What does Matthew 26:47 mean?

Jesus' time of prayer in the garden is over (Matthew 26:36–40). It is late and likely quite dark on the Mount of Olives in the garden at Gethsemane. Jesus has awakened His three closest disciples, pointing down the path toward an approaching mob led by his betrayer (Matthew 26:45–46).

Matthew refers to the traitor, Judas Iscariot, as "one of the twelve" to show the depth of his betrayal. Matthew had traveled and served alongside Judas for three years as part of Jesus' dozen handpicked disciples (Matthew 10:1–4). Judas had carried the moneybag for the group (John 12:6). Like the rest, he was a trusted member of this brotherhood of Jesus-followers.

Now, though, Judas arrives with a crowd carrying torches and lanterns (John 18:3), along with clubs and swords. The crowd comes under the authority of the chief priests and elders and includes both Roman soldiers and temple police: members of the temple guard (Luke 22:52). They are armed as if they have come to capture a revolutionary intent on overthrowing the Romans.

Matthew has written of Judas' offer to sell Jesus' whereabouts to the chief priests (Matthew 26:14–16). In the ancient world, there were no photographs, and clothing and hairstyles were much less diverse. Without someone to personally identify a wanted man, capture could be difficult. Away from a crowd, Jesus enemies needed someone close to Him to make an arrest. Judas received 30 pieces of silver for this information.

It's possible that Judas first led the crowd to the upper room where the Passover meal was held (John 13:29–30), found it empty, and then came to this spot where he had come before with Jesus and the disciples (Matthew 24:3).