Matthew Chapter 26 · Verse 50

Authorized King James Version

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And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.

Original Language Analysis

ὁ G3588
ὁ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 1 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
δὲ And G1161
δὲ And
Strong's: G1161
Word #: 2 of 20
but, and, etc
Ἰησοῦν Jesus G2424
Ἰησοῦν Jesus
Strong's: G2424
Word #: 3 of 20
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
εἶπεν said G2036
εἶπεν said
Strong's: G2036
Word #: 4 of 20
to speak or say (by word or writing)
αὐτόν him G846
αὐτόν him
Strong's: G846
Word #: 5 of 20
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
Ἑταῖρε Friend G2083
Ἑταῖρε Friend
Strong's: G2083
Word #: 6 of 20
a comrade
ἐπὶ on G1909
ἐπὶ on
Strong's: G1909
Word #: 7 of 20
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
ὦ art thou G3739
ὦ art thou
Strong's: G3739
Word #: 8 of 20
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
πάρει come G3918
πάρει come
Strong's: G3918
Word #: 9 of 20
to be near, i.e., at hand; neuter present participle (singular) time being, or (plural) property
τότε Then G5119
τότε Then
Strong's: G5119
Word #: 10 of 20
the when, i.e., at the time that (of the past or future, also in consecution)
προσελθόντες came they G4334
προσελθόντες came they
Strong's: G4334
Word #: 11 of 20
to approach, i.e., (literally) come near, visit, or (figuratively) worship, assent to
ἐπέβαλον and laid G1911
ἐπέβαλον and laid
Strong's: G1911
Word #: 12 of 20
to throw upon (literal or figurative, transitive or reflexive; usually with more or less force); specially (with g1438 implied) to reflect; impersonal
τὰς G3588
τὰς
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 13 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
χεῖρας hands G5495
χεῖρας hands
Strong's: G5495
Word #: 14 of 20
the hand (literally or figuratively (power); especially (by hebraism) a means or instrument)
ἐπὶ on G1909
ἐπὶ on
Strong's: G1909
Word #: 15 of 20
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τὸν G3588
τὸν
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 16 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦν Jesus G2424
Ἰησοῦν Jesus
Strong's: G2424
Word #: 17 of 20
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
καὶ and G2532
καὶ and
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 18 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐκράτησαν took G2902
ἐκράτησαν took
Strong's: G2902
Word #: 19 of 20
to use strength, i.e., seize or retain (literally or figuratively)
αὐτόν him G846
αὐτόν him
Strong's: G846
Word #: 20 of 20
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

Analysis & Commentary

And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? (ὁ δὲ Ἰησοῦς εἶπεν αὐτῷ, Ἑταῖρε, ἐφ' ὃ πάρει)—The address ἑταῖρε (companion, friend) is used by Jesus only three times (20:13; 22:12; 26:50), each time addressing someone engaged in wrong. It's formal, not intimate—perhaps 'comrade' or 'acquaintance' better captures the tone. The phrase ἐφ' ὃ πάρει is elliptical, meaning 'for which you are here' or 'why you came'—either statement or question. Jesus forces Judas to confront his purpose. This isn't ignorance seeking information but omniscience demanding acknowledgment.

Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him (τότε προσελθόντες ἐπέβαλον τὰς χεῖρας ἐπὶ τὸν Ἰησοῦν καὶ ἐκράτησαν αὐτόν)—Immediately after Judas's kiss, they seized (κρατέω, krateō) Jesus. The verb ἐπιβάλλω τὰς χεῖρας ('to lay hands on') suggests forceful arrest. Yet John 18:6 shows they first fell backward when Jesus identified Himself—He could have escaped but voluntarily submitted. His arrest was simultaneously violent seizure and willing surrender.

Historical Context

Jesus's question to Judas gave him opportunity for repentance—even then, Christ offered mercy. Judas's silence (no recorded response) shows hardened treachery. The immediate arrest after the kiss fulfilled Judas's signal. Roman and temple authorities acted together—unusual cooperation between occupiers and occupied, united against Christ. This fulfilled Psalm 2:2: 'The kings of the earth set themselves...against the Lord and against His Anointed.' The arrest initiated the Passion—illegal night trial, false witnesses, crucifixion.

Questions for Reflection