Eyewitness to the Crucifixion: Judas, Waits to Betray Jesus

Last time, we discussed how Judas went to the Pharisees, where he has promised to deliver Jesus to them for thirty pieces of silver.

It isn’t a secret that Jesus life is in danger and he’s sought out as a criminal and fugitive, although he’s done nothing wrong.

The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus.    {John 13: 2}

The Passover meal was taking place in the upper room with Jesus and his disciples.

The devil has entered Judas, encouraging him to betray Jesus.

Jesus replied, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. ²⁴ The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.”   {Matthew 26:23-24}

Matthew Henry says, “That the traitor was a familiar friend; He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, that is, One of you that are now with me at the table. He mentions this, to make the treachery appear the more exceeding sinful.”

Notice that Jesus warns about those who betray the Son of Man.  It’s better if he’d never been born.

The Message puts it this way. “Jesus answered, “The one who hands me over is someone I eat with daily, one who passes me food at the table. In one sense the Son of Man is entering into a way of treachery well-marked by the Scriptures—no surprises here. In another sense that man who turns him in, turns traitor to the Son of Man—better never to have been born than do this!””

“hat it would prove a very dear bargain to the traitor; Woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed. This he said, not only to awaken the conscience of Judas, and bring him to repent, and revoke his bargain, but for warning to all others to take heed of sinning like Judas; though God can serve his own purposes by the sins of men, that doth not make the sinner’s condition the less woeful; It had been good for that man, if he had not been born. Note, The ruin that attends those who betray Christ, is so great, that it were more eligible by far not be at all than to be thus miserable.”   {Matthew Henry Commentary}

²⁵ Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, “Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?”

Jesus answered, “You have said so.”    {Matthew 26:25}

Judas is playing stupid. “Surely you don’t mean me? I wouldn’t do this to you. How could you think such a thing?”  The Message version says he is asking “It isn’t me, is it, Rabbi?”

Notice, what Jesus says. “Don’t play games with me, Judas.”    {The Message}

Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. ²⁷ As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. {John 13: 26-30}

Judas dips his bread at the same time Jesus dips him.  We’re told Satan entered into him. 

Both the Gospel of John and Gospel of Luke tell us Satan enters into Judas. Satan, disguised as Judas, betrays Jesus.

So Jesus told him, “What you are about to do, do quickly.” ²⁸ But no one at the meal understood why Jesus said this to him. ²⁹ Since Judas had charge of the money, some thought Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the festival, or to give something to the poor. ³⁰ As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night.   {John 13: 26-30}

Judas leaves the men in the upper room. He knows Jesus plans and where to find him.  He is going to find the high priest and bring them to Jesus. He is preparing the way for Jesus execution.