The Taking of Christ,
Painting by Caravaggio (Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, 1571-1610),
Painted in 1602,
Oil on canvas
© National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin
The Taking of Christ,
Painting by Caravaggio (Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, 1571-1610),
Painted in 1602,
Oil on canvas
© National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin
Wednesday of Holy Week - Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus
Matthew 26:14-25
One of the Twelve, the man called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, ‘What are you prepared to give me if I hand him over to you?’ They paid him thirty silver pieces, and from that moment he looked for an opportunity to betray him.
Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus to say, ‘Where do you want us to make the preparations for you to eat the passover?’ ‘Go to so-and-so in the city’ he replied ‘and say to him, “The Master says: My time is near. It is at your house that I am keeping Passover with my disciples.”’ The disciples did what Jesus told them and prepared the Passover.
When evening came he was at table with the twelve disciples. And while they were eating he said ‘I tell you solemnly, one of you is about to betray me.’ They were greatly distressed and started asking him in turn, ‘Not I, Lord, surely?’ He answered, ‘Someone who has dipped his hand into the dish with me, will betray me. The Son of Man is going to his fate, as the scriptures say he will, but alas for that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! Better for that man if he had never been born!’ Judas, who was to betray him; asked in his turn, ‘Not I, Rabbi, surely?’ ‘They are your own words’ answered Jesus.
Reflection on the painting
Our reading tells us of how Judas Iscariot plotted to betray Christ. A very painful truth. The greatest damage was done to Jesus by his own inner circle, by someone who had received so much from him. We shall never know what really motivated Judas’ betrayal. Our Gospel suggests that money might have been a factor, but I would imagine it was about much more thank that: jealousy, ambition....
Today’s story of Judas reminds us that we are all capable of betraying Jesus. We betray him each time that we fail to recognise him in each other! We betray him each time we are unkind to each other and don’t love one another.
Our almost cinematic-like painting by Caravaggio vividly captures the moment Judas betrays Jesus with a kiss, and the arrest immediately follows. There are seven figures in the painting: from left to right they are John, Jesus, Judas Iscariot, three soldiers (the one farthest to the right is barely visible in the rear), and a man holding a lantern to light the scene (believed to be a self-portrait of Caravaggio). Judas has just kissed Jesus to identify him for the soldiers. Jesus pulls away in hurt and disappointment. His expression is magnificent: he knew this would happen, yet as it happens he cannot fail to express his deep disappointment in his disciple. On the far left we see Saint John fleeing. His arms are raised, his mouth is open in a gasp, his red cloak is flying and being snatched back by a soldier. The flight of the terrified John contrasts with the other figures.
But it is the arresting officer's highly polished, metal-clad arm which is at the very centre of our painting. It was meant by the artist to serve as a mirror... a mirror of self-reflection and examination of conscience. The artist may be inviting us, the viewers, to see ourselves reflected in the behaviour of Judas and the soldiers, through our own daily acts of betrayal of Jesus…
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Gracias por tan bello cuadro y reflexión, nos muestra la profundidad de lo que Jesús nos enseña en los peores momentos de nuestra vida, ante la traición, perdona, pero no evita que ocurra, Dios sabe que es mejor para nosotros!!!
Thank you all for your posts today; they have helped me a great deal.
Stunning painting.
Agree SFG and blessings today (a trip to Dublin is indicated!) but in Holy Week it serves as a very pertinent examination of conscience, just looking at it, much as Patrick suggests.
Christ washed the feet of Judas!
Yet all his lurking sin was bare to him,
His bargain with the priest, and more than this,
In Olivet, beneath the moonlight dim,
Aforehand knew and felt his treacherous kiss.
As a sinner, this poem breaks my heart.
Our priest was talking about the death of the Lord with our young schoolchildren. He asked why Jesus descended into hell. One child answered that he went to see his friend Judas to forgive him.
Lovely story, and sentiment!
What a powerful message in the painting. What struck me the most is what Patrick pointed out, the disappointment on Jesus face. In the Palm Sunday reading, he called Judas “friend” right before Judas betrayed him. The idea of Jesus being disappointed in me when I sin, is motivation enough for me to repent and get to confession. Many people fear angering God. I fear disappointing Him.
What an incredible artist Caravaggio was. Thanks for this really insightful reflection,
He is the best artist ever in my opinion! Well that is pretty meaningless but you know what I mean. To think mid twentieth century you could pick up his pictures very cheaply (relative to Renaissance, Impressionism etc.)
I think that this hung in a Jesuit property in Dublin for years without them knowing who it was by, until a visiting expert recognised it. They gave it to the Irish National Gallery.
Why did it have to be a friend
Who chose to betray the Lord?
And why did he use a kiss to show them
That’s not what a kiss is for?
Only a friend can betray a friend
A stranger has nothing to gain
And only a friend comes close enough
To ever cause so much pain
Michael Card: “Why”
I feel on the evening of Holy Thursday, the forces of evil maintained a sustained and terrible assault on Jesus, physically, spiritually and mentally. He was hurt to the utmost every way. A friend’s betrayal would be only part of a design to hurt the most. Thank God for Easter Sunday!
I love that song. I have the version with michael card and john michael talbot.