Fathers

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What the Fathers say

Matthew 26:50

Eastern Fathers

Theophylact of Ohrid

He calls Judas "friend," deriding and disparaging him for supposedly giving Him a friend's kiss. "Wherefore art thou come?" means "For what reason have you come here? As a friend? Then there was no need to come with swords. As an enemy? Then why do you kiss Me?" Thus He rebukes him as a treacherous deceiver.

Commentary on Matthew ↗

Western Saints

Augustine of Hippo

He says, Wherefore art thou come? as much as to say, Thy kiss is a snare for Me; I know wherefore thou art come; thou feignest thyself My friend, being indeed My betrayer.

Catena Aurea by Aquinas ↗

Jerome

And Jesus said to him: Friend, why have you come? Then they drew near and laid hands on Jesus, and seized him. The word 'Friend' should be understood either in the opposite sense, or certainly according to what we have read above: Friend, how did you enter here without a wedding garment? (Matt. XXII, 12)?

Commentary on Matthew ↗

Hilary of Poitiers

As to what he tells Judas, "Do what you have to do," he authorizes his own betrayal by that very statement. For he who had it within his power to call upon twelve thousand legions of angels against his betrayers would have found it so much easier to oppose the plans and artifices of one man. …

Commentary on Matthew 32.2 ↗