Why Did Judas Kiss Jesus?
Why Did Judas Kiss Jesus? By. Dr. Nicholas Schaser The Anointing Kiss: When Judas arrives at Gethsemane, he tells the accompanying crowd, “The one I will kiss (φιλήσω; philéso) is he; seize him”. Then, Judas “kissed him” (κατεφίλησεν αὐτόν; katephílesen autón ). The Greek word for “to kiss” (φιλέω; philéo) also means “to love,” so it’s ironic that Judas chooses this gesture to mark his disloyalty to Jesus. Luke flags this irony when Yeshua asks, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss (φιλήματι; philémati)?”. While, in one sense, the betrayer’s behavior appears out of place, it is also appropriate insofar as the kiss recalls one of the rituals of royal coronation and foreshadows the references to Jesus as “King of the Jews” before his crucifixion! Samuel's Gesture When Samuel installs Saul as king of Israel, “Samuel kissed him (ἐφίλησεν αὐτὸν; epílesen autòn) and said, ‘Has not the Lord anointed you to be prince over his people Israel?’”. In the conte...