Matthew 26:48
New International Version
Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.”

New Living Translation
The traitor, Judas, had given them a prearranged signal: “You will know which one to arrest when I greet him with a kiss.”

English Standard Version
Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; seize him.”

Berean Standard Bible
Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The One I kiss is the man; arrest Him.”

Berean Literal Bible
And the one betraying Him gave them a sign, saying, "Whomever I shall kiss, it is He; seize Him."

King James Bible
Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast.

New King James Version
Now His betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him.”

New American Standard Bible
Now he who was betraying Him gave them a sign previously, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the one; arrest Him.”

NASB 1995
Now he who was betraying Him gave them a sign, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the one; seize Him.”

NASB 1977
Now he who was betraying Him gave them a sign, saying, “Whomever I shall kiss, He is the one; seize Him.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Now he who was betraying Him gave them a sign, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the one; seize Him.”

Amplified Bible
Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the one; seize Him.”

Christian Standard Bible
His betrayer had given them a sign: “The one I kiss, he’s the one; arrest him.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
His betrayer had given them a sign: “The One I kiss, He’s the One; arrest Him!”

American Standard Version
Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that is he: take him.

Contemporary English Version
Judas had told them ahead of time, "Arrest the man I greet with a kiss."

English Revised Version
Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that is he: take him.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Now, the traitor had given them a signal. He said, "The one I kiss is the man you want. Arrest him!"

Good News Translation
The traitor had given the crowd a signal: "The man I kiss is the one you want. Arrest him!"

International Standard Version
Now the betrayer personally had given them a signal, saying, "The one I kiss is the man. Arrest him."

Majority Standard Bible
Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: ?The One I kiss is the man; arrest Him.?

NET Bible
(Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, "The one I kiss is the man. Arrest him!")

New Heart English Bible
Now he who betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, "Whoever I kiss, he is the one. Seize him."

Webster's Bible Translation
Now he that betrayed him, gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he; hold him fast.

Weymouth New Testament
Now the betrayer had agreed upon a sign with them, to direct them. He had said, "The one whom I kiss is the man: lay hold of him."

World English Bible
Now he who betrayed him had given them a sign, saying, “Whoever I kiss, he is the one. Seize him.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And he who delivered Him up gave them a sign, saying, “Whomsoever I will kiss, it is He, lay hold on Him”;

Berean Literal Bible
And the one betraying Him gave them a sign, saying, "Whomever I shall kiss, it is He; seize Him."

Young's Literal Translation
And he who did deliver him up did give them a sign, saying, 'Whomsoever I will kiss, it is he: lay hold on him;'

Smith's Literal Translation
And he delivering him up, gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, the same is he: hold him firmly.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he that betrayed him, gave them a sign, saying: Whomsoever I shall kiss, that is he, hold him fast.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he who betrayed him gave them a sign, saying: “Whomever I will kiss, it is he. Take hold of him.”

New American Bible
His betrayer had arranged a sign with them, saying, “The man I shall kiss is the one; arrest him.”

New Revised Standard Version
Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; arrest him.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Now Judas the traitor had given them a sign, saying, He whom I kiss, it is he, arrest him.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And Yehuda the traitor had given them a sign, and he had said, “Him whom I shall kiss is the one; seize him.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
He that delivered him up had given them a sign, saying: The one that I shall kiss is he; hold him fast.

Godbey New Testament
And the one having betrayed Him gave them a sign, saying, The one whom I shall kiss, is He: hold Him fast.

Haweis New Testament
Now he that betrayed him had given them a signal, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that is he: seize him.

Mace New Testament
now he that was to betray him, gave them this signal, the person I shall kiss, is the very man, be sure to secure him.

Weymouth New Testament
Now the betrayer had agreed upon a sign with them, to direct them. He had said, "The one whom I kiss is the man: lay hold of him."

Worrell New Testament
And he who was betraying Him gave them a sign, saying, "Whomsoever I kiss, He it is; seize Him."

Worsley New Testament
(now he that betrayed Him, had given them a signal, saying, The man whom I shall kiss is He, lay hold of Him:)

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Betrayal of Jesus
47While Jesus was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived, accompanied by a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and elders of the people. 48Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The One I kiss is the man; arrest Him.” 49Going directly to Jesus, he said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed Him.…

Cross References
Mark 14:44
Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The One I kiss is the man; arrest Him and lead Him away securely.”

Luke 22:47-48
While He was still speaking, a crowd arrived, led by the man called Judas, one of the Twelve. He approached Jesus to kiss Him. / But Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”

John 18:2-3
Now Judas His betrayer also knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with His disciples. / So Judas brought a band of soldiers and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees. They arrived at the garden carrying lanterns, torches, and weapons.

Psalm 41:9
Even my close friend whom I trusted, the one who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.

Zechariah 11:12-13
Then I told them, “If it seems right to you, give me my wages; but if not, keep them.” So they weighed out my wages, thirty pieces of silver. / And the LORD said to me, “Throw it to the potter”—this magnificent price at which they valued me. So I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them to the potter in the house of the LORD.

John 13:21-27
After Jesus had said this, He became troubled in spirit and testified, “Truly, truly, I tell you, one of you will betray Me.” / The disciples looked at one another, perplexed as to which of them He meant. / One of His disciples, the one whom Jesus loved, was reclining at His side. ...

Acts 1:16-20
“Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled that the Holy Spirit foretold through the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide for those who arrested Jesus. / He was one of our number and shared in this ministry.” / (Now with the reward for his wickedness Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong and burst open in the middle, and all his intestines spilled out. ...

2 Samuel 15:12
While Absalom was offering the sacrifices, he sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor, to come from his hometown of Giloh. So the conspiracy gained strength, and Absalom’s following kept increasing.

Proverbs 27:6
The wounds of a friend are faithful, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.

John 6:70-71
Jesus answered them, “Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!” / He was speaking about Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. For although Judas was one of the Twelve, he was later to betray Jesus.

Matthew 10:4
Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus.

Matthew 20:18-19
“Look, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes. They will condemn Him to death / and will deliver Him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. And on the third day He will be raised to life.”

Matthew 26:14-16
Then one of the Twelve, the one called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests / and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I hand Him over to you?” And they set out for him thirty pieces of silver. / So from then on Judas looked for an opportunity to betray Jesus.

Mark 3:19
and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus.

Luke 6:16
Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.


Treasury of Scripture

Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast.

Whomsoever.

2 Samuel 3:27
And when Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the gate to speak with him quietly, and smote him there under the fifth rib, that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother.

2 Samuel 20:9,10
And Joab said to Amasa, Art thou in health, my brother? And Joab took Amasa by the beard with the right hand to kiss him…

Psalm 28:3
Draw me not away with the wicked, and with the workers of iniquity, which speak peace to their neighbours, but mischief is in their hearts.

hold.

Mark 14:44
And he that betrayed him had given them a token, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he; take him, and lead him away safely.

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Matthew 26
1. Jesus foretells his own death.
3. The rulers conspire against him.
6. The woman anoints his feet.
14. Judas bargains to betray him.
17. Jesus eats the Passover;
26. institutes his holy supper;
30. foretells the desertion of his disciples, and Peter's denial;
36. prays in the garden;
47. and being betrayed by a kiss,
57. is carried to Caiaphas,
69. and denied by Peter.














Now the betrayer
The term "betrayer" refers to Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples of Jesus. The Greek word used here is "prodotes," which means traitor or betrayer. Judas's role as the betrayer is significant in the narrative of Jesus' passion. Historically, Judas's betrayal is seen as a fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, such as Psalm 41:9, which speaks of a close friend lifting his heel against the psalmist. Judas's actions are a stark reminder of the human capacity for betrayal, even among those closest to us.

had arranged a signal
The phrase "had arranged a signal" indicates premeditation and planning. The Greek word "sēmeion" is used for "signal," which can also mean a sign or a mark. This prearranged signal underscores the clandestine nature of Judas's betrayal. In the context of first-century Palestine, such signals were common in covert operations, highlighting the gravity and secrecy of Judas's actions. This arrangement also reflects the fulfillment of Jesus' earlier predictions about His betrayal.

with them
The "them" refers to the chief priests and the elders of the people, who were seeking to arrest Jesus without causing a public uproar. This collaboration between Judas and the religious leaders illustrates the convergence of human sinfulness and divine providence. It is a poignant reminder of how earthly powers often conspire against divine purposes, yet God's sovereign plan prevails.

'The one I kiss is the man; arrest Him.'
The act of kissing, in this context, is deeply ironic. In the ancient Near East, a kiss was a common greeting among friends and a sign of respect and affection. The Greek word "philema" is used for "kiss," which is derived from "phileo," meaning to love or have affection for. Judas's use of a kiss as a signal for betrayal is a profound symbol of hypocrisy and deceit. It serves as a powerful lesson on the dangers of external appearances that mask internal corruption. The instruction to "arrest Him" marks the beginning of Jesus' passion, setting in motion the events leading to His crucifixion. This moment is pivotal in the narrative of salvation history, as it leads to the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan through the sacrifice of His Son.

(48) Whomsoever I shall kiss.--It is probable, from the known customs (1) of the Jews and (2) of the early Christians (Romans 16:16; 1Thessalonians 5:26) that this was the usual salutation of the disciples to their Master. St. John, it may be noted, makes no mention of the sign; probably because here, as elsewhere, he seeks to give touches that others had passed over, rather than to repeat what the oral or written teaching of the Church had already made familiar.

Verse 48 - A sign. As they approached, Judas gave them a sign which would point out the person whom they were to seize. Probably these did not know Jesus by sight; at any rate, amid the crowd he might easily escape detection; it was also night, and even the Paschal moon might not enable the guards to distinguish faces under the shade of the dark olive grove. Whomsoever I shall kiss. In the East such salutation was common among friends, masters, and pupils; and it would awaken no surprise to see Judas thus salute his Teacher. Perhaps he desired to save appearances in the eyes of his fellow disciples. We marvel at the audacity and obduracy of one who could employ this mark of affection and respect to signal an act of the blackest treachery. That same is he whom you have to arrest. Hold him fast. As if he feared an attempt at rescue, or that Jesus might, as before (Luke 4:30; John 8:59), use his miraculous power to effect his escape.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Now
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

the
(Ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

betrayer
παραδιδοὺς (paradidous)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3860: From para and didomi; to surrender, i.e yield up, intrust, transmit.

had arranged
ἔδωκεν (edōken)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1325: To offer, give; I put, place. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to give.

a signal
σημεῖον (sēmeion)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4592: Neuter of a presumed derivative of the base of semaino; an indication, especially ceremonially or supernaturally.

with them:
αὐτοῖς (autois)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

“The one
Ὃν (Hon)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

I kiss
φιλήσω (philēsō)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 5368: From philos; to be a friend to (an individual or an object), i.e. Have affection for; specially, to kiss.

is
ἐστιν (estin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

[the man];
αὐτός (autos)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

arrest
κρατήσατε (kratēsate)
Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 2902: From kratos; to use strength, i.e. Seize or retain.

Him.”
αὐτόν (auton)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.


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