The text emphasizes that Judas was "one of the twelve," a detail Luke repeats to highlight the profound betrayal coming from someone Jesus had uniquely chosen and entrusted. This wasn't just any outsider; it was an intimate follower, making his approach to kiss Jesus particularly jarring and significant.
While he was still speaking, there came a crowd, and the man called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He drew near to Jesus to kiss him, but Jesus said to him, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is praying in the Garden of Gethsemane while his disciples sleep, and suddenly a large crowd, led by Judas Iscariot, arrives to arrest him. Judas identifies Jesus with a kiss, signaling the start of the plot and Jesus' imminent capture, even as Jesus calmly questions the necessity of such a forceful approach. This dramatic interruption marks the turning point from Jesus' private prayer to his public arrest, leading directly to his trial and crucifixion.
The man who walked with Jesus, shared meals with Him, and was called 'one of the twelve' – Judas – now leads the arresting party. How does Scripture help us understand this heartbreaking betrayal?
Luke highlights that Judas was not just present but actively leading the crowd. This wasn't a spontaneous act; it was a planned deception.
The 'Kiss' as a Signal
Jesus Himself calls Judas's act a betrayal, questioning, 'Would you betray me with a kiss?' (Luke 22:48). This was no casual greeting. The kiss was a pre-arranged signal, a stark contrast between outward affection and inner deceit. It was a calculated move to identify Jesus in the dark.
Motive and Opportunity
While the Gospels offer different perspectives, John points to Judas's thievery and love for money (John 12:6). The chief priests and captains 'covenanted' with him, offering money (Luke 22:5). Judas saw an opportunity to betray Jesus, likely underestimating the devastating consequences of his actions, driven by greed and perhaps a warped sense of disillusionment.
Jesus is arrested under the cover of night, with a crowd armed with 'swords and clubs.' What does Jesus mean when He says, 'This is your hour, and the power of darkness'?
Jesus’ arrest is not just a historical event; it’s described as 'the hour and the power of darkness.' This phrase points to a spiritual reality behind the physical capture.
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A Predetermined 'Hour'
Jesus acknowledges that this moment, though terrible, is a divinely permitted 'hour.' He tells the arresting party, 'This is your hour, and the power of darkness' (Luke 22:53). This doesn't mean God willed the betrayal itself, but rather that He allowed this specific time for His redemptive plan to unfold.
The 'Power of Darkness'
This 'power of darkness' represents the forces opposed to God – sin, evil, and the devil's influence. It's the spiritual realm that seeks to thwart God's purposes. However, Jesus frames it as a limited power, an 'hour' that will pass. Even in this dark moment, Jesus maintains control, His submission to arrest is voluntary, and His ultimate victory is assured.
Understand the original words
paradidomi · Greek Verb
The act of handing over or surrendering someone, often implying treachery or disloyalty, particularly used in reference to Judas's action against Jesus.
huios tou anthropou · Greek Noun Phrase
A Messianic title used by Jesus referring to Himself, derived from Daniel 7:13-14, emphasizing both His human nature and His divine authority and future glory.
philema · Greek Noun
A gesture of intimacy and greeting in the ancient Near East, here used ironically or hypocritically to identify the victim for arrest.
This moment of betrayal is deeply personal, as Jesus is arrested by a large group led by Judas, one of his own twelve disciples. The specific detail of Judas leading the crowd and using a kiss as a signal highlights the calculated treachery in a moment of intense spiritual struggle for Jesus.
c. AD 30
The Last Supper
Jesus and his disciples shared a final meal in Jerusalem, during which Jesus instituted the Lord's Supper and predicted Judas' betrayal.
c. AD 30
Jesus prays in Gethsemane
Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray, experiencing intense anguish as he faced his impending suffering and death.
c. AD 30— this verse
Judas leads the arrest party
Judas, one of Jesus' twelve closest followers, arrived with a crowd, including soldiers and temple officials, to arrest Jesus.
c. AD 30
Jesus is arrested
Jesus was apprehended in the garden, a disciple attempted to resist with a sword, and Jesus healed the wounded ear.
c. AD 30
Jesus' trials begin
Jesus was taken to the religious leaders for questioning, leading to his denial by Peter and eventual handing over to Roman authorities.
This passage describes the exact same event of Judas identifying Jesus with a kiss, showing the common narrative thread across the Gospels.
John 18:1-3John also recounts Judas leading the detachment of soldiers and officers, highlighting Judas's active role in orchestrating Jesus's arrest.
Acts 1:16This passage, spoken by Peter, directly references Judas as a guide to those who arrested Jesus, emphasizing his complicity and betrayal.
Psalm 41:9This Old Testament psalm is understood to prophesy betrayal by a close friend, finding its fulfillment in Judas's actions with the kiss.
barnesLuke 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."
See this explained in Matthew 26:48-56 .
expositorsLuke 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."
Chapter 25THE PASSION. Luke 22:47-71 - Luke 23:1-56 WHILE Jesus kept His sad watch in Gethsemane, treading the winepress alone, His enemies kept theirs in the city. The step of Judas, as he passed out into the night, went verberating within the house of the high priest, and onwards into the palace of Pilate himself, awaking a thousand…
The text emphasizes that Judas was "one of the twelve," a detail Luke repeats to highlight the profound betrayal coming from someone Jesus had uniquely chosen and entrusted. This wasn't just any outsider; it was an intimate follower, making his approach to kiss Jesus particularly jarring and significant.
Jesus is praying in the Garden of Gethsemane while his disciples sleep, and suddenly a large crowd, led by Judas Iscariot, arrives to arrest him. Judas identifies Jesus with a kiss, signaling the start of the plot and Jesus' imminent capture, even as Jesus calmly questions the necessity of such a forceful approach. This dramatic interruption marks the turning point from Jesus' private prayer to his public arrest, leading directly to his trial and crucifixion.
Jesus is praying in the Garden of Gethsemane while his disciples sleep, and suddenly a large crowd, led by Judas Iscariot, arrives to arrest him. Judas identifies Jesus with a kiss, signaling the start of the plot and Jesus' imminent capture, even as Jesus calmly questions the necessity of such a forceful approach. This dramatic interruption marks the turning point from Jesus' private prayer to his public arrest, leading directly to his trial and crucifixion.
"While he was still speaking, there came a crowd, and the man called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He drew near to Jesus to kiss him, but Jesus said to him, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?”" — The text emphasizes that Judas was "one of the twelve," a detail Luke repeats to highlight the profound betrayal coming from someone Jesus had uniquely chosen and entrusted. This wasn't just any outs…
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Last reviewed October 2026
