Mat 26:47 | RWP | e4.org | While he yet spake ( ετ αυτου λαλουντος ). It was an electric moment as Jesus faced Judas with his horde of helpers as if he turned to meet an army. Let us go ( αγωμεν ), Jesus had said. And here he is. The eight at the gate seemed to have given no notice. Judas is described here as "one of the twelve" ( εις των δωδεκα ) in all three Synoptic Gospels ( ; ; ). The very horror of the thing is thus emphasized, that one of the chosen twelve apostles should do this dastardly deed. A great multitude ( οχλος πολυς ). The chief priests and Pharisees had furnished Judas a band of soldiers from the garrison in Antonia ( ) and the temple police ( ) with swords (knives) and staves (clubs) with a hired rabble who had lanterns also ( ) in spite of the full moon. Judas was taking no chances of failure for he well knew the strange power of Jesus.

‏ Matthew 26:47

While he yet spake ( ετ αυτου λαλουντος ). It was an electric moment as Jesus faced Judas with his horde of helpers as if he turned to meet an army.

Let us go ( αγωμεν ), Jesus had said. And here he is. The eight at the gate seemed to have given no notice. Judas is described here as "one of the twelve" ( εις των δωδεκα ) in all three Synoptic Gospels (Mr 14:43; Mt 26:47; Lu 22:47). The very horror of the thing is thus emphasized, that one of the chosen twelve apostles should do this dastardly deed.

A great multitude ( οχλος πολυς ). The chief priests and Pharisees had furnished Judas a band of soldiers from the garrison in Antonia (Joh 18:3) and the temple police (Lu 22:52) with swords (knives) and staves (clubs) with a hired rabble who had lanterns also (Joh 18:3) in spite of the full moon. Judas was taking no chances of failure for he well knew the strange power of Jesus.