Charles Ellicott Commentary Matthew 26:49

"And straightway he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, Rabbi; and kissed him." — Matthew 26:49 (ASV)

Hail, master — A better translation is Rabbi, the Hebrew word that both St. Matthew and St. Mark record (Mark 14:45). The Greek word for “hail” was a more common greeting than its English equivalent has become for us. We can assume it was the disciples’ usual greeting.