Bible in art · John

The Betrayal of Christ

Albrecht Dürer · 1510
The Cleveland Museum of Art

Dürer dated this woodcut 1510 at the top, when he added four new scenes to his Large Passion. It is the most crowded sheet of the set.

Soldiers swarm around Jesus and drag him by a rope at his neck, while pikes, halberds and swords fill the sky. In front, Peter swings a short sword over the servant of the high priest, who has fallen on his back.

From the text

A crowd armed with swords and clubs (Matthew 26:47)
Jesus seized and bound (Matthew 26:50; John 18:12)
Peter striking the servant of the high priest, Malchus, beside a fallen lantern (John 18:3, 10)

The artist’s own

Soldiers in the armour, slashed sleeves and feathered hats of German soldiers of 1510
Jesus led on a rope round his neck, a detail of German Passion pictures

Details

On a rope

Jesus is dragged forward by a rope around his neck.

Peter

Peter raises his short sword over the fallen man.

Malchus

The servant lies on his back with a stick in his hand; his lantern has rolled beside him.

Running away

Far behind, a young man runs off without his cloak, a soldier after him (Mark 14:51–52).

Albrecht Dürer, German, 1471–1528. The Cleveland Museum of Art (Gift of The Print Club of Cleveland in memory of Ralph King, 1926.114) · Woodcut · Cleveland Museum of Art Open Access: Collection API record "share_license_status": "CC0" (Creative Commons Zero, https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/).

The verses

Matt 26:47–56While Jesus was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived, accompanied by a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and elders of the people. Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The One I kiss is the man; arrest Him.” Going directly to Jesus, he said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed Him. “Friend,” Jesus replied, “do what you came for.” Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus, and arrested Him. At this, one of Jesus’ companions drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him. “For all who draw the sword will die by the sword. Are you not aware that I can call on My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen this way?” At that time Jesus said to the crowd, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest Me as you would an outlaw? Every day I sat teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest Me. But this has all happened so that the writings of the prophets would be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted Him and fled.

John 18:3–12So Judas brought a band of soldiers and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees. They arrived at the garden carrying lanterns, torches, and weapons. Jesus, knowing all that was coming upon Him, stepped forward and asked them, “Whom are you seeking?” “Jesus of Nazareth,” they answered. Jesus said, “I am He.” And Judas His betrayer was standing there with them. When Jesus said, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground. So He asked them again, “Whom are you seeking?” “Jesus of Nazareth,” they answered. “I told you that I am He,” Jesus replied. “So if you are looking for Me, let these men go.” This was to fulfill the word He had spoken: “I have not lost one of those You have given Me.” Then Simon Peter drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus. “Put your sword back in its sheath!” Jesus said to Peter. “Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given Me?” Then the band of soldiers, with its commander and the officers of the Jews, arrested Jesus and bound Him.

See it at the museum’s site