Matthew 26:47
And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 26
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτοῦ
he
G846
αὐτοῦ
he
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
3 of 26
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
Ἰούδας
Judas
G2455
Ἰούδας
Judas
Strong's:
G2455
Word #:
6 of 26
judas (i.e., jehudah), the name of ten israelites; also of the posterity of one of them and its region
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἦλθεν
came
G2064
ἦλθεν
came
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
10 of 26
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
11 of 26
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
μετὰ
with
G3326
μετὰ
with
Strong's:
G3326
Word #:
12 of 26
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
αὐτοῦ
he
G846
αὐτοῦ
he
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
13 of 26
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
ὄχλος
multitude
G3793
ὄχλος
multitude
Strong's:
G3793
Word #:
14 of 26
a throng (as borne along); by implication, the rabble; by extension, a class of people; figuratively, a riot
πολὺς
a great
G4183
πολὺς
a great
Strong's:
G4183
Word #:
15 of 26
(singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely
μετὰ
with
G3326
μετὰ
with
Strong's:
G3326
Word #:
16 of 26
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
μαχαιρῶν
swords
G3162
μαχαιρῶν
swords
Strong's:
G3162
Word #:
17 of 26
a knife, i.e., dirk; figuratively, war, judicial punishment
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
18 of 26
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ξύλων
staves
G3586
ξύλων
staves
Strong's:
G3586
Word #:
19 of 26
timber (as fuel or material); by implication, a stick, club or tree or other wooden article or substance
ἀπὸ
from
G575
ἀπὸ
from
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
20 of 26
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
21 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀρχιερέων
the chief priests
G749
ἀρχιερέων
the chief priests
Strong's:
G749
Word #:
22 of 26
the high-priest (literally, of the jews; typically, christ); by extension a chief priest
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
23 of 26
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
πρεσβυτέρων
elders
G4245
πρεσβυτέρων
elders
Strong's:
G4245
Word #:
24 of 26
older; as noun, a senior; specially, an israelite sanhedrist (also figuratively, member of the celestial council) or christian "presbyter"
Cross References
Acts 1:16Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus.Matthew 26:55In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me.Matthew 26:14Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests,
Historical Context
John 18:3 adds that the group included a Roman cohort (σπεῖρα, 600 soldiers) and temple police. The chief priests and elders sent this force, showing they orchestrated the arrest. Arresting Jesus at night in a secluded location avoided daytime crowds who might riot (26:5). The Passover moon provided light. Judas's leadership of the arresting party fulfilled Jesus's predictions (26:21-25, 45-46). The 'swords and clubs' imagery recalls Jesus's later rebuke (26:55): 'Have you come out as against a robber?'
Questions for Reflection
- How does betrayal by an insider (Judas, 'one of the twelve') hurt more deeply than opposition from obvious enemies?
- What does the excessive force at Jesus's arrest reveal about the relationship between institutional religion and violence?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came (Καὶ ἔτι αὐτοῦ λαλοῦντος ἰδοὺ Ἰούδας εἷς τῶν δώδεκα ἦλθεν)—The phrase ἔτι αὐτοῦ λαλοῦντος ('while He was still speaking') shows immediate fulfillment—Jesus announced the betrayer's arrival (v. 46), and Judas appeared. The designation εἷς τῶν δώδεκα ('one of the twelve') emphasizes betrayal's heinousness—not an outsider but an intimate companion. John 13:18 quotes Psalm 41:9: 'He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.' Judas's treachery from within the apostolic circle wounds deepest.
And with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people (καὶ μετ' αὐτοῦ ὄχλος πολὺς μετὰ μαχαιρῶν καὶ ξύλων ἀπὸ τῶν ἀρχιερέων καὶ πρεσβυτέρων τοῦ λαοῦ)—The ὄχλος πολύς ('great crowd') armed with μάχαιρα (swords) and ξύλον (clubs, staves) came from religious authorities, not Romans (they appear later). The excessive force suggests they expected resistance—ironic, since Jesus submitted voluntarily. The religious establishment's violence exposes their hypocrisy—they killed while claiming to serve God.