Matthew 26:53
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
Think you that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?
American King James Version (AKJV)
Think you that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?
American Standard Version (ASV)
Or thinkest thou that I cannot beseech my Father, and he shall even now send me more than twelve legions of angels?
Basic English Translation (BBE)
Does it not seem possible to you that if I make request to my Father he will even now send me an army of angels?
Webster's Revision
Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he will presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?
World English Bible
Or do you think that I couldn't ask my Father, and he would even now send me more than twelve legions of angels?
English Revised Version (ERV)
Or thinkest thou that I cannot beseech my Father, and he shall even now send me more than twelve legions of angels?
Clarke's Matthew 26:53 Bible Commentary
More than twelve legions of angels? - As if he had said, Instead of you twelve, one of whom is a traitor, my Father can give me more than twelve legions of angels to defend me. A legion, at different times, contained different numbers; 4,200, 5,000, and frequently 6,000 men; and from this saying, taking the latter number, which is the common rate, may we not-safely believe that the angels of God amount to more than 72,000?
Barnes's Matthew 26:53 Bible Commentary
Thinkest thou ... - Jesus says that not only would Peter endanger himself, but his resistance implied a distrust of the protection of God, and was an improper resistance of his will.
If it had been proper that they should be rescued, God could easily have furnished far more efficient aid than that of Peter - a mighty host of angels.
Twelve legions - A legion was a division of the Roman army amounting to more than 6,000 men. See the notes at Matthew 8:29. The number "twelve" was mentioned, perhaps, in reference to the number of his apostles and himself. Judas being away, but eleven disciples remained. God could guard him, and each disciple, with a legion of angels: that is, God could easily protect him, if he should pray to him, and if it was his will.
Wesley's Matthew 26:53 Bible Commentary
26:53 He will presently give me more than twelve legions of angels - The least of whom, it is probable, could overturn the earth anddestroy all the inhabitants of it.
