48 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: "The one I kiss is the man; arrest him."
48 Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast.
48 Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, "The one I will kiss is the man; seize him."
48 The betrayer had worked out a sign with them: "The one I kiss, that's the one - seize him."
48 Now His betrayer had given them a sign, saying, "Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him."
48 The traitor, Judas, had given them a prearranged signal: "You will know which one to arrest when I greet him with a kiss."
49 Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" and kissed him.
49 And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him.
49 And he came up to Jesus at once and said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" And he kissed him.
49 He went straight to Jesus, greeted him, "How are you, Rabbi?" and kissed him.
49 Immediately he went up to Jesus and said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" and kissed Him.
49 So Judas came straight to Jesus. "Greetings, Rabbi!" he exclaimed and gave him the kiss.
(Read Matthew 26:47-56)
No enemies are so much to be abhorred as those professed disciples that betray Christ with a kiss. God has no need of our services, much less of our sins, to bring about his purposes. Though Christ was crucified through weakness, it was voluntary weakness; he submitted to death. If he had not been willing to suffer, they could not conquer him. It was a great sin for those who had left all to follow Jesus; now to leave him for they knew not what. What folly, for fear of death to flee from Him, whom they knew and acknowledged to be the Fountain of life!
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Matthew 26:48
Commentary on Matthew 26:47-56
(Read Matthew 26:47-56)
No enemies are so much to be abhorred as those professed disciples that betray Christ with a kiss. God has no need of our services, much less of our sins, to bring about his purposes. Though Christ was crucified through weakness, it was voluntary weakness; he submitted to death. If he had not been willing to suffer, they could not conquer him. It was a great sin for those who had left all to follow Jesus; now to leave him for they knew not what. What folly, for fear of death to flee from Him, whom they knew and acknowledged to be the Fountain of life!