Luke 22:48
But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?
Luke 22:48
Jesus confronts Judas directly: “betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?” The question surfaces the intentional deceit behind Judas’s act. Jesus’s calm recognition of betrayal underlines his awareness of people’s motives and the deliberate plan to suffer for humanity.
This line centers the scandal of betrayal within the divine drama of redemption. It shows Jesus’s unyielding commitment to the mission despite human treachery. The kiss, a symbol of friendship, becomes an indictment of how sin violence can pervert love’s attainments. It also foregrounds human responsibility in the face of anticipated suffering.
We are called to integrity even when others act with duplicity. Practical steps: cultivate discernment to recognize patterns of manipulation; respond with clear boundaries plus compassionate truth-telling; seek reconciliation where possible, while protecting vulnerable parts of your life. Example: a business partner hides information—address the issue directly, seek counsel, and pursue transparent arrangements going forward.
Cross-References: Matthew 26:49-50; Luke 22:3-6; Proverbs 27:5-6; Ephesians 4:25; James 5:12