Luke 22:3-6--Judas to Betray Jesus

Luke 22:3-6
English Standard Version

Judas to Betray Jesus
3 Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. 4 He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them. 5 And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. 6 So he consented and sought an opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of a crowd.

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We know from comparing to other gospel accounts that Satan entered Judas during the Last Supper when Jesus handed the sop to Judas and told Him "What you must do, do quickly."  But Luke's account seems to indicate that Satan also entered Judas Iscariot earlier when he went to meet with the Pharisees prior to the Lord's Supper (possibly on Wednesday of Holy Week, though there are no events specifically dated as occurring on Wednesday, some Christians celebrate that day as "Spy Wednesday" when these events took place and Judas was seeking out a good place and time to betray Jesus).

In today's passage, we see Satan actually enter into Judas Iscariot so that Satan can participate in the plot to betray and kill Jesus.  This does not mean that Judas was not responsible for his thoughts or actions.  There is no excuse of "the devil made me do it" here.  No, it's been quite clear as we've been following the story that Jesus selected Judas knowing that he would do this and that it would be necessary to fulfill and righteousness and to fulfill prophecies (see for instance Psalm 41:9 and Zechariah 11:12-13 for some specific prophecies fulfilled by Judas's betrayal)

While this passage is not about the motives of Judas Iscariot, it seems obvious that he was motivated by the love of money, and other passages even recount for us how he was entrusted as treasurer, but often stole from the moneybag.  So then, even the seemingly small price of 30 pieces of silver (again, part of the prophecies that were to be fulfilled) was enough to help push him over the edge.

This betrayal was all part of God's plan, but that also doesn't excuse Judas Iscariot.  He was not forced by either God or Satan to take the actions.  He was a willing participant, but what man meant for evil, God meant for good (see Joseph's words in Genesis 50:20 as God uses this evil plan to help bring about the salvation of many people).  Jesus has also know this would happen as he often talked about going up to Jerusalem to be betrayed and handed over to chief priests, Pharisees, and teachers of the Law (the Sanhedrin).  Judas may have thought he was going to pull one over on Jesus, but Jesus knew exactly what was going on--we'll see this as we continue to read the account.  Jesus will know exactly when they came for Him even in the dead of night and exactly who it is who is coming for Him.  Before that though, Jesus must share a meal with His disciples and Judas Iscariot will be there for part of the meal, but will depart before the New Covenant is given.  We'll talk more about that over the next couple of journal articles.