Luke 22:47-53

content/bible_journal/luke_22:47-53.md

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+title = "Luke 22:47–53"
+date = "2023-02-12"
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+
+### [Read the passage.](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Lk22.47-53)
+
+Since Judas knows where Jesus usually spends time on the Mount of Olives, he is
+able to easily lead a group to capture Him. He identifies Jesus to the others
+by greeting Him with a kiss, a common greeting at the time. It seems Jesus
+stops him, but I read the situation as very confused and fast-paced.
+
+Jesus's disciples figure out what all these armed men are here to do and ask
+Jesus if they should try to fight back. They've got these swords after all.
+Without waiting for the answer, Peter (as we know from other accounts), the
+brash, impulsive one, goes ahead and swings at a bondslave of the high priest.
+This man may have been in charge of the group of guards following Judas, and
+Peter may have recognized him as the leader and so target him first. Or maybe
+he was just the closest person.
+
+In any case the high priest's slave loses his ear from Peter's strike, so I
+presume Peter was going for the kill. In light of that, I'm really surprised
+things didn't devolve into a _mêlée_. On the other hand, Jesus doesn't want
+that to happen, therefore it doesn't. Instead, Jesus heals the man's ear and
+talks the crowd that has come to arrest Him. He points out that they aren't not
+acting in righteousness, and they know it, because they are operating in
+secret, away from public view.
+
+* * *
+
+Let us not react in anger and selfishness, but to listen to Your voice in all
+circumstances.