Question 1

Why did Judas betray Jesus with a kiss in this passage?

Accepted Answer

Judas had agreed to show the arresting group which man was Jesus, and he chose a kiss as the sign. A kiss was usually a greeting of friendship and respect. That makes the act even more painful, because Judas uses a friendly gesture to hand Jesus over to his enemies. Jesus’ question, “Betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?” exposes the hypocrisy. It shows how someone can pretend closeness to Jesus on the outside while their heart is set against him on the inside.

Question 2

What does Jesus mean by “betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss”?

Accepted Answer

When Jesus says, “Betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?” he is pointing out how twisted Judas’s act is. The “Son of man” is the promised Messiah who came in human flesh for the good of people and never harmed anyone. Judas is not only giving him up to his enemies, he is doing it with a sign that should show love and loyalty. Jesus’ words uncover how wrong it is when people claim to honor him, yet act in ways that fight against him and his work.

Question 3

Why did a disciple cut off the high priest’s servant’s ear?

Accepted Answer

When the disciples realized Jesus was about to be seized, they asked, “Lord, shall we smite with the sword?” One of them, eager and upset, did not wait for an answer and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. He likely meant to defend Jesus, but his zeal ran ahead of obedience. This shows how easy it is to mix real love for Christ with actions that do not fit his ways. Jesus quickly stops the violence and shows that his kingdom will not be defended by the sword.

Question 4

Why did Jesus heal the servant’s ear during his arrest?

Accepted Answer

Jesus touches the servant’s ear and heals him right after the disciple’s rash blow. This shows that even in his lowest moment, Jesus still has power to work miracles, and he uses that power to show mercy, not to escape. By healing the man, he makes clear that the attack did not come from his command, calms the crowd, and lives out his own teaching to do good to those who hate us. It is a quiet picture of him choosing kindness while others are choosing violence against him.

Question 5

What does “this is your hour, and the power of darkness” mean?

Accepted Answer

When Jesus says, “this is your hour, and the power of darkness,” he is saying that, for a short time, his enemies and the spiritual forces behind them are being allowed to act against him. Before this, they could not lay hands on him, even when he taught openly in the temple. Now their time has come, but it is limited. The phrase “power of darkness” points to evil having its moment. Yet even this is under God’s plan, as Jesus willingly submits, knowing that their apparent victory will not last.

Question 6

Why does Jesus ask why they came with swords and staves as against a thief?

Accepted Answer

Jesus questions the way the leaders have come for him at night with weapons, as if he were a dangerous criminal. He reminds them that he had been teaching in the temple every day, in public, and they never arrested him then. His words uncover both their fear and their guilty conscience. They choose the darkness of night to carry out their plan. This shows that their actions are not open and honest, and it underlines that what is happening is not because Jesus is a threat, but because they reject him.

Question 7

What does this passage show about using violence to defend Jesus?

Accepted Answer

The disciples think about fighting for Jesus with the sword, and one even strikes a man. Jesus immediately stops it and repairs the damage. This tells us that physical violence is not how his followers are to advance or protect his cause. Even when the cause seems right and the enemies are real, acting out of anger and fear does not fit his way. Instead, Jesus chooses to submit to God’s plan, do good to his enemies, and trust that God will set things right in his time.

Question 8

How does this scene show both human sin and Jesus’ mercy?

Accepted Answer

In this scene, Judas betrays Jesus with a kiss, the leaders treat him like a criminal, and the crowd comes armed in the dark. One of Jesus’ own followers acts in misguided violence. All of that shows human sin: hypocrisy, fear, hatred, and foolish zeal. In contrast, Jesus calmly exposes the wrong, stops further harm, heals an enemy’s wound, and willingly gives himself up. His mercy shines brightest right when others are doing their worst, which helps us see both the depth of sin and the depth of his kindness.

Luke 22:47

And while he yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him.

The Betrayal of Jesus

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Luke 22:47

And while he yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him.

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The Betrayal of Jesus

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