Jesus answered, “You wouldn’t have any power over me if it hadn’t been given to you from heaven. So the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.”
Long ago God planned that Jesus would be handed over to you. With the help of those who didn’t know God’s law, and under the plan God spoke long ago, you put him to death by nailing him to a cross.
The God of our fathers—of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—has done this, to bring glory to his servant Jesus. But you handed Jesus over to be killed. You spoke against him when he was in Pilate’s court, even though Pilate had decided to let him go.
Judas had arranged to hand Jesus over by giving them a signal. “The one I kiss will be the man,” he’d told them. “Arrest him and have the guards lead him away.”
So Judas came to the garden, guiding a group of soldiers and some officials sent by the chief priests and Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns, and weapons.