Caravaggio’s The Arrest of Christ captures the precise moment Judas betrays Jesus with a kiss, signaling to Roman soldiers to seize him. The scene is claustrophobic and chaotic, lit by sharp contrasts of light and dark, with Christ appearing calm amid the violence.
Legally, this image dramatizes the moment of arrest, raising questions about due process, authority, and the use of force. Jesus is taken not for a clear criminal act but as a perceived political threat. The image conveys the fear and ambiguity that often surround arrests — especially those rooted in power, not justice.
The painting speaks to the tension between religious authority and state law. It invites modern parallels: unlawful detentions, politically motivated prosecutions, and the use of legal structures to suppress dissent.
Caravaggio does not show us a trial or a verdict. He focuses on the rupture — the moment law transitions from theory to enforcement. The emotional depth of the work reminds us that justice often begins with force, not fairness.