THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW - Chapter 26 - Verse 48

Verse 48. Gave them a sign. That is, told them of a way by which they might know whom to apprehend, i.e., by his kissing him. It was night. Jesus was, besides, probably personally unknown to the Romans, perhaps to the others also. Judas, therefore, being well acquainted with him, to prevent the possibility of mistake, agreed to designate him by one of the tokens of friendship.

John tells us, that Jesus, knowing all things that should come upon him, when they approached him, asked them whom they sought? and that they replied, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus informed them that he was the person they sought. They, when they heard it, overawed by his presence, and smitten with the consciousness of guilt, went backward, and fell to the ground. He again asked them whom they sought. They made the same declaration—Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus then, since they professed to seek only him, claimed the right that his disciples should be suffered to escape;— "that the saying might be fulfilled which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none," Joh 18:9. See also Joh 17:12.

{s} "saying" Ps 38:12