We learn from St. Luke (xxii. 47) that Judas preceded the soldiers, and gave the traitor’s kiss to Jesus, thus marking Him out as the person to be arrested. We learn too from St. Matthew (xxvi. 50), that Jesus addressed the traitor, even in this hour of infamy as His friend: “Friend, whereto art thou come?” and from St. Luke (xxii. 48), that He addressed to him the pathetic words: “Judas, dost thou betray the Son of Man with a kiss?” After meekly receiving the kiss from the wretched Apostle, Jesus addressed the crowd. 5. Responderunt ei: Iesum 5. They answered him: Jesus of Nazarenum. Dicit eis Iesus: Nazareth. Jesus saith to them: Ego sum. Stabat autem et Iudas I am he. And Judas also, who qui tradebat eum, cum ipsis. betrayed him, stood with them. 6. Ut ergo dixit eis, Ego sum, 6. As soon therefore as he had abierunt retrorsum, et said to them: I am he: they ceciderunt in terram. went backward, and fell to the ground. 5, 6. If our view is correct, that the traitor’s kiss had preceded Christ’s question: “Whom seek ye?” then it would seem that the soldiers were withheld by Divine power from at once rushing on Jesus; and in order to visibly prove His power and His ability to escape from them if He wished, they were stricken to the ground. This prostration of Christ’s enemies cannot be explained on natural grounds. 7. Iterum ergo interrogavit 7. Again therefore he asked eos: Quem quaeritis? Illi them: Whom seek ye? And they autem dixerunt: Iesum said: Jesus of Nazareth. Nazarenum. 8. Respondit Iesus: Dixi vobis 8. Jesus answered, I have told quia ego sum: si ergo me you, that I am he. If quaeritis, sinite hos abire. therefore you seek me, let these go their way. 8. *Let these go their way.* The meaning obviously is, do not arrest or molest these My disciples. 9. Ut impleretur sermo quem 9. That the word might be dixit; Quia quos dedisti mihi, fulfilled, which he said: Of non perdidi ex eis quemquam. them whom thou hast given me, I have not lost any one.