Luke 22:52 Meaning and Explanation
“Then Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders, which were come to him, Be ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and staves?”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Jesus asks the leaders why they have come out armed, as against a robber.
What Does Luke 22:52 Mean?
The arresting party included the very chief priests, temple captains, and elders who had bargained with Judas. Jesus names the absurdity: weapons and a night raid for a man who sat teaching in their temple every day.
The question exposes the fear beneath the operation - and fulfills the word spoken at supper: 'he was reckoned among the transgressors' (verse 37). They treat him as a bandit; soon he will hang between two of them. He accepts the criminal's arrest without returning force. Truth needs no torches and clubs; falsehood seldom moves without them.
Luke 22:52 in the Original Language
lestes (λῃστής), 'thief' -- robber, bandit; the word used for those crucified beside him.
Frequently Asked Questions About Luke 22:52
What does Luke 22:52 mean?
Jesus asks the leaders why they have come out armed, as against a robber.