Going directly to Jesus, he said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed Him.
Parallel translations
- WEB Immediately he came to Jesus, and said, “Hail, Rabbi!” and kissed him.
- KJV And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him.
- NKJV Immediately he went up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed Him.
- NASB And immediately Judas went up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed Him.
- NLT So Judas came straight to Jesus. “Greetings, Rabbi!” he exclaimed and gave him the kiss.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Judas greets Jesus and kisses Him. The act of betrayal is completed under a mask of friendship.
Overview
With the words 'Hail, Rabbi' and a kiss, Judas hands Jesus over while pretending honor. The hypocrisy stands as a sobering warning against outward devotion that hides a treacherous heart. Yet Jesus receives the betrayer with remarkable composure, knowing this is the path the Father has appointed.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 11
- Matt 26:25Then Judas, who would betray Him, said, “Surely not I, Rabbi?” Jesus answered, “You have said it yourself.”
- 1 Th 5:26Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.
- Gen 27:26Then his father Isaac said to him, “Please come near and kiss me, my son.”
- Matt 27:29–30And they twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on His head. They put a staff in His right hand and knelt down before Him to mock Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!”
- 2 Sam 20:9“Are you well, my brother?” Joab asked Amasa. And with his right hand Joab grabbed Amasa by the beard to kiss him.
- Prov 27:6The wounds of a friend are faithful, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
- Luke 7:45You did not greet Me with a kiss, but she has not stopped kissing My feet since I arrived.
- Mark 15:18And they began to salute Him: “Hail, King of the Jews!”
- John 19:3And they went up to Him again and again, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and slapping Him in the face.
- Mark 14:45–46Going directly to Jesus, he said, “Rabbi!” and kissed Him.
- 1 Sam 10:1Then Samuel took a flask of oil, poured it on Saul’s head, kissed him, and said, “Has not the LORD anointed you ruler over His inheritance?
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Matthew presents Jesus as the promised King — son of David, son of Abraham — the new Moses and true Israel in whom every prophecy reaches 'that it might be fulfilled.'
How Matthew 26:49 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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