What does Luke 22:49 Mean?

Context Summary

It may have been about midnight when the lights and movement of feet indicated the approach of Judas and his band. The kiss of Judas was probably intended to hide his treachery from his fellow-disciples; but it did not deceive his Master, who even in that sad hour sought to touch his heart, Luke 22:48.

When Malchus' ear was almost severed from the body, it was needful that our Lord should interpose, because, if Peter had been arrested, the gaze of mankind would have been diverted from the spectacle of Christ's atonement, and a struggle might have ensued at the gate of the garden which would have justified the worst accusations of the high priest.

The quiet remonstrance with which the Lord met that ruffian band, reminding them of their cowardice in the daylight and amid the crowds, was followed by His submission to be led "as a lamb to the slaughter." [source]

Chapter Summary: Luke 22

¹  The leaders conspire against Jesus
³  Satan prepares Judas to betray him
⁷  The apostles prepare the Passover
¹⁹  Jesus institutes his holy supper;
²¹  covertly foretells of the traitor;
²⁴  rebukes the rest of his apostles from ambition;
³¹  assures Peter his faith should not fail;
³⁴  and yet he should deny him thrice
³⁹  He prays in the mount, and sweats blood;
⁴⁷  is betrayed with a kiss;
⁵⁰  he heals Malchus' ear;
⁵⁴  he is thrice denied by Peter;
⁶³  shamefully abused;
⁶⁶  and confesses himself to be the Son of God