Scriptures: John 18:1-11; Luke 22:47-62; Mark 14:43-50; Matthew 26:47-56
Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus
John 18:1-11
When Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples over the brook Kidron, where there was a garden, into which he and his disciples entered.
Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, for Jesus often met there with his disciples. 3 Judas then, having taken a detachment of soldiers and officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons.
4 Jesus therefore, knowing all the things that were happening to him, went out, and said to them, “Who are you looking for?”
5 They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am he.” Judas also, who betrayed him, was standing with them. 6 When therefore he said to them, “I am he,” they went backward, and fell to the ground.
7 Again therefore he asked them, “Who are you looking for?” They said, “Jesus of Nazareth.”
8 Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. If therefore you seek me, let these go their way,” 9 that the word might be fulfilled which he spoke, “Of those whom you have given me, I have lost none.”
Simon Peter therefore, having a sword, drew it, and struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.
(11) Jesus therefore said to Peter, “Put the sword into its sheath. The cup which the Father has given me, shall I not surely drink it?”
Luke 22:47-62
While he was still speaking, behold, a multitude, and he who was called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He came near to Jesus to kiss him.
(48) But Jesus said to him, “Judas, do you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?”
(49) When those who were around him saw what was about to happen, they said to him, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?”
(50) A certain one of them struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear. (51) But Jesus answered, “Let me at least do this”—and he touched his ear, and healed him. (
52) Jesus said to the chief priests, captains of the temple, and elders, who had come against him, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs? (53) When I was with you in the temple daily, you didn’t stretch out your hands against me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.”
(54) They seized him, and led him away, and brought him into the high priest’s house. But Peter followed from a distance. (55) When they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard, and had sat down together, Peter sat among them. (56) A certain servant girl saw him as he sat in the light, and looking intently at him, said, “This man also was with him.” (57) He denied Jesus, saying, “Woman, I don’t know him.”
(58) After a little while someone else saw him, and said, “You also are one of them!” But Peter answered, “Man, I am not!”
(59) After about one hour passed, another confidently affirmed, saying, “Truly this man also was with him, for he is a Galilean!” (60) But Peter said, “Man, I don’t know what you are talking about!” Immediately, while he was still speaking, a rooster crowed.
(61) The Lord turned, and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the Lord’s word, how he said to him, “Before the rooster crows you will deny me three times.” (62) He went out, and wept bitterly.
Mark 14:43-50
Immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, came—and with him a multitude with swords and clubs, from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders.
44 Now he who betrayed him had given them a sign, saying, “Whomever I will kiss, that is he. Seize him, and lead him away safely.”
45 When he had come, immediately he came to him, and said, “Rabbi! Rabbi!” and kissed him. 46 They laid their hands on him, and seized him.
47 But a certain one of those who stood by drew his sword, and struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.
48 Jesus answered them, “Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to seize me? 49 I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and you didn’t arrest me. But this is so that the Scriptures might be fulfilled.”
50 They all left him, and fled.
A certain young man followed him, having a linen cloth thrown around himself over his naked body. The young men grabbed him, 52 but he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked.
Matthew 26:47-56
While he was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and elders of the people. (48) Now he who betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, “Whoever I kiss, he is the one. Seize him.”
(49) Immediately he came to Jesus, and said, “Hail, Rabbi!” and kissed him.
(50) Jesus said to him, “Friend, why are you here?” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus, and took him. (51) Behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck the servant of the high priest, and struck off his ear.
(52) Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place, for all those who take the sword will die by the sword. (53) Or do you think that I couldn’t ask my Father, and he would even now send me more than twelve legions of angels? (54) How then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that it must be so?”
In that hour Jesus said to the multitudes, “Have you come out as against a robber with swords and clubs to seize me? I sat daily in the temple teaching, and you didn’t arrest me. 56 But all this has happened, that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left him, and fled.
Jesus foreknew all this.
How to Respond to Violence – as Jesus Taught
(Matthew 26:52)
“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. (Matthew 5:38-39 ESV)
If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:18-21 ESV)
To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless, and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure. (1 Corinthians 4:11-12 ESV)
See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. (1 Thessalonians 5:15 ESV)
For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. (1 Peter 2:21-23 ESV)
Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. (1 Peter 3:9 ESV)
The Consequences of Violence
“Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image. (Genesis 9:6 ESV)
But you, O God, will cast them down into the pit of destruction; men of blood and treachery shall not live out half their days. But I will trust in you. (Psalms 55:23 ESV)
Because you cherished perpetual enmity and gave over the people of Israel to the power of the sword at the time of their calamity, at the time of their final punishment, therefore, as I live, declares the Lord GOD, I will prepare you for blood, and blood shall pursue you; because you did not hate bloodshed, therefore blood shall pursue you. (Ezekiel 35:5-6 ESV)