Bible Verses of the Week

Jesus is Arrested

⁴⁷ While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived; with him was a large crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. ⁴⁸ Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; arrest him.” ⁴⁹ At once he came up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him. ⁵⁰ Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you are here to do.” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and arrested him.

⁵⁷ Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas the high priest, in whose house the scribes and the elders had gathered. ⁵⁸ But Peter was following him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest; and going inside, he sat with the guards in order to see how this would end. ⁵⁹ Now the chief priests and the whole council were looking for false testimony against Jesus so that they might put him to death, ⁶⁰ but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward ⁶¹ and said, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days.’ ” ⁶² The high priest stood up and said, “Have you no answer? What is it that they testify against you?” ⁶³ But Jesus was silent. Then the high priest said to him, “I put you under oath before the living God, tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.” ⁶⁴ Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, From now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.” ⁶⁵ Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has blasphemed! Why do we still need witnesses? You have now heard his blasphemy. ⁶⁶ What is your verdict?” They answered, “He deserves death.” (NRSV, Matthew 26:47-50, 57-66)

Judas, who had schemed to betray Jesus, carried out his plan by leading the chief priest's mob to where Jesus and the disciples were camping at the Mount of Olives. They took Jesus to the palace of Caiaphas the high priest for a mock trial before the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council. The council went through the formality of sentencing Jesus to death. However, the council did not have the authority to carry out the sentence. For that they needed the cooperation of the occupying Roman forces.

It seemed like Jesus' ministry was ending in failure, but it was all part of God's plan for our salvation (Matthew 16:21-23, 20:28, 26:36-39, Luke 24:26, John 12:24, 15:13).