Luke 22:49

When they which were about him,.... That is, the eleven disciples that were about Christ, and with him in the garden: saw what would follow; that their Lord and master was about to be betrayed by Judas, and would be seized, and carried away by the multitude, that were with him: they said unto him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword? or "swords", as the Syriac and Persic versions read; with the two swords which they had along with them.

We should learn, for one thing, from these verses — that the worst and most wicked acts may be done under a show of love to Christ . We read that when the traitor Judas brought the enemies of Christ to capture Him — he betrayed Him "with a kiss." He made a pretense of affection and respect — at the very moment when he was about to deliver his Master into the hands of his deadliest enemies! Conduct like this, unhappily, is not without its parallels.

We should learn, for one thing, from these verses — that the worst and most wicked acts may be done under a show of love to Christ . We read that when the traitor Judas brought the enemies of Christ to capture Him — he betrayed Him "with a kiss." He made a pretense of affection and respect — at the very moment when he was about to deliver his Master into the hands of his deadliest enemies! Conduct like this, unhappily, is not without its parallels. The pages of history record many an instance of enormous wickedness done under the garb of religion. The name of God has too often been pressed into the service of persecution, treachery, and crime! When Jezebel would have Naboth killed, she ordered a "fast to be proclaimed," and false witnesses to accuse him of "blaspheming God and the king." (1 Kings 21:9-10.) When the Catholic church led a crusade against the Christians in southern France, they were ordered to be murdered and pillaged, as an act of service to Christ. When the Spanish Inquisition tortured and burned Christians — they justified their abominable dealings by a profession of zeal for God's truth. The false apostle Judas Iscariot has never lacked successors and imitators! There have always been men ready to betray Christ with a kiss, and willing to deliver the Gospel to its enemies under a show of respect. Conduct like this, we need not doubt, is utterly abominable in the sight of God. To injure the cause of religion under any circumstances, is a great sin — but to injure it while we pretend to show kindness — is the blackest of crimes! To betray Christ at any time, is the very height of wickedness — but to betray Him with a kiss, proves a man to have become a very child of Hell.