Matthew 26:50 Meaning and Explanation
“And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Jesus calls Judas friend; then the crowd lays hands on Him and takes Him.
What Does Matthew 26:50 Mean?
Jesus answers the kiss with a single word of address: Friend. The term means companion, comrade -- neither bitter nor naive. Then the question, wherefore art thou come? -- and the mob closes in, seizing the One who does not resist.
Friend is the last word Judas hears from Jesus in this Gospel. To the very end, the Lord refuses to meet betrayal with contempt. They lay hands on Him, but He has already laid down His defenses; the willing offering spoken of at supper now begins in earnest.
Matthew 26:50 in the Original Language
hetairos (ἑταῖρος), 'friend' -- companion, comrade.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 26:50
What does Matthew 26:50 mean?
Jesus calls Judas friend; then the crowd lays hands on Him and takes Him.