — using very similar wording, a direct verbal parallel to Matthew's phrasing.
- Luke 22:37 (quotation): Luke explicitly links the coming arrest and suffering to fulfillment of Scripture, citing 'and he was counted with the transgressors' as what must be fulfilled in him.
- John 18:9 (thematic): John explains that Jesus allowed the arrest to happen so that 'the Scripture might be fulfilled,' thematically paralleling Matthew's appeal to the necessity of Scripture's fulfillment.
- Matthew 26:56 (structural): Immediate Matthean parallel within the same scene: Matthew adds that events occurred 'that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled,' restating the fulfillment motif in the pericope.
- Psalm 41:9 (allusion): An Old Testament text cited elsewhere (John 13:18) about betrayal by a close companion; thematically connected as one of the Scriptures Jesus' arrest and betrayal fulfill.
Alternative generated candidates
- How then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that it must be so?
- But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?
Matt.26.55 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- εν: PREP
- εκεινη: DEM,dat,sg,f
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- ωρα: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- ειπεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- Ιησους: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,m
- οχλοις·Ως: NOUN,dat,pl,m
- επι: PREP
- ληστην: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- εξηλθατε: VERB,aor,act,ind,2,pl
- μετα: PREP
- μαχαιρων: NOUN,gen,pl,f
- και: CONJ
- ξυλων: NOUN,gen,pl,n
- συλλαβειν: VERB,aor,act,inf
- με: PRON,acc,sg,1
- καθ᾽ημεραν: ADV
- εν: PREP
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- ιερω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- εκαθεζομην: VERB,impf,mid,ind,1,sg
- διδασκων: VERB,pres,act,ptc,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- ουκ: PART
- εκρατησατε: VERB,aor,act,ind,2,pl
- με: PRON,acc,sg,1
Parallels
- Mark 14:48-49 (verbal): Nearly identical wording: Jesus asks if they came out like against a robber with swords and clubs and insists he taught daily in the temple; Mark adds the remark about Scripture fulfillment.
- Luke 22:52-53 (verbal): Luke preserves the same claim that Jesus taught daily in the temple and was not seized, adding the contrasting line 'this is your hour, and the power of darkness.'
- John 18:20 (thematic): Jesus tells those arresting him that he has spoken openly and always taught in synagogues and the temple—echoing the claim of public, daily teaching and absence of clandestine activity.
- Matt 26:52-54 (structural): Immediate narrative parallel within Matthew: Jesus rebukes the use of swords to resist arrest and explains that his suffering and arrest fulfill Scripture, linking the 'as against a robber' complaint to the larger purpose of his arrest.
Alternative generated candidates
- At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, 'Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to seize me? Day after day I sat among you teaching in the temple, and you did not seize me.
- At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, "Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to seize me? Day after day I sat teaching in the temple, and you did not seize me."
Matt.26.56 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- τουτο: PRON,acc,sg,n
- δε: CONJ
- ολον: ADJ,acc,sg,n
- γεγονεν: VERB,perf,act,ind,3,sg
- ινα: CONJ
- πληρωθωσιν: VERB,aor,pass,subj,3,pl
- αι: ART,nom,pl,f
- γραφαι: NOUN,nom,pl,f
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- προφητων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- τοτε: ADV
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- μαθηται: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- παντες: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- αφεντες: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,m,pl
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m,3
- εφυγον: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
Parallels
- Mark 14:49-50 (verbal): Near-verbatim parallel: Mark records the same 'that the Scriptures might be fulfilled' formula and the identical report that the disciples left Jesus and fled.
- Zechariah 13:7 (quotation): Prophetic source cited earlier by Jesus ('Strike the shepherd... and the sheep will be scattered'); Matthew connects the disciples' flight to fulfillment of this prophecy.
- Luke 22:54-62 (thematic): Luke's arrest narrative likewise depicts the disciples abandoning Jesus and Peter's ensuing denial—a thematic parallel to the flight and fulfillment motif in Matthew 26:56.
- Matthew 26:31 (quotation): Within the same gospel Jesus explicitly predicts the scattering, quoting Zechariah 13:7 ('You will all fall away'), linking that prophecy to the disciples' flight.
Alternative generated candidates
- But all this has happened to fulfill what was spoken by the prophets: "They will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered." Then all the disciples left him and fled.
- Then all the disciples left him and fled.
While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived; and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and elders of the people. Now the one who betrayed him had given them a sign, saying, 'Whomever I kiss, he is the one—seize him.'
Immediately he went up to Jesus and said, 'Greetings, Rabbi!' and kissed him.
Jesus said to him, 'Friend, do what you came to do.' Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and seized him. And behold, one of those who were with Jesus reached out, drew his sword, and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.
Then Jesus said to him, 'Put your sword back into its place; for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.
Do you think that I cannot now appeal to my Father, and he would at once provide me with more than twelve legions of angels? But if so, how would the Scriptures be fulfilled, which declare that it must come to pass in this way?
At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, 'Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to seize me? Day after day I sat among you in the temple teaching, and you did not lay hands on me. But all this has happened that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.' Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.