Bible Strands
Mark 14:45
Going directly to Jesus, he said, “Rabbi!” and kissed Him.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Judas approaches Jesus immediately after the arresting party receives the signal, identifying Him to the soldiers with a formal address and a kiss.
The words — εὐθὺς (euthus) = immediately; προσελθὼν (proselthōn) = having come up; ῥαββί (rhabbi) = Rabbi.
The thread — The title "Rabbi" appears in Matthew 23:7 as a formal address, while Isaiah 1:3 and Malachi 1:6 describe Israel's failure to recognize God's ownership and honor.
Why it lands — It confronts the reader with the use of a respectful title and a covenant gesture to facilitate violence, demanding sober attention to how authority is invoked and subverted.
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 as soon as he was come, he goeth straightway to him, and saith, Master, master; and kissed him.
Cross-references
- Isaiah 1:3 The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master’s manger, but Israel does not know; My people do not understand.”
- Malachi 1:6 “A son honors his father, and a servant his master. But if I am a father, where is My honor? And if I am a master, where is your fear of Me?” says the LORD of Hosts to you priests who despise My name. “But you ask, ‘How have we despised Your name?’
- Matthew 23:7 the greetings in the marketplaces, and the title of ‘Rabbi’ by which they are addressed.
- Mark 12:14 “Teacher,” they said, “we know that You are honest and seek favor from no one. Indeed, You are impartial and teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not? Should we pay them or not?”
- Luke 6:46 Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ but do not do what I say?
- John 13:13 You call Me Teacher and Lord, and rightly so, because I am.
- John 20:16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to Him in Hebrew, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”).