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 26:55KJV
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Matthew 26:55 (KJV)

What does Matthew 26:55 mean?

Matthew 26:55 shows Jesus questioning the crowd that came to arrest him, pointing out the contrast between their armed approach and his peaceful, public teaching in the temple. Jesus highlights that he was openly available every day, yet they chose to seize him at night as if he were a dangerous criminal.

In this verse, Jesus is speaking directly to the crowd sent by the religious leaders to arrest him in the Garden of Gethsemane. The situation is tense: the crowd arrives with swords and clubs, treating Jesus like a threat. By reminding them that he taught openly in the temple (a public and sacred place), Jesus exposes the irony and fear behind their actions and shows that he was never hiding or acting in secret.

The Greek behind Matthew 26:55

  • λῃστής (lēstēs, "thief"): This word often refers to a violent robber or bandit, not just a petty thief. Jesus is pointing out that they are treating him like a dangerous outlaw, which does not fit how he has behaved.
  • ξίφος (xiphos, "sword") and ξύλον (xylon, "staff" or "club"): These words show the crowd came prepared for violence, expecting resistance, which contrasts with Jesus’ peaceful teaching.
  • καθ’ ἡμέραν (kath’ hēmeran, "daily"): This phrase emphasizes Jesus’ regular, public presence in the temple, highlighting that he was not hiding or acting in secret.

Why Matthew 26:55 matters

  • This verse clears up any idea that Jesus was a secretive or rebellious figure; he was always teaching openly, not plotting in the shadows.
  • Matthew 26:55 highlights the fear and misunderstanding of the authorities, who treated a peaceful teacher as if he were a dangerous criminal.
  • The verse connects to the larger narrative of Jesus’ arrest and trial, showing the contrast between his openness and the secrecy of those who sought to capture him.

Where else these words appear

“sat” Greek G2516 · used in 6 verses

  • Luke 2:46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.
  • John 4:6 Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour.
  • John 20:12 And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.

“thief” Greek G3027 · used in 15 verses

  • Matthew 21:13 And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.
  • Mark 14:48 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Are ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and with staves to take me?
  • Luke 22:52 Then Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders, which were come to him, Be ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and staves?

“take” Greek G4815 · used in 16 verses

  • Mark 14:48 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Are ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and with staves to take me?
  • Luke 5:7 And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.
  • Acts 12:3 And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also.(Then were the days of unleavened bread.)

“staves” Greek G3586 · used in 17 verses

  • Matthew 26:47 And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people.
  • Acts 5:30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.
  • Galatians 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: