Jesus was giving up his chance to escape the cross

JESUS WAS GIVING UP HIS CHANCE TO ESCAPE THE CROSS
EDITED BY GLENN PEASE
Matthew 26:53 53Do you think I cannot call on my
Father, and he will at once put at my disposalmore
than twelve legions of angels?
Jesus Declining The Legions
“Do you think that I cannotnow pray to My Father, and He shall
presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? But how, then,
shall the Scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?”
Matthew 26:53, 54
IT is the garden of Gethsemane. Here stands our Lord and yonder is the
betrayer. He is foremost of the multitude. You know his face, the face of that
son of perdition, even Judas Iscariot. He comes forward, leaving the men with
the staves, the swords, the torches and lanterns. He proceeds to kiss his
Master–itis the tokenby which the officers are to know their victim. You
perceive at once that the disciples are excited. One of them cries, “Lord, shall
we smite with the sword?” Their love to their Masterhas overcome their
prudence! There are but 11 of them–a small band to fight againstthe mob
sent by the authorities to arresttheir Master–butlove makes no reckoning of
odds. Before an answercanbe given, Peterhas struck the first blow and the
servant of the High Priesthas narrowly escapedhaving his head split in two!
As it is, his earis cut off.
One is not altogethersurprised at Peter’s act, for, in addition to his headlong
zeal, he had most likely misunderstood the saying of his Lord at supper–“He
that has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one.” There was not time
for our Lord to explain, but they were so accustomedto his concrete style of
speechthat they should not have misunderstood Him, but they did so. He had
simply told them that the days of peace, in which they could go in and out

among the people and be joyfully receivedby them, had now come to an end,
for, as He, Himself, who had once been in favor with all the people, would now
be “reckonedamong the transgressors,”(see Luke 22:35-38), so wouldthey be
counted among the offscouring of all things. Now they could no longer reckon
on the hospitality of a friendly people, but must carry their own purse and
scrip. And insteadof feeling safe whereverthey went, they must understand
that they were in an enemy’s country and must travel through the world like
men armed for self-defense.
They were now to use their own substance and not to hope for cheerful
entertainment among a grateful people. And they would need to be on their
guard againstthose who, in killing them, would think that they were doing
God a service. Theytook His language literally and, therefore, replied, “Lord,
behold, here are two swords.” Ithink He must have smiled sadly at their
blunder as He answered, “Itis enough.” He could never have thought of their
fighting that He might not be delivered unto the Jews, since for that purpose
two swords were simply ridiculous! They had missedHis meaning, which was
simply to warn them of the changedcircumstances ofHis cause–butthey
caught at the words which He had used and exhibited their two swords.
Possibly, as some have supposed, these were two long sacrificialknives with
which they had killed the Paschallamb, but, indeed, the wearing of weapons is
much more generalin the Eastthan with us. Our Lord’s disciples were largely
Galileans and as the Galileans were more of a fighting sortthan other Jews,
the wearing of swords was probably very generalamong them. Nevertheless,
two of the Apostles had swords–notthat they were fighting men–but probably
because it was the fashion of their country and they had thought it necessary
to wearthem when passing through a dangerous district. At any rate, Peter
had a swordand instantly used it. He smites the first man he could reach!I
wonder he had not struck Judas–one might have excusedhim if he had–but it
is a servant of the High Priestwho bears the blow and loses his ear.
Then the Saviorcomes forward in all His gentleness, as self-possessedas when
He was at supper, as calm as if He had not already passedthrough an agony.
Quietly He says, “Suffer it to be so now.” He touches the ear and heals it–and
in the lull which followed, when even the men that came to seize Him were
spell-bound by this wondrous miracle of mercy–He propounds the great
Truth of God that they that take the swordshall perish with the sword! And
He bids Peter put awayhis weapon. Then He utters these memorable words–
“Do you think that I cannotnow pray to My Father, and He shall presently
give Me more than twelve legions of angels? Buthow, then, shall the
Scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?” And He also said what John

alone appears to have heard–“The cup which My Father has given Me, shall I
not drink it?” (John 18:11).
The wound of Malchus serveda gracious purpose, for it enabled our Lord to
work a new miracle, the likes of which He had never workedbefore, namely,
the restorationof a member maimed or cut off by violence. The blunder of the
Apostles was also overruled to answera very instructive purpose. You wonder
that the Lord should, even in appearance, encourage His disciples to have
swords and then forbid them to use them. Follow me in a thought which is
clearto my own mind. Fora man to abstain from using force when he has
none to use is no great virtue–it reminds one of the lines of Cowper’s ballad–
“Stooping down, as needs he must
Who cannot sit upright.”
But for a man to have force ready to his hand and then to abstain from using
it is a case ofself-restraint and possibly of self-sacrificeofa far nobler kind!
Our Saviorhad His swordat His side that night, though He did not use it.
“What?” you ask, “how canthat be true?” Our Lord says, “CanI not now
pray to My Father, and He will give Me twelve legions of angels?”Our Lord
had thus the means of self-defense–something far more powerful than a sword
hung at His belt–but He refusedto employ the powerwithin His reach.
His servants could not bear this test. They had no self-restraint–the hand of
Peteris on his sword at once. The failure of the servants in this matter seems
to me to illustrate the grand self-possessionoftheir Master. “Alas,” He seems
to say, “you cannotbe trusted even with swords, much less could you be
entrusted with greaterforces. If you had the angelic bands at your command,
down they would come streaming from the sky to execute works ofvengeance
and so mar My greatlife-work of love.” Brothers and Sisters, we are better
without swords and other forms of force than with them, for we have not yet
learned, like our Lord, to control ourselves!Admire the glorious self-restraint
of our Lord Jesus Christ, who, armed not with a sword but with the embattled
hosts of “helmed cherubim and swordedseraphim,” yet refused evenby a
prayer to bring them down to His relief! Peter’s passionateuse of the sword
illustrates the happy self-controlof His Lord and this is the use of the incident.
Let us now proceedto learn from the Words of the Lord Jesus which we have
selectedas our text.
1. First, Brothers and Sisters, I would have you notice from the text OUR
LORD’S GRAND RESOURCE. “Do youthink that I cannot now pray
to My Father?” Our Lord is surrounded by His adversaries and there
are none about Him powerful enough to defend Him from their malice–

what can He do? He says, “I can pray to My Father.” This is our Lord’s
continual resource in the time of danger! Yes, even in that time of which
He said, “This is your hour and the powerof darkness.”He can even
now pray to His Father.
First, Jesus had no possessionsonearth, but He had a Father. I rejoice in His
saying, “Do you think that I cannotnow pray to My Father?” He is a betrayed
Man. He is given up into the hands of those who thirst for His blood, but He
has an Almighty and Divine Father. If our Lord had merely meant to say that
God could deliver Him, He might have said, “Do you think not that I can pray
to Jehovah?” Or, “to God?” But He uses the sweetexpression, “MyFather,”
both here and in that text in John, where He says, “The cup which My Father
has given Me, shall I not drink it?” O Brothers and Sisters, remember that we
have a Father in Heaven! When all is gone and spent, we can say, “Our
Father.”
Relatives are dead, but our Father lives! Supposedfriends have left us, even as
the swallowsquit in our wintry weather, but we are not alone, for the Father
is with us! Cling to that blessedtext, “I will not leave you orphans; I will come
unto you.” In every moment of distress, anxiety, perplexity, we have a Father
in whose wisdom, truth and power we can rely! Your dear children do not
trouble themselves much, do they–if they have a need, they go to father. If
they are puzzled, they ask father. If they are ill-treated, they appeal to father.
If but a thorn is in their finger, they run to mother for relief. Be it little or
great, the child’s sorrow is the parent’s care!This makes a child’s life easy–it
would make ours easyif we would but act as children towards God. Let us
imitate the Elder Brotherand when we, too, are in our Gethsemane, let us, as
He did, continue to cry, “My Father, My Father.” This is a better defense than
shield or sword!
Our Lord’s resource was to approachHis Fatherwith prevailing prayer.
“CanI not, now, pray to My Father?” Our Lord Jesus could use that
marvelous weaponof All-Prayer which is shield, sword, spear, helmet and
breast-plate, all in one. When you can do nothing else, you can pray. If you
can do many things besides, it will still be your wisdom to say, “Letus pray!”
But I think I hear you objectthat our Lord had been praying and yet His
griefs were not removed. He had prayed Himself into a bloody sweatwith
prayer and yet He was left unprotected, to fall into His enemies'hands. This is
true and yet it is not all the truth, for He had been strengthened–andpower
for deliverance was atHis disposal. He had only to press His suit to be rescued
at once!The Greek word here is not the same word which would set forth
ordinary prayer–the RevisedVersion puts it, “Do you think that I cannot

beseechMy Father?” We make a greatmistake if we throw all prayer into one
categoryand think that every form of true prayer is alike. We may pray and
plead and even do this with extreme earnestness–andyet we may not use that
mode of beseeching which would surely bring the blessing.
Up to now our Lord had prayed and prayed intensely, too, but there was yet a
higher form of prayer to which He might have mounted if it had been proper
to do so. He could have besought so that the Father must have answered, but
He would not. O Brothers and Sisters, you have prayed a greatdeal, perhaps,
about your trouble, but there is a reserve force of beseeching in you yet–by the
aid of the Spirit of God you may pray after a higher and more prevailing rate!
This is a far better weaponthan a sword. I was speaking to a Brother,
yesterday, about a prayer which my Lord had remarkably answeredin my
own case and I could not help saying to him, “But I cannot always pray in that
fashion. Not only can I not so pray, but I would not dare to do so even if I
could.”
Moved by the Spirit of God, we sometimes pray with a powerof faith which
can never fail at the Mercy Seat–butwithout such an impulse we must not
push our own wills to the front. There are many occasionsupon which, if one
had all the faith which could move mountains, he would most wiselyshow it
by saying nothing beyond, “Neverthelessnot as I will, but as You will.” Had
our Lord chosento do so, He still had in reserve a prayer powerwhich would
have effectually savedHim from His enemies. He did not think it right to use
it– but He could have done so had He pleased.
Notice that our Lord, felt that He could even, then, pray. Matters had not
gone too far for prayer. When can they do so? The word, “now,” practically
occurs twice in our version, for we get it first as, “now,” and then as,
“presently.” It occurs only once in the original, but as its exactposition in the
verse cannot easilybe decided. Our translators, with a singular wisdom, have
placed it in both the former and the latter part of the sentence. Our Savior
certainly meant–“I have come, now, to extremities. The people are far away
whose favor formerly protectedMe from the Pharisees and I am about to be
seizedby armed men. But even now I can pray to My Father.” Prayeris an
always open door. There is no predicament in which we cannotpray. If we
follow the Lamb where ever He goes, we can now pray effectuallyunto our
Father, even as He could have done.
Do I hear you say, “The fatal hour is near”? You may now pray. “But the
danger is imminent!” You may now pray. If, like Jonah, you are now at the
bottom of the mountains and the weeds are wrapped about your head, you
may even now pray! Prayer is a weaponthat is usable in every position in the

hour of conflict. The Greeks hadlong spears and these were of grand service
to the troops so long as the rank was not broken. The Romans used a short
swordand that was a far more effectual weaponat close quarters. Prayeris
both the long spear and the short sword. Yes, Brothers and Sisters, you may
even pray betweenthe jaws of the lion! We glory in our blessedMaster, that
He knew in fullness of faith that if He would bring forth His full powerof
prayer, He could setall Heaven on the wing. As soonas His beseeching prayer
had reachedthe Father’s ear, immediately, like flames of fire, angels would
flash death upon His adversaries!
Our Lord’s resort was not to the carnal weapon, but to the mighty engine of
supplication. Behold, my Brethren, where our grand resort must always be.
Look not to the arm of flesh, but to the Lord our God! Church of God, look
not piteously to the State, but fly to the Mercy Seat!Church of God, look not
to the ministry, but resort to the Throne of Grace!Church of God, depend not
upon learned or moneyed men, but beseechGodin supplicating faith! Prayer
is the towerof David built for an armory. Prayer is our battle-axe and
weapons ofwar. We say to our antagonist–“Do youthink that I cannot now
pray to my Father.” Let this suffice to display our Savior’s grand resource in
the night of His direst distress.
II. Secondly, let me invite your attention to OUR LORD’S UNDIMINISHED
POWER IN HEAVEN at the time when He seemedto have no poweron
earth. He says, when about to be bound and taken awayto Caiaphas, “Ican
presently call down 12 legions of angels from the skies.”He had influence in
Heaven with the Father, the greatLord of angels. He could have of the Father
all that the Fatherpossessed!Heaven would be emptied, if necessary, to
satisfy the wish of the BelovedSon. The Man Christ Jesus who is about to be
hung upon the Cross has such powerwith the Fatherthat He has but to ask
and to have. The Father would answerHim at once–“He shallpresently send
Me 12 legions of angels.” There wouldbe no delay, no hesitation. The Father
was ready to help Him, waiting to deliver Him. All Heavenwas concerned
about Him. All the angelic bands were waiting on the wing and Jesus had but
to express the desire and instantly the gardenof Gethsemane would have been
as populous with shining ones as the New Jerusalemitself!
Our Lord speaks ofangels that His Fatherwould give Him, or send Him. We
may interpret it that the Fatherwould at once put at His disposalthe glorious
inhabitants of Heaven. Think of seraphs at the disposalof the Man of
Sorrows!He is despisedand rejectedof men and yet angels that excel in
strength are at His beck and call! Swift of wing, quick of hand and wise of
thought, they are charmed to be the messengers ofthe Son of Man, the

servitors of Jesus. Think of this, Beloved, when you bow before the thorn-
crownedhead and when you gaze upon the nailed hands and feet! Remember
that angels and principalities and powers–andall the ranks of pure spirits by
whatevername they are named–were all at the beck and call of Jesus when He
was newly risen from His agonyand was about to be led awaybound to the
High Priest! He is our Lord and God–evenat His lowestand weakest!
Jesus speaksof“twelve legions.” Isuppose He mentions the number, 12, as a
legionfor eachone of the eleven disciples and for Himself. They were only
twelve and yet the innumerable hosts of Heaven would make forcedmarches
for their rescue. A legionin the Roman army was 6,000 menat the very
lowest. Twelve times 6,000 angels wouldcome in answerto a wish from Jesus!
No, He says, “more” than 12 legions!There canbe no limit to the available
resources ofthe Christ of God. Thousands of thousands would fill the air if
Jesus willed it! The band that Judas led would be an insignificant squad to be
swallowedup at once if the Saviorwould but summon His allies. Behold, dear
Brothers and Sisters, the glory of our betrayed and arrestedLord! If He was
such, then, what is He, now, when all poweris given Him of His Father? Bear
in your minds the clearidea that Jesus in His humiliation, was, nevertheless,
Lord of all things–and especiallyofthe unseen world and of the armies which
people it. The more clearly you perceive this, the more will you admire the all-
conquering, all-abjuring love which took Him to the death of the Cross.
Tarry here just a minute to remember that the angels are also, according to
your measure and degree, atyour call. You have but to pray to God and
angels shall bearyou up in their hands lest you dash your foot againsta stone.
We do not think enough of these heavenly beings, yet they are all ministering
spirits sent forth to minister to those that are heirs of salvation!Like Elijah’s
servant, if your eyes were openedyou would see the mountain full of horses of
fire and chariots of fire round about the servants of God. Let us learn from
our Masterto reckonupon invisible forces!Let us not trust in that which is
seenof the eyes and heard of the ears, but let us have respectto spiritual
agencieswhichevade the senses, but are knownto faith. Angels play a far
greaterpart in the affairs of Providence than we know. Godcan raise us up
friends on earth, but if He does not do so, He canfind us abler friends in
Heaven! There is no need to pluck out the swordwith which to cut off men’s
ears–infinitely better agencies willwork for us! Have faith in Godand all
things shall work for your good. The angels ofGod think it an honor and a
delight to protect the leastof His children.
III. But I cannotlinger, although I feela greattemptation to do so. My text is
full of teaching, but a main point is the third one–OUR LORD’S PERFECT

WILLINGNESS IN SUFFERING. Ihope I have already brought that before
you. Our Lord would be betrayed into the hands of sinners–and He would go
with them willingly. He had not shunned the gardenthough Judas knew the
place. No part of our Lord’s sufferings came upon Him by the necessityof His
Nature. Neither as God nor as sinless Man was He bound to suffer. There was
no necessitythat Christ should endure any of the inflictions laid upon Him,
exceptthe necessityofHis fulfilling the Scriptures and performing the work
of mercy which He came to do. He must die because He became the great
Sacrifice for sin. But apart from that, no necessityofdeath was on Him. They
scourgedHim, but they could not have lifted the whip if He had not permitted
it. He thirsted on the cruel tree, but all the springs of water in the world He
makes and fills and, therefore, He needed not to have thirsted if He had not
chosento submit thereto!When He died, He did not die through the failure of
His natural strength–He died because He had surrendered Himself to death as
our greatPropitiation. Even in His expiring moment, our Lord cried with a
loud voice, to show that His life was still in Him. He “gave up the ghost,”
freely parting with a life which He might have retained. He voluntarily
surrendered His spirit to God. It was not snatched from Him by a force
superior to His own will–He willingly bore our sins and willingly died as our
Substitute. Let us love and bless the willing Sufferer!
Indeed, our Lord was not merely submissive to the Divine will, but, if I may
use words in a paradoxicalmanner, I would say that He was actively
submissive. A single prayer would have brought our Lord deliverance from
His enemies–butHe exercisedforce upon Himself and held in His natural
impulse to beseechthe Father. He held in abeyance that noblestof spiritual
gifts, that choicestof all forms of power–the powerof prayer. One would have
thought that a goodman might always exercise prayerto the fullest of his
ability, and yet Jesus laid His hand upon His prayer poweras if it had been a
swordand put it back into its sheath. “He saved others, Himself He could not
save.” He prayed for others, but, in this instance, for Himself He would not
pray as He might have done. He would do nothing, even though it were to
pray a prayer which even in the slightestdegree would oppose the will of the
Father! He was so perfectly submissive, yes, so eagerto accomplishour
salvation, that He would not pray to avoid the cruelty of His enemies and the
bitterness of death! He sees it is the Father’s will and, therefore, He will not
have a wish in opposition to it. “The cup which My Fatherhas given Me, shall
I not drink it?” Rememberthat He needednot to commit any wrong thing to
prevent His being takenand slain–a goodthing, namely, a prayer, would do
it! But He will not pray–He has undertaken the work of Redemption and He

must and will go through with it! He has such a desire for your salvation and
for mine, such a thirst to honor and glorify His Father in the work which He
had engagedto do, that He will not even prevent His sufferings by a prayer!
Wonderful is that question, “How, then, shall the Scriptures be fulfilled?” It is
as much as to say, “Who else candrink this cup? Who else can tread the
winepress of Almighty wrath? No, I must do it. I cannot lay this load upon any
other shoulders.” Therefore, forthe joy that was set before Him, He endured
the Cross, despising the shame. He was willing, yes, willing from beginning to
end, to be our suffering Savior! He was willing to be born at Bethlehem, to
work at Nazareth, to be mockedat Jerusalemand, at last, to die at Calvary!
At any one point He could have drawn back. No constraintwas upon Him but
that of a love strongerthan death.
I want you, dear Hearers, to draw the inference that Jesus is willing to save. A
willing Sufferer must be a willing Savior. If He willingly died, He must, with
equal willingness, be ready to give to us the fruit of His death! If any of you
would have Jesus, you may surely have Him at once!He freely delivered
Himself up for us all. If He was so willing to become a Sacrifice, how willing
must He be that the glorious result of His sacrifice shouldbe sharedin by you
and by all who come to God by Him! If there is unwillingness anywhere, you
are unwilling. He rejoices to be gracious. Iwish the charm of this Truth of
God would affect your heart as it does mine. I love Him greatlybecause I see
that at any moment He might have drawn back from redeeming me–and yet
He would not. A single prayer would have set Him free, but He would not
pray it, for He loved us so!–
“This was compassionlike a God
That when the Saviorknew
The price of pardon was His blood,
His pity never withdrew.”
Do not grieve Him by thinking that He is unwilling to forgive, that He is
unwilling to receive a sinner such as you! Has He not said, “He that comes to
Me I will in no wise castout”? You will delight Him if you come to Him,
whoeveryou may be. If you will but draw near to Him by simple trust, He will
see in you the purchase of His agony–andall the merit of His death shall flow
out freely to you. Come and welcome, Sinner, come!
IV. Now I must lead you, with greatbrevity, to notice OUR LORD’S GREAT
RESPECTFOR HOLY SCRIPTURE. He can have 12 legions of angels, but,
“how, then, shall the Scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?”

Notice, that our Lord believed in the Divinity of Scripture. He says, “How,
then, shall the Scriptures be fulfilled?” But if the Scriptures are only the
writings of men, there is no necessitythat they should be fulfilled! If they are
merely the fallible utterances of goodmen, I see no particular necessitythat
they should be fulfilled. Our Lord Jesus Christ insisted upon it that the
Scriptures must be fulfilled–and the reasonwas that they are not the word of
man, but the Word of God! The Scriptures were evidently the Word of God to
our Lord Jesus Christ. He never trifles with them, nor differs from them, nor
predicts that they will vanish. It is He that says, “Think not that I have come
to destroy the Law, or the Prophets: I have not come to destroy, but to fulfill.
For verily I say unto you, Till Heavenand earth pass away, one jot or one
tittle shall in no wise pass from the Law till all is fulfilled.”
He believed in the Divine origin of the Scriptures and also in their infallibility.
“How, then, shall the Scriptures be bring the 12 legions of angels down to
deliver Myselfand it is no matter to Me that then the Scriptures will be made
void.” Oh, no! The Scriptures must be true and they must be fulfilled and,
therefore, He must be betrayed into the hands of men! He settles it as a matter
of necessitythat Scripture must infallibly be verified, even to its jots and
tittles.
See, Brothers and Sisters, the priceless worth of Scripture in the estimation of
our Lord. In effectHe says, “I will die rather than any Scripture shall be
unfulfilled. I will go to the Cross rather than any one Word of God should not
be carried out.” The ProphetZechariah has written, “Awake, O sword,
againstMy Shepherd, and against the Man that is My Fellow, says the Lord of
Hosts: smite the Shepherd, and the sheepshall be scatteredabroad.” The
fulfillment of that prophecy fell due that night and the Son of God was
prepared to be smitten as the Shepherd of the sheep, rather than the Word of
the Fathershould fall to the ground. Skin for skin, yes–allthat a man has will
he give for his life–and Jesus would give His life for the Scriptures! Brethren,
it were worth while for the whole Church to die rather than any Truth of
Scripture should be given up! Let all our thousands be consumedupon the
altar as one greatholocaustsoonerthan the Scriptures should be dishonored
The Word of the Lord must live and prevail whether we die or not. Our Lord
teaches us to prize it beyond liberty or life.
The force of our Lord’s language goes further. Let me repeat the words and
then enlarge upon them. “How, then, shall the Scriptures be fulfilled, that
thus it must be?” Holy Scripture is the transcript of the secretdecree ofGod.
We do not believe in fate–a blind, hard thing. We believe in predestination–
the settledpurpose of a wise and loving Father. The Book ofFate is cruel

reading, but the book of Divine Fore-ordinationis full of charming sentences
and those lines out of it which are written in the Scriptures we joyfully choose
to have fulfilled. It is the will of our Father who is in Heaven which settles the
things which must be and, because ofthis, we cheerfully yield ourselves up to
predestination. Once being assuredthat God has appointed it, we have no
struggles, no, we will not even breathe a wish to have the matter otherwise!
Let the will of the Fatherbe the supreme Law. It ought to be so.
We find a depth of comfort in saying, “It is the Lord, let Him do what seems
goodto Him.” Now, the prophecies of Scripture were to the Lord Christ the
Revelationof the predestinationof God so that it must be–and He cheerfully,
joyfully, even without a prayer againstit, gives Himself up at once to that
which must be because Godhas appointed it. If any of you do not believe in
the predestinationof God, you will, probably, in some hour of depression,
ascribe your sorrows to a cruel fate. The human mind, somehow orother, is
driven, at last, to this decision, that some things are beyond the controlof man
and of his will and that these are fixed by necessity. How much better to see
that God has fixed them! There is the wheelrevolving surely and unalterably–
would it not comfort you to believe that it is full of eyes and that it is moving
according to the settled purpose of the Lord? That man who says, “It is my
Father’s will” is the happy man! Predestinationis as sure and as certainas
fate, but there is at the back of it a living and loving Personality, ordering all
things. To this we cheerfully yield ourselves.
Beloved, let us value Scripture as much as Christ did! I was going to say, let us
value it even more, for if our Lord valued unfulfilled Scripture–whichwas but
a shell till He became its kernel–how much more should we value it, to whom
the Scriptures are fulfilled, in a large degree, becausethe Christ has suffered
and has done evenas it was written of Him by the Prophets of God!
Time flies so quickly that I must pass on. You perceive that I have a pregnant
text–it is full of living instruction to those who desire to learn. God help us to
receive with joy all its holy teaching!
1. But I must come to the lastpoint. We will considerOUR LORD’S
LESSONS TO EACH ONE OF US in this text.
The first lessonis this–Desire no other forces for God’s work than God,
Himself, ordains to use. Do not desire that the Government should come to
your rescue to support your Church. Do not desire that the charms of
eloquence should be given to ministers, that they may, therefore, command
listening ears and so maintain the faith by the wisdom of words. Do not ask
that learning and rank and prestige may come upon the side of Christianity

and so religion may become respectable andinfluential. Means that God has
not chosento use should not be lookedupon by us with covetous eyes. Has He
not said, “Notby might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord of
Hosts”? Jesus has allthose squadrons of angels at His disposal–do you wish
that He would use them? What a glorious vision is before us as we see their
serried ranks and mark their glittering splendor! But Jesus bids them stand
still and see the salvationof God workedout without their interposition!
He has not put the new world in subjection to them. They must not meddle
with the redemption of men. The conflict for truth is to be a spiritual battle
betweenman and the serpent–nothing but spiritual force is to be employed–
and that not by angels, but by men! Man must overcome sin by spiritual
means only. Put up the sword, Peter!Jesus does not need its keenedge. Keep
your swords in your sheaths, you seraphim! Jesus does not need even your
blades of celestialtemper. His weaknesshas done more than human or angelic
strength! His suffering and death have done the deed which all the hierarchy
of angels could never have accomplished!The Truth of God is to win the fight.
The Spirit is to subdue the powers of evil. Brothers and Sisters, do not ask
anybody else to interfere. Let us have this fight out on the ground which God
has chosen. Let us know that God is Omnipotent in the realm of mind and
that by His truth and Spirit He will overcome!He holds back all forces other
than those of argument, persuasionand enlightenment by His Spirit–do not
let us even wish to put our hands to any force other than what He ordains to
use.
And, next, take care that when other forces are within reach, you do not use
them for the promotion of the heavenly Kingdom. When you are in argument
for the Truth of God, do not grow angry, for this would be to fight the Lord’s
battles with the devil’s weapons. Do not wish to oppress a personwhose views
are erroneous oreven blasphemous. The use of bribes for the propagationof
opinions is evil and the refusal of charities to those who differ from us in
sentiment is detestable!Let no threat escape yourlips, nor bribe pollute your
hands. It is not thus that the battles of the Truths of God are to be fought! If
you ever feelinclined to shut a man’s mouth by wishing him banishment, or
sickness, orany sortof ill, be grieved with yourself that so unchristly a
thought should have enteredyour head! Desire only goodfor the most
perverse of men. Fighting for Christ would be wounding Him sorely. The
French king heard of the cruelties perpetrated upon our Lord and he
exclaimed, “Oh, if I had been there with a troop of my guards, I would have
cut the villains in pieces!”

Yes, but Jesus did not need the King of France nor his guards–He came not to
destroy men’s lives, but to save them! The Lord Jesus desires you, my
Brothers and Sisters, to fight for Him by your faith, by your holy life, by your
confidence in the Truth of God, by your reliance upon the Spirit of God!
Whenever your hands begin to itch for the sword, then may you hear Him
say, “Put up your swordinto its sheath.” He will conquer by love and by love,
alone!If at this presentmoment I could take this Church and endow it with
all the wealth of the Establishment and gatherinto its midst all the wisdom
and talent and eloquence which now adorns society. And if I could do this by
one single prayer, I would long hesitate to offer the petition. These might
prove idols and provoke the living God to jealousy!Infinitely better for us to
be poor and weak and devoid of that which is highly esteemedamong men!
And then to be baptized into the Holy Spirit, rather than to become strong
and be left of our God. We shall war this warfare with no unsanctified
weapons, with no instrument other than God appoints! Speaking the Truth in
the powerof the Spirit of God, we are not afraid of the result. Surely this is
what Christ means–“Icouldpray to My Father and receive atonce a
bodyguard of angels, but I will do nothing of the kind, for by other means
than these must My Kingdom come.”
And the next lessonis–Neverattempt to escape suffering at the expense of the
Truth of God–“How, then, shall the Scriptures be fulfilled?” Christ says, “I
can escape being taken, bound and made a felon of–but then how are the
Scriptures to be fulfilled?” Would you like to be, throughout life, screened
from all affliction? I think I hear a greatmany say, “I would.” Would you?
Would you be always free from sickness,poverty, care, bereavement, slander,
persecution? How, then, could that Word of God be true, “I have chosenyou
in the furnace of affliction”! What would that text mean, “What sonis he
whom the Father chastens not”? Jesus said, “Excepta man take up his cross
and follow Me, he cannotbe My disciple.” Are you to be an exceptionto the
rule? Oh, do not kick againstsuffering, for in so doing you may be fighting
againstGod! When Peterdrew his sword, he was unconsciouslyfighting to
prevent our redemption! When we struggle againsttribulation or persecution,
we may be warring againstuntold benefit. Do you desire to ride through the
world like princes? Do not desire such a dangerous fate, for how, then, could
the Scriptures be fulfilled, that the disciple is not above his Lord? Bow your
spirit before the majesty of Scripture and patiently endure all things for the
elect’s sake.
Again, never tremble when force is on the wrong side. You see they are
coming–Phariseesand priests and the posse comitatus sentby the authorities

to arrest the Savior–but He is not afraid. Why should He be? He could
command 12 legions of angels to beat off the foe! The man who knows he has
a reserve behind him may walk into an ambush without fear. The multitude
think that there stands before them a mere Man–a feeble Man, strangelyred
as with bloody sweat. Ah, they know neither Him nor His Father! Let Him
give a whistle and from behind the olives of the grove–andfrom the walls of
the gardenand from every stone of the Mount of Olives would spring up
warriors mightier than those of Caesar–valiantones, before whom armies
would be consumed! One of these angels of Godslew of Sennacherib’s army,
185,000 menin a single night! Another smote all the first-born of Egypt!
Think, then, what more than 12 legions of them could accomplish!
Brothers and Sisters, all these holy, heavenly beings are on our side! “Oh, but
there are so many againstus!” Yes I know there are, but more are they that
are for us! All the myriads of Heaven are our allies. See you not the legions
waiting for the summons? Who wants to give the word of command till our
greatCommander-in-Chief decides that the hour is come? Let us patiently
wait till He shall descendfrom Heaven with a shout, with the voice of the
archangeland the trumpet of God! Then will the reserves pour forth from
Heaven’s gate and all the holy angels shallswellthe pomp of the great
appearing! Till that moment, wait! In your patience possess yoursouls! The
Lord Jesus waited. His angels waited. His Fatherwaited. They are all still
waiting! Heaven’s long-suffering still runs like a silver thread through the
centuries. Jesus will come with His angels in all the Glory of the Father, but
dream not that He must come tomorrow or else be chargedwith being slack
concerning His promise. Desire that He may come in your lifetime and look
for Him, but if He tarries, be not dismayed.
If He tarries for another century do not be weary. If another thousand years
should intervene betweenus and the bright millennial day, yet stand fast, each
man, in his place, fearing nothing, but setting up your banners in the name of
the Lord. “The Lord of Hosts is with us, the God of Jacobis our refuge.” We
have no lack of strength, it is only that God wills that it be not put forth and
that our weaknessforthe present should be the instrument of His most
majestic conquests. Lord, we are content to trust in You and wait patiently for
You, but leave us not, we beseechYou. Amen. PORTIONSOF SCRIPTURE
READ BEFORESERMON–Luke 22:31-53;Matthew 26:47-54.HYMNS
FROM “OUR OWN HYMN BOOK”–307, 291, 298.

STUDYLIGHT RESOURCES
Adam Clarke Commentary
More than twelve legions of angels? -As if he had said, Instead of you twelve,
one of whom is a traitor, my Father can give me more than twelve legions of
angels to defend me. A legion, at different times, containeddifferent numbers;
4,200, 5,000, andfrequently 6,000 men; and from this saying, taking the latter
number, which is the common rate, may we not-safelybelieve that the angels
of God amount to more than 72,000?
Copyright Statement
These files are public domain.
Bibliography
Clarke, Adam. "Commentary on Matthew 26:53". "The Adam Clarke
Commentary". https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/acc/matthew-
26.html. 1832.
return to 'Jump List'
The Biblical Illustrator
Matthew 26:53
Thinkestthou that I cannot now pray to My Father?
War opposedto the precepts and spirit of Christianity
Show that war is opposedto the spirit of Christianity.
I. Offer such reasons as prove this.
1. The toleration of war under the New Testamentdispensationis contrary to
what Christianity was expectedto be by the prophet who foretoldthe coming
of the Messiah, andby the Church of the Jews, to whom they were sent (Isaiah
9:6; Zechariah9:9-10).
2. The advent of the Saviour was attended with revelations, which indicated
peace. The angels sang ofpeace on earth.
3. The doctrine which Christ taught condemns war(Matthew 5:3-9, etc.)
4. The example of Christ teaches the same truth. His life was unresisting.

5. War originates in a passionwhich Christianity condemns.
6. It can only be carried on by the use of those means which Christianity must
condemn.
`II. Answers objections.
1. It is said that warwas allowable under the Old Testamentdispensation,
that therefore it cannot be wrong in the abstract.
2. It is said that the predictions of the New Testamentforetellwars in the
course of Christianity through the world.
3. It is said that the civil magistrate shall not bear the swordin vain.
4. It is said that to argue in favour of these principles is a proof of cowardice
and imbecility.
5. What will be the consequencesif men act in this way?
III. Make a few reflections.
1. It calls for a close examination of the subject.
2. It is the duty of parents to be careful in training up their children.
3. I would urge that no professorof Christianity should think of bearing arms.
(N. M. Harry.)
The willing surrender
“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.”The glory of Christ
is in His willing surrender of that which belongedto Him, and which He might
have always had and enjoyed. The multitude whom the chief priests had sent
was arresting Jesus. Thenone of His disciples drew the sword. Jesus bade him
put his sword into its place again. He tells His eagerfollowers thatif He wants
He can protect Himself. “Thinkestthou,” etc. The helpless prisoner lookedup
and saw the air thick with angels hurrying to His relief. A word from Him and
they would have been His warriors. He had the power, but would not use it.
The nobleness ofthis surrender of Jesus;no man becomes reallynoble who
has not its repetition in himself. To give up some precious thing which is
legitimately yours; to shut your eyes upon visions of glory, or safety, or
luxury, which you might make your own without blame, that is one of the
marks of nobleness. The man who is taking all that he has a right to take in
life is always touchedwith a shade of baseness. Letus study the nobleness of
voluntary surrender.

I. We want to feelhow definite and distinct it is. There are base imitations of
it. There are two kinds of renunciation of things which have this origin in
unworthy motives.
1. The first is the renunciation which comes from idleness or lack of spirit.
There will always be people who might be rich, learned, famous, who despise
these things simply because ofthe trouble they involve. The surrender they
make is a loss not a gain; it has nothing in common with the Divine
relinquishment of Jesus.
2. The secondof the two base forms of voluntary surrender is what we may
call the ascetic form. It includes the renunciation of legitimate enjoyments,
that we may be chastenedby disappointment. Now turn back to Jesus. When
He said, “I will not callthe angels,” itwas no pusillanimous submitting to His
fate; nor was it any unnatural submitting of Himself to suffering that He
might be cultivated and purified, or that the release from suffering when it
came might be more sweet. It was the quiet surrender of what was His,
because He could not have it and yet do His work and save the world. No man
in this world has a right to all his rights. Here is really the key to the question
of voluntary abstinence from certain innocent indulgences for the sake of
others. Voluntariness lies at the root of it all. We talk of the glory of
resignationto the inevitable; but the true glory is in resignationto the
inevitable. To stand unchained, with perfect powerto go away, and so
standing to let the fire creepup to the heart-that is the truer heroism. Christ
knew what it was to gain the life He lost, to have the thing that He
surrendered. When He refused to callthe angels to His help, the strength
which was the meaning of the angels was surelyentering into Him, and
making Him ready for the battle which He was just about to fight. (P. Brooks,
D. D.)
Self-surrender under the influence of a higher purpose
When a man who might be rich deliberately gives up the chance of wealththat
he may be a scholar, men whose objectin life is wealth, and who know that he
has the same power to get wealthwhich they have if he should give himself to
its pursuit, must honour him and feel the influence of his renunciation. It is
not laziness, for he goes to work harder than any of them. It is not asceticism,
for he has no foolish sweeping abuse ofwealth with which to insult his fellow-
men’s intelligence, It is not incapacity, for he is as bright as the brightest. It is
simply the power of a higher purpose. It is the calm, manly, uncomplaining
choice to do this greaterthing, and to surrender whateverwould hinder the

doing of it most faithfully and well. The man goes offinto his study, and
thinks that nobody sees him-indeed, does not think for a moment whether
anybody is seeing him or not; but his life and such lives as his are the salt of
the societyin which they live. (P. Brooks, D. D.)
Copyright Statement
Text Courtesyof BibleSupport.com. Used by Permission.
Bibliography
Exell, JosephS. "Commentary on "Matthew 26:53". The Biblical Illustrator.
https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/tbi/matthew-26.html. 1905-
1909. New York.
Coffman's Commentaries on the Bible
Or thinkest thou that I cannot beseechmy Father, and he shalt even now send
me more than twelve legions of angels?
The mention of at least36,000 holyangels is a revealing glance into the
mysteries of the eternal world above. Also, the mention in this context of the
possibility of Jesus'being rescuedby angelic interposition strongly suggests
that he had consideredthat very possibility and rejectedit. But the very fact
that he had thought of it (else, he could not have mentioned it) raises the
speculationof "How close did the Lord come to such a decision?" Since Christ
rejectedsuch a suggestion, itis evident that Satan's cause would have been
served if he had done so. This shows how near to success the evil one might
have come in his frenzied efforts to harass, humiliate, and demean the Lord to
such a degree that Christ would terminate his mission of salvation short of his
goal, namely, the goalof providing an atonementfor the sins of the whole
world. Admittedly, these are deep waters;but the Christ's mention of the
twelve legions of angels and the possibility of their rescuing him shows that
such a termination of his earthly missionhad been contemplated by Jesus.
Only his redeeming love for man enabled him to rejectit. On the ministry of
angels, see under Matthew 1:20.

Copyright Statement
James Burton Coffman Commentaries reproduced by permission of Abilene
Christian University Press, Abilene, Texas, USA. All other rights reserved.
Bibliography
Coffman, James Burton. "Commentary on Matthew 26:53". "Coffman
Commentaries on the Old and New Testament".
https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/bcc/matthew-26.html. Abilene
Christian University Press, Abilene, Texas, USA. 1983-1999.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible
Thinkestthou that I cannot now pray to my Father,.... Meaning, if he thought
proper, or that there was any necessityfor it, or that he was desirous of being
rescuedout of such hands he was falling into. This must be understood of him
as man: for, as God, the angels were his creatures and ministering servants,
whom he had the command of himself, and so had no need, as such, to pray to
his Fatherto detach a number of them to his assistance,and which, as man, he
could only want,
And he shall presently give me more than twelve legions ofangels. A Roman
legionconsistedof about six thousand soldiers, or upwards; some add six
hundred sixty six; and others make the number far greater. Twelve are
mentioned, either with respectto the twelve apostles;or in allusion, as others
think, to the Romanmilitia; a proper and full army with them consisting of
such a number of legions:and that there is an innumerable company of
angels, thousand thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand, is certain;
and the Persic version here reads; "twelve myriads" of legions;and that these
are at the command of God, and he can dispatch them at once, on any
emergentoccasion, is very evident; and what is it that such a company of
angels is not capable of, when a single angelslew in one night an hundred,
fourscore, and five thousand men,
2 Kings 19:35, wherefore had Christ had any inclination to have been rescued
from the presentdanger, he stoodin no need of Peter's sword.
Copyright Statement
The New John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible Modernisedand adapted
for the computer by Larry Pierce of Online Bible. All Rightes Reserved,
Larry Pierce, Winterbourne, Ontario.

A printed copy of this work can be ordered from: The Baptist Standard
Bearer, 1 Iron Oaks Dr, Paris, AR, 72855
Bibliography
Gill, John. "Commentary on Matthew 26:53". "The New JohnGill Exposition
of the Entire Bible".
https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/geb/matthew-26.html. 1999.
Geneva Study Bible
15 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently
give me more than twelve legions of angels?
(15) Christ was takenbecause he was willing to be taken.
Copyright Statement
Bibliography
Beza, Theodore. "Commentaryon Matthew 26:53". "The 1599 Geneva Study
Bible". https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/gsb/matthew-26.html.
1599-1645.
Robertson's WordPictures in the New Testament
Even now (αρτι — arti). Just now, at this very moment.
Legions (legionas). A Latin word. Roman soldiers in large numbers were in
Palestine laterin a.d. 66, but they were in Caesarea andin the towerof
Antonia in Jerusalem. A full Roman legion had 6,100 footand 726 horse in the
time of Augustus. But Jesus seesmore than twelve legions athis command
(one for eachapostle)and shows his undaunted courage in this crisis. One
should recallthe story of Elisha at Dothan(2 Kings 6:17).
Copyright Statement

The Robertson's WordPictures of the New Testament. Copyright �
Broadman Press 1932,33,Renewal1960. All rights reserved. Used by
permission of Broadman Press (Southern BaptistSunday SchoolBoard)
Bibliography
Robertson, A.T. "Commentary on Matthew 26:53". "Robertson's Word
Pictures of the New Testament".
https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/rwp/matthew-26.html.
Broadman Press 1932,33.Renewal1960.
Vincent's Word Studies
Twelve legions of angels
Compare the story of Elisha at Dothan (2 Kings 6:17).
Copyright Statement
The text of this work is public domain.
Bibliography
Vincent, Marvin R. DD. "Commentaryon Matthew 26:53". "Vincent's Word
Studies in the New Testament".
https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/vnt/matthew-26.html. Charles
Schribner's Sons. New York, USA. 1887.
Wesley's ExplanatoryNotes
Thinkestthou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently
He will presently give me more than twelve legions of angels — The leastof
whom, it is probable, could overturn the earth and destroy all the inhabitants
of it.
Copyright Statement
These files are public domain and are a derivative of an electronic edition that
is available on the Christian ClassicsEtherealLibrary Website.
Bibliography

Wesley, John. "Commentary on Matthew 26:53". "JohnWesley's
Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible".
https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/wen/matthew-26.html. 1765.
Calvin's Commentary on the Bible
53.Thinkestthou that I cannot now pray to my Father? Now follows that
specialreasonwhich I mentioned a little ago;for Christ reminds them, that he
would have at his command a better and more legitimate kind of defense,
were it not that he must obey the decree ofthe Father. The substance of what
he says is this. “As he has been appointed by the eternal purpose of God to be
a sacrifice, andas this has been declaredby the predictions of Scripture, he
must not fight againstit.” Thus Peter’s rashness is condemned on another
ground, that he not only endeavors to overturn a heavenly decree, but also to
obstruct the path of the redemption of mankind. Notonly did Peterdraw his
swordunlawfully, but the disciples were foolish and mad; for—though they
were few in number, and feeble—they attempted to make some resistance to a
band of soldiers and a very greatmultitude. On this account, the Lord, in
order to make their folly more manifest, employs this comparison. “If he
wished to have a guard to defend his life, he would immediately obtain not
elevenangels, but a large and invincible army, and since he does not implore
that angels may be sentto assisthim, much less would he resortto ill-
consideredmeans, from which no advantage was to be expected;for the
utmost that could be effectedby the disciples would be of no more service
than if a few rooks were to make a noise.”
But here some commentators labor to no purpose in inquiring how Christ
could have obtained a commission of angels from his Father, by whose decree
it was that he had to suffer death. For the two things are inconsistent: that he
exposedhis Son to death nakedand defenseless, because itwas necessarythat
it should be so, and because it had been appointed; and yet, that he might
have been prevailed on by prayer to send him relief. But Christ speaks
conditionally, that he has a far better method of defending his life, were it not
that the will of the Father was opposedto it. This takes awayall contradiction,
for Christ refrained from presenting such a request to his Father, because he
knew that it was contrary to his decree. Yet from this we draw a useful
doctrine, that those who resortto unlawful means on the plea of necessity
pour dishonor on God. If a man is destitute of lawful aid and support, he runs
headlong to wickedschemes andsinful undertakings; and the reasonis, that

few look for the secretprotectionof God, which alone ought to be sufficient to
setour minds at rest. Are we threatened with danger? Becauseno remedy can
be discoveredaccording to the flesh, we make this or the other contrivance, as
if there were no angels in heaven, who — Scripture frequently tells us — are
placed as guardians for our salvation, (Hebrews 1:14.) In this way we deprive
ourselves of their assistance;for all who are impelled, by their restlessnessand
excessive anxiety, to stretch out their hands to forbidden remedies for evils, do
unquestionably renounce the providence of God.
Copyright Statement
Bibliography
Calvin, John. "Commentary on Matthew 26:53". "Calvin's Commentary on
the Bible". https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/cal/matthew-
26.html. 1840-57.
Scofield's ReferenceNotes
angels
(See Scofield"Hebrews 1:4").
Copyright Statement
These files are consideredpublic domain and are a derivative of an electronic
edition that is available in the Online Bible Software Library.
Bibliography
Scofield, C. I. "ScofieldReferenceNoteson Matthew 26:53". "Scofield
Reference Notes(1917Edition)".
https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/srn/matthew-26.html. 1917.
John Trapp Complete Commentary

53 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently
Ver. 53. Thinkest thou that I cannot pray] q.d. NeedI be beholden to thee for
help? Luther very boldly told his patron and protector, the electorofSaxony,
that he, by his prayers, gained him more help and safeguardthan he received
from him; and that this cause of Christ needeth not the help of man to carry it
on, but the power of God, setto work by the prayer of faith. {a} And this way,
saith he, I will undertake to secure your highness’s soul, body, and estate,
engagedin the cause ofthe gospel, from whatsoeverdangeror disaster, Sive id
credatC. V. sive non credat, whether your highness believe me herein or not.
More than twelve legions]A legionis judged to be six thousand foot and seven
hundred horse. And this greatarmy of angels is by prayer despatchedfrom
heaven in an instant. Are we then in any imminent danger? send up to heaven
for help by prayer, and God will send from heavenand help us. We need not
help ourselves by seeking private revenge, as Peterhere, or using sinister
shifts, as David, Psalms 34:1, for in the same Psalmmen are exhorted to ensue
peace and pass by private wrongs;because the "angels ofthe Lord encamp
round about them that fear him, and deliver them."
{a} Iudico Celsitud. Vest. plus a me praesidii et tutelae habituram esse, quam
mihi praestare. Huic causae nullus gladius consulere aut opem ferre potest,
&c. Luth. epist,
Copyright Statement
Bibliography
Trapp, John. "Commentary on Matthew 26:53". John Trapp Complete
Commentary. https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/jtc/matthew-
26.html. 1865-1868.
Greek TestamentCriticalExegeticalCommentary

53.]The Majestyof our Lord, and His Patience are both shewnhere.
πλείω δώδ. is a strictly Attic idiom, the neuter πλεῖον or πλείω, and the
unchanged constructionomitting the ἤ. So Plato, Legg. vi. p. 759, ἔτη μὴ
ἔλαττονἑξήκοντα γεγονώς:Paus. x. 57. 295, οἱ ἄνθρωποι πλέον ἡμίσεις ἁλιεῖς
εἰσι. See the matter discussed, and more examples given, in Phryn. Lobeck, p.
410.
δώδεκα—notperhaps so much from the number of the Apostles, who were
now οἱ ἕνδεκα, but from that of the then company, viz. the Lord and the
eleven.
λεγεῶνας—becausethey were Romansoldiers who were taking Him. The
complement of the legionwas about 6000 men. The power, implied in δοκεῖς
ὅτι οὐ δύναμαι, shews the entire and continued free self-resignationofthe
Lord throughout—and carries on the same truth as He expressedJohn10:18.
Copyright Statement
Bibliography
Alford, Henry. "Commentary on Matthew 26:53". Greek TestamentCritical
ExegeticalCommentary.
https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/hac/matthew-26.html. 1863-
1878.
Heinrich Meyer's Critical and ExegeticalCommentaryon the New Testament
Matthew 26:53. ἤ] or, in case this should not be sufficient to induce thee to
thrust back thy sword.
ἄρτι] this instant. See on Galatians 1:10.
The interrogationdoes not extend merely as far as μου, in which case it would
lose much of its significance, while the language would be rendered too
abrupt, but on to ἀγγέλων; yet not as though καί (for that, ὅτι) introduced a
broken construction, but thus: Thinkest thou that I am not able … and He
will (not) place at my side, etc.? so that I canthus dispense entirely with thy
protection! The force of the negative runs through the whole sentence.
πλείω δώδεκα λεγεώνας ἀγγέλων (see the criticalremarks) is a genuine Attic
usage, according to which it is permissible to have the neuter πλεῖον or πλείω

without a change of construction, or even without inserting ἤ. Lobeck, ad
Phryn. p. 410 f.; Stallbaum, ad Plat. Apol. p. 17 D Kühner, II. 2, p. 847. The
number twelve corresponds to the number of the apostles, becauseofthese
only one had shown a disposition to defend him.
Copyright Statement
Bibliography
Meyer, Heinrich. "Commentary on Matthew 26:53". Heinrich Meyer's
Critical and ExegeticalCommentary on the New Testament.
https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/hmc/matthew-26.html. 1832.
Johann Albrecht Bengel's Gnomonof the New Testament
Matthew 26:53. ἄρτι, now) Even now.— τὸν πατέρα ΄ου, My Father) Jesus
even, when He is just about to drink the cup, retains that filial disposition
which He had previously and always towards the Father; see Matthew
26:42.— πλείους ἤ δώδεκα λεγεῶας, more than twelve legions)A legion
consistedof six thousand; twelve legions therefore of seventy-two thousand. A
legionis contrastedwith eachof the twelve apostles;a thousand angels with
eachof the seventy disciples. The angels are divided into their numbers and
ranks.
Copyright Statement
Bibliography
Bengel, JohannAlbrecht. "Commentary on Matthew 26:53". Johann
Albrecht Bengel's Gnomonof the New Testament.
https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/jab/matthew-26.html. 1897.
Matthew Poole's EnglishAnnotations on the Holy Bible
See Poole on"Matthew 26:54".

Copyright Statement
Bibliography
Poole, Matthew, "Commentaryon Matthew 26:53". Matthew Poole's English
Annotations on the Holy Bible.
https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/mpc/matthew-26.html. 1685.
Justin Edwards' Family Bible New Testament
0. Legionof devils. Matthew 8:28-34;Matthew 26:53.
Copyright Statement
Bibliography
Edwards, Justin. "Commentary on Matthew 26:53". "FamilyBible New
Testament". https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/fam/matthew-
26.html. American TractSociety. 1851.
Cambridge Greek Testamentfor Schools andColleges
53. δοκεῖς ὅτι οὐ δύναμαι … καὶ παραστήσει. The form of the sentence is
Aramaic, the real subject of the whole sentence being ὁ πατήρ: a regular
Greek constructionwould express the thought of παρακαλέσαι by a participle
or by a conditional clause. Butthough the form is irregular it throws into
emphasis the certainty that the prayer would be granted. ‘Can I not summon
my Fatherto my aid as an ally in my extremity, and swiftly He will draw up
by my side twelve legions of angels againstthe single maniple of the Roman
guard.’ παρακαλεῖνand παριστάναι are both military terms: cp. Hdt. XVII.
158, ἐτολμήσατε ἐμὲ σύμμαχονπαρακαλέοντες ἐλθεῖν, advocantes socium,
‘Summoning me to be your ally.’ For παριστάναι cp. Polyb. III. 72. 9, τοὺς
ἱππεῖς διελὼν ἐφʼ ἑκάτερονπαρέστησε τὸ κέρας, ‘postedthem,’ &c., and Hdt.
VIII. 80, ἔδεε γὰρ ὅτε οὐκ ἑκόντες ἔθελον ἐς μάχην κατίστασθαι, ἀέκοντας
παραστήσασθαι. Forthe omissionof ἢ after πλείω, the usual Attic
construction, cp. Plato, Apol. Socr., p. 17, ἔτη γεγονὼς πλείω ἑβδομήκοντα. So
also in Latin, ‘plus septima ducitur æstas,’Verg. Georg. IV. 207. Forthe

neuter pl. πλείω (instead of πλεῖον), standing independent of the construction,
see Lob. Phryn, p. 410, where severalinstances are givenof constructive laxity
in the case ofnumerals, e.g. οὐσίᾳ πλεῖον ἢ δέκα ταλάντων, Dem. c. Aphob. II.
341;ὑπὲρ τετρακισχίλιοι ὄντες, Joseph. Ant. XVIII. 1. 871. But none of the
instances there given preciselymeet this case.
δώδεκα λεγεῶνας κ.τ.λ. It is characteristic ofthis gospelthat the authority
and kingly majesty of Jesus should be suggestedata moment when every hope
seemedto have perished.
λεγεῶνας. One of the few Latin words in this gospel, perhaps used with a
specialreason, as in the case ofκῆνσον (ch. Matthew 22:17). Here probably
the intention was to preserve the very term used by Jesus. The word might be
suggestedby the sight of the maniple (σπεῖρα) of the Roman soldiers;see note
above.
Copyright Statement
Bibliography
"Commentary on Matthew 26:53". "Cambridge Greek Testamentfor Schools
and Colleges".https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/cgt/matthew-
26.html. 1896.
PeterPett's Commentary on the Bible
“Or do you think that I cannot beseechmy Father, and he will even now send
me more than twelve legions of angels?”
Then He reminded His disciples that they were not so see whathappened to
Him as evidence of His failure to achieve His aims. Had they not realisedWho
He was? Did they not remember that He had saidthat angels were subjectto
His command? (Matthew 13:41;Matthew 16:27;Matthew 24:31; Matthew
25:31). Did they not yet appreciate that He had only to callon His Fatherand
would then be sent twelve legions of angels, a far more effective force than He
and the eleven disciples all acting together? After all even Elisha had been
surrounded by angelic forces (2 Kings 6:17). How much more therefore was
Jesus? So they must see that this was not happening to Him because He was
powerless,but because it was a necessarystepin the purposes of God.

Copyright Statement
Bibliography
Pett, Peter. "Commentary on Matthew 26:53". "PeterPett's Commentaryon
the Bible ". https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/pet/matthew-
26.html. 2013.
Whedon's Commentary on the Bible
53. Thinkestthou — Addressedto Peterto show him that there was no place
for, because no need of, a human sword. How contemptible to suppose that He
needs thy sword, at whose prayer legions of angels would troop from the skies.
Twelve legions — A legionto eachapostle, naming the official number
notwithstanding the defectionof Judas.
Copyright Statement
Bibliography
Whedon, Daniel. "Commentary on Matthew 26:53". "Whedon's Commentary
on the Bible". https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/whe/matthew-
26.html. 1874-1909.
Schaff's Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Matthew 26:53. Or thinkest thou. An appealto Peter’s faith, and also a
declarationof power and an exhibition of patience.
Even now, at this crisis when all seems to be lost
Twelve legions. He numbers His hosts by ‘legions,’as did the Romans (in
whose hands he was). A legionincluded more than six thousand men.
‘Twelve;’ probably in allusion to the twelve persons (Himself and the eleven)
opposedto this midnight band; a legionfor each;a mighty host, all-sufficient
to help them. Peteris rebuked, not for distrust of God’s power, but for using
force. Were that necessary, it would have come in answerto prayer. Christ, in

mercy to men, chose to gain His victory by suffering and long-suffering. When
force is needed, Christ will appear with the angels (chap. Matthew 25:31).
Before that time, every use of it tends only to evil. Violence againstthe
conscience, as wellas againstthe body, reacts upon those employing it.
Copyright Statement
Bibliography
Schaff, Philip. "Commentary on Matthew 26:53". "Schaff's Popular
Commentary on the New Testament".
https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/scn/matthew-26.html. 1879-
90.
The Expositor's Greek Testament
Matthew 26:53 gives anotherreasonfor not using the sword: if it were God’s
will that His Son should be rescuedit could be done in a different way. he way
suggestedis describedin military language, the verbs παρακαλεῖνand
παριστάναι being both used in classicsin connectionwith military matters,
and the word λεγεῶνας suggesting the battalions of the Roman army.—
δώδεκα, twelve legions, one for eachof the twelve disciples.— πλείω, even
more than that vast number, Divine resources boundless. The free play of
imagination displayed in this conceptionof a greatarmy of angels evinces the
elasticityof Christ’s spirit and His perfect self-possessionata criticalmoment.
Copyright Statement
Bibliography
Nicol, W. Robertson, M.A., L.L.D. "Commentary on Matthew 26:53". The
Expositor's Greek Testament.

https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/egt/matthew-26.html. 1897-
1910.
George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary
More than twelve legions of angels. A legionwas computed about 6,000.
(Witham) --- These would amount to 72,000;but our Lord means no more
than a greatnumber.
Copyright Statement
Bibliography
Haydock, George Leo. "Commentaryon Matthew 26:53". "George
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary".
https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/hcc/matthew-26.html. 1859.
E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes
cannot = am not able.
now = even now. T Tr. WH R read this after "give Me".
pray = call upon. Greek. parakaleo. App-134.
presently = instantly.
give = send, or furnish.
twelve legions:i.e. for Himself and the elevenapostles.
legions. A legion consistedof6,000 (6,000x 12 = 72,000). Compare 2 Kings
6:17.
Copyright Statement
Bibliography
Bullinger, Ethelbert William. "Commentary on Matthew 26:53". "E.W.
Bullinger's Companion bible Notes".

https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/bul/matthew-26.html. 1909-
1922.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers
(53) Thinkestthou that I cannotnow pray . . .?—There is a strange and
suggestive blending of the possible and the impossible in these words. Could
He have brought Himself to utter that prayer, it would have been answered.
But He could not so pray unless He knew it to be in harmony with His
Father’s will, and He had been taught, in that hour of agony, that it was not in
harmony, and therefore He would not utter it.
Presently.—The modern English readerneeds to be reminded once more that
the word means immediately, without a moment’s delay.
Twelve legions.—Thenumber is probably suggestedby that of the Apostles.
Not twelve weak men, one a traitor and the others timorous, but twelve
legions of the armies of the Lord of Hosts. Note the Roman word appearing
here, as in Mark 5:9; Mark 5:15, as the representative of warlike might.
Copyright Statement
Bibliography
Ellicott, Charles John. "Commentary on Matthew 26:53". "Ellicott's
Commentary for English Readers".
https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/ebc/matthew-26.html. 1905.
Treasuryof Scripture Knowledge
Thinkestthou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently
and he
4:11; 25:31; 2 Kings 6:17; Daniel 7:10; 2 Thessalonians 1:7;Jude 1:14
twelve
10:1,2

legions
(A legion, [legeon(legiwñn)] for the Latin legio, from lego, to collectorchoose
was a particular division or battalion of the Romanarmy, which at different
times contained different numbers. In the time of our Saviour it probably
consistedof 6,200 footand 300 horse, twelve of which would amount to 78,000
men.)
Luke 8:30
Copyright Statement
Bibliography
Torrey, R. A. "Commentary on Matthew 26:53". "The Treasuryof Scripture
Knowledge". https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/tsk/matthew-
26.html.
E.M. Zerr's Commentary on SelectedBooksofthe New Testament
Had it been right to defend Jesus with force, he could have prayed his Father
who would have sent him twelve legions (about72 ,000)of angels.
BIBLEHUB RESOURCES
The willing surrender
P. Brooks,D. D.
"Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus." The gloryof Christ
is in His willing surrender of that which belongedto Him, and which He might
have always had and enjoyed. The multitude whom the chief priests had sent
was arresting Jesus. Thenone of His disciples drew the sword. Jesus bade him
put his sword into its place again. He tells His eagerfollowers thatif He wants
He can protect Himself. "Thinkestthou," etc. The helpless prisoner lookedup
and saw the air thick with angels hurrying to His relief. A word from Him and
they would have been His warriors. He had the power, but would not use it.
The nobleness ofthis surrender of Jesus;no man becomes reallynoble who

has not its repetition in himself. To give up some precious thing which is
legitimately yours; to shut your eyes upon visions of glory, or safety, or
luxury, which you might make your own without blame, that is one of the
marks of nobleness. The man who is taking all that he has a right to take in
life is always touchedwith a shade of baseness. Letus study the nobleness of
voluntary surrender.
I. WE WANT TO FEELHOW DEFINITE AND DISTINCT IT IS. There are
base imitations of it. There are two kinds of renunciation of things which have
this origin in unworthy motives.
1. The first is the renunciation which comes from idleness or lack of spirit.
There will always be people who might be rich, learned, famous, who despise
these things simply because ofthe trouble they involve. The surrender they
make is a loss not a gain; it has nothing in common with the Divine
relinquishment of Jesus.
2. The secondof the two base forms of voluntary surrender is what we may
call the ascetic form. It includes the renunciation of legitimate enjoyments,
that we may be chastenedby disappointment. Now turn back to Jesus. When
He said, "I will not callthe angels," itwas no pusillanimous submitting to His
fate; nor was it any unnatural submitting of Himself to suffering that He
might be cultivated and purified, or that the release from suffering when it
came might be more sweet. It was the quiet surrender of what was His,
because He could not have it and yet do His work and save the world. No man
in this world has a right to all his rights. Here is really the key to the question
of voluntary abstinence from certain innocent indulgences for the sake of
others. Voluntariness lies at the root of it all. We talk of the glory of
resignationto the inevitable; but the true glory is in resignationto the
inevitable. To stand unchained, with perfect powerto go away, and so
standing to let the fire creepup to the heart — that is the truer heroism.
Christ knew what it was to gain the life He lost, to have the thing that He
surrendered. When He refused to callthe angels to His help, the strength
which was the meaning of the angels was surelyentering into Him, and
making Him ready for the battle which He was just about to fight.
(P. Brooks, D. D.)
Self-surrender under the influence of a higher purpose
P. Brooks,D. D.

When a man who might be rich deliberately gives up the chance of wealththat
he may be a scholar, men whose objectin life is wealth, and who know that he
has the same power to get wealthwhich they have if he should give himself to
its pursuit, must honour him and feel the influence of his renunciation. It is
not laziness, for he goes to work harder than any of them. It is not asceticism,
for he has no foolish sweeping abuse ofwealth with which to insult his fellow-
men's intelligence, It is not incapacity, for he is as bright as the brightest. It is
simply the power of a higher purpose. It is the calm, manly, uncomplaining
choice to do this greaterthing, and to surrender whateverwould hinder the
doing of it most faithfully and well. The man goes offinto his study, and
thinks that nobody sees him — indeed, does not think for a moment whether
anybody is seeing him or not; but his life and such lives as his are the salt of
the societyin which they live.
(P. Brooks, D. D.)
PRECEPT AUSTIN RESOURCES
P a s t o r C h r i s B e n f i e l d , F e l l o w s h i p M i s s i o n a r y B a p t i s t
C h u r c h
Page 1
The Arrest in Gethsemane
Matthew 26: 47-56
The events of that faithful night so long ago were moving at a rapid pace.
Jesus had eatenthe Last Supper with the disciples in the Upper Room. He
shared an abundance of truth with them as they made their way to the
Garden of Gethsemane. Along the way, our precious Savior paused to offer
His high priestly prayer. Upon arriving in Gethsemane, He spends time in
intimate prayer with God the Father concerning the upcoming crucifixion.
As we come to our text verses, Judas arrives with the multitude. He had
secretlyagreedto betray the Lord for thirty pieces ofsilver, the going price

for a slave in that day. He has led them to the place of solitude that Jesus
frequented for rest and prayer. Judas has promised to identify Christ to His
accusersand betray the Lord with a kiss.
This is just the beginning of the arrest, false accusation, mock trial, and
subsequent crucifixion of our Lord. Let’s take a moment to reflecton the
details of Matthew’s accountas we consider:The Arrest in Gethsemane.
I. The Betrayal of Jesus (47-49)– Here Matthew records the betrayal of Jesus
by Judas. Notice:
A. The Throng (47) – And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve,
came, and with him a greatmultitude with swords and staves, from the chief
priests and elders of the people. This was not a small gathering of people that
came to arrest Jesus. They are described as a greatmultitude, armed with
swords and staves. The Sanhedrin, led by the Pharisees, hadheard enough of
Jesus and they were determined to silence the voice of the one they perceived
a threat to their agenda. Mostagree this number would have been in the
hundreds, possibly as many as 600 men.
 Having a multitude around was not out of the ordinary for Jesus, but this
crowdhad not come with goodintentions. They had not come to hear from the
Masteror receive a miracle. These had come to arrestJesus and bring Him
before the Sanhedrin. Their determination is evident based on the numbers
they sent: hundreds to confront a party of twelve.
 We see an ominous picture that remains in our day as well. Those who are
opposedto Jesus and His messagegreatlyoutnumber those who embrace
Him. However, we need not be alarmed; we serve the King of kings and Lord
of lords!
B. The Traitor(48) – Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying,
WhomsoeverI shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast. We know Judas had
led them to Gethsemane, knowing Jesuswould be
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there. Prior to their arrival, the sign had been given: Judas would kiss Jesus,
revealing Him to be the one they sought.
 I have thought of the betrayal of Jesus by Judas many times. What a tragedy
this was. Clearlyan innocent Man was being betrayed, but this was all within
the sovereignplan of God. The tragedylies in the deceitand denial of Judas.
He had walkedwith Jesus as the others had. He had experiencedthe same
truth they had witnessed. There could be no doubt Jesus was the Christ, and
yet Judas chose to ignore the truth and deny Jesus as the Christ. He refused to
embrace the means of salvation, choosing rather a few pieces ofsilver.
C. The Treason(49) – And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master;
and kissedhim. If ever an act of treasonwere committed, this is it. Judas
came to the Lord as if all was well. He greetedJesus in a friendly manner and
addressedHim as Master. He then identified Jesus with the kiss. This was not
a mere peck on the cheek, but a genuine portrayal of affection. Judas did not
love the Lord, but he put on a goodshow for those who were there.
 With the kiss of betrayal, Judas identified the one the multitude sought. He
had kissedthe Doorof salvation, but would deny Jesus and walk away lost
and condemned.
 Isn’t that tragic? We wonder how Judas could’ve done such a thing and yet
many follow his deceitful portrayal. Many offer public affectionto the Lord,
but there is no change of heart and no genuine desire for Him. Offering a
public kiss did not generate salvationforJudas and public shows of worship
or affectionwon’t in our day apart from being genuinely born again!

II. The Rebuttal of Jesus (50-54)– Here we discover the words of rebuke Jesus
spoke. We see:
A. A Word to Ponder(50) – And Jesus saidunto him, Friend, wherefore art
thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, andtook him. Clearly
Judas had come with animosity in his heart, seeking to appear friendly. Jesus
was well aware ofthe intent and desire of Judas and yet He addressedhim as
a friend. By asking aboutthe intent of his coming, Jesus wasn’tseeking to
learn why Judas had come. Jesus knew why Judas was there, and yet He
offers an opportunity for him to repent and respond to grace by faith.
 Many today argue their past actions are too bad to be forgiven. They claim
there is no hope for their salvation. As long as we are alive, there is hope!
Jesus extendedthis offer to Judas and He continues to callmen to repentance
and salvationtoday, regardless oftheir past actions.
December28, 2014
C h u r c h
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B. A Word to Prepare (51-52)– And, behold, one of them which were with
Jesus stretchedout his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the
high priest's, and smote off his ear. [52] Then said Jesus unto him, Put up
againthy swordinto his place:for all they that take the sword shall perish
with the sword. John’s gospelreveals it was Peterwho cut off the earof
Malchus, the high priest’s servant. Luke reveals that Jesus immediately
healed Malchus and restored his ear. With this action, Jesus instructed Peter
to put up his sword. This was all within the will of God and there was no
reasonto fight againstGod’s sovereignplan. Jesus refusedto fight the
multitude; this was His purpose for coming into the world.

 There is a greaterthought in mind here though. Jesus wantedPeterand the
others to know this was not a physical altercation. The warfare they would be
calledto engage inwould be of spiritual nature, not physical. Jesus was
committed to fulfilling the plan of redemption and He wanted to prepare the
disciples for the battles yet to come!2 Cor.10:4 – Forthe weapons ofour
warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong
holds. Eph. 6:17 – And take the helmet of salvation, and the swordof the
Spirit, which is the word of God.
C. A Word to Proclaim(53-54)– Thinkestthou that I cannotnow pray to my
Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?
[54] But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be? As
Jesus spoke these words, He served notice to all who heard that He was in fact
the Sonof the Living God. This was not something that had gottenout of
hand. This night had been ordained since before the foundation of the world.
He was not being forced to submit to arrestagainstHis will. He was fulfilling
the plan of God to become the sacrificialatonementfor sin! He knew these
things must come to pass in order for the Scriptures to be fulfilled.
 This group likely never realized the minimal powerthey possessed. They
thought they were in charge, but in fact Jesus allowedthis to transpire as it
did. Consider the thoughts of John MacArthur: A full Roman legionwas
composedof 6,000 soldiers.More than twelve legions of angels therefore
would be in excess of72,000. If a single angelof God could slay 185,000men in
one night, as with the Assyrian troops of Sennacherib (2 Kings 19:35), the
powerof 72,000angels is unimaginable. Jesus explainedto his impetuous
disciple that He had immediate accessto supernatural forces that easilycould
destroy the entire Romanarmy, not to mention the mere cohortof 600
soldiers (John 18:3) they now faced. i
III. The Committal of Jesus (55-56)– Our closing verses revealthe sincere
commitment of Jesus to accomplishthe will of the Father. Consider:

December28, 2014
C h u r c h
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A. His Rebuke (55) – In that same hour saidJesus to the multitudes, Are ye
come out as againsta thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily
with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me. This was not an
effort to avoid arrestand escape the cross, but to rebuke the absurdity of their
appearance and weaponry. This was the One known for compassionand
revealing of truth. He had not come to destroyor kill, but to heal and provide
life. They had come as if they would face a dangerous criminal, but He was
only guilty of love and sacrifice. Jesushad satdaily in the Temple, teaching
the Word of God. They hadn’t tried to apprehend Him there. Instead they
waited for the coverof darkness to carry out their sinful deed.
 Is that not how Satanand those who follow him continue to operate? They
wait for a time when their genuine motives and tactics canbe hidden from
view. They seek to work when others cannotsee them for who they truly are!
B. His Resolve (56a) – But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets
might be fulfilled. This night would be the beginning of the greatestinjustice
ever committed. The cowardlyacts of the multitude and betrayal of Judas
were unwarranted, but they were carriedout for a purpose. Jesus revealedHe
had powerto defeat them if He desired, but He had resolvedto submit to the
will of the Father. He knew He must go with them and die for the sin of
humanity!
 It seems unnatural to rejoice in such a situation, but I am thankful Jesus was
willing to fulfill His Father’s will. I am glad He went to the cross for me! Had
He not been willing to suffer the agonies ofthe cross and die in our place, we
would have no opportunity for salvation. We would not have an Intercessor

who identifies with our infirmities. Jesus did all of this because He was
determined to secure our salvation!
C. His Rejection(56b) – Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled. We know
that Peterwill follow Jesus to the home of the high priest, and I believe John is
also there as Jesus is tried. We do know that John is found at the feet of Jesus
as He hangs upon the cross, but at this moment, Jesus is forsakenby all the
disciples. As He is arrestedfor crimes He had not committed, He is lead away
alone!
 This reveals two greattruths to us. Many continue to forsake Jesuswhenit
comes to the crucifixion. Many agree that He was a greatteacher, prophet,
and man, but refuse to embrace Him as the Christ. It also reveals that what
Jesus was aboutto do, He must do alone. No one else was worthy to die for
our sin. No one else could drink of the cup He was about to taste and drink.
Jesus alone securedour redemption as He offeredHis body the perfect, living
sacrifice for sin.
December28, 2014
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Conclusion:The arrestin Gethsemane reveals the true nature of mankind.
We are all sinful and stand in need of salvation. Regardless ofour position in
life, we must come to Christ by faith if we are to be saved. Just being in His
presence orknowing of Him is not enough. We must repent of sin and receive
salvationby faith in His finished work.
There are many characters pictured in this passage. Some are like Judas and
deny the truth, choosing to rejectJesus. Others are like the disciples and flee

when struggles come. Many today are like the multitude and want to rid the
world of any influence of Christ.
Where do you stand? We likely were all like Judas at some point. I am glad I
finally saw my need and embracedJesus as the Christ. There have been times
since that I have fled in fear, but He has always welcomedme back. Whatever
the need is, Jesus stands and the Savior and friend of sinners. Why not seek
Him if He has spokento you
Matthew 26:47-65: “Jesus Is Arrested And Led To Appear Before Caiaphas
And The High Priests”
by
Jim Bomkamp
Back Bible Studies Home Page
1. INTRO
1.1. In our last study, we continued to look at the events that led directly
up to Jesus being crucified upon the cross ofCalvary
1.1.1. We saw how that Jesus had told His disciples that they would all fall
awayfrom Him that night, and Peterand then all of the restassuredthem
that though all fell away from Him that they would not fall away
1.1.1.1.Welookedatthe folly of boasting in our flesh
1.1.1.2.Wesaw how that the Lord was preparing His disciples for their times
of failure, for they would need to come to Him so that He could restore them
1.1.1.3.Wesaw how that nothing surprises the Lord about our lives
1.1.2. We then concentratedupon the events that occurred during the Garden
of Gethsemane
1.1.2.1.Jesus becamevery troubled to the point of actually becoming near
death
1.1.2.2.Jesus’anguishwas so greatthat the capillaries under His skin were
bursting and He was bleeding out through the pores of His skin

1.1.2.3.Jesus wantedHis disciples Peter, James, and John to just sit and be
with Him during this hour of ordealas He was preparing Himself to face the
horrors of the cross, howevertheycould not stay awake being heavy with
depressionat the apprehensionof the evil that would befall Jesus and their
movement
1.1.2.4.Wesaw thatJesus askedHis disciples to pray for themselves that they
enter not into temptation, and yet they just kept on sleeping
1.1.2.4.1.Welookedatthe importance of praying before and after times of
temptation
1.2. In our study today, we are continuing to look at the events that led
directly up to Jesus’crucifixion
1.2.1. We will look at all of the gospelaccounts ofhow that Judas betrayed
Jesus, bringing with him a cohortof soldiers, the chief priests, and the elders
of the people
1.2.2. Thenwe will look at the illegal trial of Jesus that was a mockeryof
justice and which resulted in His being sentencedto death
2. VS 26:47-54 - “47 And while He was still speaking, behold, Judas,
one of the twelve, came up, accompaniedby a greatmultitude with swords
and clubs, from the chief priests and elders of the people. 48 Now he who was
betraying Him gave them a sign, saying, “WhomeverI shall kiss, He is the
one; seize Him.” 49 And immediately he went to Jesus and said, “Hail,
Rabbi!” and kissedHim. 50 And Jesus saidto him, “Friend, do what you have
come for.” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and seized Him. 51 And
behold, one of those who were with Jesus reachedand drew out his sword,
and struck the slave of the high priest, and cut off his ear. 52 Then Jesus *said
to him, “Put your swordback into its place; for all those who take up the
swordshall perish by the sword. 53 “Or do you think that I cannot appeal to
My Father, and He will at once put at My disposalmore than twelve legions of
angels? 54 “How then shall the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen this
way?”” - Judas came to the Garden of Gethsemane with a greatmultitude
including soldiers and chief priests and elders of the people in order that he
might betray Jesus to the chief priests and elders
2.1. When you think about it this sin of Judas was surely the worst sin
that anyone has ever committed. Judas sinned againstso much light that He

had receivedin his life. He had seenJesus perform any kind of miracle
multiple times, and He had heard Jesus teachusing the authority and words
which were unlike any man evertaught. Plus, He had had Jesus personally
love and minister to him for perhaps up to 3 ½ years at this point. Yet, in
spite of all that he had seenand experienced, he chose to betray Jesus to those
who planned to kill Him.
2.2. Judas had arranged it such with the chief priests and elders of Israel
that he would point out Jesus by giving Him a kiss.
2.2.1. In Luke’s accountof this event, Luke 22:8, Luke tells us what Jesus
said to Judas when he betrayed Jesus, “48 But Jesus saidto him, “Judas, are
you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?””
2.2.2. A kiss was the ultimate expressionof love amongst friends and family,
and in his callousness andhardness of heart toward the Lord, Judas decides
to betray the Lord with a kiss.
2.2.2.1.This shows the bitterness of heart that Judas had towards Jesus.
2.2.2.2.Judas wantedhis betrayal of Jesus to be speciallyhurtful to Jesus.
Though Judas had seenJesus perform every kind of miracle many times, he
never really believed in Him, and never was really committed in heart to
following Him. Judas had never been interested in anything but personal
gain. Judas knew Jesus knew where his heart was really at. Therefore, Judas
is actually making a statementto Jesus through this betrayal with a kiss.
2.2.2.3.Some have tried to claim that Judas was trying to force Jesus’hand
and cause Him to have to declare Himself the Messiah, andthus what he did
was really good, howeverthis is totally wrong for it is inconsistent with
scripture. Jesus calledJudas ‘the son of perdition (hell)’, and said of him that
it would have been better for him if he had never been born, therefore Judas’
sin must have been of the worst kind.
2.2.2.4.Wehave already seenthat Judas had become disillusioned with Jesus
for Jesus had not tried to rally support around Him to go and become the
leaderof the nation, their Messiah, and attempt to conquer the oppressing
arm of Rome over the nation.
2.3. In John 18:3-9, we learn more about what happened when the
soldiers, chief priests, and elders came for Jesus, “3 Judas then, having
receivedthe Romancohort, and officers from the chief priests and the
Pharisees,*came there with lanterns and torches and weapons. 4 Jesus
therefore, knowing all the things that were coming upon Him, went forth, and
*saidto them, “Whom do you seek?”5 They answeredHim, “Jesus the

Nazarene.” He *saidto them, “I am He.” And Judas also who was betraying
Him, was standing with them. 6 When therefore He said to them, “I am He,”
they drew back, and fell to the ground. 7 Again therefore He askedthem,
“Whom do you seek?”And they said, “Jesus the Nazarene.” 8 Jesus
answered, “Itold you that I am He; if therefore you seek Me, let these go their
way,” 9 that the word might be fulfilled which He spoke, “Ofthose whom
Thou hast given Me I lost not one.””
2.3.1. We canonly imagine the majesty, power, and authority of the voice of
Christ in answering this group saying, ‘I am he’, and in so doing causing all of
them to draw back and fall to the ground.
2.3.2. The same mouth that has such power that it was usedto speak the
world into existence will also be used to judge the nations gatheredtogetherto
battle the Lord on the day of the Lord. In Revelationchapter 19 we read that
when Jesus returns to earth at the end of the 7 year Tribulation of the book of
Revelationthat He comes to the battle of Armageddon and that with His
mouth He will slay His enemies and the birds of the heavens will eat their
flesh.
2.3.3. In His mercy, Jesus spares His disciples from being persecutedby the
multitude by pursuading them to let His disciples go their way.
2.4. In John 18:10-11 we learn severalmore details about this incident,
“10 Simon Petertherefore having a sword, drew it, and struck the high
priest’s slave, and cut off his right ear; and the slave’s name was Malchus. 11
Jesus therefore saidto Peter, “Putthe swordinto the sheath; the cup which
the Fatherhas given Me, shall I not drink it?””
2.4.1. The man who drew the swordand cut off the man’s earwas Peter
2.4.2. The man who’s ear was cut off was the high priest’s slave, Malchus.
2.5. In Luke 22:50-51, we learnsome additional details concerning this
incident, “50 And a certain one of them struck the slave of the high priest and
cut off his right ear. 51 But Jesus answeredandsaid, “Stop!No more of this.”
And He touched his earand healed him.”
2.5.1. Jesus touchedthe slave’s earand healed it after Peterhad cut it off.
2.5.1.1.I’dlike to make a couple of observations aboutthis:
2.5.1.1.1.Wesee here impetuous Peter, who though he showedhis bravery in
swinging his swordat Jesus’enemies, he also in characterfor himself was
acting so much on impulse that he misses the seamof the armor on the top of
the slaves head(which ran from front to back)which he was aiming at and cut
off his ear instead.

2.5.1.1.2.Itis a sad thing, but I’m afraid that for many Christians the Lord is
often going behind them and fixing their messes and healing those in their
path who have been hurt by them, as He fixed Peter’s mess here by healing an
ear.
2.5.2. We see here that Jesus restrainedHis disciples from trying to fight the
soldiers and mob who came to arrestHim.
2.6. Here in these verses in Matthew, Jesus tells His disciples that they
who live by the swordwill die by the sword. This saying has a dual meaning I
believe.
2.6.1. If you commit murder you should and will suffer the death penalty for
the crime.
2.6.2. Thosewho start wars will themselves suffer the repercussions oftheir
actions and one day die by the retaliation and aggressionof those they have
attacked.
2.7. Jesus asks His disciples if they believe that if He desired to do so at
that very moment that He could summon twelve legions of angels at His
disposal?
2.7.1. Jesus is trying to tell them something here by this. Jesus was not
crucified because men overpoweredHim, or evil somehow gainedthe upper
hand over Him. Jesus allowedHimself willingly to be crucified only because
this was God’s plan for His life. If He died upon the cross of Calvary for
mankind, then He could redeemall those who had no other hope than one day
facing a holy and just God and being castinto eternal hell. His purpose
before even the foundation of the world was to procure man’s salvation
through the sacrifice ofHimself.
2.8. In verse 54, Jesus againreminds His disciples that what was
happening to Him at this point in time was happening in accordancewith
what the scriptures had foretold. Godwas in control even at this point in time
when the most evil atrocities were being carried out by men, the brutal
beating and crucifixion of the only unique Son of God who was holy and
righteous in every way.
3. VS 26:55-56 - “55 At that time Jesus saidto the multitudes, “Have
you come out with swords and clubs to arrest Me as againsta robber? Every
day I used to sit in the temple teaching and you did not seize Me. 56 “But all
this has taken place that the Scriptures of the prophets may be fulfilled.”
Then all the disciples left Him and fled.” - Jesus asksthe multitude if they

Jesus was giving up his chance to escape the cross

Jesus was giving up his chance to escape the cross

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