Betrayed and Arrested | Matthew 26:47-56

Betrayed and Arrested

Matthew 26:47-56

1) The Sign (vv 47-50)

2) The Sword (vv 51-53)

3) The Scriptures (vv 54-56) 

Surely there is an irony in this.…They come carrying torches to find He who is the light of the world, and they come carrying weapons to arrest He who is called the Prince of Peace. --Alistair Begg

Disciples today can be traitors tomorrow. This is the warning value of the phrase, “one of the twelve.” --Dale Bruner 

The kiss, a sign of affection, has become a sign of defection. --Darryl Bock

Luke 22:48 Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?

2) The Sword (vv 51-53)

He is magnificent and pathetic. Magnificent because he rushes in to defend Jesus with characteristic courage and impetuousness, pathetic because his courage evaporates when Jesus undoes Peter’s damage, forbids violence, and faces the Passion without resisting. --D.A. Carson 

Romans 13:1a,3-4 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities…For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad…But if you do wrong be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer.

Biblical Criteria for a Just War: 

Just Cause—Is the reason for going to war a morally right cause, such as defense of a nation. (Rev. 19:11)

Competent Authority—Has the war been declared not simply by a renegade band within a nation, but by a recognized, competent authority with the nation? (Rom. 13:1)

Comparative Justice—Is it clear that the actions of the enemy are morally wrong, and the motives and actions of one’s own nation in going to war are, in comparison, morally right? (Rom. 13:3)

Right Intention—Is the purpose of going to war to protect justice and righteousness rather than simply to rob and pillage and destroy another nation? (Prov. 21:2)

Last Resort—Have all other reasonable means of resolving the conflict been exhausted? (Matt 5:9, Rom. 12:18)

Probability of Success—Is there a reasonable expectation that the war can be won? (Luke 14:31)

Proportionality of Projected Results—Will the good results that come from a victory in a war be significantly greater than the harm and loss that will inevitably come with pursuing the war? (Rom. 12:21, 13:4)  

Right Spirit—Is the war undertaken with great reluctance and sorrow at the harm that will come rather than simply with a “delight in war?” (Ps. 68:30) 

Jesus still calls “My Father” the God who called Him to violent death in Gethsemane’s just-completed prayers. He still believes in a good God, even if everything externally is not looking too good. --Dale Bruner 

The Scriptures (vv 54-56)

Isaiah 53:8a 

By oppression and judgment he was taken away… (ESV)  

He was arrested and sentenced and led off to die. (GNT) 

Men took him away roughly and unfairly… (NCV)

Isaiah 53:12  

He poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors… (ESV) 

He exposed himself to death. He was counted among the rebels… (NLT) 

He willingly gave his life and was treated like a criminal… (NCV)

Psalm 22:6b, 12-13 …being scorned by mankind and despised by the people. (v 6) Many bulls encompass me, strong bulls of Bashan surround me; they open wide their mouths at me, like a ravening and roaring lion. (vv. 12-13)

Zechariah 13:7b Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered…