Chapter

Matthew 26:47

ESV While he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people.
NIV While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people.
NASB And while He was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, came accompanied by a large crowd with swords and clubs, who came from the chief priests and elders of the people.
CSB While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, suddenly arrived. A large mob with swords and clubs was with him from the chief priests and elders of the people.
NLT And even as Jesus said this, Judas, one of the twelve disciples, arrived with a crowd of men armed with swords and clubs. They had been sent by the leading priests and elders of the people.
KJV And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people.
NKJV And while He was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, with a great multitude with swords and clubs, came from the chief priests and elders of the people.

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).
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