The Betrayal & Arrest of Jesus Christ

(One narrative taken from all four Gospel Accounts) Matt 26:47-56 Mark 14:43-52 Luke 22:47-53, John 18:2-12 Words of Christ in red.

And immediately, while he was still speaking in the garden, there came a great crowd with swords and clubs, with lanterns and torches and other weapons. And the man called Judas one of the twelve who betrayed him, also knew the place; for Jesus often met there with his disciples. Judas was leading them, with a band of soldiers and some officers, scribes, and elders from the chief priests and the Pharisees. Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, "The one I shall kiss is the man; seize him and lead him away under guard." He drew near to Jesus to kiss him; but Jesus said to him, "Judas, would you betray the Son of man with a kiss?" Judas said, "Greetings Rabbi, Master!" And he kissed him. Jesus said to him, "Friend, why are you here?"

Then Jesus, knowing all that was to befall him, came forward and said to them, "Whom do you seek?" They answered him, "Jesus of Nazareth." Jesus said to them, "I am He." Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. When he said to them, "I am He," they drew back and fell to the ground. Again he asked them, "Whom do you seek?" And they said, "Jesus of Nazareth." Jesus answered, "I told you that I am he; so, if you seek me, let these men go." This was to fulfill the word which he had spoken; "Of those whom thou gave me I lost not one."

And when those who were about him saw what would follow, they said, "Lord, shall we strike with the sword?" Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's slave and cut off his right ear. The slave's name was Malchus. Jesus said to Peter, "Put your sword into its sheath; for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then should the scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?" Shall I not drink the cup which the Father has given me?" Then Jesus said, "No more of this!" And he touched his ear and healed him.

At that hour Jesus said to the chief priests and officers of the temple and elders, who had come out against him, "Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, you did not lay hands on me and you did not seize me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness and all this has taken place that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled and so let the scriptures be fulfilled." So the band of soldiers and their captain and the officers of the Jews laid hands on Jesus and seized Him and bound him. Then all the disciples forsook him and fled. And a young man followed him, with nothing but a linen cloth about his body; and they seized him, but he left the linen cloth and ran away naked.