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Explanation for:
Matthew
26
:
55
In that same hour Jesus said to the multitudes: You are come out as it were to a robber with swords and clubs to apprehend me. I sat daily with you, teaching in the temple, and you laid not hands on me.
10
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{"arr":[{"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":"He points out that it is foolish to pursue Him with weapons when He has voluntarily surrendered Himself into your grasp. You come under the cover of night, assisted by a betrayer, searching for Him who appears to be elusive, despite His regular teaching in the temple. Consequently, you have assembled against Me in the shadows of night, for your strength is rooted in the powers of darkness."},{"author-name":"John Chrysostom","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88ea76859f9f8e2ffd3ee_John%20Chrysostom.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"Christ addressed His followers as well as those who opposed Him, stating, ‘Why have you approached Me as if I were a criminal, armed with swords and clubs? I was among you daily, teaching in the temple, and you did not seize Me then.’ Consider the many actions He performed that could have opened their eyes: He cast adversaries to the ground, restored the ear of a servant, and spoke of their impending demise. He warned, ‘Those who live by the sword shall die by the sword,’ a truth highlighted by the miracle of healing. Throughout His time, both in the present and future, He demonstrated His power, underscoring that the Jews did not capture Him by their own strength. He reiterated, ‘Every day I sat with you, teaching in the temple, and you did not take Me,’ indicating that they apprehended Him only with His consent. Without mentioning His miracles, He focused solely on His teachings, avoiding any hint of arrogance. While teaching, they did not lay hands on Him; yet when He was silent, they launched their attack. He was in the temple, unrestrained, and now, in the depths of night, they approached Him with weapons. What need did they have for these arms against the one who was always in their midst? Through this, He conveys that they could not have seized Him had He not willingly surrendered; for if they could not take Him while He freely walked among them, then they certainly could not do so now had He not chosen to allow it.\\n\\nThis also clarifies the mystery surrounding His willingness to surrender Himself. He stated that all of this occurred so the prophecies would be fulfilled. Observe how even until the moment of betrayal, He took every opportunity to correct His adversaries: He cautioned them, foretold their fate, and warned, ‘By the sword, they shall perish.’ When He mentioned, ‘Every day I sat with you, teaching in the temple,’ He illustrated His voluntary submission. By asserting that the prophecies must be fulfilled, He demonstrated His submission to His Father’s will. Why didn’t they arrest Him in the temple? Because they lacked the courage to do so openly before the gathered people. Thus, He left the city, granting them free reign over the time and place, even to the last moment, denying them any excuse for their actions. He who willingly surrendered Himself in accordance with divine prophecy could not act contrary to God’s will. The evangelist notes that all the disciples abandoned Him and fled. When they seized Jesus Christ, the disciples remained nearby; however, upon hearing His words directed at the crowd that came for Him, they scattered. They finally realized that escape was no longer an option once He had willingly submitted and declared that this was in fulfillment of the prophets’ writings."},{"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":"In this way, He demonstrates that it was not through their strength that He was seized. Just as they were unable to capture Him then, they could not do so now unless He chose to allow it. According to Luke (Luke 22:52), Jesus addressed this to the chief priests and the leaders of the temple who had assembled against Him. It is likely that His words were directed both to them and the onlookers. Therefore, it becomes clear that Judas, having gathered a group of the chief priests' and Pharisees' servants, proceeded forward, accompanied by some of the chief priests, temple guards, and elders, as indicated by Luke. This was done partly to bolster the confidence of the messengers and partly to ensure they were not swayed by bribes. The temple leaders referred to here were those who protected the temple alongside the soldiers; Judas had previously communicated with them."},{"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":"This reveals the absurdity of their intentions, demonstrating that they lacked the ability to capture Him. He stated, when I was among you in the temple, you sought to seize me, yet because I resisted, you were unable to do so. Now, however, I voluntarily submit myself to you, for I understand that it is impossible for the Scriptures, which predicted your wrongdoing, to be untrue."},{"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":"It was indeed peculiar to witness a fully armed group approaching a man who had continually behaved with kindness towards them and whom they could have apprehended at any time. Particularly in the final days leading up to His passion, as the Evangelists recount, He frequently taught in the temple, yet they did not seize Him. This indicates that they apprehended Him only because He allowed it... During my teachings, you did not arrest Me, but now, in silence, you assail Me. I was present in the temple, and no one restrained Me; yet now, in the dead of night, you approach Me armed with swords and clubs. Why would you need weapons against Him who was always among you in the temple? Through this, He demonstrates that Had He not chosen to surrender Himself, they would never have been able to capture Him. If previously they could not lay hands on Him while He was constantly among them, it stands to reason that they could not do so now, unless He willed it."},{"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":"After delivering His message to the disciples, with consideration for His adversaries, the Lord directly addressed these enemies, emphasizing the importance of truth and the honor of the Father in heaven. According to St. Luke, the Lord spoke to the church leaders, magistrates, and elders who confronted Him, representing the influential figures of the people while simultaneously being His most vocal opponents, their consciences stifled by their fervorous emotions. He gently corrected Peter for his reliance on the sword, recognizing the intention behind it, even if misguided. Yet, with firm authority, He condemned the violent actions against those filled with malice. The heavenly Teacher of truth faced the threat to His life with confidence, distinguishing His boldness from that of earthly teachers, who typically falter in moments of peril. The armed crowd that came to seize Him treated Him as a criminal, but in reality, He was innocent and unblemished. He made this clear publicly, challenging anyone to find fault in Him. Who was more committed to the welfare of the people than He? His unparalleled manner of speaking was acknowledged even by those sent to apprehend Him, who inadvertently testified to His uniqueness before the Sanhedrin. Thus, the way His foes approached Him was utterly inappropriate. Their appeal revealed only an internal conflict with holiness and truth or exposed their viciousness, driven solely by force, like common thieves. He reminded them that He had been with them daily, teaching in the temple, yet they did not seize Him. Through this declaration, the Savior made it clear that He willingly submitted to His enemies, asserting that if He had chosen to resist, no act of aggression could have restrained Him. Why, then, did they not capture Him during His daily presence in plain view, without any defenses, instructing in the temple—a public setting under the watch of guards loyal to their authority?"},{"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":"In a display of pure innocence, the Lord addressed the crowd with a sharp rebuke. At that time, JESUS spoke to the assembled multitude: You have approached as if armed with swords and clubs to seize me; yet every day, particularly in these final days, I was among you, instructing in the temple, and you did not apprehend me. When I shared my teachings, you did not take hold of me; now that I am silent, you rise against me. I was present in the temple, and no one restrained me, but now, under the cover of night, you confront me with your weapons and aggression. However, this is your hour and the dominion of darkness."},{"author-name":"Gladkow B.I.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88bf0ceef8c96e09a6521_Gladkow%20B.I..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Initially, it appeared that the soldiers, temple guards, and servants consisted of a few elders familiar with the situation, who responded to the inquiry, \\"Whom do you seek?\\" However, it soon became evident that alongside this group were the chief priests and the temple leaders, who, unsurprisingly, wanted to revel in the presence of the arrest of their despised Prophet. The Gospels frequently mention the chief priests. While there could only be one high priest at a time, which was the foremost among the priests, others who had previously held that position were also referred to as high priests; and during that era, there were numerous former high priests. This was due to the fact that after Judea was incorporated into the Roman Empire, the appointment and confirmation of high priests became subject to the whims of the Roman governors, who frequently made changes, preferring to rotate the office rather than allow any individual to remain for long. Additionally, the individual at the head of the priestly order was likewise designated as high priest. Consequently, apart from Caiaphas, who held the official title of high priest at that time, there were numerous others who were also called high priests. These chief priests and the temple authorities pushed their way through the contingent of guards sent to capture Jesus. Upon seeing them, Jesus remarked: “Have you come out as against a bandit, with swords and clubs to seize Me? Daily I was with you in the temple, yet you did not lay hands on Me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness” (Luke 22:52-53)."},{"author-name":"Paul Matwejewski","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8969f5be0d592d5a10576_Paul%20Matwejewski.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The extraordinary display of Divine might, evident in the falling of the soldiers and servants sent by Judas, along with the healing of one of the servants, alongside the directive forbidding the disciples from defending themselves against the aggressive crowd, unmistakably indicated to the high priests, temple officials, and elders present that the Lord willingly entrusted Himself to their authority. Their hostile actions could not have succeeded without His consent. Throughout His ministry, His adversaries had made numerous attempts to apprehend Him, yet they were unsuccessful, as it was not yet His appointed time (Jn. 7:6) or hour (Jn. 7:30, 44; Jn. 8:20). However, now that the moment had arrived, He permitted them to capture Him, making it clear that in the past, when they held Him physically among them, they could not seize Him, and now it was only by His own desire that it was possible (St. John Chrysostom). The measures taken by His cautious foes were superfluous and led only to their condemnation: \\"Did you come out with swords and clubs to apprehend Me as you would a criminal? I have been among you daily in the temple, teaching, and you did not lay hands on Me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness reigns.\\" Subsequently, the Lord allowed His innocent hands—the very hands that had accomplished countless acts of goodness, healing all (Acts 10:38), restoring sight to the blind, giving hearing to the deaf, and raising the dead—to be bound. All the blessings He had bestowed were disregarded, and the forces of darkness prevailed."},{"author-name":"Bogolepow D.P.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"In this account, the Evangelist John describes how, after Judas had betrayed Him with a kiss—an act intended to indicate to the soldiers whom they should arrest—those soldiers approached Jesus. He inquired, \\"Whom do you seek?\\" They responded, \\"Jesus of Nazareth.\\" Jesus replied, \\"I am He.\\" Upon uttering these words, the crowd recoiled and fell to the ground. This display clearly illustrated His divine authority over the soldiers, conveying that His forthcoming capture would not be due to their might or dominion, but rather His willing acceptance of death. The Lord then repeated His question to the crowd, permitted Himself to be seized, and requested that the disciples be left unharmed. According to the Evangelist, this was essential to fulfill what Jesus had mentioned during His high priestly prayer in John 17:12. The very fact that their Master had fallen into the hands of sinful men posed a challenge to the disciples; should they be taken as well, their faith could have faltered under such testing. The subsequent events are recounted with varying levels of detail by all the Evangelists. As the soldiers moved in to arrest Jesus, the disciples attempted to protect Him with swords. One of the disciples, identified as Peter by John, severed the ear of the high priest’s servant, named Malchus. In response to Peter's impulsive action, the Lord admonished him and, according to Luke, miraculously healed the wounded ear with a touch. Additionally, Matthew and Mark provide an account of Jesus addressing those who had come to arrest Him, emphasizing that their numbers and weapons would not have succeeded had He not chosen to surrender Himself voluntarily. Mark also recounts the incident of a young man who sought to follow Jesus but fled in fear when the soldiers attempted to seize Him. This young man, wrapped only in a linen cloth, had likely been roused from sleep by the commotion surrounding the crowd in the garden of Gethsemane. Whether he was Mark himself or another individual, it is reasonable to believe he was among those whose faith in the Lord was awakened, compelled to learn the outcome of the events in Gethsemane."}]}
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