48 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: "The one I kiss is the man; arrest him."
48 Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast.
48 Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, "The one I will kiss is the man; seize him."
48 The betrayer had worked out a sign with them: "The one I kiss, that's the one - seize him."
48 Now His betrayer had given them a sign, saying, "Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him."
48 The traitor, Judas, had given them a prearranged signal: "You will know which one to arrest when I greet him with a kiss."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Matthew 26:48
Commentary on Matthew 26:47-56
(Read Matthew 26:47-56)
No enemies are so much to be abhorred as those professed disciples that betray Christ with a kiss. God has no need of our services, much less of our sins, to bring about his purposes. Though Christ was crucified through weakness, it was voluntary weakness; he submitted to death. If he had not been willing to suffer, they could not conquer him. It was a great sin for those who had left all to follow Jesus; now to leave him for they knew not what. What folly, for fear of death to flee from Him, whom they knew and acknowledged to be the Fountain of life!