The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus – JSS2 Christian Religious Studies Lesson Note (Third Term)

The betrayal and arrest of Jesus is the event in which Judas, one of the twelve disciples, led a crowd to Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane and identified Him with a kiss.

Behavioural objectives

1. Describe the circumstances and possible reasons behind Judas’ betrayal of Jesus.
2. Explain the events in the Garden of Gethsemane that led to Jesus’ arrest.
3. Describe how Jesus responded to His betrayal and arrest.
4. State the meaning of these events in the Passion story.
5. Apply lessons from the story to everyday life.

What are the key terms in this topic?

• Betrayal: handing over a trusting friend to their enemies.
• Arrest: seizing a person and taking them into custody.
• Gethsemane: the garden on the Mount of Olives where Jesus prayed on the night He was arrested.
• Passion: the final days of Jesus’ earthly life, including His arrest, trials and death.
• Disciple: a follower and learner of Jesus. Jesus chose twelve as His closest followers.

When did the betrayal and arrest happen?

The betrayal and arrest happened on the night after the Last Supper and Jesus’ prayer in Gethsemane.

• Start of the Passion: these events begin the final phase of Jesus’ earthly ministry.
• Growing opposition: the religious leaders had been plotting against Jesus for some time.
• Fulfilled predictions: Jesus had told His disciples He would suffer, and the events followed His words.
• Four accounts: the story appears in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

Why did Judas betray Jesus?

Judas betrayed Jesus after agreeing with the chief priests to hand Him over for thirty pieces of silver.

What was the arrangement with the religious authorities?

• The meeting: Judas went to the chief priests and officials (Matthew 26:14-16, Mark 14:10-11, Luke 22:3-6).
• The payment: he was given thirty pieces of silver (Matthew 26:15).
• The prophecy: this payment matches Zechariah 11:12-13.
• The plan: Judas would hand Jesus over at a good time, away from the crowds.

What were the possible reasons for the betrayal?

The Gospels do not give one full explanation, so students should treat these as possible reasons.

• Love of money: Judas kept the money bag and John calls him a thief (John 12:6, 13:29).
• Disappointment: he may have expected a political or military Messiah, not one who spoke of suffering and death.
• Satan’s influence: “Satan entered Judas” (Luke 22:3, John 13:27).
• God’s plan: Jesus said, “The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him” (Matthew 26:24). Judas still made his own choice.
• Other ideas: some people suggest he wanted to force Jesus to act as a military leader.

How did Judas know where to find Jesus?

• Jesus’ habit: Jesus often met His disciples in the garden (John 18:2).
• A quiet place: Judas knew Jesus could be found there, away from the crowds.

What happened in the Garden of Gethsemane?

In Gethsemane, Jesus prayed in anguish, Judas arrived with an armed crowd, and Jesus was arrested.

What did Jesus do in prayer?

1. Jesus took Peter, James and John deeper into the garden (Matthew 26:36-38).
2. He prayed in great distress (Luke 22:44).
3. He asked the disciples to stay awake, but they fell asleep (Matthew 26:40-45).
4. He submitted to the Father: “Not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42).

Who came to arrest Jesus?

Judas led a large crowd carrying swords and clubs (Matthew 26:47).

• Soldiers: a detachment of soldiers came with them (John 18:3).
• Temple guards: officers of the temple guard were present (Luke 22:52).
• Religious leaders: chief priests and elders were among the crowd (Matthew 26:47, Luke 22:52).
• Lights and weapons: they carried lanterns, torches and weapons (John 18:3).

How did Judas identify Jesus?

Judas identified Jesus with a kiss, which he had agreed as a sign beforehand.

• The sign: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him” (Matthew 26:48).
• The greeting: a kiss was a common greeting between a teacher and his follower.
• Judas’ words: he said “Rabbi” and kissed Jesus (Mark 14:45).
• Jesus’ reply: “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” (Luke 22:48).

How did Jesus surrender?

Jesus surrendered willingly and showed that He was in control.

1. Jesus asked them, “Who is it you want?” (John 18:4).
2. They answered, “Jesus of Nazareth.” He replied, “I am he” (John 18:5).
3. The crowd drew back and fell to the ground (John 18:6).
4. Jesus asked that His disciples be allowed to go: “Let these men go” (John 18:8).
5. He told the crowd, “This is your hour, when darkness reigns” (Luke 22:53).

• “I am he”: the Greek words ego eimi may recall the divine name in Exodus 3:14.

How did the disciples react?

• Peter’s attack: he drew his sword and cut off the ear of Malchus, the high priest’s servant (John 18:10).
• Jesus’ rebuke: “Put your sword back in its place, for all who draw the sword will die by the sword” (Matthew 26:52).
• Angels: Jesus said He could ask the Father for more than twelve legions of angels (Matthew 26:53).
• Healing: Jesus touched the servant’s ear and healed him (Luke 22:51).
• Desertion: all the disciples left Jesus and fled (Matthew 26:56, Mark 14:50).
• The young man: a young man ran away naked when he was seized (Mark 14:51-52).

What is the meaning of these events?

These events show that Jesus fulfilled Scripture, stayed in control and accepted suffering as the Father’s will.

How did the events fulfil Scripture?

• Jesus’ own words: “This has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled” (Matthew 26:56).
• Thirty pieces of silver: Zechariah 11:12-13.
• Betrayal by a close friend: Psalm 41:9.
• Scattered followers: Zechariah 13:7, quoted in Matthew 26:31.

How did Jesus show control?

• Free choice: He gave Himself up and was not simply captured.
• Protection: He made sure His disciples could leave safely (John 18:8).
• Power: the crowd fell back when He spoke (John 18:6).
• Authority: He said He could call twelve legions of angels (Matthew 26:53).

What is the cup of suffering?

• In the garden: Jesus prayed about “this cup”, meaning the suffering ahead.
• At the arrest: “Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?” (John 18:11).
• Meaning: Jesus accepted suffering as the Father’s will.

What does the arrest teach about God’s kingdom?

• No violence: Jesus refused to fight, even to protect Himself.
• Love for enemies: this agrees with His teaching to love enemies.

How does the arrest show the power of evil?

• Darkness: Jesus called the moment the hour when “darkness reigns” (Luke 22:53).
• Human sin: betrayal by a friend shows the sin Jesus came to deal with.

What can we learn from the characters?

Each person in the story shows a different response to pressure, and each carries a lesson.

How can we apply this story to our lives?

We can apply the story by facing betrayal, evil and failure the way Jesus taught.

• Betrayal: Jesus did not take revenge when a close friend betrayed Him.
• Evil: trust God’s justice and refuse to answer wrong with violence.
• Preparation: “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation” (Matthew 26:41).
• Choices: Judas made real choices and was responsible for them.
• Failure: the disciples failed, but Peter was later restored. We can also seek forgiveness.

Teaching activities

Discussion questions

1. Why do you think Judas betrayed Jesus? Which reason seems most likely?
2. What does Jesus’ response to His arrest show about His character?
3. In what wrong ways might people try to defend their faith, as Peter did?
4. How can Jesus’ example help someone who has been betrayed?

Class activities

• Dramatic reading: assign parts and read the story aloud from the Gospels.
• Character chart: compare what Judas, Peter, Jesus and the disciples did.
• Map work: trace Jesus’ movements from the Upper Room to Gethsemane.
• Drawing: draw one scene from the betrayal and arrest.

Evaluation

1. State two possible reasons for Judas’ betrayal of Jesus.
2. How did Judas identify Jesus to the arresting party, and what did Jesus say to him?
3. What did Peter do when Jesus was arrested, and how did Jesus respond?
4. Name two Old Testament prophecies fulfilled during the betrayal and arrest.
5. What did the disciples do after Jesus was arrested?

Assignment

In your exercise book, write a short account of Jesus’ arrest in Gethsemane. Then give two examples from the account that show Jesus was in control of what happened.