‘And Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you are come for.” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.'
Jesus' reply is equally significant. He only uses ‘friend' of those who are in a doubtful position and as used by a superior to an inferior (Matthew 20:13; Matthew 22:12). Perhaps this ties in with what we saw about the kiss above. Perhaps He is reminding Judas of his place. For He knows perfectly well why Judas is here and will not pretend. But He still by it leaves open the possibility of repentance.
‘Do what you are come for.' Literally it is ‘friend, for what you have come'. Some therefore translate as ‘what have you come for?'. But it is more probable that we are expected to add something, ‘I know what you have come for', or ‘do what you have come for'. But it is certainly an indication that Jesus will not interfere with his purpose.
‘Then they came and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.' Compare, ‘the Son of Man is delivered over into the hands of sinners' (Matthew 26:45). Unlike Pilate they did not wash their hands of Him. They ‘laid hold of Him'. Compare Judas' words in Matthew 26:48. This was their response to the offer of friendship.