Paintings of the Betrayal of Jesus by Judas

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Judas: his story

 

Paintings by

Giovanni Barbieri

Caravaggio

Pierre Dancart

Albrecht Durer

Nicolai Ge

Giotto di Bondone (1)

Giotto di Bondone (2)

Gislebertus

Caspar Isenmann

Francisco Salzillo

Karl Schmidt-Rottluff

Van Dyck

 

 

 

  

 

 

Things to know about the Betrayal of Jesus

  • The first three gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke) tell how Judas came up to Christ and kissed him, a sign to the soldiers that this was the man they were to arrest. John makes no mention of the kiss but, on the contrary, describes how Christ identified himself to the soldiers with the words 'I am he', whereupon they 'drew back and fell to the ground'. 

  • Early Renaissance artists depict both the kiss and the fallen soldiers in the same scene. 

  • The more usual and consistent formula shows Judas in the act of bestowing the kiss, surrounded by a throng of soldiers and perhaps Jewish elders. 

  • The soldiers are armed with spears and halberds and hold aloft torches and lanterns. Their leader is throwing a rope about Christ. Judas may be somewhat shorter than the Saviour. 

  • The incident of the cutting off of the servant's ear is rarely omitted. It is mentioned in all four gospels though only John names the participants: 'Thereupon Simon Peter drew the sword he was wearing and struck at the High Priest's servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant's name was Malchus.)' This outburst is shown in various ways. In early Renaissance paintings both stand facing each other while Peter severs the ear with an almost formal gesture. In later examples they are depicted realististally struggling together on the ground. 

 

The Taking of Christ, Caravaggio, 1602

The Taking of Christ, Caravaggio, 1602


 

The Betrayal of Christ, Giovanni Barbieri, 1621

The Betrayal of Christ, Giovanni Barbieri, 1621


 

The Betrayal of Jesus, Giotto di Bondone, 1304

The Betrayal of Jesus, Giotto di Bondone, 1304


 

The Kiss of Judas, (El Beso de Judas), Francisco Salzillo, carving, 1754


The Kiss of Judas, (El Beso de Judas), Francisco Salzillo, carving, 1754


 

Conscience (Judas), Nicolai Ge

Conscience (Judas), Nicolai Ge

Judas watches as the soldiers lead Jesus away to his trial


 

The Capture of Jesus, Van Dyck

The Capture of Jesus, Van Dyck


 

Suicide of Judas, Gislebertus, 1120, Cathédrale de Saint-Lazare, Autun

Suicide of Judas, Gislebertus, 1120, Cathédrale de Saint-Lazare, Autun


 

Christ and Judas, Karl Schmidt-Rottluff, 1912

Christ and Judas, Karl Schmidt-Rottluff, 1912


 

The Arrest of Jesus, Pierre Dancart, Seville Cathedral

The Arrest of Jesus, Pierre Dancart, Seville Cathedral


 


 

The Betrayal of Christ, Caspar Isenmann

The Betrayal of Christ, Caspar Isenmann


 

The Arrest of Jesus, Albrecht Durer

The Arrest of Jesus, Albrecht Durer


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The Bible text - the Betrayal of Jesus

Matthew 26:47-56

47 While he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. 48 Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, "The one I shall kiss is the man; seize him." 49 And he came up to Jesus at once and said, "Hail, Master!" And he kissed him. 50 Jesus said to him, "Friend, why are you here?" Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and seized him. 51 And behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword, and struck the slave of the high priest, and cut off his ear. 52 Then Jesus said to him, "Put your sword back into its place; for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. 53 Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then should the scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?" 55 At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, "Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. 56 But all this has taken place, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled." Then all the disciples forsook him and fled.

Mark 14:43-52

43 And immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. 44 Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, "The one I shall kiss is the man; seize him and lead him away under guard." 45 And when he came, he went up to him at once, and said, "Master!" And he kissed him. 46 And they laid hands on him and seized him. 47 But one of those who stood by drew his sword, and struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his ear. 48 And Jesus said to them, "Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? 49 Day after day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. But let the scriptures be fulfilled." 50 And they all forsook him, and fled. 51 And a young man followed him, with nothing but a linen cloth about his body; and they seized him, 52 but he left the linen cloth and ran away naked.

Luke22:47-53

47 While he was still speaking, there came a crowd, and the man called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He drew near to Jesus to kiss him; 48 but Jesus said to him, "Judas, would you betray the Son of man with a kiss?" 49 And when those who were about him saw what would follow, they said, "Lord, shall we strike with the sword?" 50 And one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear. 51 But Jesus said, "No more of this!" And he touched his ear and healed him. 52 Then Jesus said to the chief priests and officers of the temple and elders, who had come out against him, "Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs? 53 When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness."

John 18:1-12

1 When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples across the Kidron valley, where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. 2 Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place; for Jesus often met there with his disciples. 3 So Judas, procuring a band of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, went there with lanterns and torches and weapons. 4 Then Jesus, knowing all that was to befall him, came forward and said to them, "Whom do you seek?" 5 They answered him, "Jesus of Nazareth." Jesus said to them, "I am he." Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. 6 When he said to them, "I am he," they drew back and fell to the ground. 7 Again he asked them, "Whom do you seek?" And they said, "Jesus of Nazareth." 8 Jesus answered, "I told you that I am he; so, if you seek me, let these men go." 9 This was to fulfil the word which he had spoken, "Of those whom thou gavest me I lost not one." 10 Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's slave and cut off his right ear. The slave's name was Malchus. 11 Jesus said to Peter, "Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup which the Father has given me?" 12 So the band of soldiers and their captain and the officers of the Jews seized Jesus and bound him.

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Bible Art: Paintings and Artworks from the Old and New Testament:  Judas betrays Jesus with a kiss, Jesus is arrested by the soldiers

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