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Explanation for:
Matthew
26
:
50
And Jesus said to him: Friend, whereto art thou come? Then they came up, and laid hands on Jesus, and held him.
9
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{"arr":[{"author-name":"Ephraem the Syrian","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88b589fc3e99eb7bb1839_Ephraem%20the%20Syrian.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"Hostility is referred to as companionship. The Lord directs His gaze towards him, and the cunning disciple approached the Master of truth to greet Him with a kiss."},{"author-name":"Jerome of Stridon","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88dcd3432c6dd41375498_Jerome%20of%20Stridon.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"The term \\"My friend\\" should be interpreted either in a contrasting sense or possibly in the context of the question posed earlier: \\"My friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?\\" as noted in Matthew 22:12. In the new Synodal Russian translation, this is rendered as: “Friend, how did you enter here without the wedding garment?”"},{"author-name":"Hilarius of Poitiers","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88cb92f12b3278598f946_Hilarius%20of%20Poitiers.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"When Jesus tells Judas, \\"Do what you must do\\" (John 13:27), He acknowledges the reality of the betrayal. He who had the capability to summon twelve legions of angels (Matthew 26:53) to defend Himself against His betrayers could certainly have thwarted the intentions and actions of one individual with ease. Thus, He also tells Pilate, \\"You would have no authority over Me, if it had not been given to you from above\\" (John 19:11). In doing so, He bestows authority upon him by saying, \\"Do what you shall do.\\" This implies that the transgression of desire is counterbalanced by that which is eternal; Judas is now executing what he had previously contemplated in his heart."},{"author-name":"Euthymios Zigabenos","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":11,"exegesis-text":"Contemplate the profound mercy displayed: even before his betrayal, he looked after the one who would betray him; thus, he still addressed his greatest adversary as a friend. The phrase \\"for what thou art come\\" should not be interpreted as a question, for He was fully aware of Judas's intentions; rather, it should be seen as a statement: fulfill your purpose for which you have arrived, setting aside all pretense. The intent was betrayal, and the pretense was the spoon and the words spoken."},{"author-name":"Theophylact of Bulgaria","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8989296bafed9104677d7_Theophylact%20of%20Bulgaria.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":11,"exegesis-text":"The Lord remains patient until the very end, striving to lead him to repentance through His enduring mercy. However, when he still refuses to heed correction, the Lord causes those who approached to collapse, as noted by John; He does this so that they might recognize His omnipotence through their fall. Yet, even after witnessing this, they persisted in their defiance. At this point, the Lord reveals His own vulnerability to them. He addresses Judas as 'friend,' bringing shame and reproach upon him for betraying Him under the guise of friendship. He questions him, asking, 'Have you come for this?' rather than inquiring, 'What disposition do you bring here?' If he is a friend, then why approach with weapons? If he is an enemy, then why the kiss? Thus, the Lord exposes him as merely a sycophant."},{"author-name":"Michail (Lusin)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c89550c567e172d15b3055_Michail%20(Lusin).png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The Lord addresses Judas by calling him \\"friend,\\" signifying a reproachful acknowledgment reminiscent of the way the discontented laborer in Matthew 20:13 and the guest improperly attired at the wedding feast in Matthew 22:12 are referred to in the parables. The Lord's question, \\"Why are you here?\\" serves as a final opportunity for Judas to contemplate the true weight of his betrayal. By calling Judas a friend, the Lord highlights the irony of his actions—betraying Him under the guise of friendship. The inquiry implies, did you arrive in friendship? If so, your approach with weapons and malice is inconsistent with that claim. Alternatively, if you have come as an adversary, then why do you choose to greet Me with a kiss? This exchange reveals Judas as a deceitful flatterer, as noted by Theophilus."},{"author-name":"Philaret (Gumilevski)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c896f4b6fd32caa244b5d7_Philaret%20(Gumilevski).png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The Lord did not withdraw His gaze from Judas but instead accepted the kiss of the betrayer. How shocking is this act! While David bore the insults from Shimei (2 Sam. 16:7-12) with grace, despite being his benefactor, here we witness pure malevolence on display. What righteous individual would remain silent upon hearing Judas' greeting? What saintly figure could passively receive the kiss from someone who betrays him? Yet You, embodiment of heavenly kindness, gently address the traitor with heartfelt sorrow: \\"My friend, why have you come? Are you betraying the Son of Man with your hand?\\" (Luke 22:47). This gentle demeanor from heaven teaches us: learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart (Matt. 5:29). This is how we ought to endure the wrongs inflicted by those dear to us—our friends, our family, those to whom we have shown kindness. By referring to the despondent disciple as a friend, the Lord allows him to recognize that divine love is still open to him at this moment. By expressing astonishment rather than anger at Judas' presence among adversaries and his deceitful kiss, He reveals His love's sorrow for the troubled disciple—sorrow that Judas has so grievously wounded his own conscience. Through the warmth of love, He seeks to comfort and heal the ache of his spirit. Here is love that, disregarding its own perils, reaches out to care for its adversary!"},{"author-name":"Abbot Panteleimon about the Trinity","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"AND JESUS SAID TO HIM, ‘FRIEND, WHY HAVE YOU COME?’ ‘Rabbi, Rabbi!’ Judas echoed, and the word caught in his throat (Mark 14:45). The Lord then addressed him with poignant sorrow, ‘Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?’ (Luke 22:48). Do you betray Him who has loved you immensely, cherished you profoundly, and honored you greatly as one of His closest followers? ‘How powerfully does this heavenly Compassion call to us, ‘Learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart!’ This is how we ought to endure the wrongs inflicted by those nearest to us—our friends, our family, those whom we have aided! By designating the sorrowful disciple as a friend, the Lord reveals that God's love is still open to him and expresses grief for the lost disciple; with the breath of love, the Lord seeks to mend and soothe the wound within his soul! This love, unmindful of its own perils, concerns itself with the plight of its adversary!' These words from the Lord were sufficient to unveil the truth to the traitor, exposing the gravity of his sinful act. What could the guilty disciple say to his Master and Savior? He remained silent because his atrocious act spoke volumes; he was entirely untruthful to his Benefactor, as the Holy Church articulates in the hymn: ‘What image have you, Judas, made of the traitor against the Savior? Why have you distanced yourself from the company of the Apostles? Have you deprived us of the gift of healing? Will I exclude you from the feast? When I wash the feet of others, will I neglect yours? How many blessings have you ignored!...’ ‘Despite being betrayed by the unholy morsel, the God-Man wished to demonstrate to His adversaries that He was willingly surrendering Himself to them, and that neither the betrayer nor they could act without His consent. Addressing the assembled crowd, Jesus called out, ‘Whom do you seek?’ ‘Jesus of Nazareth,’ the leaders of the group responded. ‘I am He,’ replied Jesus. At those words, the guards, as if struck by a mighty force, were overtaken with confusion, many involuntarily recoiling and some falling to the ground in fear, as Innocent, Archbishop of Kherson, observes. The brief proclamation from Jesus seemed to carry an inner might, irresistible and all-powerful, as though a flash of lightning had illuminated their faces. This revealed the extraordinary strength of spirit with which His holy determination to go to the cross was expressed, offering a glimpse of the fullness of divinity that resided in Jesus Christ in bodily form. Once the crowd of antagonists had regained their composure, Jesus approached them and inquired again, ‘Whom do you seek?’ The group responded more boldly, indeed looking for Jesus. Some of the bolder servants began to reach out to seize the disciples as well. ‘I have already told you,’ the Lord replied, ‘that I am He... if you seek Me, let these go.’ The guards, still intimidated, instinctively complied with His command. Thus was fulfilled the prophetic declaration of Jesus Christ: ‘Of those whom You have given Me, I have lost none’ (John 18:8-9). THEN THEY CAME AND LAID THEIR HANDS ON JESUS AND TOOK HIM. The Lord’s disciples, witnessing these events, were alarmed. The fear exhibited by the guards, alongside the extraordinary fervor within the Lord, prompted them to consider defending their Master by force. ‘Shall we strike with a sword?’ they asked. Yet, while others were contemplating, Peter had already acted."},{"author-name":"Ivanov A.V.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88db13197efab881aa332_Ivanov%20A.V..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"When Judas betrayed his Master with a prearranged kiss, indicating Him to the guards he had led to Him, Jesus gently addressed him by saying, ‘Friend, have you come for this?’ He further asked, ‘Judas, do you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?’ This moment marked the final appeal of the Master to his disloyal disciple. By referring to Judas as a friend, Jesus aimed to reform him and reveal the gravity of his actions. He questioned, ‘Judas, if you were sent as a friend, why did you come with armed guards to seize me, a friend? But if you approach as an adversary, then why greet Me with a kiss? Why betray the Son of Man in such a manner? Why choose a kiss, typically a sign of love and fellowship, as your means of treachery?’ Clearly, Judas sought to mask his betrayal from both Jesus and the other disciples, intending to greet Jesus with ‘Hail, Rabbi,’ and the kiss, then slip away, potentially to join the other disciples and give the impression that the guards had not been sent by him, but had arrived by chance. Yet Jesus exposed Judas' treachery to the disciples. By referring to Himself as the Son of Man, the holiest and most significant title of the Messiah to every Jew, Jesus aimed to illustrate the enormity of Judas’ offense. For Judas, who had been a disciple for over three years, had witnessed Jesus’ greatest miracles and heard His profound teachings; there should be no doubt in his mind that Jesus did not claim the title of Messiah without cause, but truly was the Messiah."}]}
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