Judas Therefore Having Received A Band Of Soldiers And Servants From The Chief Priests And The Pharisees, Cometh Thither With Lanterns And Torches And Weapons

DUCCIO di Buoninsegna 

Christ Taken Prisoner 

1308-11

Judas therefore having received a band of soldiers and servants from the chief priests and the Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.Jn.xvii

Consider first what a great company of men assembled together to apprehend Christ: First a company of Gentiles, with their tribune, perhaps five hundred soldiers; then no small number of the ministers of the Jews, with some of the chief priests, Seniors, and Magistrates of the people: there were therefore two companies, one of Gentiles, and another of Jews, armed with sundry weapons, & prepared to hurt: the ring-leader & captain of all these was he (who was called Judas) that is that famous Judas, who was known to all those Jews and Gentiles.

Consider secondly what they talked among themselves as they came, what minds they bare towards Christ, & how they thirsted after his blood.

Consider thirdly this title of  Judas (who was called Judas) that is, he which a little before was known to the Disciples, and to good people, when by the commandment of Christ he distributed the alms, when he wrought miracles, when he followed Christ, he is now renowned amongst knaves, and famous among thieves. Be thou careful to celebrate thy name in Heaven, rather then in the world or in hell.

Consider fourthly what a grief it was to Christ, to see him, who was one of the principal of the Church to become chief among knaves & do thou take heed, lest by the like change of thy self, thou givest him cause of sorrow, by falling from being the son of God to be a slave unto the Devil; and pray with all thy heart, that it never happen unto thee.

Fr. Francis Costerus S.J. 1616