Matthew 26:47–56 tells the story of Jesus’ betrayal and arrest, a pivotal moment in the narrative.
Even in betrayal, Jesus stands with authority and peace when He was betrayed and arrested.
Matthew 26:47–56 (NASB 2020)
47 And while He was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, came, accompanied by a large crowd with swords and clubs, who came from the chief priests and elders of the people. 48 Now he who was betraying Him gave them a sign previously, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the One; arrest Him.” 49 And immediately Judas went up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed Him. 50 But Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you have come for.” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and arrested Him. 51 And behold, one of those who were with Jesus reached and drew his sword, and struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his ear. 52 Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place; for all those who take up the sword will perish by the sword. 53 Or do you think that I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels? 54 How then would the Scriptures be fulfilled, which say that it must happen this way?” 55 At that time Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest Me, as you would against a man inciting a revolt? Every day I used to sit within the temple grounds teaching, and you did not arrest Me. 56 But all this has taken place so that the Scriptures of the prophets will be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left Him and fled.
Who Was Involved?
- Jesus, who remained peaceful and in control even as He was betrayed and arrested
- Judas, one of the twelve, betrayed Him with a kiss
- An armed crowd sent by the religious leaders
- Peter (implied), reacting impulsively with violence
- The disciples, who fled out of fear
- Us today, who must choose faithfulness over fear
What Happened?
- Judas led an armed mob to arrest Jesus
- He identified Jesus with a kiss
- Jesus allowed Himself to be taken, confronting Judas and calming the chaos
- A disciple tried to fight, but Jesus rebuked him
- Jesus reminded them that He could call angels but chose to fulfill Scripture by being betrayed and arrested.
- All His disciples abandoned Him
The Mood: Tense, Inevitable, Controlled
- Tension and betrayal filled the air during Jesus’ arrest.
- Jesus spoke with calm authority
- Even in crisis, He remained centered on purpose and prophecy
The Principle: Submission to God Is Strength, Not Weakness
- Jesus surrendered not out of defeat, but to fulfill His mission
- He models self-control, obedience, and kingdom perspective
- True power is in yielding to God’s will, not resisting with fleshly force
Audience Response (Then)
- Judas committed betrayal while pretending loyalty
- The disciples reacted with confusion and fear
- The mob followed orders blindly, not recognizing who stood before them
- Jesus was left alone, yet resolute
What This Means for Us in 2025
- Betrayal, spiritual battles, and moments of surrender are still part of following Christ, as seen in the event of Jesus being betrayed and arrested.
- We must learn to trust God in tension, not just in comfort
- Christ’s example invites us to submit when we’d rather react
Action Steps for Today
- Recognize that betrayal doesn’t define you. Jesus was betrayed and still fulfilled His purpose.
- Stay calm under pressure. Control your response, even when provoked
- Submit to God’s Word. Let prophecy and truth guide your actions
- Walk in peace, not panic. Choose obedience over outburst
- Cling to your calling. Don’t run when things get hard
Final Prayer
Jesus, thank You for not resisting arrest but walking into purpose. Teach me to respond with faith when betrayal or opposition comes. Help me trust Your plan even when I don’t understand. Make me strong in surrender. In Your name, Amen.
Jesus could have summoned angels, but chose obedience instead. That’s a strength we can imitate.
