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Translation
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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
John Chrysostom
But wherefore doth He say this? Because often when seized by them He had gone out through the midst, without their knowing it. Nevertheless, then also this would have been done, if it had not been His own will that He should be taken. It was at least with a view to teach them this, that He then blinded their eyes, and Himself asked, "Whom seek ye?" And they knew Him not, though being with lanterns and torches, and having Judas with them. …
Theophylact of Ohrid
For Judas knew the Lord's love for mankind, and hence was emboldened to kiss Him. The Lord was patient even to the last moment, eager to win Judas by His long-suffering. Even so Judas was not brought to reason, whereupon the Lord caused the servants of the high priest to fall, as John says (Jn. 18:5-6), so that in falling down they would recognize His power. But even so they did not desist from their brazenness, whereupon Jesus gives Himself over to them.
Western Saints
Jerome
And immediately coming to Jesus, he said, Hail, Rabbi! And he kissed him. Shameless indeed and wickedly confident, to call the master and to throw a kiss to the one he was handing over. Nevertheless, the disciple still has something of discretion, as he does not openly hand him over to the persecutors, but through the sign of a kiss. This is the sign that God placed on Cain, so that whoever found him would not kill him (Genesis 4).
Thomas Aquinas
And forthwith coming up to Jesus he said: Hail, Rabbi, and he kissed him. Here the completion of the betrayal is set forth. And first, he displayed the signs; secondly, he began to act. And he shows it first by word, when he says Hail, Rabbi; secondly, by deed, and he kissed him. Something similar is found in 2 Samuel 10:1, where Joab held the chin of Amasa and killed him. But why did he not come straight to him, but first greeted him? One reason is out of reverence for the master. …
Rabanus Maurus
The Lord suffered the traitor's kiss, not to teach us to dissemble, but that He might not seem to shrink from His betrayal.
Translation