Devine Scripture

Matthew 26:55

What does Matthew 26:55 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 26:55 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 26:55 means

Jesus confronts the arresting crowd, asking why they come as if against a robber with swords and clubs when he taught daily in the temple without being seized. He highlights the injustice and hypocrisy of their method: he was accessible in public teaching yet they choose covert violence. The verse challenges the legality and morality of their actions, painting the arrest as a betrayal of justice and a misuse of authority. Jesus’ question underscores his innocence and the extraordinary means chosen to silence him.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

In that hour Jesus said to the people, Have you come out as against a thief with swords and sticks to take me? I was teaching every day in the Temple and you took me not.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

In that hour said Jesus to the multitudes, `As against a robber ye did come forth, with swords and sticks, to take me! daily with you I was sitting teaching in the temple, and ye did not lay hold on me;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

In that same hour, Jesus said to the multitudes: You are come out, as it were to a robber, with swords and clubs to apprehend me. I sat daily with you, teaching in the temple: and you laid not hands on me.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

In that hour Jesus said to the crowds, Are ye come out as against a robber with swords and sticks to take me? I sat daily [with you] teaching in the temple, and ye did not seize me.

Context

This verse follows Jesus’ defense of scriptural fulfillment and rebuke of violence and addresses the crowd’s conduct. It contrasts Jesus’ public ministry with the clandestine arrest and underlines the leaders’ malice and fear. For readers, it exposes the unjust character of the arrest and Jesus’ moral dignity amid persecution.

v.54How then should the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?

v.55This passage

v.56But all this is come to pass, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples left him, and fled.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Luke 22:52

    And Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and elders, that were come against him, Are ye come out, as against a robber, with swords and staves?

  • John 18:20

    Jesus answered him, I have spoken openly to the world; I ever taught in synagogues, and in the temple, where all the Jews come together; and in secret spake I nothing.

  • John 8:2

    And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them.

  • Mark 14:48

    And Jesus answered and said unto them, Are ye come out, as against a robber, with swords and staves to seize me?

  • John 7:28

    Jesus therefore cried in the temple, teaching and saying, Ye both know me, and know whence I am; and I am not come of myself, but he that sent me is true, whom ye know not.

  • John 7:14

    But when it was now the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught.

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