Betrayed with a kiss on the cheek
When I greet my relatives from the Netherlands, we kiss each other on both sides of the cheek. I like this greeting because it feels more intimate than a regular handshake.
Many countries use a cheek kiss as a greeting, a sign of friendship, or to show respect.
Judas, however, used it as a means of betrayal.
Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”
While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.” Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him.
Jesus replied, “Do what you came for, friend.”
Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him (Matthew 26:45–50, NIV).
Judas had told the crowd to arrest the man he kissed.
A kiss in the culture of Israel in those days was similar to the common greeting it is today.
There two main reasons Judas may have chosen a kiss to betray Jesus:
Innocence
He may have wanted Jesus to think he just arrived in the garden and wasn’t part of the crowd. Although Jesus knew who His betrayer would be, Judas may have wanted Jesus to think he just kissed Him by way of greeting.
Also, he may have wanted to keep his sin and betrayal hidden from the other disciples. He was a traitor and a coward.
Identification
This crowd may never have seen Jesus in person. They needed Judas to positively identify Jesus as they probably had never seen Him face to face.
The crowd came at night because they were afraid of interference from Jesus’ supporters who followed Him during the day. The kiss made it easier to see exactly whom they needed to arrest.
I like the social kissing gesture I have with my European relatives. I can’t imagine the pain Jesus felt to be betrayed with such a greeting.
Want to dive deeper? You’ll find this story—and many more that reveal the beauty of our Triune God—in God the Father, the Son & Holy Spirit: Exploring Biblical Truths About the Triune God, available on Amazon.