Luke 22:47
What does Luke 22:47 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 22:47 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 22:47 means
While Jesus is still speaking, a crowd arrives, led by Judas, one of the twelve. He approaches to kiss Jesus, using a sign of friendship to mark Him for arrest. The treachery is sharpened by the gesture’s intimacy. The multitude reflects official coordination and force. Betrayal comes quickly and brazenly, meeting the praying Lord with hypocrisy. The scene fulfills the plot arranged earlier, showing how darkness cloaks itself in familiar forms. Judas leads the charge, revealing how far a heart can go when surrendered to evil. Yet Jesus’ calm remains. He will address Judas directly and control the unfolding moment. The kiss intended to conceal malice exposes the depth of human sin against divine love.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000While he yet spake, behold, a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them; and he drew near unto Jesus to kiss him.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And while he yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901While he yet spake, behold, a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them; and he drew near unto Jesus to kiss him.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And while he was saying these words, there came a band of people, and Judas, one of the twelve, was in front of them, and he came near to Jesus to give him a kiss.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And while he is speaking, lo, a multitude, and he who is called Judas, one of the twelve, was coming before them, and he came nigh to Jesus to kiss him,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752As he was yet speaking, behold a multitude; and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them and drew near to Jesus, for to kiss him.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890As he was yet speaking, behold, a crowd, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went on before them, and drew near to Jesus to kiss him.
Context
Immediately after Jesus’ renewed call to prayer, events overtake the scene: Judas arrives with a crowd to betray Jesus by a prearranged sign. The next verse records Jesus’ piercing question to Judas about betraying the Son of man with a kiss. Then the disciples, in their confusion, ask about striking with the sword, and one of them cuts off the high priest’s servant’s ear. Jesus intervenes, rebuking violence and healing, revealing His authority and mercy even in arrest.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 26:14
Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests,
- Matthew 26:45
Then cometh he to the disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
- Luke 22:3
And Satan entered into Judas who was called Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve.
- John 18:2
Now Judas also, who betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus oft-times resorted thither with his disciples.
- Mark 14:10
And Judas Iscariot, he that was one of the twelve, went away unto the chief priests, that he might deliver him unto them.
- Mark 14:41
And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough; the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
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