A few years ago the media was all a-buzz over the ‘Gospel of Judas,” a gnostic text which (it was claimed) described Judas as a faith disciple of Jesus, chosen to be the betrayer because he was so faithful. I first encountered this theory through William Klassen’s book Judas: Betrayer or Friend of Jesus? (Minneapolis: Fortress, 1996). He believes that Judas was not the betrayer, but rather the most faithful disciple. Jesus had to be handed over to the authorities, and he entrusted this job to Judas. In order to make this theory work, Klassen has to make the “anti-Judas” statements into “later additions” by the church, which is unacceptable from an inerrancy perspective. He makes much of the fact that Paul never mentions the betrayal or Judas.
In John 12:1-8, Judas is described as a thief. He is embezzling from the disciples, and when a woman anoints Jesus’ feet with a precious perfume, he feels that he has been “cheated.” The perfume was not sold, he could have skimmed quite a bit from the sale (in John 13:28-30 Judas is the keeper of the funds for the disciples.) Greed could be a factor in Matthew 26:14-16 as well – Judas asked the priests “What will you give me….?”
Another answer is that the “perfume incident” forced Judas to understand that Jesus was not the Messiah, at least exactly as he understood the Messiah. One option is that Judas was convinced by the anointing that Jesus was not who he claimed, and the Pharisees were right all along. Jesus had to be destroyed as a false teacher. A second option is that Judas was shocked when he finally understood that Jesus was literally going to his death. He may have expected Jesus to go to Jerusalem to overthrow the Romans, but not to die. He may have wanted to ‘force’ Jesus to use his power to destroy the Romans.
Luke adds one more piece of information that the other Gospels do not. In Luke 22:3 we are told that Satan entered Judas prior to his betrayal. Does this absolve Judas of guilt? Probably not.
Judas had already made his choice to betray when Satan entered him. Perhaps Satan’s hand in the betrayal was to tempt Judas into making the decision, and when he made it, he kept Judas from losing his nerve by entering him. This is an extremely unique event, Satan is never mentioned as “entering” anyone else. Satan has become personally involved because the previous efforts to stop Jesus have failed.
Another angle here is this: What did Satan stand to gain by getting Judas to betray Jesus? Why did Satan want to kill Jesus? He should have been able to understand that it would be Jesus’ death and resurrection that defeated him. Clearly Satan tried to stop him from going to the cross in the temptations, and tried to slow him down or stop him throughout his ministry, so why help him to the cross now?
Satan’s role in the killing of Jesus is an indication of the arrogance of the devil. Perhaps he thought that if he couldn’t stop Jesus in the world, that he could stop him in death. Maybe he thought that he could hold Jesus in the grave. Another option, although less likely, is that Satan was playing the role laid out for him, and that he was not truly a free agent in the whole affair. Judas was free, but Satan was not.
Some Bibliography: Klassen wrote the ABD article, “Judas Iscariot”, 3:1091-1096. For a more balanced approach, see D. J. Williams, “Judas Iscariot”, in DJG, 406-408; John P. Meier, A Marginal Jew, Volume 3, 208-211.
So Klassen thinks Jesus and Judas had a special “friendship” deal going???
Seems a bit strange in view of Jesus’ looking Judas in the eye and saying, “Woe to the man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed. It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.” What a deal that was!
And if it were a deal, why did Judas ask for a confirmation as to whether he was the betrayer? Matt 26:24ff
True, the Gospel of Judas is junk, but worse yet is the anti-biblical liberal garbage of Klassen.
Conversly, thanks for the enlightening analysis.
“So Klassen thinks Jesus and Judas had a special “friendship” deal going???”
That’s pretty much his idea. He has to relegate anything that calls Judas a “son of perdition” to a later editorial hand. He has an interesting survey of the demonizing of Judas, starting with the assumption that Mark is the earliest and John is the latest gospel. There is nothing about greed in Mark, by Luke Satan enters him, and he is a thief in John. This continues into the post-apostolic writings about Judas as well as art. Look at paintings of the disciples with Jesus (Last Supper, etc), Judas always looks like a devil.
The Gospel of Judas is typical of many Gnostic texts, which tend to say that the evil character is the right one. Cain, for example, is the righteous brother, not Abel, once you accept their premises and spiritualized interpretations and have a few visions of your own, that is.
“Seems a bit strange in view of Jesus’ looking Judas in the eye and saying, ‘Woe to the man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed. It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.'”
Seems the question here is not where the eye of Jesus was looking, but the look that was in Jesus’ eye. Be assured it wasn’t judgmental. (John 12:47)
“What a deal that was!”
Since the story of Job, the scriptures have taught that what befalls a man in this world is not of necessity an expression of justice. Job was a man of whom God boasted. Yet, God allowed Satan to torment him until he cursed the day of his birth.
And consider Paul.
2 Corinthians 11:24-27 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. (25) Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; (26) In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; (27) In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
2 Corinthians 12:7-10 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. (8) For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. (9) And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (10) Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
Some might question that deal, too.
“And if it were a deal, why did Judas ask for confirmation as to whether he was the betrayer?”
Judas wasn’t asking for confirmation as to whether he was the betrayer. He had already betrayed Jesus, and he knew it.(Matt 16:14-16) The question here is about who is going to hand Jesus over. The use here of the word “betray” is not a translation of the Greek but an interpretation. The translater has to interpret because the Greek word used here means both “betray” and “hand over.” There is no equivalent word in English. The idea of inerrancy must extend to English translations if it is to be of concern here.
If it were a deal (it wasn’t), the question of Judas should be understood as a concession that he now recognized Jesus as the dealer.
Judas didn’t ask for a confirmation; he asked (same as the others) if Jesus was assigning the task to him. There was a chance, as far as Judas knew, that Jesus would give the assignment to another. In that case, he would get out from under the burden of the covenant which he had made with the chief priests when he was lost. But it wasn’t to be.
“True, the Gospel of Judas is junk, but worse yet is the anti-biblical liberal garbage of Klassen.”
This sentence amounts to nothing more than name calling. I don’t know Mr. Klassen, but I get the impression that he is a man who would give to Judas a cup of water to drink in the name of Jesus. I think that he will not lose his reward. (Mark 9:41)
The recent series concerning Judas has dealt extensively with a variety of theories about his relationship with Jesus. His character and behavior are clearly manifested as diabolical. The bottom line truth is that Judas did what he desired to do, and his destiny was consistent with his nature, behavior and character. Unfortunately, lost in the labyrinth and often irrelevant “Judas apology” is the plain simple sense of the Scriptures.
Noting the idea of extending the principle of “inerrancy” to an interpreter’s translation raises an ominous specter concerning one’s view the Scriptures and the matter of inspiration.
Judas betrayed Jesus when he offered to hand him over to the chief priests (Matthew 26:15a), when he covenanted to hand him over (Matthew 26:15b), and subsequently, when he sought opportunity to hand him over (Matthew 26:16). He did not betray Jesus when he handed him over (Matthew 26:47-50).
Again, Judas betrayed Jesus, but handing him over to the chief priests was not the betrayal – it was not the offense of which Jesus spoke, “He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me” (John 13:18 from Psalms 41:9).
The devil put into the heart of Judas to betray Jesus (John 13:2). His intent was malicious. His acts of betrayal were performed with a spirit of ill will. If Judas had handed Jesus over to the chief priests in that same spirit, then that act too would have been a betrayal. But he didn’t.
Jesus allowed the betrayal to progress far enough that the scriptures were fulfilled (John 13:18), but then he intervened. The notion of an heel of offense (Psalms 41:9) suggested his approach for the intervention – the footwashing (John 13). The enactment of the footwashing allowed Jesus to tell Judas his fault privately, though they were together with the other apostles (John 13:10,11). It also allowed him to convey symbolically his message of forgiveness for the trespass against him. In this manner, Jesus gained his brother in accordance with his saying (Matthew 18:15).
Again, the footwashing was about cleaning an unclean foot. The foot was unclean because the heel had been lifted up against Jesus. The effect of the footwashing was to make the foot clean. Interpreting the symbolism, the offense was forgiven.
Additionally, the devil that had put into the heart of Judas to betray Jesus was cast out. Now, Judas no longer desired to betray Jesus. The spirit of ill will was gone.
When Jesus announced that one of the twelve should deliver him up (Matthew 26:21), it was not a foregone conclusion for Judas, as it was for Jesus, that he would be the one chosen for the assignment, and this is true despite the outstanding covenant for him to deliver him up.
When Judas asked, “Master, is it I?” (Matthew 26:25), the question was sincere. If Jesus had chosen Thomas or Philip or Andrew or even Peter, Judas would have experienced a great relief from the burden of the covenant to which he was bound. It would have been clear that any of those men would have been acting under the direction of Jesus – none of those men had betrayed Jesus as Judas had. His hope for such relief was crushed, however, when Jesus said, “Thou hast said.” Jesus referred to the covenant that Judas had made with the chief priests to hand him over. In making the reference thus, Jesus sent Judas implicitly to perform his covenantal promise.
Jesus was in the process of laying down his life with power. No man was taking his life from him (John 10:18). He sent Judas to the chief priests (to hand him over) as part of his exercise of that power (John 13:16,17).
Note: When Jesus announced that one of them shall betray him (Matthew 26:21), that is, “give him up,” the disciples understood him to be assigning an undesirable task. Their misunderstanding was about to whom the task was being assigned. When each of them began to say, “Lord, is it I?” (Matthew 26:22), each was not questioning his loyalty. Each was just trying to find out if the assignment was being given to him.
The intent of Jesus was to be lifted up for all men to see, as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness (John 3:14). Jesus believed that his Father wanted him to lay down his life in this manner that he might take it again (John 10:17). The work that he was doing was directed toward that end. He believed it to be the cup that his Father desired him to drink (Matthew 26:39). He believed it would topple the kingdom of Satan.
Satan, who opposed the handing over of Jesus to the chief priests (Matthew 16:21-23), entered into Judas immediately after Jesus identified him as the one to hand him over (John 13:27). We have the words of Satan, “Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee” (Matthew 16:22). Now, instead of receiving relief from the burden of the covenant to hand Jesus over to the chief priests, Judas felt the magnitude of that burden increase multifold as Satan added all within his power to that burden.
Note: The kingdom of Satan was divided against itself. The devil put into the heart of Judas to betray Jesus, but Satan was opposed to handing Jesus over to the chief priests. It is the condition that Jesus said presaged the fall of the kingdom of Satan (Mark 3:24).
Judas overcame Satan this time because he had just received Jesus as his Lord, and in receiving Jesus, he received God, who worked within him to overcome Satan (John 13:20).
Judas recalled the response of Jesus to that earlier manifestation of Satan, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” (Matthew 16:24). Now, he realized that the covenant to which he was bound had become his cross. He put his shoulder into it as he got up from the table, and he carried it … as he went out into the night. By his obedience in accepting this assignment, he glorified Jesus (John 13:30,31)
The saying that Judas hanged himself is a figurative expression (Matthew 27:5). It follows from the saying of Jesus, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me (Matthew 16:24). The purpose for one to take up his cross is to hang himself, to lay down his life (lose his life for Jesus’ sake) in order to find his life (Matthew 16:25).
The phrase “[Judas] went and hanged himself” means that he lay down his life of sin and followed Jesus.
Judas went and hanged himself just after he confessed his sin (and Jesus) before men, saying, “I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood” (Matthew 27:4). Jesus spoke of such an one when he said, “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 10:32).
Most men know that Judas was lost (John 17:12). If they knew Jesus, they would not be surprised to learn that he was saved (Matthew 18:11)
Consider these three parables of Jesus which indicate the value he placed upon that which was lost:
Luke 15:1-32 Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. (2) And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them. (3) And he spake this parable unto them, saying,
(4) What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? (5) And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. (6) And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. (7) I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
(8) Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? (9) And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. (10) Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
(11) And he said, A certain man had two sons: (12) And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. (13) And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. (14) And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. (15) And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. (16) And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. (17) And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! (18) I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, (19) And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. (20) And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. (21) And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. (22) But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: (23) And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: (24) For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. (25) Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing. (26) And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. (27) And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. (28) And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him. (29) And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: (30) But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. (31) And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. (32) It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.
And consider his regard for leftover food which, apparently, he could produce at will:
John 6:12 When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.
A man says, “Show me a verse of scripture that even suggests that Judas was saved.” If such a man knew Jesus, then he would know that it is the verse that says that Judas was lost.
No direct affirmation of the positive role of Judas in God’s work of salvation was given in the scriptures. On the contrary, his role was deliberately concealed in a manner consistent with the glory of God (Proverbs 25:2). His reputation has been safe with the children of God, however, because they have refrained from judging him (Matthew 7:1). The children of God need have no fear of judgment or condemnation (Luke 6:37). Likewise, the disciples of Jesus need have no fear of condemnation. They have not judged according to appearance (John 7:24).
As for those who condemned Judas, Jesus knew that they would . This is the reason he said, “And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day” (John 6:39).
This comment is excerpted from “Judas Iscariot of the Last Days,” a post on my blog at http://www.inmyownname.com. It is offered only in my own name.
Gary
You win the award for longest response ever.
holy socks! you aren’t kidding!!!!!!!
Gleehug, you’re totally on the right track. “None of those that the Father has given me shall be lost, save one, so that scripture might be fulfilled.” To cut to the chase, what is being said here is that Judas is the apotheosis of scripture. Praise Judas and live.
John 17:12 is quite explicit in addressing the issue.
“While I was with them, I was keeping them in Your name which you have given me; and I guarded them and not one of them perished but the son of perdition, so that the Scripture would be fulfilled.”
Ah! The verse that says that Judas was lost.
The orignal question of, “Why did Judas betray Jesus?” in one that we have discussed in previous classes. It seems to us that Judas betrayed Jesus because he was after some time convinced that Jesus was not the true Messiah. His thought was that the Messiah was coming back to detroy and concure the land, and return it to the Jews. Jesus as we see in scripture was all about love. Love the Lord, and Love your neighbor. This not the Messiah he was expecting. So if this is your view of Jesus, why wouldn’t you betray this man who claims to be the Messiah. All others that have claimed to have been Messiah were assasinated, and their movement ended. This is probably what Judas was hoping for, but obviously didn’t work.
Jed you make an interesting argument. It really does make sense that Judas would betray or at least stop following Jesus if he realized he wasn’t doing things the way the one true messiah was expected to. If I realized I was following the wrong thing even after three years of following it I think I would leave and I would tell others not to fall into the trap I did. Judas had some sort of boldness the other disciples did not have in order to act on his conviction. I do not know how much he was motivated by the monetary reward or what but he stepped out. And ultimately like it was said originally someone had to be the betrayer so that we would have the gospel narrative to share today.
Why did Judas betray Jesus? Like all the disciples Judas was aghast when Jesus was anointed. And while they all apparently protested, only one had the moxie to follow through and betray Jesus on behalf of the poor.
This is the standard answer, and probably the one that is most satisfying, although that may be reason enough to question it. I suppose it is possible that the betrayal would force Jesus to do something, but that assumes that he was not serious about those predictions of his death! There has to be more than the idea that Judas was a revolutionary and trying to stir Jesus into action against Rome.
Again, another very interesting discussion! The theory that is in support of Judas’ motive being money seems very plausible to me. The fact that Judas is a money man immediately sends up a red flag. Maybe it is just a stereotype but it seems to me that all people who deal with money in a work setting let it become an idol in their own personal lives. Two passages that also throw up red flags, are the John 12 and Matthew 26 passages mentioned in the post. If he is asking what can he get out of it then, why would it change when Jesus’ life is on the line. Blomberg writes, “it is likely that Judas had become disenchanted with the “suffering servant” focus of Christ’s mission” (384). This also seems to make sense. If Judas wanted a military ruler out of the Messiah, it was clear that it wasn’t going to happen with Jesus. Now to the third option: the devil playing part in the betrayal. Luke 22:3 says that Satan entered Judas. Although I am not as knowledgeable as P. Long, I don’t see anything that makes it show that Judas was already going to betray Jesus before Satan entered him. However, it does say that after Satan entered him, that he went to the chief priests. Although the priests were looking for a way to get rid of Jesus before Satan entered Judas, it doesn’t allude to Judas betraying Him until after the entry of Satan. It also says in verse 5, “They were delighted and agreed to give him money.” Does the “agreed” point to Judas initiating a deal for money? Could this possibility mean that greed, being upset about the true Messiah, and the entry of Satan all play part in Judas’ betrayal.
I always consider the money secondary, it is not a great deal of money for turning in a fried to be executed. It is a betrayal, but the money is not the total motive.
Like Jed I agree that Judas didn’t really understand or believe that Jesus was the Messiah. It still amazes me that most of His disciples didn’t really fully know this. One would think after the hours of personal contact and alone time, they would see that He was who He said He was. Judas was one of the disciples that the Gospels never really go in depth with. This brings a lot of questions about his upbringing and what may have persuaded him to make this horrible decision. Of course this was prophesied over in the Old Testament, but Judas still made the decision. Imagine if one of the others chose to turn Jesus in for cash. I think it would have been more devastating if Peter or John did this. It is sad that Judas always gets labeled as the “outcast,” but this needed to happen in order for the prophecy to be fulfilled.
Like you said in Luke it said that Satan entered into Judas prior to the betrayal. If he entered just before the betrayal then it does not mean that Judas would be free of blame because he had made other previous arrangements for the betrayal before he betrayed Jesus. So he had it in his heart that he was going to betray Jesus. I believe that I could be very possible that Satan entered Judas right before the betrayal to make sure that Judas went through with it. If Satan was not there to “encourage” him then maybe Judas would have thought a little deeper into it and changed his mind. But, if Satan had entered him way prior to the betrayal then I don’t see that Judas could be to blame. If Satan was making the decisions for him and controlling him then Judas was not the one that had betrayed Jesus.
Plong, loved what you had to say regarding Satan’s role in all of this. Why on earth would Satan do this if he knew he would be aiding Jesus in his mission to get to the cross? Do you believe that Satan was able to put two and two together as far as Jesus being a ransom for many? I do think you are right on with the death comment. Who on earth could defeat death…surely not Jesus, who was also fully God and fully man? Here’s an interesting thought… could Satan do this knowing and believing the weight of the world, and even the power of sin would be TOO great for Jesus to bear? I picture Satan standing tall and proud as Jesus is crawling to the cross and even as he is standing there, because Satan could possibly see something we could not…the reality of sin resting on the full person of Jesus Christ. It does give such greater emphasis to Jesus conquering death, because of Satan’s part in the whole story.
MMm… I love this.
I would have to agree with Jed here, it makes sense that to Judas after he had been following Jesus for a time, that he decided that Jesus was not everything he had personally been looking for, therefore he was not the Messiah…I wonder if he believed that Jesus was the “one” if he really would have been spending that money from the treasury? Just a thought. Anyways, I think that Jesus wasn’t the political and revolutionary leader that Judas was expecting and hoping for. As far as the fact that Satan entered him, that is a very interesting detail. Did Satan have the free will to enter him, was it of his own choice? Or was he just playing the part he was forced to play? Was the likelihood that Judas was going to change his mind so great that only the devil himself could stop him?
It seems to me that if Satan entered Judas then Judas did not have much of a choice as to whether or not he would betray Jesus or not. I do think that Judas did have a choice though at the same time. What I mean by that is this; Judas made the choice to allow Satan to enter him. He could have chosen to not let his greed problem, and an apparent selfish problem, overcome him. It seems that through the greed and selfishness of Judas Satan was able to gain a small foot hold in his life. Through that foot hold I can see how it was easier for Satan to enter Judas. Judas was already giving Satan room in his heart.
Three interesting things I got from this topic includes the fact that Judas is hardly mentioned in any of the gospels until the act of betrayal.
Also, what does Luke 22:31 mean when Jesus is talking to Simon about how “Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat” in reference to the disciples? Lastly, I have always pondered why Satan does what he does. I believe Satan is arrogant especially if we look at the book of Revelation. He is fighting a losing battle that also, have the results right in front of him as well.
In reference to “Satan is never mentioned as “entering” anyone else.” Does the instance where Peter is rebuked by Jesus with the words “get behind me Satan” in Mark 8:33, help us understand what is going on in Jesus betrayal?
Well I began reading the long reply and it was some good content, however about half way through I had to stop reading to move on to the next ones :). The question here seems to be why did Judas betray Jesus? I have an interesting side note. My father came to me one time and asked me about the same passage. He had always believed Judas to be like any of the rest of the disciples, until he heard from the pulpit a different perspective on Judas.
If anything I think the term “Judas betrayal” was a rejection of who the Messiah really was. We’ve discovered in class and in studies that the First Century Jew living around that time was looking for a physical king to rule and reign, and for the nation to overcome its oppressors. Jesus didn’t seem to fit this description, atleast in his first coming. Later you find that Judas appears to be sorrowfol for his actions towards Jesus. So what was Judas motives in turning in Jesus? In part I’d like to say he had an incorrect view of who Jesus was and what he came to do. To conclude my dad also asked me, “Do you think Judas will be in heaven?” I’m not the Lord and I don’t make that decesion, however its something interesting to wrestle with and think about.
It seems to me, especially as I learn more about Satan and that he’s not the most consistent entity, that he probably didn’t need the most rounded out answer from the most sound rationale. It seems that for him he was in a bit of a catch 22. If Jesus lives, more people learn about their savior. If he doesn’t, he defeats death. Is it possible that he just wasn’t aware of all the implications that went along with the death of Jesus, eventually leading to his own defeat? I feel like I cant confidently lean toward one opinion or another? I believe, though, that it wouldn’t be impossible for Satan to recognize the harm done to him given both options, and still choose to end life.
Satan is pretty dumb; I mean the guy wanted to be God. You have to be pretty dumb, or crazy to try to become better than God, especially when Satan was in His presence. Who knows the reason why he did what he did. I don’t know why Judas betrayed Jesus, but I don’t think it has to do at all with Jesus and Judas having a little friendship where Judas was the most faithful disciple and the chosen one to “have” to betray Jesus. How would you explain Satan entering Judas or Judas killing himself? Why would he have killed himself if Jesus had told him to do this, and knowing this was his duty, rather than actually betraying Jesus without a secret pact/friendship. PS- what a long post up there!!!
I expect from a Bible teacher’s perspective, it is a refreshing thing to see students and friends alike jump in to the fray of a good biblical discussion.
Sharpened tools are always the ones most useful.
Thanks for all the cross-talk.
The New Testament is an allegory, and not a story to be taken literally. And after all is said and done it is Judas, who is the messiah. For just as Jesus had 12 disciples, so the patriarch Jacob had 12 sons. And his favorite, Joseph, the one who had been hated and rejected by his brethren, was he, of course, who wound up saving the very same brothers who had thought to do him evil. The inference should be clear. As for the allegation that Judas was stealing from the common purse which he held, this presupposes that the omniscient and telepathically-gifted Jesus would have deliberately entrusted his company’s to the safekeeping of a thief in the first place. Tilt. Magnify the name Christendom’s designated enemy, and it’s like pouring water on the Wicked Witch of the West.