Synoptic

Introduction: The first real episode of Jesus’s passion is the story of His arrest on the mount of Olives(22:47-53)/ what has predicted in VS 21-23 now comes to fulfillment, the betrayal of Jesus by Judas Iscariot. The episode has its parallels in the synoptic Gospel Mk.14:43-52; Mtt.26:47-56; but also in Johnine Gospel 18:2-11.

Delimitation of the text:  It is one of the important episodes in the Lucan Gospel before passion and death of Jesus Christ. The   words of Jesus’ came true about Judas through this event.  The friendship kiss of Judas became the sign of betrayal and treacherous.  

Beginning of the text: Luke 22:47 δέ has so important evidence that it seems to be a connective addition that Jesus was speaking to; Judas one of the disciples came with the crowd. His greetings of kiss became symbol of betrayal.

End of narrative: Jesus was with them but they did not arrest him. It seems that it was Judas who opened their eyes to arrest Jesus. Jesus concludes his remarks to the religious leaders with rebuke: “But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.” This is a subtle reminder that even though Judas and the chief priests was on the frontlines of Jesus’ arrest, Satan’s fingerprints were all over this scene. He was still tempting in the background executing his diabolical scheme to murder the Messiah. This was, indeed, the dark hour Satan was waiting for, when his supposed power over God would be revealed.

Structure

1.      Judas Iscariot approached with crowd to Jesus.

2.      Judas handed over Jesus to them by sign of Kissing.

3.      A short dialogue between Jesus and Judas.

4.      An attack toward the slave

5.      Jesus miraculously healed him.

6.      Jesus rebuked them for their cowardice that when he was with them why they could not arrest.  

Similarities

1.      Judas one of the 12 is mentioned in both Gospel.

2.      Crowd, Kiss, and sword are mention in the both gospel.

3.      Cut the off ear.

4.      Have you come out against a robber, with swords?

5.      Bothe the Gospel emphasized on the arrest of Jesus and identified with kiss of Judas.

Dissimilarities

1.      Mark started with ‘and immediately’ but Luke started with while he was speaking.

2.      Mark said crowd with sword and Luke there came a crowd.

3.      Chief priest, scribes and elders are cited in Mark but Luke Said only leading them.

4.      Mark said kiss the man but Luke said Kiss him.

5.      Mark mentions Master and kissed him but Luke mention he drew near to Jesus to kiss him.

6.      In Mk. directly strike the slaves but in Lk took permission Lord, Shall we strike?

7.      Mk. Mention they laid on him and seized but it is said in Lk.  Jesus said to Judas would you betray the son of man with a kiss.

8.      Teaching in the temple in Mk, but in LK. Only in the temple.

9.       MK mention only ‘ear’ but Lk mention right ‘ear’

10.  Mark mention a young man followed him but LK does not mention about young man.

Some specific characteristic of Luke

1.      Lucan is shorter than Mark

2.      Lucan account is shorter than Mk; it alone recounts the healing of the ear by Jesus.

3.      Luke does not reveal why Judas come to Jesus to kiss Him.

4.      The attack on the servant of the high priest is revealed as on attempt to free Jesus as act of defense.

5.      The dialogue that Jesus carries on with Judas and with disciples who wields and the sword gives a more dramatic touch to the episode

6.      47 verse is redacted from Mark 14:43ab, 45.

Kiss  in Old Testament : While 1 Sam. 20:41 and 2 Sam 19:40 show that close friend might kiss upon taking leave of each other, kissing is generally reserved in the OT for greeting close relatives (Gen. 29:11, 13;33:4;45:15;48:10; Ex, 4:27 or taking leave Gen. 31:28;32:1;50:1; Ruth 1:9, 14. The purely erotic kiss is mentioned in the Bible only in Prov. 7:13 and song of Sol. 1:2; 8:1. The kiss of betrayal is attested only in 2 Sam. 20:9 and and in the parallel Gospel Mk 14: 45; Mtt 26:49; Lk.22:47. In the NT the kiss is greeting exchanged between Christians Acts 20:37; Rom.16:16; 1Cor16:20; 2 cor.13:12 1Thess 5:26; 1 Pet.5:14.

The kiss was to exchange between the Same gender and it was a affection at greetings and farewell between the persons of the family of kin proximate or remote by blood or by marriage Gen. 27:26 f; 29:11; 13; 31:28; 32:1; 33:4; 45:15; 48:10; 50:1; Ex.4:27; 18:7; 2 Sam 14:33; 1K 19:20; Rt. 1:9, 14 and between friends 1 Sam 20: 41; 2 Sam 19: 40; Pr. 24:26. The kiss of enemy is treacherous Pr. 27:6; such was kiss with which Joab greeted Amasa when he stabbed him 2Sam20:9. The kiss was exchange between lovers SS 1:2; 8:1. Absalom kiss of petitioners was noted as something which won the hearts of the men of Israel, presumably such a greeting from a superior to inferior was an unusual sign of condescension 2Sam 15:5. The ceremonial kiss appears in the anointing of Saul by Samuel 1Sam10;1. In the worship one kissed the divine image 1k 19:18; Jb31:27; Ho.13:2. The harlot kisses the man whom she solicits Pr.7:13. The kiss of Judas, by which he indentified Jesus in the darkness to the temple police, was the usual kiss of greetings. Members of the Christian communities greeted each other with a kiss Rm.16:16. This ancient greeting survives in the ritual Pax of the solemn Mass of the Roman rite.

Kiss of Judas: The kiss of brotherhood became the kiss of betrayal.The kiss of Judas is also known as the Betrayal of Christ. How Judas identified Jesus to the multitude with swords and clubs who had come from the chief priests and elders of the people to arrest him, according to the Synoptic Gospels. The kiss occurs in the Garden of Gethsemane after the Last Supper and leads directly to the arrest of Jesus by the police force of the Sanhedrin. [1]‘Judas’ kiss may refer to "an act appearing to be an act of friendship, which is in fact harmful to the recipient".

Jesus Predicts His betrayal: Jesus predicted about the betrayal of one of the disciples. This prediction takes place during the Last Supper in Matt. 26:24-25, Mk 14:18-21, Lk. 22:21-23, and Jn.13:21-30. Before that, in John 6:70, Jesus warns his disciples that one among them is "a devil". In the next verse, the author affirms that Jesus is talking about Judas Iscariot.

Jesus knew that Judas Iscariot would betray him: "If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled: He who eats my bread lifted up his heel against me." Jn 13:17-18.

The key word: Kissing of Judas is related to passion and death of Jesus. How much pain it is of being betrayed by his own disciple, only Jesus knows. Kiss became mental suffering of Jesus. Sign of kissing turn opposite after kissing of Judas to Jesus. It became sign of betrayal and treachery.

The root of the word: The word φίλημα (Philema; noun)  kiss is derived from verb ‘φιλώ’. Which mean kiss. It occurs five times in the bible. It became sign of betray and related to it betraying ‘παραδίδως’.

General meaning of kiss (φίλημα): A kiss is the sign of greetings. A cultural connotation of kissing varies widely. Depending on the culture and context, a kiss can express sentiments of love, passion, romance, sexual attraction , affection, respect, greeting, friendship, peace and good luck. In some situations, a kiss is a ritual, formal or symbolic gesture indicating devotion, respect, or sacrament. The word came from Old English cyssan (“to kiss”), in turn from coss (“a kiss”). A kiss in a religious context is common. In earlier periods of Christianity  kissing became a ritual gesture, and is still treated as such in certain customs, as when "kissing to relics, or a bishop's ring."

‘φίλημα, φιληματος a kiss  φιλέω, LK.7:45; LK.22:48 Proverbs 27:6; Song of Solomon 1:2; ἅγιον, the kiss with which, as a sign of fraternal affection Christians were accustomed to welcome or dismiss their companions in the faith: Romans 16: 16; 1 Corinthians 16:20; 2 Corinthians 13:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:26; it is also called φίλημα , ἀγάπης, 1 Peter 5:14.’[2]

Theology of Kiss: The kissing has meaning. It is the love that Jesus himself kissed his disciple. As it is mentioned in OT. what already mentioned above. In Bible, greets one another “Greet one another with a holy kiss” (Rom 16:16). The first recorded kiss in the Bible is actually between father and son. Between Isaac and Jacob. Saint Bernard said that the Incarnation of Christ was the “kiss” between God and the world. The kiss of peace is an ancient traditional Christian greeting. Also called "Holy kiss", "Brother kiss" among men, or "Sister kiss" among women.

To kiss is to approach a one-flesh union, flesh of flesh, and body of body. Therefore the foundation of all intimacies is the one-breath union that happens in a kiss. Mankind received the breath of God, before ever encountering Him on any other level. Jesus describes ‘Himself in scripture as the “bread of Life,” “living water” “the light” “the wind” and so many other physical things that exit in the body. Yahweh, is a “consuming” fire, who wants to feed His Bride’s spirit, soul, and body.’[3]  But in the text, the kissing has become paradox that led Jesus to suffer. Jesus and Judas both kissed. Jesus kissed feet of his disciple with love and showed his example to his disciples as master. But Judas was greed and covetous, he kissed for money. It becomes sign of betrayal.  

Conclusion: Judas Iscariot kissed Jesus in order to indicate a sign so that the priest, elder and police may know Him and arrest him. Jesus rebuked his betrayal kiss. But Judas was in the darkness and devil was working with him therefore he could not change his mind and finally he did not convert.  The Son of Man was identified with betrayal kiss and handed Him to the crowd. Betrayal kiss led Jesus to suffer, death and he overcome the death and rise from the death.

Bibliography:

LMckenzie, John, S.J. : ‘Dictionary of the Bible.’ Asian trading corporation, Banglore, 1983.

Achtemeier, Paul, J: ‘Harper’s Bible Dictionary.’ Row, Publisher, New York, 1990.

Barclay, William: ‘The daily study Bible; The Gospel of Luke.’ Saint Andrew Press, Scotland, 1997.

Fitzmyer, Joseph, A S.J.: ‘The Gospel According to Luke.’ Doubleday, New York, 1964.

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[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiss_of_Judas

[2] wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiss_of_Judas

[3]  the-mystery-of-kissing-theology-of-intimacy