Friend is the same noun of address used in 20.13 and 22.12, but nowhere else in the New Testament. See comment at 20.13.

The meaning of the Greek question translated why are you here? is in doubt, and so Revised Standard Version provides the alternative possibility in the margin: “do that for which you have come.” Good News Translation follows the reverse arrangement, with “Be quick about it” in the text and “Why are you here…?” in the margin. New English Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, and New International Version follow the same procedure as Good News Bible; An American Translation and Phillips adopt the question form without a footnote, while Moffatt and Barclay have the equivalent of Good News Bible in the text and also omit a footnote. Given the observation that throughout the passion narrative Jesus is pictured as being in total control of the situation, it seems quite possible that the choice of Good News Bible is the better one. However, it is quite obvious that one cannot be dogmatic, and a footnote should definitely accompany whatever choice is given in the text. Even if translators do make this a question, it should be clear that Jesus is not asking for information but is using a question with some rhetorical effect. Both Mark and Luke omit this difficult comment from their accounts.

They are identified by Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch as “the armed men.”

Laid hands on is translated “arrested” by Good News Translation, and seized (previously used in verse 48) is rendered “held … tight” by Good News Translation.

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on the Gospel of Matthew. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1988. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .