Charles Ellicott Commentary Luke 22:47-49

"While he yet spake, behold, a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them; and he drew near unto Jesus to kiss him. But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss? And when they that were about him saw what would follow, they said, Lord, shall we smite with the sword?" — Luke 22:47-49 (ASV)

And while he yet spake.—See Notes on Matthew 26:47-50; Mark 14:43–46.

Went before them.—The tense implies, not that Judas then left those with whom he had walked before, but that he was seen walking, as he had been all along, in advance of the others. He was guide to them that took Jesus (Acts 1:16).

Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man?—The first three Gospels all record the Traitor’s kiss. Luke alone reports the question.

In our Lord’s use of the words, “the Son of Man,” we may trace a twofold purpose. It was the old familiar title by which He had been accustomed to speak of Himself in conversation with the disciples, and so it appealed to memory and conscience.

It was the name which was specially connected with His office as Judge and King (Daniel 7:13), and so it came as a warning of the terrible retribution which the Traitor was preparing for himself.

When they which were about him.—The phrase is apparently chosen as more accurate than “the disciples” would have been. Those who spoke were probably the three that had been nearest to Him, and possibly one or two others who had rushed forward.