What Does Luke 22:47 Mean in the King James?
And while he yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The Greek word family of affection gives this betrayal its most intimate gesture.
THE MEANING
You see Judas move ahead of the crowd and approach Jesus with a kiss, a gesture that carries the language of affection. Here that closeness is part of a betrayal.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
Closeness alone does not prove loyalty; even a familiar gesture of affection can serve betrayal.
THE ROOT
φιλῆσαι
philēsai
GROWS FROM
φιλέω (phileō, “to love or show affection”); stem φίλ- (phil-)
To love, show affection.
Luke uses φιλέω (phileō, “to love or show affection”) as φιλῆσαι (philēsai, “to kiss”). The word family does not make the kiss sincere; it keeps affection present in the word while the surrounding scene exposes betrayal.
ALSO GROWS
philēma: A kiss.
φίλημα
The noun for a kiss belongs to the same word family, linking the action to the language of affection.
philos: Friend; one held dear.
φίλος
It places the kiss beside the language of friendship and closeness, sharpening the betrayal in the scene.
THE PATTERN
A gesture of closeness can carry hostile intent.
Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.And Joab said to Amasa, Art thou in health, my brother? And Joab took Amasa by the beard with the right hand to kiss him. But Amasa took no heed to the sword that was in Joab’s hand: so he smote him therewith in the fifth rib, and shed out his bowels to the ground, and struck him not again; and he died. So Joab and Abishai his brother pursued after Sheba the son of Bichri.Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast.THE THREAD
But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?Luke names the kiss with φιλήματι (philēmati, “with a kiss”), from the same family as φιλέω (phileō, “to love or show affection”). The next line names the betrayal plainly, exposing the split already held in the gesture: affection’s language becomes its means.
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