Bible Strands
Luke 22:47
While He was still speaking, a crowd arrived, led by the man called Judas, one of the Twelve. He approached Jesus to kiss Him.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus is finishing His prayer in Gethsemane when a crowd arrives while He is still speaking. The crowd is led by Judas, identified as one of the Twelve, who approaches Jesus to initiate the arrest.
The words — The phrase ἔτι λαλοῦντος (eti lalountos) literally means "while still speaking," marking the sudden interruption. The expression ἰδοὺ ὄχλος (idou ochlos) translates to "behold a crowd," signaling the abrupt arrival of the arresting party.
The thread — The sudden arrival and the approaching hour align with Jesus' words in Matthew 26:45 and Mark 14:41. The designation of Judas as "one of the Twelve" connects directly to Mark 14:10, where he first goes to the chief priests to arrange the betrayal.
Why it lands — The text records a deliberate betrayal executed through a familiar gesture, requiring the reader to acknowledge that proximity to holiness does not guarantee loyalty. It demands a clear-eyed assessment of how trust is exploited without offering consolation.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- Mark 14:41 When Jesus returned the third time, He said, “Are you still sleeping and resting? That is enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
- Matthew 26:45 Then He returned to the disciples and said, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour is near, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
- Mark 14:10 Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them.
- Luke 22:3 Then Satan entered Judas Iscariot, who was one of the Twelve.
- John 18:2 Now Judas His betrayer also knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with His disciples.
- Matthew 26:14 Then one of the Twelve, the one called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests
- Acts 1:16 “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled that the Holy Spirit foretold through the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide for those who arrested Jesus.