Against a robber (Lk 22:52-22:52)

“Then Jesus said

To the chief priests,

The officers

Of the Temple police,

And the elders,

Who had come

For him.

‘Have you come out

With swords

And clubs

As if I were a bandit?”

Εἶπεν δὲ Ἰησοῦς πρὸς τοὺς παραγενομένους ἐπ’ αὐτὸν ἀρχιερεῖς καὶ στρατηγοὺς τοῦ ἱεροῦ καὶ πρεσβυτέρους Ὡς ἐπὶ λῃστὴν ἐξήλθατε μετὰ μαχαιρῶν καὶ ξύλων;

Luke indicated that Jesus spoke (Εἶπεν δὲ Ἰησοῦς) to the chief priests (ἐπ’ αὐτὸν ἀρχιερεῖς), the officers of the Temple police (καὶ στρατηγοὺς τοῦ ἱεροῦ), the elders or presbyters (καὶ πρεσβυτέρους), and all who had come out against him (πρὸς τοὺς παραγενομένους).  He asked them how come they came out (ἐξήλθατε) with swords (μετὰ μαχαιρῶν) and wooden clubs (καὶ ξύλων), as if he was a bandit or robber (Ὡς ἐπὶ λῃστὴν)?  John, chapter 18, did not have any conversation like this.  Matthew, chapter 26:55, and Mark, chapter 14:48, were almost word for word.  Mark indicated that Jesus finally responded to those arresting him (καὶ ἀποκριθεὶς ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἶπεν αὐτοῖς).  He wanted to know why they had come out with swords and clubs to capture or arrest him (ἐξήλθατε μετὰ μαχαιρῶν καὶ ξύλων συλλαβεῖν με), as though he was a bandit or robber (Ὡς ἐπὶ λῃστὴν)?  Matthew recounted that at that hour (Ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ ὥρᾳ), Jesus spoke to the crowds (εἶπεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς τοῖς ὄχλοις), as he normally did.  Why had they come out with swords and clubs to capture or arrest him (ἐξήλθατε μετὰ μαχαιρῶν καὶ ξύλων συλλαβεῖν με), as though he was a bandit or robber (Ὡς ἐπὶ λῃστὴν)?  Why was it that he had suddenly become like a robber or bandit, when he had been teaching openly in many synagogues?  Only Luke specifically mentioned the chief priests, the officers of the Temple, and the elders were there.  How would you treat a bandit or robber?

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