The Gospel of Matthew Study Help (Matthew 26:45-54)

The Passion of Christ

Questions to be answered in this study

1. What was another reason besides the 30 pieces of silver that motivated Judas to betray Jesus?
2. Why did the Sanhedrin send Jesus to Pontius Pilot rather than crucifying Him themselves?
3. The high priest had tried to arrest Jesus before but Jesus walked out of their midst and they could not lay a hand on Him; why did He not do the same when Judas led the Roman soldiers to Him?
4. Whowas the crowd that followed the Roman soldiers to arrest Jesus with torches and weapons; were they the same crowd that welcomed Jesus on Plam Sunday?
5. Why did Rome send so many soldiers to arrest one Man?
6. What was the reason for Jesus using the words “I Am,” to identify Himself to the Roman soldiers?
7. What happened to the soldiers when Jesus said “I Am?”
8. Why did Judas greet Jesus in such a friendly way when he was about to betray Him?
9. What laws did the Sanhedrin break when they arrested Jesus and tried Him?
10. What could have been the reason that Peter cut an unarmed man’s ear off?
11. Why was it important that Jesus healed the man whose ear Peter cut off?
12. Jesus refers to twelve legions of angels, that He could call to His assistance if He wanted; how many is a legion and what was the total of twelve legions?

Introduction

In the previous study, we left off at the prayer of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane just before the arrival of Judas and the Roman soldiers. So now we come to a critical moment in the passion of Christ when Judas, who had been with Jesus for three years, claiming to be His friend, now betrays Him. Why would Judas do that? Was it for the money? We know he was the group’s treasurer, also greedy, and a thief, but there must have been more. Some Bible scholars believe that Judas wanted to force Jesus’ hand to set up His kingdom before it was time, which would have placed Judas in a very comfortable position and one from which he could have profited financially. When he saw that it did not work out as he had planned, he threw the thirty peace’s of silver away that was received for betraying Jesus and took his own life; this indicates that he had more in mind than just the money.

Earlier, at the beginning of chapter 26, Jesus told His disciples what was about to take place, that He would be handed over for crucifixion. For this to happen, the Jewish authorities must contact the Romans and accuse Jesus of a crime worthy of death, because only the Romans had the authority to pose the death penalty.

Now, in verse 45, Jesus announces His betrayer’s arrival and then is arrested and taken before the Sanhedrin and falsely accused, and then taken to Pontius Pilate for judgment:

Matthew 26:45-50, “Then cometh he to his 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. 46Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me. 47And 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. 48Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast. 49And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him. 50And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus and took him.”

Jesus knew what was about to happen and could have easily escaped, but He didn’t because it was appointed for Him to die for the sins of man. Jesus went willingly to the cross to sacrifice His life for our sake so that we might be forgiven. All the gospels make it clear that Jesus was always in control of the events that were taking place and could have stopped them if He had so desired. To question that would also question if Jesus was God the Messiah who planned the events in eternity past. Satan had a hand in the events that took Jesus to the cross, not knowing it would be his final defeat.

In verse 47, Judas, the Roman soldiers, and a crowd of angry villagers arrive with clubs and spears. John tells us that the group was Roman cohorts with torches and weapons following the soldiers. The Bible does not say how many soldiers or the number of those in the crowd that followed; it could have numbered in the hundreds, which seems to be overkill to arrest one man. 

There is a good reason why there were may have been so many soldiers; Rome had heard reports of the power of Jesus to heal the sick and raise the dead, and He also had in the past walked right through a crowd who wanted to arrest Him and they could not lay a hand on Him. On this occasion, when the soldiers sought Jesus, He bravely stepped forward. According to John, the soldiers draw back and fall to the ground when Jesus says, “I am He,” John 18:6. The reason was that Jesus used the words “I Am,” which denoted that Almighty God was in their presence, and they responded by falling to the ground.

In verses 48 and 49, Judas hoped he wouldn’t appear to be leading the Roman soldiers and crowd to Jesus by pretending to be greeting Jesus in a friendly way. Judas probably acted surprised that Soldiers appeared out of the darkness to arrest Jesus, which was also a front for the other disciples. Jesus knew what Judas was up to, and He revealed to the others Judas’ intentions and replied to him in verse 50, “And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus and took him.” 

In Luke’s Gospel, it is much more to the point: “And 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. 48But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?” Luke 22:47-48. 

Luke fills in some more information that Matthew leaves out. Luke says the high priest sent his slave since he did not leave his house before Passover to avoid becoming unclean. Luke also tells us that the Jewish temple police force and the temple captains came along with a number of the Sanhedrin council. Jewish law forbade arresting someone or conducting trials at night, but they were so desperate to arrest Jesus that they were willing to break Jewish law.

           What Judas did was all a show because Jesus had already identified Himself to the Roman soldiers. Judas went through with it thinking his plan still might work to force Jesus’ hand to become king over Israel.

           After the soldiers slowly get back to their feet, Jesus asks them who they seek again and again they say, Jesus. Jesus could have walked past them without them laying a hand on Him if He had wanted; He is not being forced to go to the cross; He is going of His own free will. So, at this time, the Roman soldiers arrest Jesus. In Lukes’s account, the disciples now realize what is happening and ask Jesus if He wants them to fight the soldiers, which would be futile considering the number of them. “When they which were about him saw what would follow, they said unto him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword?” Luke 22:49. It was amazing after the disciples had witnessed the power of Jesus on so many occasions that they would think He needed their help to defend Himself.

           Probably the reason they responded as they did, Jesus had prepared them for this moment when He would leave them and no longer be present to protect them. He said earlier, as Luke reveals:“And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing. 36Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one. 37For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end. 38And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough,” Luke 22:35-38.

           After the ascension of Jesus, the disciples would be facing a world that hated them and their gospel message. They would be attacked and persecuted and finally killed. They would now need a sword for protection and money to provide for their needs. However, this was not the time. Now was the time appointed for Jesus to lay down His life, and nothing could stop it other than Jesus, who had already committed to the Father’s will. 

Before Jesus could complete His instructions to His disciples, the apostle Peter, according to John, took action and cut the ear off of one that was unarmed, possibly the high priest’s servant, though the Bible does not say. Perhaps Peter was trying to show his bravery proving Jesus wrong when He said he would betray Him before the night was over.

Matthew 26:52, “Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.” Peter presents a big problem. If he had killed the man, he could have been arrested or perhaps even killed by the soldiers as well as Jesus before Jesus could go to the cross. So, Jesus needed to take action and heal the man’s ear:

Matthew 26:52-54, “Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. 53Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? 54But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?”

Peter still does not understand the purpose for which Jesus came to earth, and Jesus has to tell him to put away his sword. Peter was being reckless, which could bring harm to himself or Jesus and the disciples. Jesus warns of the results of taking up the sword that people could perish. Defense is sometimes required, but provoking violence to achieve objectives is the wrong approach. According to Jesus, violence begets violence. Luke tells us that Jesus turns to help the victim of Peter’s violence. We read, “And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him;” Luke 22:51. This is the only record of Jesus healing someone from an injury resulting from violence and also His last healing. This act of Jesus undoubtedly kept Peter from also being arrested, therefore, preserving Peter’s future responsibility in leading the church.

           Jesus also shows that violence and opposition to authority are not the way of the believers or the church. That does not mean believers are not to defend themselves; that is why Jesus told the disciples earlier to take up the sword. The message Jesus gave was that we are not to instigate violence or circumvent the law to achieve personal goals or advance the Church.

           Peter wanted to protect Jesus when He did not need protection. Jesus was willing to be arrested and ready to go to the cross. Jesus was serving His purpose by sacrificing Himself to save the lost, and Peter did the opposite by desiring to kill the lost for Jesus’ sake.

           Paul was often a victim of violence, but his message to believers was clear in Romans 12;18-21: “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 19Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 20Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 21Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”

           In verse 54, Jesus foresaw what Peter would do and said, “how can the Scriptures be fulfilled which say Jesus must be arrested unless Peter allows it?” He was not saying that Peter could change God’s plan of redemption but the opposite that he could not stop it. By our actions, we can work against God’s plan, which is a sin. Believers are to promote peace in the church or outside of it. That is not always the case; believers sometimes create trouble, especially in church.

           If our ministry can only be accomplished by breaking laws and becoming violent, it is the wrong ministry. We, as Paul stated, are to remain at peace will all men as much as possible. It is not God’s way to force things, although He had the power to do so, as we see in verse 53, where Jesus said that He could call down twelve legions of angels to His defense if He so desired. Jesus refers to a legion of angels, which is 5,000 in number or twelve legions 60,000 total; this was compared to a few hundred Roman soldiers.

               It seems Peter was somewhat ambiguous or not choosing well when he drew his sword to defend Jesus. We need to think before we act, especially in ministry. We must ask ourselves, what would Jesus do and always seek His will. Always striving to do things our way or taking matters into our own hands is not God’s way. If that describes you, put your sword away and seek God’s will in prayer. 

           Trying to force things in ministry or life is going about it in the wrong way. Hurting others by doing what we want is something we need to avoid. God is at work, and our responsibility as believers is to seek His plan in all that we do. The world is in turmoil because of sin, so we need to seek the opposite and walk calmly through life doing what God directs us to do.