LUKE 22:47–53, THE BETRAYAL AND ARREST OF JESUS
LOVE REJECTED, VIOLENCE RENOUNCED, AND DARKNESS PERMITTED FOR SALVATION
Introduction
This Gospel passage unfolds immediately after Jesus’ agony in the Garden of Gethsemane. While Jesus is still urging his disciples to remain awake and prayerful, the moment of betrayal arrives. The quiet of prayer is shattered by a crowd armed with weapons, led by one who once walked intimately with Jesus. What follows is not chaos but a revelation: betrayal cloaked in affection, violence rejected by divine authority, and darkness allowed to run its course. Jesus stands fully aware, fully free, and fully faithful to the Father’s saving plan.
Bible Passage (Luke 22:47–53)
While Jesus was still speaking, a crowd approached, and in front was one of the Twelve, a man named Judas. He went up to Jesus to kiss him. Jesus said to him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” His disciples realized what was about to happen, and they asked, “Lord, shall we strike with a sword?” And one of them struck the high priest’s servant and cut off his right ear. But Jesus said in reply, “Stop, no more of this!” Then he touched the servant’s ear and healed him. And Jesus said to the chief priests and temple guards and elders who had come for him, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs? Day after day I was with you in the temple area, and you did not seize me; but this is your hour, the time for the power of darkness.”
Background
This passage belongs to the Passion narrative and marks the transition from Jesus’ private suffering to his public humiliation. Judas’ betrayal fulfills earlier predictions and sets in motion the legal and religious processes that will lead to the crucifixion. Luke emphasizes Jesus’ composure and authority, portraying him not as a victim of circumstances but as the obedient Son who allows injustice to unfold within God’s redemptive plan. The arrest in a secluded garden contrasts sharply with Jesus’ daily public teaching in the temple.
Opening Life Connection
Many people experience the deepest wounds not from strangers but from those they trusted. Betrayal often comes disguised as affection, cooperation, or loyalty. At the same time, moments of threat can provoke impulsive reactions, anger, or violence. This Gospel enters those painful experiences and reveals a radically different response rooted in truth, mercy, and surrender to God.
Verse-by-Verse / Phrase-by-Phrase Reflection
Luke notes that “while he was still speaking”, emphasizing that Jesus is arrested in the very act of teaching and prayer. The crowd is led by “one of the Twelve, a man named Judas”, highlighting the tragedy of betrayal from within the inner circle. Judas approaches Jesus “to kiss him”, turning a sign of friendship and reverence into an instrument of deceit. Jesus’ response, “are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”, exposes the contradiction between outward gesture and inner intention. The title “Son of Man” recalls Jesus’ divine mission even in betrayal. The disciples, sensing danger, ask “shall we strike with a sword?”, revealing fear and confusion. One disciple acts impulsively and “cut off his right ear”, an act of violent defense. Jesus immediately intervenes with authority, saying “stop, no more of this!”, rejecting violence as incompatible with God’s plan. His action of healing the servant shows that mercy remains active even toward enemies. Turning to the arresting authorities, Jesus asks, “have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs?”, exposing the injustice of their actions. He reminds them, “day after day I was with you in the temple area”, underlining their cowardice. The final words, “this is your hour, the time for the power of darkness”, acknowledge that evil is permitted temporarily but remains under God’s ultimate sovereignty.
Jewish Historical and Religious Context
The kiss was a customary sign of respect between teacher and disciple. Arrests were typically carried out openly during daylight, making this nighttime seizure irregular and unjust. The presence of temple guards indicates religious authority rather than Roman involvement at this stage. Jewish expectation often associated messianic deliverance with force, but Jesus deliberately rejects this path.
Catholic Tradition and Teaching
The Church understands this passage as a definitive rejection of violence in the advancement of God’s Kingdom. Jesus’ healing of the servant affirms the primacy of mercy over retaliation. Catholic teaching consistently upholds that evil cannot be overcome by evil, but only by love rooted in truth. Christ freely submits to injustice to redeem it from within.
Historical or Saintly Illustration
Saint Maximilian Kolbe, arrested and imprisoned by the Nazis, refused hatred or violence even toward his captors. His calm surrender and charity in suffering reflect the same spirit shown by Christ at his arrest: love stronger than injustice.
Application to Christian Life Today
This Gospel challenges believers to examine their own responses to betrayal, fear, and conflict. It calls Christians to resist the urge to defend themselves through aggression and instead trust God’s justice. In families, workplaces, parishes, and societies, disciples of Christ are invited to be witnesses of peace, mercy, and integrity even when wronged.
Eucharistic Connection
The one who is betrayed and arrested is the same Lord who gives himself in the Eucharist. Each Mass makes present this self-giving love that refuses violence and heals even enemies. Nourished by the Eucharist, believers are sent to live this sacrificial love in a wounded world.
Messages / Call to Conversion
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Betrayal often comes disguised as familiarity, but Christ remains faithful.
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Violence is never the path of God’s Kingdom.
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Mercy must prevail even in moments of injustice.
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Darkness is permitted only for a time under God’s sovereignty.
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Disciples are called to respond to evil with courage, truth, and love.
Outline for Preachers
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Placement of the arrest within the Passion narrative
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Human experience of betrayal and fear
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Key phrases revealing deception, violence, and mercy
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Jewish customs surrounding arrest and authority
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Catholic teaching on nonviolence and redemptive suffering
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Saintly witness of peaceful surrender
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Practical application to personal and social conflicts
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Eucharistic strength to live sacrificial love
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Central call to fidelity, mercy, and trust in God’s plan
