Matthew 22:12 - Exposition

Friend ; ἑταῖρε , as Matthew 20:13 . It was thus that Christ addressed Judas in the garden ( Matthew 26:50 ). The term here has in it something of distrust and disapprobation. How camest thou in hither? The question may mean—How couldst thou presume to approach this solemn festival without the indispensable requisite? Or, how couldst thou elude the vigilance of the servants, and enter in this unseemly garb? The former is doubtless the signification of the inquiry. The contemptuous rejection of propriety is an outrage offered to the majesty of the king, and one worthy of severest punishment. He was speechless; ἐφιμω ì θη : literally, he was muzzled, tongue tied, as if his mouth were closed with a muzzle (comp. Matthew 20:34 ; and Luke 4:35 ). He could make no reply; he had no excuse to offer. His silence condemned him. It is observed that gags were used for rebellious slaves or criminals on their way to execution (Webst. and Wilk.).