Luke 22:47-53
Betrayed with a Kiss
Read the passage
47While He was still speaking, a crowd arrived, led by the man called Judas, one of the Twelve. He approached Jesus to kiss Him.
48But Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”
49Those around Jesus saw what was about to happen and said, “Lord, should we strike with our swords?”
50And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear.
51But Jesus answered, “No more of this!” And He touched the man’s ear and healed him.
52Then 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?
53Every day I was with you in the temple courts, and you did not lay a hand on Me. But this hour belongs to you and to the power of darkness.”
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
While Jesus is still speaking, a crowd arrives, led by Judas, one of the twelve. Judas draws near to Jesus to kiss Him. Jesus asks whether he is betraying the Son of Man with a kiss.
The disciples see what is happening and ask whether they should strike with the sword. One of them strikes the servant of the high priest and cuts off his right ear.
Jesus answers, “No more of this!” He touches the servant's ear and heals him. Then He speaks to the chief priests, officers of the temple, and elders who have come against Him with swords and clubs.
Jesus notes that He was with them day after day in the temple, yet they did not lay hands on Him. But this is their hour and the power of darkness. Betrayal, violence, and unjust arrest gather around the One who still heals an enemy's wounded servant.
Questions
1 Who leads the crowd to Jesus?
AnswerJudas, one of the twelve, leads the crowd and approaches Jesus with a kiss as the sign of his betrayal.
2 How do the disciples react?
AnswerThey ask whether they should strike with the sword, and one of them cuts off the high priest's servant's right ear.
3 What does Jesus do for the wounded servant?
AnswerHe stops the violence, touches the servant's ear, and heals him. Even at His arrest, Jesus refuses to answer betrayal with a wound.
4 How does Jesus describe the arresting hour?
AnswerHe calls it their hour and the power of darkness, even though He has taught publicly among them every day.
What This Means for Us
Jesus refuses to let betrayal turn His disciples into a violent mob. He protects even the servant who has come with the arresting crowd.
Families may need firm protection from harm, but retaliation is not the same as justice. Let Jesus' command stop the cycle in which injury gives everyone permission to injure someone else.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, meet us when trust has been betrayed and anger rises. Stop our hands from revenge, give us courage to protect the vulnerable, and teach us to pursue justice without becoming agents of darkness. Amen.