Matthew 26:55
In 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.
Original Language Analysis
ἐκείνῃ
that same
G1565
ἐκείνῃ
that same
Strong's:
G1565
Word #:
2 of 32
that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 32
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 32
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
7 of 32
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
τοῖς
G3588
τοῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 32
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὄχλοις
to the multitudes
G3793
ὄχλοις
to the multitudes
Strong's:
G3793
Word #:
9 of 32
a throng (as borne along); by implication, the rabble; by extension, a class of people; figuratively, a riot
Ὡς
as
G5613
Ὡς
as
Strong's:
G5613
Word #:
10 of 32
which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
ἐπὶ
against
G1909
ἐπὶ
against
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
11 of 32
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
μετὰ
with
G3326
μετὰ
with
Strong's:
G3326
Word #:
14 of 32
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 #:
15 of 32
a knife, i.e., dirk; figuratively, war, judicial punishment
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
16 of 32
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 #:
17 of 32
timber (as fuel or material); by implication, a stick, club or tree or other wooden article or substance
συλλαβεῖν
for to take
G4815
συλλαβεῖν
for to take
Strong's:
G4815
Word #:
18 of 32
to clasp, i.e., seize (arrest, capture); specially, to conceive (literally or figuratively); by implication, to aid
καθ'
G2596
καθ'
Strong's:
G2596
Word #:
20 of 32
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
ἡμέραν
daily
G2250
ἡμέραν
daily
Strong's:
G2250
Word #:
21 of 32
day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of
πρὸς
with
G4314
πρὸς
with
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
22 of 32
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
27 of 32
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἱερῷ
the temple
G2411
ἱερῷ
the temple
Strong's:
G2411
Word #:
28 of 32
a sacred place, i.e., the entire precincts (whereas g3485 denotes the central sanctuary itself) of the temple (at jerusalem or elsewhere)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
29 of 32
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Historical Context
Jesus taught in the temple courts daily during Passover week (21:23; Luke 19:47). The authorities could have arrested Him publicly but feared the crowds (26:5). Night arrest in Gethsemane avoided confrontation. The excessive armed force (John 18:3 mentions a Roman cohort—600 soldiers!) suggests they expected supernatural resistance or feared His followers might fight. Ironically, the Prince of Peace was arrested as a dangerous criminal, while actual insurrectionist Barabbas was released. The contrast reveals humanity's inverted justice.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the authorities' cowardly night arrest reveal about the relationship between evil and darkness (John 3:19-20)?
- How does Jesus's public teaching contrasted with secret arrest expose the difference between truth's boldness and wickedness's shame?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? (Ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ ὥρᾳ εἶπεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς τοῖς ὄχλοις, Ὡς ἐπὶ λῃστὴν ἐξήλθατε μετὰ μαχαιρῶν καὶ ξύλων συλλαβεῖν με;)—The phrase ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ ὥρᾳ ('in that same hour') emphasizes the moment. Jesus addressed the ὄχλοι (crowds, armed mob) with rhetorical question exposing their hypocrisy. The term λῃστής (lēstēs) means 'robber, bandit, insurrectionist'—not mere thief but violent criminal. Barabbas was a λῃστής (John 18:40). Jesus challenged the excessive force (swords and clubs) as if He were dangerous revolutionary.
I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me (καθ' ἡμέραν πρὸς ὑμᾶς ἐκαθεζόμην διδάσκων ἐν τῷ ἱερῷ, καὶ οὐκ ἐκρατήσατέ με)—The imperfect ἐκαθεζόμην ('I was sitting') indicates repeated, ongoing action: daily teaching. The phrase πρὸς ὑμᾶς ('with you, in your presence') emphasizes openness. He taught publicly in the temple, accessible to all, presenting no threat. Yet they arrested Him secretly at night—revealing cowardice, not courage. Their method exposed their motives: this wasn't justice but murder.