47 And while he is speaking, lo, a multitude, and he who is called Judas, one of the twelve, was coming before them, and he came nigh to Jesus to kiss him, 48 and Jesus said to him, 'Judas, with a kiss the Son of Man dost thou deliver up?' 49 And those about him, having seen what was about to be, said to him, 'Sir, shall we smite with a sword?' 50 And a certain one of them smote the servant of the chief priest, and took off his right ear, 51 and Jesus answering said, 'Suffer ye thus far,' and having touched his ear, he healed him. 52 And Jesus said to those having come upon him—chief priests, and magistrates of the temple, and elders—'As upon a robber have ye come forth, with swords and sticks? 53 while daily I was with you in the temple, ye did stretch forth no hands against me; but this is your hour and the power of the darkness.'
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Luke 22:47-53
Commentary on Luke 22:47-53
(Read Luke 22:47-53)
Nothing can be a greater affront or grief to the Lord Jesus, than to be betrayed by those who profess to be his followers, and say that they love him. Many instances there are, of Christ's being betrayed by those who, under the form of godliness, fight against the power of it. Jesus here gave an illustrious example of his own rule of doing good to those that hate us, as afterwards he did of praying for those that despitefully use us. Corrupt nature warps our conduct to extremes; we should seek for the Lord's direction before we act in difficult circumstances. Christ was willing to wait for his triumphs till his warfare was accomplished, and we must be so too. But the hour and the power of darkness were short, and such the triumphs of the wicked always will be.