Betrayal

For some reason parents just don't want to name their children after the man who betrayed Jesus.

Judas was a common name back in Jesus’ day. It is the Greek form of Judah and the literal meaning is “Praise Yahweh.” The New Testament names seven different Judas’. Once a good name to give a son, the events leading up to the crucifixion changed the name forever.

On the night of what we now remember as the Last Supper, Jesus and His disciples were gathered in the upper room. While eating the Passover meal, Jesus made a startling announcement. One of the men sharing bread with Him would betray Him.

“When Jesus had said these things, He was troubled in spirit, and testified and said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.” (John 13:21)

Jesus tells the assembled group what must have seemed impossible. Impossible to all but the one who already carried betrayal in his heart. Jesus foretold of the betrayal and so was Judas then a puppet, or did he have the freedom to choose?

John’s account of the scene that night in the upper room sheds some light on this.

“Then the disciples looked at one another, perplexed about whom He spoke. Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved. Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask who it was of whom He spoke. Then, leaning back on Jesus' breast, he said to Him, "Lord, who is it?" Jesus answered, "It is he to whom I shall give a piece of bread when I have dipped it." And having dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus said to him, "What you do, do quickly." But no one at the table knew for what reason He said this to him. For some thought, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus had said to him, "Buy those things we need for the feast," or that he should give something to the poor. Having received the piece of bread, he then went out immediately. And it was night.” (John 13:22-30)

John shares the details as only an eye-witness could. We are told that Satan entered Judas. A very clear message. Does this mean that Judas was merely a vessel, or did he have the freedom to choose? Was Judas pre-destined to this sin, or was Jesus, in handing him the bread, simply sealing the fate that Judas had already chosen? 

There are verses that foretold long before Judas was born that someone would betray Christ. Zechariah and Jeremiah both prophecy this. In fact, they foretell the manner of His betrayal. 

“Then I said to them, "If it is agreeable to you, give me my wages; and if not, refrain." So they weighed out for my wages thirty pieces of silver. And the LORD said to me, "Throw it to the potter"—that princely price they set on me. So I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them into the house of the LORD for the potter.” (Zechariah 11:12-13)

In the original context of this verse, Zechariah is speaking to the people of Israel requesting his wages. The value of the 30 pieces of silver—30 shekels—was a very small amount. This verse shows both the un-thankfulness of Israel and is also a prophecy of Judas’ betrayal. 

This does not mean, though, that Judas had to be the one to betray Jesus. He had a choice. God did not randomly decide that since there was a need of a betrayer in order to fulfill His plan, that Judas would play the role—whether he liked it or not. This is not consistent with the character of God. Judas was not born a traitor. He chose to become a traitor. Judas fit into God’s plan, but He was not a part of it separate from his own free will. Jesus' mission in coming to our sinful world was for each of us.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” (John 3:16-17)

Including Judas.

Shawn and I sat down in the studio recently to talk about Judas—his life, betrayal and regret. Join us online to listen to that episode of Disclosure, a brand-new program brought to you by the Voice of Prophecy.  Click here to listen to “The Man Who Betrayed Christ”.