Matthew 26 48

Matthew 26:48 kjv

Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast.

Matthew 26:48 nkjv

Now His betrayer had given them a sign, saying, "Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him."

Matthew 26:48 niv

Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: "The one I kiss is the man; arrest him."

Matthew 26:48 esv

Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, "The one I will kiss is the man; seize him."

Matthew 26:48 nlt

The traitor, Judas, had given them a prearranged signal: "You will know which one to arrest when I greet him with a kiss."

Matthew 26 verses

Matthew 26 48 Meaning

Matthew 26:48 describes the pre-arranged signal given by Judas Iscariot to the arresting party, identifying Jesus for them. It states that Judas, who was betraying Him, had provided a specific sign: "Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast." This instruction served to unequivocally mark Jesus among His disciples in the darkness of Gethsemane, ensuring His capture. The act itself tragically twists a common gesture of affection into a weapon of betrayal.

Matthew 26 48 Context

Matthew 26:48 occurs in the climactic narrative of Jesus's arrest, immediately following His agony in the Garden of Gethsemane. Having poured out His soul to the Father and confronted His disciples' inability to stay awake, Jesus announces, "Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners" (v. 45). Judas Iscariot then arrives, leading a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent by the chief priests and elders. This specific verse reveals the calculated and cold-blooded nature of Judas's pre-arranged signal, transforming a customary sign of affection into an instrument of deceit and betrayal. Historically, a kiss was a common form of greeting and respect among men in the Middle East, making Judas's perversion of it deeply offensive. The necessity for a "sign" suggests the authorities either did not know Jesus by sight or needed an unambiguous identification in the dark, chaotic garden, to avoid arresting the wrong person and inciting further commotion.

Matthew 26 48 Word analysis

• Now he that betrayed him (ὁ παραδιδούς - ho paradidous):
  • He that betrayed him: Refers specifically to Judas Iscariot. The Greek term paradidous (from paradidōmi) is a present active participle, meaning "the one who is handing over" or "delivering up." It highlights the ongoing nature and deliberateness of Judas's act, which he was actively performing at that very moment. It can also signify delivering someone into the hands of an enemy, underscoring the hostile intent. This emphasizes not just a past agreement but his current, direct action.
• gave them a sign (ἔδωκεν αὐτοῖς σημεῖον - edōken autois sēmeion):
  • Gave: Implies a prior agreement and conscious arrangement with the arresting party. This wasn't an impromptu act but a calculated step in the betrayal.
  • Sign: Greek sēmeion denotes a distinctive mark or signal. It was essential for identification in the dark garden, among many disciples, and to confirm Jesus's identity to the unknown Temple guards who might not have recognized Him. This "sign" served as an undeniable identification to ensure no mistake was made in apprehending Jesus.
• saying (λέγων - legōn):
  • Indicates that Judas verbally communicated this instruction to the arresting crowd, ensuring clarity and precision in their operation.
• Whomsoever I shall kiss (Ὃν ἂν φιλήσω - Hon an philēsō):
  • Whomsoever I shall kiss: The choice of the Greek verb philēsō (from phileō) is profoundly significant. Phileō generally means to love, cherish, or a kiss given out of affection and personal regard (as opposed to philema, a general kiss, or kynēō, simply to kiss). Judas weaponized this intimate and loving gesture. This specific word choice deepens the tragic irony and highlights the immense hypocrisy of Judas, turning a token of friendship and loyalty into the ultimate sign of disloyalty and death.
• that same is he:
  • That same is he: A direct and unmistakable identification. No room for error in discerning who their target was.
• hold him fast (κρατήσατε αὐτόν - kratēsate auton):
  • Hold him fast: The Greek kratēsate (from krateō) implies a strong, firm grasp or seizure. It means to hold with power, to apprehend or secure firmly. This instruction reflects the authorities' determination to prevent Jesus from escaping, indicating their awareness of His perceived power or influence, or perhaps previous instances where He had evaded capture (e.g., John 8:59, 10:39; Luke 4:30).

Words-Group Analysis:

• "he that betrayed him gave them a sign": This phrase highlights Judas's active and calculated role as the orchestrator of Jesus's identification and arrest. It reveals pre-meditation and cooperation with the authorities.
• "Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he": This entire clause is the core of the betrayal signal. The juxtaposition of a loving action (kiss) with a lethal intent underscores the shocking perfidy of Judas. It turns an act of fellowship into a deed of death, the most egregious form of disloyalty.
• "hold him fast": This command confirms the arresting party's explicit instruction to secure Jesus firmly, leaving no room for Him to evade them, showing the grave and resolute nature of their mission to apprehend Him.

Matthew 26 48 Bonus section

• The irony of Judas's actions: While Judas seeks to identify Jesus to those who did not truly know Him, Jesus in His omniscient wisdom knew Judas's intent all along (Mat 26:25; John 6:70).
• The profound contrast: The kiss of betrayal stands in stark contrast to the "holy kiss" or "kiss of love" enjoined in early Christian communities as a sign of genuine brotherly affection and unity (e.g., Rom 16:16; 1 Pet 5:14), emphasizing the corruption of good by evil.
• The necessity of a sign: The darkness of Gethsemane at night, the possibility that some members of the arresting cohort (perhaps Roman soldiers) did not personally know Jesus, and the presence of Jesus's other disciples, made a clear identifier crucial to avoid mistaken identity.
• The active nature of Judas's sin: The Greek participle paradidous ("the one handing over") emphasizes Judas's ongoing and active participation in the betrayal, highlighting his deliberate culpability at every step of the process.

Matthew 26 48 Commentary

Matthew 26:48 vividly portrays the depths of Judas's betrayal, which was not a spontaneous act but a cold, pre-planned execution. By choosing a kiss, a common Middle Eastern greeting signifying friendship, respect, or familial affection, Judas commits a heinous act of perversion, transforming an act of intimacy into an emblem of treachery. This deliberate desecration of a symbol of fellowship underscores the profound evil of his deed, a direct affront to Jesus, His teaching of love, and the sanctity of personal bonds. The authorities' need for a "sign" and Judas's instruction to "hold him fast" reflect their determination to secure Jesus and prevent His escape, recognizing His influence or perceived supernatural abilities. Ultimately, this verse encapsulates the heartbreaking reality of Jesus being delivered into His enemies' hands not by strangers, but by one of His own inner circle, fulfilling prophecy and demonstrating the immense weight of human sin that He willingly bore. It stands as a timeless reminder of the insidious nature of hypocrisy and betrayal.