AUV(i)
48 Now the one who betrayed Him had given them a signal, saying, “Whoever I give a kiss [of greeting to], he is the one, take hold of him.”
49 So, immediately he went to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi,” and [then] kissed Him [enthusiastically].
50 And Jesus said to him, “[My] friend, [go ahead], do what you came to do.” Then the Jewish officers came and arrested Jesus and began taking Him away.
51 Just then, one of those who were with Jesus [i.e., Peter. See John 18:10], reached out with his sword and struck the head priest’s servant [with it], shearing off his ear.
52 Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back in your belt again, for all those who use the sword will die by the sword.
53 Or, do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father and He will immediately send me more than twelve legions of angels [i.e., Jesus could have called about 72,000 angels to minister to Him. See Matt. 4:11]?
54 How [else] then should the Scriptures be fulfilled that this must happen [than what is taking place]?”
55 [Then] Jesus said to the crowds at that very time, “Have you come out to arrest me with swords and clubs as [you would apprehend] a thief? I sat everyday teaching in the Temple, and you did not [come to] take me.
56 But all this has happened so that the Scriptures of the prophets would be fulfilled.” Then all of His disciples left Him and ran away.
57 And those who had arrested Jesus led Him away to the house of Caiaphas, the head priest, where the experts in the law of Moses and the [Jewish] elders were gathered.
58 But Peter followed Him from a distance [as they were going] to the courtyard of the head priest. He went inside [i.e., eventually. See John 18:15-16] and sat down with the [Jewish] officers to see how things would turn out [i.e., with Jesus’ trial].
59 Now the leading priests and the entire Council [called “the Sanhedrin”] looked for false witnesses [to testify] against Jesus, in order to put Him to death.