Jesus knew exactly what the kiss meant, and He said so before Judas could hide behind it. Matthew and Mark explain that the kiss was the signal Judas had given the arresting party: "Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he" (Matthew 26:48; Mark 14:44). Barnes writes that Judas used this "slight artifice" to conceal his purpose, and that "Jesus with severity reproaches him for it." He adds, "Every word is emphatic": betrayest, thou, the Son of man, with a kiss. Gill says Jesus called him by name so that Judas would know that Jesus knew him and what he was doing. The question does not ask for information. It holds the act up to the light so Judas has to see it for what it is.

Luke records no reply from Judas. The next words belong to the disciples, who ask, "Lord, shall we smite with the sword?" (Luke 22:49). Matthew adds that Judas said, "Hail, master; and kissed him," and that Jesus answered, "Friend, wherefore art thou come?" (Matthew 26:49-50). The question hangs in the air unanswered while the crowd moves in. Soon "took they him, and led him" into the high priest's house (Luke 22:54).

A kiss was the ordinary greeting between friends and family. Luke shows it as a sign of welcome and love elsewhere: Jesus missed it from His host (Luke 7:45), and the father kissed his returning son (Luke 15:20). Barnes says plainly, "A kiss was the sign of affection," which is what made Judas' use of it so dark.

In the Greek, the words "with a kiss" (philemati) come first, before "the Son of man," and the verb paradidos, glossed "are you betraying," is in the present tense: the betrayal was happening in that very moment. Barnes explains that by "the Son of man" Jesus meant the Messiah, and that Judas "had had the most satisfactory evidence of that, and did not doubt it."

Jesus was not caught off guard. At the supper He had already said, "the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table," and, "the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed!" (Luke 22:21-22). Both truths stand side by side in this scene. God's plan was not overturned by Judas, and Judas was still fully responsible for what he chose. Luke even tells us that "Satan" had entered into Judas (Luke 22:3), yet Jesus speaks to Judas himself, by name.

The question also shows the heart of Jesus. He is betrayed by a friend, and He answers with the truth, not with revenge. Matthew Henry writes, "Nothing can be a greater affront or grief to the Lord Jesus, than to be betrayed by those who profess to be his followers." Gill describes Judas in words that echo Psalm 41:9: "my apostle, my friend, my familiar friend, in whom I trusted." Jesus Himself had applied that psalm to His betrayer (John 13:18).