Jesus said, “My friend, go ahead and do what you have come for.” Then the others grabbed Jesus and arrested him.
Parallel translations
- WEB Jesus said to him, “Friend, why are you here?” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.
- KJV And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.
- BSB “Friend,” Jesus replied, “do what you came for.” Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus, and arrested Him.
- NKJV But Jesus said to him, “Friend, why have you come?” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and took Him.
- NASB But Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you have come for.” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and arrested Him.
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
Jesus addresses Judas as 'friend' and allows Himself to be seized. He submits willingly to arrest while still showing astonishing grace.
Overview
Even toward His betrayer Jesus speaks with restraint, calling him 'friend' and giving him a final moment of self-awareness. Then He permits the crowd to lay hands on Him, choosing not to resist. His willing surrender confirms that no one takes His life from Him; He lays it down for sinners.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 6
- Matt 20:13“But he answered one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Didn’t you agree with me for a denarius?
- Matt 22:12and he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you come in here not wearing wedding clothing?’ He was speechless.
- Ps 41:9Yes, my own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, who ate bread with me, has lifted up his heel against me.
- Luke 22:48But Jesus said to him, “Judas, do you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?”
- 2 Sam 16:17Absalom said to Hushai, “Is this your kindness to your friend? Why didn’t you go with your friend?”
- Ps 55:13–14But it was you, a man like me, my companion, and my familiar friend.
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 26:50 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
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.