King James Version

What Does Matthew 26:55 Mean?

Matthew 26:55 in the King James Version says “In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me... — study this verse from Matthew chapter 26 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me.

Matthew 26:55 · KJV


Context

53

Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?

54

But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?

55

In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me.

56

But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.

57

And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? (Ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ ὥρᾳ εἶπεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς τοῖς ὄχλοις, Ὡς ἐπὶ λῃστὴν ἐξήλθατε μετὰ μαχαιρῶν καὶ ξύλων συλλαβεῖν με;)—The phrase ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ ὥρᾳ ('in that same hour') emphasizes the moment. Jesus addressed the ὄχλοι (crowds, armed mob) with rhetorical question exposing their hypocrisy. The term λῃστής (lēstēs) means 'robber, bandit, insurrectionist'—not mere thief but violent criminal. Barabbas was a λῃστής (John 18:40). Jesus challenged the excessive force (swords and clubs) as if He were dangerous revolutionary.

I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me (καθ' ἡμέραν πρὸς ὑμᾶς ἐκαθεζόμην διδάσκων ἐν τῷ ἱερῷ, καὶ οὐκ ἐκρατήσατέ με)—The imperfect ἐκαθεζόμην ('I was sitting') indicates repeated, ongoing action: daily teaching. The phrase πρὸς ὑμᾶς ('with you, in your presence') emphasizes openness. He taught publicly in the temple, accessible to all, presenting no threat. Yet they arrested Him secretly at night—revealing cowardice, not courage. Their method exposed their motives: this wasn't justice but murder.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Jesus taught in the temple courts daily during Passover week (21:23; Luke 19:47). The authorities could have arrested Him publicly but feared the crowds (26:5). Night arrest in Gethsemane avoided confrontation. The excessive armed force (John 18:3 mentions a Roman cohort—600 soldiers!) suggests they expected supernatural resistance or feared His followers might fight. Ironically, the Prince of Peace was arrested as a dangerous criminal, while actual insurrectionist Barabbas was released. The contrast reveals humanity's inverted justice.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the authorities' cowardly night arrest reveal about the relationship between evil and darkness (John 3:19-20)?
  2. How does Jesus's public teaching contrasted with secret arrest expose the difference between truth's boldness and wickedness's shame?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 32 words
ἐν1 of 32

In

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

ἐκείνῃ2 of 32

that same

G1565

that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed

τῇ3 of 32
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ὥρᾳ4 of 32

hour

G5610

an "hour" (literally or figuratively)

εἶπεν5 of 32

said

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

6 of 32
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Ἰησοῦς7 of 32

Jesus

G2424

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

τοῖς8 of 32
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ὄχλοις9 of 32

to the multitudes

G3793

a throng (as borne along); by implication, the rabble; by extension, a class of people; figuratively, a riot

Ὡς10 of 32

as

G5613

which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)

ἐπὶ11 of 32

against

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

λῃστὴν12 of 32

a thief

G3027

a brigand

ἐξήλθετε13 of 32

Are ye come out

G1831

to issue (literally or figuratively)

μετὰ14 of 32

with

G3326

properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)

μαχαιρῶν15 of 32

swords

G3162

a knife, i.e., dirk; figuratively, war, judicial punishment

καὶ16 of 32

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ξύλων17 of 32

staves

G3586

timber (as fuel or material); by implication, a stick, club or tree or other wooden article or substance

συλλαβεῖν18 of 32

for to take

G4815

to clasp, i.e., seize (arrest, capture); specially, to conceive (literally or figuratively); by implication, to aid

με19 of 32

me

G3165

me

καθ'20 of 32
G2596

(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)

ἡμέραν21 of 32

daily

G2250

day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of

πρὸς22 of 32

with

G4314

a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,

ὑμᾶς23 of 32

you

G5209

you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)

ἐκαθεζόμην24 of 32

I sat

G2516

to sit down

διδάσκων25 of 32

teaching

G1321

to teach (in the same broad application)

ἐν26 of 32

In

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τῷ27 of 32
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἱερῷ28 of 32

the temple

G2411

a sacred place, i.e., the entire precincts (whereas g3485 denotes the central sanctuary itself) of the temple (at jerusalem or elsewhere)

καὶ29 of 32

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

οὐκ30 of 32

no

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

ἐκρατήσατέ31 of 32

hold

G2902

to use strength, i.e., seize or retain (literally or figuratively)

με32 of 32

me

G3165

me


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Matthew. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Matthew 26:55 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Matthew 26:55 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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