Luke 22:47

¶ And 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.

And {G1161} while he {G846} yet {G2089} spake {G2980}, behold {G2400} a multitude {G3793}, and {G2532} he that was called {G3004} Judas {G2455}, one {G1520} of the twelve {G1427}, went before {G4281} them {G846}, and {G2532} drew near {G1448} unto Jesus {G2424} to kiss {G5368} him {G846}.

While he was still speaking, a crowd of people arrived, with the man called Y’hudah (one of the Twelve!) leading them. He came up to Yeshua to kiss him,

While He was still speaking, a crowd arrived, led by the man called Judas, one of the Twelve. He approached Jesus to kiss Him.

While he yet spake, behold, a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them; and he drew near unto Jesus to kiss him.

Luke 22:47 describes the dramatic and somber moment of Jesus' betrayal and arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane. This verse marks the transition from Jesus' agonizing prayer to the direct confrontation with His captors, initiated by one of His own disciples.

Context of Luke 22:47

This verse immediately follows Jesus' intense prayer on the Mount of Olives, where He wrestled with the Father's will concerning His impending suffering. While Jesus was still speaking to His disciples, warning them to pray to avoid temptation, Judas Iscariot arrived with a large crowd. This scene is also recounted in the parallel Gospels of Matthew 26:47-50, Mark 14:43-45, and John 18:3-5, providing a comprehensive view of this pivotal event in the passion narrative.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Betrayal of Judas: The verse explicitly names Judas, "one of the twelve," highlighting the profound treachery from within Jesus' inner circle. His act of leading the multitude and identifying Jesus with a kiss underscores the depth of his perfidy. This betrayal was foretold by Jesus Himself.
  • Hypocrisy and Deception: Judas uses a customary sign of affection and respect—a kiss—as a signal for betrayal. This act is a powerful symbol of hypocrisy, where a sacred gesture is twisted for a wicked purpose.
  • Jesus' Sovereignty and Foreknowledge: Despite the sudden appearance of the crowd, Jesus was fully aware of what was to transpire. His calm demeanor and willingness to submit to the Father's will, even unto death, are evident throughout the arrest narrative.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "kiss" here is philema (φίλημα), which typically denotes a kiss of affection, friendship, or greeting. The use of such an intimate gesture as the sign of betrayal makes Judas's act particularly chilling and morally repugnant. It transforms a symbol of love into an instrument of death, emphasizing the dark irony of the moment.

Practical Application

Luke 22:47 serves as a sobering reminder of several truths:

  • The Reality of Betrayal: It teaches us that betrayal can come from unexpected sources, even those who appear closest or most trusted. It underscores the importance of discernment and spiritual vigilance.
  • The Deceitfulness of Sin: Judas's act illustrates how sin can twist even good intentions or sacred customs into tools for evil. It highlights the subtle and deceptive nature of unrighteousness.
  • The Cost of Discipleship: This verse is part of the larger narrative of Jesus' suffering, reminding believers that following Christ may involve facing opposition, misunderstanding, and even betrayal, just as He did. It calls for faithfulness even in the face of adversity.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Mark 14:41

    And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take [your] rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

  • Mark 14:50

    And they all forsook him, and fled.

  • Matthew 26:45

    Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take [your] rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

  • Matthew 26:56

    But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.

  • Luke 22:3

    Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve.

  • Luke 22:6

    And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray him unto them in the absence of the multitude.

  • Mark 14:10

    And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests, to betray him unto them.

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