Judas’s Kiss

Judas’ kiss: "Now His betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him.” Immediately he went up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed Him. But Jesus said to him, “Friend, why have you come?” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and took Him" (Matthew 26:48-50).

Did Jesus know the meaning of Judas' kiss?
A kiss on the cheek was a sign of respect in those days, but Jesus knew Judas' kiss was one of betrayal: "But Jesus said to him, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” (Luke 22:48)

Did Jesus' eleven disciples understand the meaning of Judas' kiss?
They hadn't understood what Jesus told them earlier in the evening while Judas Iscariot was still with them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.” Then the disciples began to look at one another, perplexed about whom He spoke (John 13:21-22). Even when Judas left them to fetch the mob to arrest Jesus, they had been clueless: Then Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.” But no one at the table knew for what reason He said this to him. For some thought, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus had said to him, “Buy those things we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor. Having received the piece of bread, he then went out immediately. And it was night." (John 13:27-29). When Jesus said, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?" (Luke 22:48), they, facing "troops ... with lanterns, torches and weapons" (John 18:3), finally understood what Jesus had meant.

How did His eleven then react?
To their credit, they displayed the will to stay and fight against hundreds of Roman soldiers (see Judas Iscariot) instead of running away: "When those around Him saw what was going to happen, they said to Him, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?” (Luke 22:49)

If they are going to "strike with the sword" (Luke 22:49) who would you expect to be their first target?
Judas the betrayer.

Is that what happened?
Not quite.

What happens next, before Jesus answers their question in Luke 22:49?
Peter, true to his 'act first, think later' form, strikes, but not at Judas, as you will see next.


JOHN 18:10 10 Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.
Who did Peter strike with a sword, and what mortal blow did he inflict?
He “struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus” (John 18:10).

What does the detail, "right ear" (John 18:10) imply about this account and Malchus' attire?
The precision - “right” ear - points to an eyewitness account and that Malchus wasn't wearing a helmet, which means he most likely wasn't wearing a body armor either.

Why did Peter attack Malchus instead of Judas Iscariot?
He probably just swung at the man nearest to him, who happened to be Malchus, the unprotected and most probably unarmed "servant" (the original Greek word, δουλον (doulon), can also be translated, "bond-servant" or "slave") of the "high priest" (John 18:10).

JOHN 18:11 11 So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into the sheath. Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?”
To what "cup" is Jesus referring?
See John 18.

What else did Jesus say to Peter when he cut off Malchus' ear?
"Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels? How then could the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen thus?" (Matthew 26:52-54)

How many angels would be in twelve legions?
12 x 6,000 = 72,000.

What kind of damage would they be capable of?
Isaiah 37:36 records one angel killing 185,000 soldiers in one night: "Then the angel of the LORD went out, and killed in the camp of the Assyrians one hundred and eighty-five thousand; and when people arose early in the morning, there were the corpses - all dead." So 72,000 angels could have killed 13 billion soldiers.

What could Jesus have done?
Wipe out not only the 600+ who had come to arrest Him, but everyone on the earth.

Instead, what did Jesus do?
He healed Malchus: And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But Jesus answered and said, "Permit even this." And He touched his ear and healed him (Luke 22:50-51).

What was Malchus doing there in the first place?
He was probably holding one of the "lanterns, torches" (John 18:3) for his boss/owner, the high priest, who is one of the "chief priests" whom Jesus then chastises: Then Jesus said to the chief priests, captains of the temple, and the elders who had come to Him, “Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs? When I was with you daily in the temple, you did not try to seize Me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness” (Luke 22:52-53).

So in front of whom did Jesus perform His last healing miracle?
The "high priest" (John 18:10), and right next to a torch or a lantern so that he can see it clearly.


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