Matthew 26:48 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

He that betrayed him, gave them a sign— The soldiers having perhaps never seen Jesus before, and it being now night, and there being twelve persons together, probably dressed much alike, Judas found it necessary to point him out to them by some such sign as this. It was a Jewish custom, after a long absence, or at departing from each other, to make use of the ceremony of a kiss. They used it likewise as a sign of affection to their equals, and as a mark of homage and reverence to their superiors. See Psalms 2:12.Luke 7:45. It is very probable that our Lord, in great condescension, had used, agreeably to this custom, to permit his disciples thus to salute him, when they returned to him after having been any time absent. One would be apt to believe, from the precaution which Judas gives at the end of the verse, hold him fast, that he might suspect Christ would on this occasion renew the miraclesthathehad formerly wrought for his own deliverance; (compare Luke 4:30. John 8:59; John 10:39.) though he had so expressly declared the contrary, Matthew 26:24