Luke 22:4
And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 13
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἀπελθὼν
he went his way
G565
ἀπελθὼν
he went his way
Strong's:
G565
Word #:
2 of 13
to go off (i.e., depart), aside (i.e., apart) or behind (i.e., follow), literally or figuratively
τοῖς
G3588
τοῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 13
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀρχιερεῦσιν
the chief priests
G749
ἀρχιερεῦσιν
the chief priests
Strong's:
G749
Word #:
5 of 13
the high-priest (literally, of the jews; typically, christ); by extension a chief priest
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
6 of 13
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τοῖς
G3588
τοῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 13
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
στρατηγοῖς
captains
G4755
στρατηγοῖς
captains
Strong's:
G4755
Word #:
8 of 13
a general, i.e., (by implication or analogy) a (military) governor (praetor), the chief (praefect) of the (levitical) temple-wardens
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 13
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πῶς
how
G4459
πῶς
how
Strong's:
G4459
Word #:
10 of 13
an interrogative particle of manner; in what way? (sometimes the question is indirect, how?); also as exclamation, how much!
αὐτοῖς
him
G846
αὐτοῖς
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
11 of 13
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
Historical Context
The 'captains' were officers of the temple guard (Luke 22:52, Acts 4:1), responsible for maintaining order on the Temple Mount. Their involvement shows the conspiracy crossed factional lines—Sadducean priests and their security apparatus united against Jesus. Meeting Judas secretly avoided public knowledge of an insider's cooperation.
Questions for Reflection
- What warning does Judas' calculated betrayal offer about the progression from secret sin to overt rebellion?
- How does recognizing that Jesus was 'delivered up' by divine plan (Acts 2:23) alongside human treachery deepen your understanding of sovereignty and responsibility?
- In what subtle ways might you 'betray' Christ by choosing convenience over costly discipleship?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them. Judas' initiative is chilling—he went his way (ἀπελθών, apelthōn, aorist participle) suggests deliberate departure from Jesus to the Sanhedrin. He communed (συνελάλησεν, synelalēsen, 'spoke together/conferred') with both chief priests (ἀρχιερεῦσιν, archiereusin, the Sadducean aristocracy) and captains (στρατηγοῖς, stratēgois, the temple police commanders)—a comprehensive conspiracy involving religious and security leadership.
The verb betray (παραδῷ, paradō, aorist active subjunctive of παραδίδωμι, paradidōmi) means 'hand over/deliver up,' the same word used of Christ being 'delivered' for our sins (Romans 4:25). Judas becomes the instrument of Christ's delivering, unwittingly fulfilling prophecy (Psalm 41:9) while fully culpable for his treachery. The question isn't whether to betray but how (πῶς, pōs)—the method, the opportune moment away from crowds.