Matthew 26:47-56
While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent by the chief priests and elders of the people. (Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I kiss is the man. Arrest him!”) Immediately he went up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi,” and kissed him. Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you are here to do.” Then they came and took hold of Jesus and arrested him. But one of those with Jesus grabbed his sword, drew it out, and struck the high priest’s slave, cutting off his ear. Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back in its place! For all who take hold of the sword will die by the sword. Or do you think that I cannot call on my Father, and that he would send me more than twelve legions of angels right now? How then would the scriptures that say it must happen this way be fulfilled?” At that moment Jesus said to the crowd, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me like you would an outlaw? Day after day I sat teaching in the temple courts, yet you did not arrest me. But this has happened so that the scriptures of the prophets would be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left him and fled.
The Scriptures quoted are from the NET Bible® http://netbible.com copyright ©1996, 2019 used with permission from Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. All rights reserved.
COMMENT & QUESTIONS
What weapons did they bring to take Jesus? Why do you think they brought weapons at all?
They were 'armed with swords and clubs'. Perhaps this was to threaten Jesus in case He was going to put up a fight. Or perhaps they had seen his reaction in the temple to the money-changers and worried that He might be angry at them. Ultimately, they regarded Him as a criminal.
We know from another account that the person who took out his sword was Peter (John 18:10). Peter was trying to save Jesus. Why did Jesus rebuke him?
Although Peter meant well, His actions were opposite to the plan of Jesus. Peter was led by his passion and impulse, but Jesus had something different in mind. This is very similar to Matt 16:21-23.
Matthew uses the word ‘fulfil’ again. What is fulfilled here?
Jesus is referring to His arrest and ultimate suffering. He sees this as a clear fulfilment to 'the scriptures' (that is, the Old Testament). Paul says a similar thing in 1 Corinthians 15:3 - "Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures".
PRAYERS
Give thanks for the power of Jesus – He could have stopped His death, but He willingly went to the cross for us. Pray that we can understand the depth of love he has for us.