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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comJamieson Fausset Brown Commentary - John 18:3 - 18:3
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Judas then - “He that was called Judas, one of the Twelve,” says Luke (Luk 22:47), in language which brands him with peculiar infamy, as in the sacred circle while in no sense of it.
a band of men - “the detachment of the Roman cohort on duty at the festival for the purpose of maintaining order” [Webster and Wilkinson].
officers from the chief priests and Pharisees - captains of the temple and armed Levites.
lanterns and torches - It was full moon, but in case He should have secreted Himself somewhere in the dark ravine, they bring the means of exploring its hiding-places - little knowing whom they had to do with. “Now he that betrayed Him had given them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is He, hold Him fast” (Mat 26:48). The cold-bloodedness of this speech was only exceeded by the deed itself. “And Judas went before them [Luk 22:47], and forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, Master, and kissed Him” (Mat 26:49; compare Exo 4:27; Exo 18:7; Luk 7:45). The impudence of this atrocious deed shows how thoroughly he had by this time mastered all his scruples. If the dialogue between our Lord and His captors was before this, as some interpreters think it was, the kiss of Judas was purely gratuitous, and probably to make good his right to the money; our Lord having presented Himself unexpectedly before them, and rendered it unnecessary for any one to point Him out. But a comparison of the narratives seems to show that our Lord’s “coming forth” to the band was subsequent to the interview of Judas. “And Jesus said unto him, Friend” - not the endearing term “friend” (in Joh 15:15), but “companion,” a word used on occasions of remonstrance or rebuke (as in Mat 20:13; Mat 22:12) - “Wherefore art thou come?” (Mat 26:50). “Betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss” - imprinting upon the foulest act the mark of tenderest affection? What wounded feeling does this express! Of this Jesus showed Himself on various occasions keenly susceptible - as all generous and beautiful natures do.