Matthew 26:47
What does Matthew 26:47 mean?
A plain-English look at Matthew 26:47 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Matthew 26:47 means
While Jesus speaks, Judas arrives with a large crowd armed with swords and clubs sent by the chief priests and elders. The presence of a 'great multitude' and weapons shows the seriousness and official backing of the arrest. Judas comes with a contingent, not merely for an arrest but to overpower resistance. The crowd’s composition—agents of the religious authorities—reveals collusion between Judas and institutional power to accomplish Jesus’ capture. The verse sets the scene for the intimate betrayal that will follow amid force and legal aggression.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And while he was still talking, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a band armed with swords and sticks, from the chief priests and those in authority over the people.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And while he is yet speaking, lo, Judas, one of the twelve did come, and with him a great multitude, with swords and sticks, from the chief priests and elders of the people.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752As he yet spoke, behold Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the ancients of the people.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And while he was yet speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great crowd with swords and sticks from the chief priests and elders of the people.
Context
This verse follows Jesus’ summons and introduces the arresting party. It connects back to earlier plotting by the chief priests and situates Judas as the insider who leads the external force. The armed crowd's arrival intensifies the drama and primes the reader for the identifying sign and Jesus’ ensuing arrest.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 26:55
In that hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a robber with swords and staves to seize me? I sat daily in the temple teaching, and ye took me not.
- Luke 22:47
While 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.
- John 18:1
When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Kidron, where was a garden, into which he entered, himself and his disciples.
- Acts 1:16
Brethren, it was needful that the scripture should be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spake before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who was guide to them that took Jesus.
- Matthew 26:14
Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests,
- Mark 14:43
And straightway, while he yet spake, cometh Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders.
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