LUKE 22: 47-53 [JESUS’ LAST NIGHT SERIES]
THE BETRAYAL AND ARREST OF JESUS
(Matthew 26:47–56; Mark 14:43–50; John 18:3–11)
Luke now turns his attention from the spiritual warfare in the Garden to the arrest of Jesus. Satan, finding himself baffled in his attempts to terrify and dissuaded our Lord Jesus, now brings the betrayers into the garden of Gethsemane with the force and arms they thought necessary to seize Him. Jesus faces this dark hour directly yet with restraint and compassion (CIT).
Our text describes the high priests and soldiers’ arrival with Judas leading the way to Jesus’ regular spot for prayer. After a traitorous greeting, the disciples realized what was about to happen and one produces a sword. Jesus restrains His disciples then turns to the menacing mob and asks if this is the way to arrest a peaceable teacher? He had taught in the daylight in the Temple and they did nothing but they take Him at night for they work under the power of darkness. Truly the hour of evil’s sway had come!
I. JESUS’ FOREKNOWLEDGE, 47–48.
II. JESUS’ COMPASSION, 49–51.
III. JESUS’ POINTS OUT THE HYPOCRISY [of the religious leaders], 52–53.
In verse 47 Judas at the front of the crowd marches straight for Jesus and makes as if to kiss Him. “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,”
All the Synoptics make the point that Jesus was “still speaking” to His disciples when Judas and the crowd arrived. This emphasizes the sudden intrusion of Judas leading the crowd into the somber scene in Gethsemane.
It is pointed out that Judas was “one of the twelve.” Judas graciously privileged position emphasizes the terrible extent of the treason against God he was committing. He had been called to spend three years in the Master’s blessed company. The Apostles placed full trust in him, even making him their treasurer. How deceived and deceptive he proved himself to be. This shameless turncoat turned over the only truly worthy being in all of human existence, the God-man Jesus Christ. He sold the One full of grace and truth for the paltry sum of thirty pieces of silver. [Which Judas already had in his possession, Mt 26:15.]
Luke recorded three elements in the betrayal and arrest of Jesus. The first is that Jesus knew that Judas would betray Him that night. Therefore, He was not surprised or caught of guard when the large “crowd” which included the religious leaders (v. 52), Roman soldiers (John 18:12), and Jewish police came into the grove with Judas leading them. As if Judas leading the crowed to Jesus’ secluded place of prayer is not hurt enough, He approaches Jesus to denounce Him with a kiss.
In verse 48 Jesus points out the betrayal of Judas. ‘but Jesus said to him, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?”
The betrayal was to be accomplished with a kiss which underscores the treachery of the act. In Judas’s scheme of betrayal, the kiss, an act of great intimacy, willing was the way he would identified Jesus in the darkness of the night (Mark 14:44). But in the high drama of the actual situation, it was cruelly hypocritical. [In the Greek word order, following Judas’s name, three elements come together in stark succession—“with a kiss -the Son of Man- are you betraying?”]
Jesus, by His words, showed that He already knew all about the betrayal, including Judas’ secret sign. Think of the genuine anger that Jesus felt as He said, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”
Jesus asks the betrayers why one of His own disciples would betray Him, as if He had been a hard or untrue Master or deserved ill at their hands? Must He be betrayed with a kiss? Must the badge of friendship be the instrument of treachery? Was ever a love-token so desecrated and abused?
Nothing can be a greater affront or grief to the Lord Jesus than to be betrayed, and betrayed with a deceptive kiss, a token of love. It also occurs when those who profess a relationship with Him and an affection for Him bring the powers of darkness against who He is and what He stands for. Those do so who, under pretense of a superior understanding of Him, misuse His Word and oppose or even persecute His servants. Under the cloak of a seeming affection for “God” and the honor of free grace, give a blow to the root of His holiness and deity. Many instances are there of Christ being betrayed with “a kiss” by those who, under the form of godliness, fight against the power of it. It would be good if their own consciences would put this question to them which Christ here puts to Judas, “Betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?” And will he not resent it? Will he not revenge it? [Matthew Henry, Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible: Complete and Unabridged in One Volume (Peabody: Hendrickson, 1994), 1904.]
II. JESUS’ COMPASSION, 49–51.
Second, Jesus had compassion for people even in the midst of His own unjust arrest. The disciples seeing and feeling the intent and threat of the lynch mob ask what they should do in verse 49. ‘And when those who were around Him saw what would follow, they said, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?”
Though Jesus was asked, in the immediate seriousness of the situation, no answer was waited for by Peter. [Peter probably strikes after the would-be captors had fallen backward to the ground at the Word of Jesus (Jn 18:6).]
In verse 50 we find one of the disciples meeting force with force. “And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear.” In an attempt to defend Jesus Peter cut off the ear of the high priest’s servant (named Malchus, John 18:10), using one of the two swords the disciples possessed (Luke 22:38). He was probably aiming for the head. Only God’s providence saved Peter from becoming a murderer. [Edward E. Hindson and Woodrow Michael Kroll, eds., KJV Bible Commentary (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1994), 2065.]
Jesus’ response is found in verse 51. “But Jesus said, “No more of this!” And he touched his ear and healed him.
Jesus rebukes the menacing crowd [He also scolds His disciples in Mt 26:53]. Violence is not the way. Jesus never preached inaugurating God’s kingdom through violence. [Bock, Darrell L. LUKE, VIP New Testament Commentary Series. InterVarsity Press. Downers Grove, IL. P 324]
Luke the physician also records the healing. At the very moment that Christ was being arrested, He still has enough mercy and compassion to stop and heal one of His own captors. So we find that Jesus’ final healing miracle was one of healing a hurt unnecessarily inflicted by an overzealous disciple. I think the miracle Jesus does most often is to heal the wounds inflicted by overzealous Christians who, thinking they are standing up for truth and defending the Lord by unsheathing the two-edged sword of the Word, chop off the ears of those round about them. While I admire Peter’s courage in being willing to be outnumbered by a roman cohort, his zeal was misdirected. [Jon Courson, Jon Courson’s Application Commentary (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2003), 408.
III. JESUS’ POINTS TO THE HYPOCRISY, 52–53.
Third, Jesus pointed out the hypocrisy of the religious leaders (vv. 52–53). In verse52 Jesus sheds light on the darkness of what is occurring. ‘Then Jesus said to the chief priests and officers of the temple and elders, who had come out against Him, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs?’
Christ reasons with them concerning their illegal proceedings. What occasion was there for them to come out in the dead of the night, and with swords and clubs? They knew that He was one that would not resist, nor raise the mob against them; He never had done any thing like this. Why then come out as against a thief? They knew He was one that would not flee, for He was daily with them in the temple, in the midst of them, and never sought to conceal Himself, nor had they moved to lay hands on Him. Before His hour was come, it was folly for them to think to take Him; and when His hour was come it was folly for them to make all this commotion to take Him. [Henry, Matthew, p 1904.]
[The force that had been commissioned to capture Jesus was well-equipped. The men carrying swords were probably romans soldiers (a full cohort, Jn 18:3, is 600 men). The clubs were likely in the hands of the temple police.]
Jesus’ comment in verse 53 points out the underhanded nature of their act. “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.”
Jesus questions them as to why they had not arrested Him during the day as He taught in the temple. The reason was obvious, that out of fear of the people they looked for a way to arrest Him secretly (19:48; 20:19; 22:2). Thus He could tell them, This is your hour—when darkness reigns.
They are not in control of history though, God is. God had given or appointed them in which they are permitted to show their strength.
The statement, “This is your hour, and the power of darkness” is an acknowledgment of more than the darkness of the night in which Jesus is arrested. The darkness symbolized the moral and spiritual darkness of the deed. For not only were they coming out under the cover of darkness, but they were also acting with the forces of darkness to kill the Messiah. Satan is at work. This “hour” was apparently the hour of triumph for the enemies of Jesus, but there is a future “hour” that will be His hour of triumph.
The power of darkness may raise its head and seem to cast its shadow over the light, but darkness must yield to the power of light, and the prince of darkness will be overcome by the Prince of Light. Christ was willing to wait for His triumphs till His warfare was accomplished; and we must be so willing too for our victory is contingent of His and Him.
IN CLOSING
The garden experience must have ended by about 2:30 A.M., for the six trials of Jesus were completed by morning and Jesus was on the cross by 9:00 A.M. The arrest in the garden was illegal for it was done at night and was accomplished through a hired accuser. [John A. Martin, “Luke,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 260–261.]
By Jesus pointing out to those who were arresting Him why they were doing so at night, He gave them another opportunity to see the truth. Jesus was attempting to help them see their ways and exposing their guilt. He would heal their wounded hearts and angry souls, if they would just come into the light as He was in the light. He is the true light of the world. And whoever follows Him will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life. Come to the light, it is shining for you.
Dear Father, we seek Your protection from the wickedness of the evil one. You are the Almighty God, and his power doesn’t stand a chance to the might You yield. We come to Your refuge with joy for You shelter us against the attack of the devil. Protect us, O Lord, from the craftiness of the enemy, and save us from his evil plots. Cover us & fill with Your presence when we are weak so that our enemy flees from Your presence. In Jesus Christ, Amen.
Jesus, we come to You as our Deliverer. We believe that You are the Son of God, that You died for us and rose again. We confess You as Lord and renounce all influences of Satan in our lives. Lord, you know the demons that oppress us, that harass us, that entice us, that enslave us.
We confess our sins to You. In repentance we turn away from our sins by the grace of Jesus.
We forgive anyone who has ever hurt us in any way, and we let go of any bitterness or resentment. In surrender to Jesus we command all wicked spirits to cease their work and be bound in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Jesus, sanctify us. Cleanse us, purge us, purify us from every unrighteousness. May God’s will be done in our lives, on earth as it is in heaven. Let us manifest a faithful spirit, a pure mind and a healthy body to Your glory.
