Matthew 26:46

“Arise, let us be going forward. Behold, he who betrays me is at hand.”

We do not know how long Jesus then waited there for His disciples to enjoy their rest, but inevitably the moment came when He looked up and saw the torches of a large crowd of men coming up the mountain towards them, moving with ominous precision, and turning to His disciples He woke them and cried, ‘Arise, let us move into action. Look the one who delivers me over (the Betrayer) is at hand.'

The verb for ‘going forward' regularly indicates going forward into military action. Thus this is a call to be ready for what is about to happen. He knows that in contrast to Judas they are all with Him in heart, and He makes them a part with Him in these final moments. This is how God's people must always face betrayal, by going forward to meet it, confident in God.

Jesus Is Betrayed And Refuses Any Suggestion Of Rescue, For This Is Why He Has Come. All His True Friends Desert Him (26:47-56b).

The traitor arrives with a great crowd of armed men, and Jesus makes clear that He is now ready to drink of the cup. He rejects any suggestion of rescue, and indeed points out that if He wished to be rescued He had the available means at hand. But it could not be, because the Scriptures must be fulfilled. The will of His Father must be done. He now had no doubt about His destiny.

The pattern of this next ‘Matthaean sandwich' is - betrayal and desertion (Matthew 26:47), trial before the Chief Priests and elders (Matthew 26:57), denial by Peter (Matthew 26:69). We commence with the betrayal and desertion.

Analysis.

a And while he yet spoke, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came (Matthew 26:47 a).

b And with him a great crowd with swords and staves, from the chief priest and elders of the people (Matthew 26:47).

c Now he who betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, “Whoever I shall kiss, that is he. Take him. And immediately he came to Jesus, and said, “Hail, Rabbi,” and kissed him. And Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you are come for.”

d Then they came and laid hands on Jesus, and took him. And behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword (50-51a).

e And he smote the servant of the high priest, and struck off his ear (Matthew 26:51 b).

d Then Jesus says to him, “Put up again your sword into its place, for all they who take the sword will perish with the sword” (Matthew 26:52).

c “Or do you think that I cannot beseech my Father, and he will even now send me more than twelve legions of angels? How then would the scriptures be fulfilled that thus it must be?” (Matthew 26:53).

b In that hour Jesus said to the crowds, “Are you come out as against a robber with swords and staves to seize me? I sat daily in the temple teaching, and you did not arrest me. But all this is come about, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” (55-56a).

a Then all the disciples left him, and fled (Matthew 26:56 b).

Not that in ‘a' Judas the Betrayer arrives, and in the parallel the remaining disciples flee. Foe has replaced friend. This is Satan's hour. In ‘b' the great crowd arrive with swords and staves, and in the parallel Jesus draws attention to the fact. In ‘c' we have the hypocritical pretence at friendship, and in the parallel it is contrasted with the faithfulness and reliability of One Who would spring to Jesus aid at His request. In ‘d' one of His followers draws his sword, and in the parallel Jesus forbids it. And centrally the ear of the High Priest's servant is cut off, symbolic of the fact that even the High Priesthood is seen as having failed to hear.