Luke 22:52

Then Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders, which were come to him, Be ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and staves?

Then {G1161} Jesus {G2424} said {G2036} unto {G4314} the chief priests {G749}, and {G2532} captains {G4755} of the temple {G2411}, and {G2532} the elders {G4245}, which were come {G3854} to {G1909} him {G846}, Be ye come out {G1831}, as {G5613} against {G1909} a thief {G3027}, with {G3326} swords {G3162} and {G2532} staves {G3586}?

Then Yeshua said to the head cohanim, the officers of the Temple guard and the elders who had come to seize him, “So you came out just as you would to the leader of a rebellion, with swords and clubs?

Then Jesus said to the chief priests, temple officers, and elders who had come for Him, “Have you come out with swords and clubs as you would against an outlaw?

And Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and elders, that were come against him, Are ye come out, as against a robber, with swords and staves?

Commentary

In Luke 22:52, Jesus confronts the delegation sent to arrest Him in the Garden of Gethsemane. This pivotal moment occurs immediately after Judas’s betrayal and Peter’s rash act of cutting off the ear of the high priest’s servant, which Jesus miraculously healed (Luke 22:50-51). Jesus's question highlights the stark contrast between His peaceful ministry and the aggressive, unwarranted show of force used against Him.

Historical and Cultural Context

The scene unfolds in the Garden of Gethsemane, a place Jesus often visited for prayer. The group sent to arrest Him included "chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders." These were not common guards but representatives of the Sanhedrin, the highest Jewish religious and judicial council. The "captains of the temple" were responsible for maintaining order within the Temple courts and commanded the Temple guard. Their presence, along with the "swords and staves" (clubs or cudgels), signifies a serious, pre-meditated operation designed to apprehend a dangerous criminal or insurrectionist, not a teacher who had been teaching openly in the Temple courts daily.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Injustice and False Accusation: Jesus's rhetorical question exposes the hypocrisy and injustice of their actions. He was not a hidden threat or a violent revolutionary; His ministry was public and peaceful. The display of force was disproportionate and unwarranted, treating Him "as against a thief" (or brigand).
  • Contrast with Jesus's Character: Jesus contrasts His own open, non-violent approach with their clandestine, armed assault. He had always been accessible, yet they chose the cover of night and weaponry to seize Him.
  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: While not explicitly stated in this verse, Jesus’s arrest and subsequent suffering were in accordance with God's divine plan and the prophetic Scriptures (e.g., Isaiah 53:7). His peaceful surrender underscores His willingness to fulfill this purpose, even amidst great injustice.
  • Jesus's Authority and Calmness: Even in the moment of His arrest, Jesus maintains His composure and speaks with authority, challenging His captors rather than fleeing or resisting. This demonstrates His control over the situation, even as He submits to the Father's will (John 10:18).

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "as against a thief" translates the Greek hos epi lēstēn (ὡς ἐπὶ λῃστήν). The word lēstēs (thief/robber) could also imply a bandit or even a revolutionary/insurrectionist, someone who uses violence. By asking this question, Jesus highlights that He is neither, emphasizing the absurdity and malice behind their approach. The "swords and staves" (μάχαιραι καὶ ξύλα - machairai kai xyla) further underscore the nature of their mission, equipped for a violent confrontation.

Practical Application

This verse offers powerful lessons for believers today:

  • Facing Injustice: Jesus's response teaches us to confront injustice with truth and calm, even when facing overwhelming opposition. We are called to embody the peace of Christ rather than reacting with hostility.
  • Trusting God's Plan: Jesus knew this moment was part of God's sovereign plan, despite the injustice. This encourages us to trust in divine providence even when circumstances appear unfair or chaotic.
  • Living Transparently: Jesus's public ministry contrasts sharply with the secretive, armed approach of His captors. Believers are called to live openly and honestly, reflecting the light of Christ in a world that often operates in darkness.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Luke 22:4

    And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them.

  • Mark 14:48

    And Jesus answered and said unto them, Are ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and [with] staves to take me?

  • Mark 14:49

    I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took me not: but the scriptures must be fulfilled.

  • Acts 5:26

    ¶ Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.

  • John 17:12

    While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.

  • Matthew 26:55

    In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me.

  • 2 Kings 11:15

    But Jehoiada the priest commanded the captains of the hundreds, the officers of the host, and said unto them, Have her forth without the ranges: and him that followeth her kill with the sword. For the priest had said, Let her not be slain in the house of the LORD.
← Back