49: Judas greets Jesus as if nothing is wrong. Indeed, his ‘kiss’ was more than the customary greeting. The word choice reveals that Judas embraced Christ and kissed him. This would only be done to someone who was the closest of friends. It only serves to make Judas’ betrayal that much more wicked.
50: Jesus uses a familiar term for Judas here. Calling him ‘friend’ reveals that he did not hate this man, but he did indeed hate his sin. One must not miss the significance of his words. He asks why Judas had come, not because he did not know, but because he was reminding Judas of his wickedness. In other words, he was saying to Judas and all present who understood, I can be familiar with you because of who I am and what I have done, but you cannot be familiar with me because of who you are and what you have done. Judas would have caught this nuance because he already knew that Jesus was aware of the betrayal.
It is only after this betrayal is played out that Jesus is taken. Though few present realized it, Jesus could never have been arrested if the Father had not planned it.
Personal Journal Entry #12012
Prayer Journal Entry #12012
Daily Bible Reading: Genesis 31:1-32:32