Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Luke 22:3
Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve.
3-6. The Traitor and the Priests.
3. Then entered Satan into Judas ] No other expression seems adequately to explain his wickedness. It began in avarice, disappointment, and jealousy; and, when he had long weakened his soul by indulgence in these dark, besetting sins, the imaginary loss of the “300 pence” of which he would have had the disposal (Joh 12:4-5; Mar 14:10), the now undisguised announcement of our Lord that He should be not only rejected, but crucified (Mat 20:19) the consequent shattering of all Messianic hopes the growing sense that he was becoming distasteful to his Master and his fellows the open rebuke which he had drawn on his own head by his hypocritic greed at Bethany (Joh 12:6) the rumoured hostility of all the most venerated authorities of the nation all these formed the climax of his temptations: and then, at last, the tempting opportunity met the susceptible disposition. “Instead of dominion service; instead of power per-
secution; instead of honour shame; this was all that was left of his hopes and prospects once so brilliant.” His crime was but the epitome of months perhaps years of secret faithlessness. “Dicitur Satan in reprobos intrare, cum reverso Dei metu, extincta rationis luce, pudore etiam excusso, sensus omnes occupat.” Calvin.
Iscariot ] See on Luk 6:16.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Then entered Satan into Judas – It is not necessary to suppose that Satan entered personally into the body of Judas, but only that he brought him under his influence; he filled his mind with an evil passion, and led him on to betray his Master. The particular passion of which Satan made use was avarice – probably the besetting sin of Judas. To show its exceeding evil and baseness, it is only necessary to say that when it produced its appropriate effect in this case, it led to the betraying and crucifixion of the Son of God. We may learn, also, that when Satan tempts people, he commonly does it by exciting and raising to the highest pitch their native passions. He does not make them act contrary to their nature, but leads them on to act out their proper disposition.
Satan – This word properly means an adversary or an accuser. It is the name which in the Scriptures is commonly given to the prince or leader of evil spirits, and is given to him because he is the accuser or calumniator of the righteous (see Rev 12:10; compare Job 1:6-9), as well as because he is the adversary of God.
Being of the number of the twelve – One of the twelve apostles. This greatly aggravated his crime. He should have been bound by most tender ties to Jesus. He was one of his family – long with him, and, treated by him with every mark of kindness and confidence; and nothing could more enhance his guilt than thus to make use of this confidence for the commission of one of the basest crimes.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Luk 22:3-6
Then entered Satan into Judas
Progressive wickedness
Men do not become great villains at once.
Souls are not like meteoric bodies, that are blazing amongst the stars at one moment, and the next in some dark pit on earth, wrapped in a noxious and sulphurous smoke. They are rather like trees, they fall by degrees. See that great monarch of the forest! For years disease has been in its roots, and a long succession of foul insects have been gnawing at its vitals. Slowly and silently the decline goes on. At first the outward symptoms are scarcely visible. A few withered leaves on one of its branches on a certain spring are first noticed by the old woodman. The next spring, and not only withered leaves are seen, but perhaps a leafless branch or: two. Thus through many a long year the deterioration proceeds, until at last it is rotten to the core, and only awaits some slight breeze blowing in the right direction to strike it down. One morning a gentle gust of air sweeps through the wood, the tree falls with a crash that shakes its neighbours, vibrates through the forest, and appals the district with its boom.
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 3. Then entered Satan into Judas] The devil filled the heart of Judas with avarice; and that infamous passion led him to commit the crime here specified. This at once accounts for the whole of this most unprincipled and unnatural transaction. None but a devil, or he who is possessed by one, could have been guilty of it: – let the living lay this to heart. A minister of the Gospel, who is a lover of money, is constantly betraying the interests of Christ. He cannot serve two masters; and while his heart is possessed with the love of pelf, the love of God and zeal for perishing souls cannot dwell in him. What Satan could not do by the envy and malice of the high priests and Pharisees, he effects by Judas, a false and fallen minister of the Gospel of God. None are so dangerous to the interests of Christianity as persons of this stamp.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
See Poole on “Mat 26:14“, and following verses to Mat 26:19. See Poole on “Mar 14:10“, and following verses to Mar 14:16.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
3. Then entered Satan, c.butnot yet in the full sense. The awful stages of it were these: (1)Covetousness being his masterpassion, the Lord let itreveal itself and gather strength by entrusting him with “thebag” (Joh 12:6), astreasurer to Himself and the Twelve. (2) In the discharge of thatmost sacred trust he became “a thief,” appropriating itscontents from time to time to his own use. Satan, seeing this doorinto his heart standing wide open, determines to enter by it, butcautiously (2Co 2:11) firstmerely “putting it into his heart to betray Him“(Joh 13:2), suggesting thethought to him that by this means he might enrich himself. (3) Thisthought was probably converted into a settled purpose by what tookplace in Simon’s house at Bethany. (See Mt26:6, and see on Joh 12:4-8.)(4) Starting back, perhaps, or mercifully held back, for some time,the determination to carry it into immediate effect was notconsummated till, sitting at the paschal supper, “Satanentered into him” (see on Joh13:27), and conscience, effectually stifled, only rose again tobe his tormentor. What lessons in all this for every one (Eph 4:27;Jas 4:7; 1Pe 5:8;1Pe 5:9)!
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Then entered Satan into Judas,…. At the same time that the sanhedrim were sitting, and consulting about the death of Christ, Satan, or the adversary, as the word signifies, the devil, who is the enemy of the Messiah, the woman’s seed, entered into Judas; not corporeally, as he did into those that were possessed by him; but he entered “into his heart”, as the Ethiopic version renders it; he put it into his heart to betray him, as it is said in
Joh 13:2 he stirred up, and worked upon the corruptions of his heart; suggested evil things to his mind, and baited his temptations agreeable to his malice and covetousness: and this man was
surnamed Iscariot; to distinguish him from another apostle of the same name; concerning this his surname, [See comments on Mt 10:4],
[See comments on Joh 13:2].
Being of the number of the twelve; apostles, or disciples of Jesus, as the Persic version reads, and which is an aggravation of his sin: now this being two days before the passover, shows, that the sop which Judas took, after which the devil entered into him, Joh 13:27 could not be the passover sop, but was the sop he ate at the supper in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, so long before it.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Satan entered into Judas ( ). Ingressive aorist active indicative. Satan was now renewing his attack on Jesus suspended temporarily (Lu 4:13) “until a good chance.” He had come back by the use of Simon Peter (Mark 8:33; Matt 16:23). The conflict went on and Jesus won ultimate victory (Lu 10:18). Now Satan uses Judas and has success with him for Judas allowed him to come again and again (Joh 13:27). Judas evidently opened the door to his heart and let Satan in. Then Satan took charge and he became a devil as Jesus said (Joh 6:70). This surrender to Satan in no way relieves Judas of his moral responsibility.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
Satan. See on ch. Luk 13:16.
Iscariot. See on Mt 10:5.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “Then entered Satan into Judas,” (eiselthen de satanas eis loudas) “Then Satan entered into Judas,” Joh 13:2, who is called Iscariot, or put it into his heart to betray Christ. Whether or not bribe money had already been offered to anyone to entrap and deliver Jesus is not known.
2) “Surnamed Iscariot,” (ton kaloumenon Iskarioten) “The one being called or surnamed Iscariot,” Mat 26:14; Mar 14:10. Matthew and Mark, at this point, tell of the common meal in the home of Simon the Leper in Bethany where Jesus was anointed and washed the feet of the disciples, Mat 26:6-13; Mar 14:3-9; Joh 12:11; Joh 13:1-30.
3) “Being of the number of the twelve.” (onta ek tou arithmou ton dodeka) “Existing (as one) out of the number of the twelve,” who were called apostles; Mar 14:10. Satan, who failed in tempting the master, succeeded with the servant, Mat 4:3-11. This points up the dark treachery of Judas.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
(3-6) Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot.See Notes on Mat. 26:14-16; Mar. 14:10-11. St. Luke stands alone in the first three Gospels as thus describing the origin of the Traitors guilt. Joh. 13:27 shows, however, that such a way of speaking had become common, though he places the entrance at a later stage. The use of the name Satan for the devil, as the author of the many forms of human evil, is, it need hardly be said, a prominent feature in St. Pauls writings (1Co. 7:5; 2Co. 2:11; 2Co. 12:7. et al.). Compare also St. Peters speech in Act. 5:3, where Satan appears as instigating the sin of Ananias and Sapphira.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
‘And Satan entered into Judas who was called Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve,
But in the camp of Jesus there was treachery afoot. It was actively caused by Satan (compare Joh 13:2; Joh 13:27). For Satan entered one of His disciples, who was called Judas Iscariot, one of the favoured Twelve (compare Luk 6:16). Outwardly his thoughts of treachery were possibly stirred because he was approached by adherents of the authorities, who probably similarly sounded out all the Apostles with a view to offering bribery. But Luke lets us know that the real reason for his treachery was that Satan had been allowed to enter his heart. In the section chiasmus outlined above this is placed in contrasting parallel with the Holy Spirit Who will later come in power on the other Apostles. Judas had to choose between two ‘spirits’ and he opted foolishly because his eyes were blinded by the thought of wealth, by ‘the deceitfulness of riches’ (Mar 4:19). While the others were learning about the coming of the Holy Spirit, He was opening himself to the spirit of Satan, and the key that was being used was Mammon. How powerful a grip Mammon has on the hearts of men.
For ‘Satan’ see Luk 10:18; Luk 11:18; Luk 13:16; Luk 22:31. He was a powerful evil spirit, a spiritual outcast, who had fallen from Heaven (Luk 10:18). He was in direct opposition to Jesus (Luk 11:18; Luk 11:22). He bound unfortunate men and women by possessing and enslaving them (Luk 13:16). He sought to put men and women to the test so as to prove their fallibility (Luk 22:31). In Acts he would fill the heart of Ananias with greed as he had Judas (Act 5:3), and he was the one who held the world in his power (Act 26:18), mainly by the same means. Luke also speaks of him as ‘the Devil’ (Luk 4:2-13; Luk 8:12), in which guise he put Jesus to the test (Luk 4:2-13) and seeks to remove the word that is sown in men’s hearts (Luk 8:12). In Acts the Devil oppresses men by possession (Act 10:38) and is the source of magic and sorcery, the father of all who do evil and try to turn men from the truth (Act 13:10). What he is, is indicated by his name. Satan means ‘adversary’, and reminds us that he is both God’s adversary and ours. His main purpose under this title is to thwart God and act against men and women. ‘Devil’ (diabolos) means ‘slanderer’, which connects him with the temptation of men with the aim of being able to slander them before God, and he attempts to remove God’s influence from men’s hearts. But the two ideas overlap. Satan is the great adversary and slanderer. For the further idea of Satanic influence in men’s hearts see Joh 14:30 ; 1Co 2:8; 2Co 4:4 ; 1Jn 5:19.
There is an interesting indication here that Satan thought that by this man’s action he could somehow thwart God’s plans through Jesus, plans which he clearly did not understand (see 1Co 2:8). The thought of such love as God was revealing would have been beyond him. He was as frightened as the chief priests and scribes at the success of Jesus. And it is ironic that, like them (Act 3:17; Act 4:28), unknown to himself, he was thus actually spurring on God’s plan. He was simply speeding Jesus on to the very place where he himself would be defeated. But he was clearly unaware of that fact. He foolishly thought that he could thwart God’s plans.
Some ask why God allows Satan such sway? As well ask why He allows us such sway. For in our own way, once we are in rebellion against God we are ourselves little satans (adversaries). What right then has one to survive above another? But He allows it all in His own purposes that He might triumph in the hearts of those who respond to Him and are saved, who would otherwise have had to be destroyed along with the rest, and so that He can lead them to triumph through afflictions. It is of His goodness that He has allowed the world and the Devil to continue, so that by all means He may save some from among them.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Luk 22:3-6 . See on Mat 26:14-16 ; Mar 14:10 f. Luke passes over the history of the anointing, having already related an earlier one (Luk 7:37 ).
] The part played by the devil, who “sensus omnes occupat” (Calvin), is conceived of as an actual intrusion , as is the word constantly used to express the intrusion of demons into bodies (Luk 8:30 ; Luk 8:32 f., Luk 11:27 ). Comp. Joh 13:27 (in regard to Joh 13:2 , see on the passage).
.] See on Mat 10:4 .
. . .] familiar to the reader (Luk 6:16 ), but a tragic addition.
Luk 22:4 . ] As is the chief of all the Levitical temple guards (Act 4:1 ; Act 5:26 ; Joseph. Bell . vi. 5. 3), , probably the leaders of the several guards who were placed under Him are here meant also, consequently the entire Levitical body of officers. Comp. , 3 Esdr. Luk 1:9 . See Lightfoot, p. 879.
Luk 22:5 . ] The several moments in the incident, as these are accurately traced by Luke, are: (1) Judas opens the correspondence, Luk 22:4 ; (2) they are pleased thereat; (3) they engage (Herod. ix. 53; Xen. Anab. i. 9. 7, Hell. iii. 5. 6; Herodian, v. 3. 23; Joseph. Antt. xiii. 4. 7; 4Ma 4:16 ) to give him money; and the last step is, (4) Judas makes his acknowledgment, promises ( ., spopondit; elsewhere only the simple form is used in this sense, as Plat. Symp. p. 196 C; Jer 44:25 ; Joseph. Antt. viii. 4. 3), and seeks henceforth a favourable opportunity, etc.
Luk 22:6 . ] without attracting a crowd. The opposite is , Act 24:18 . Comp. Hom. Il. v. 473: . The word , frequently occurring in the poets, occurs only here and at Luk 22:35 in the New Testament. Comp. 2Ma 12:15 ; rarely, moreover, in the later Greek prose writers, as Plut. Num. xiv.; Dion. Hal. iii. 10.
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
“Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve. (4) And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them. (5) And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money. (6) And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray him unto them in the absence of the multitude.”
I beg the Reader to be particular in remarking what is here said of the traitor; in relation to the time, in which Satan is said. to have entered into him. If the Reader compares what is here said with the other Evangelists’ account, he will discover that it was two days before the Passover. Matthew saith, that Christ was then in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper. Mat 26:2-6 . And John saith, that Christ and his disciples were at supper. Joh 13:2 . Now this Supper could not have been the Lord’s Supper, for Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper in the room of the Jewish Passover: and this he did not do before that he had, according to his earnest desire, celebrated it once more with his disciples. Neither could this Supper have been the Passover, for it was two days after this, when the Lord sent Peter and John to prepare for the Passover. And, moreover, this Supper was at Bethany, two miles from Jerusalem. And the Passover could nowhere be observed but in Jerusalem. See Deu 16:16Deu 16:16 . So that all these circumstances are in full proof, that the Supper John speaks of was not the Passover, neither the Supper of the Lord.
Now John is express to declare, that it was at this Supper in Bethany, Jesus gave the sop to Judas Iscariot, after which Satan entered into him. And Luke in this place saith, that this was before the Passover; and Matthew dates the time; it was two days before the Passover. Mat 26:16-17Mat 26:16-17 . If the Reader be careful to put all these things together, he cannot hesitate to conclude, that Satan’s entrance into the traitor was two days before the Passover.
And this point being very fully ascertained and confirmed, we shall next as completely discover, notwithstanding weak and injudicious Christians would wish to have it otherwise, that Judas, after this, partook both in the Passover and the Lord’s Supper.” And here again I request the Reader’s close attention, in order to have a clear apprehension of the fact.
When the disciples, which had been sent from Bethany to prepare the Passover, had made all things ready, we are told, that, in the evening; Jesus came with the twelve, Mar 14:17 . And both Matthew and Luke are express, in saying, that, when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve Apostles with him. Mar 14:14 .Mat 26:20 . And the relation, as given by the Evangelists, Matthew, Mark, and Luke, of the services, both of the Passover, and the Lord’s institution of his Supper, very fully prove the presence and participation of Judas, in common with the rest of the Apostles. The ordinance of the Passover is related in this chapter, from Mar 14:15-18 . Then commenceth the service of the Lord’s Supper. At the close of which, and not before, Jesus declares that the hand of the traitor was then with him on the table. How long after Judas remained is not said; but this statement by those three Evangelists, most decidedly prove, that the traitor took his place at the table, perhaps the better to cover his design, and was a partaker in both ordinances.
And, indeed, I cannot discover the shadow of a reason, wherefore any of the Lord’s faithful ones should take offence at it or wish it otherwise. Nay, I humbly conceive, that the Lord Jesus had a special design in it, for his own glory, and his Church’s happiness. I will explain myself–
It is certain, that when the Lord chose Judas to the office of an Apostle, he knew him to be a devil, for so the Lord said, Have not I chosen you twelve? and one of you is a devil! He spake (said the Evangelist) of Judas Iscariot, the Son of Simon, for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve. Joh 6:70-71 . If therefore the Lord chose him into the Apostleship, under such circumstances, shall it appear surprising, that he admitted him to the Passover and Supper? Having granted the greater, can we wonder at the less.
Moreover, we find, that during the whole time of our Lord’s ministry, Judas exercised the commission of an Apostle, in common with the rest. We read, (Luk 9:1-6 .) that the Lord sent out the twelve to cast out devils, heal the sick, and preach the kingdom of God; consequently Judas must have been included. Had this man been restrained from the exercise of the same power as the eleven, surely it must have been perceived by the rest, and they would have known it. And yet we find that Judas, though all the while, as our Lord termed him, a devil, had carried himself so deceitfully, (2Co 11:13-15 .) that when at the table, and at the close of Christ’s ministry, Jesus declared that one of the twelve would betray him, they were so unconscious of his real character, that they anxiously enquired which of them it should be?
Now then, if the Lord Jesus, (who, as John saith, knew all men, and needed not that any should testify of man, for he knew what was in man. Joh 2:25 .) was thus pleased, for wise and great purposes, though unknown to us, yet well known to him, to choose a devil to mix up with his Apostles, yea, for aught we know to the contrary, to exercise the same functions as they did; what greater causes could there be to keep him from ordinances than from the Apostleship? Did he not enjoy higher privileges as all Apostle, than in partaking of the Passover, or Supper of the Lord? And is it not highly probable that our adorable Jesus had some gracious design in the appointment, which, instead of militating to evil should be overruled to good. I humbly conceive this to be the case; and I beg the Reader’s patience while I state my further views upon this part of the subject also.
And here, first, I would remark, that this traitor, this devil, as the Lord called him, though chosen to be a Minister, and an Apostle, was never called to be a partaker of grace, neither he himself ever regenerated by the Holy Ghost. Let this be well considered. And, that the Church of God might not err in forming just views of his real character, God the Holy Ghost, by the mouth of Peter, was pleased to show to what the Apostleship of Judas extended. He was numbered with us, (said Peter,) and had obtained part of this ministry. Act 1:17 . Part of this ministry! Yes! such a part, and such only, as a devil might obtain. And what is that? An outside part; the form of office; the mere exercise of the function. Nothing of grace. Not one gift of the Spirit. Such as men, unordained by the Holy Ghost, unregenerated in heart may, and the Lord only knows how often do exercise; but which have no tendency to their own sanctification. Such was Judas! A devil he was, and a devil he remained, notwithstanding his associating with the Apostles while on earth, until the measure of his iniquity was filled; and then, as we are told, he went to his own place! Act 1:25 . And, however awful the view to the Church of Jesus, yet, the Great Head of it hath prepared his redeemed to expect similar instances, and by our Lord’s manner of speaking, not a few beside that of Judas, which shall be unfolded at the last day. Many (saith Jesus) will say to me in that day, Lord! Lord! have we not prophesied in thy name, and in thy name cast out devils, and in thy name done many wonderful works. And then will I profess unto them I never knew you; depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Mat 7:22-23 .
But it were not doing justice to the subject to stop here. May we not also suppose, that the Lord Jesus had a further design of mercy to his Church and people in the appointment of a Judas among his Apostles? He well knew that his Church would never be free, while in a militant state, from false Apostles, and false Prophets. Jesus not only foretold his redeemed this, but prepared them how to form conclusions concerning them. Tares, he said, should grow together with the good seed, until the harvest. Goats should be found with the sheep. But, in the midst, the precious and the vile are still perfectly distinct; and never, no never can coalesce. Tares never can become good seed, neither can sheep become goats. The seed of the woman, and the seed of the serpent cannot join. Hence therefore, if Jesus, in that little handful of his people, the eleven Apostles, purposely chose a Judas to mingle, well may the Church be satisfied in the midst of the heathen, when they consider that the Lord endured such a contradiction of sinners against himself, lest they should be weary, and faint in mind.
Reader! learn from hence, that the Church of Christ is not polluted from the mingling of the ungodly in her sweetest and most sacred ordinances. The Passover, and the Supper of the Lord, lost no savor to the Apostles, from the presence of Judas! They had Jesus with them, and that was all they needed, And if you or I, in his house, or at his table, meet Jesus in the ordinance, our joys will suffer no lessening from any unhallowed objects around. If God the Holy Ghost will lead my way forth by the footsteps of the flock, where the Great Shepherd feeds his sheep; Son 1:8 . though Judas himself dared to be present, there my soul should be found. Job 1:6 . And however I would seek out that ministry, and that people, where Christ alone is exalted, yet sure I am, however barren the means, yet led by the Lord, I shall go in and out, and find pasture. Jesus will prepare a table before me in the presence of mine enemies, he wilt anoint my head with oil, and make my cup run over. Psa 23:5 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
3 Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve.
Ver. 3. Then entered Satan ] He stood but at the door till now, that the business was concluded on.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
3 6. ] COMPACT OF JUDAS WITH THEM TO BETRAY HIM. Mat 26:14-16 . Mar 14:10-11 . Our account is strikingly peculiar and independent of the others. The expression . . is found in Joh 13:27 , and certainly in its proper place . Satan had not yet entered into Judas, only ( Joh 13:2 ) put it into his heart to betray our Lord.
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Luk 22:3-6 . Judas (Mat 26:14-16 , Mar 14:10-11 ). At this point in Mt. (Mat 26:6-13 ) and Mk. (Mar 14:3-9 ) comes in the anointing at Bethany omitted by Lk. , Satan entered into Judas. Lk. alone of the synoptists thus explains the conduct of Judas. Cf. Joh 13:2 . Lk.’s statement is stronger even than John’s, suggesting a literal possession. Only so could he account for such behaviour on the part of a disciple towards such a Master. It was a natural view for a devout evangelist in the Apostolic Age, but, taken literally, it would be fatal to the moral significance of the act of the traitor, which, while presenting a difficult psychological problem, doubtless proceeded from can scious motives. , of the number , but how far from the spirit which became that privileged body!
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Luk 22:3-6
3And Satan entered into Judas who was called Iscariot, belonging to the number of the twelve. 4And he went away and discussed with the chief priests and officers how he might betray Him to them. 5They were glad and agreed to give him money. 6So he consented, and began seeking a good opportunity to betray Him to them apart from the crowd.
Luk 22:3 “And Satan entered into Judas” Luke mentions Satan often (cf. Luk 4:13; Luk 10:18; Luk 13:16; and Luk 22:3; Luk 22:31). Judas had heard, fellowshiped with, and observed the Lord Jesus at close range for several years, but apparently he still had no personal relationship with Him by faith (cf. Mat 7:21-23). Peter undergoes the same intensity of temptation as does Judas, but with drastically different results. Much discussion has taken place over the motives of Judas’ treachery: (1) it was primarily monetary (cf. Joh 12:6); (2) it was primarily political (cf. William Klassen, Judas Betrayer of Friend of Jesus?); (3) it was spiritual (cf. Joh 13:27).
On the subject of Satanic influence or demon possession, there are several good resources (listed in the order of those I trust).
1. Merrill F. Unger, Biblical Demonology, Demons in the World Today
2. Clinton E. Arnold, Three Crucial Questions About Spiritual Warfare
3. Kurt Koch, Christian Counseling and Occultism, Demonology Past and Present
4. C. Fred Dickason, Demon Possession and the Christian
5. John P. Newport, Demons, Demons, Demons
6. John Warwick Montgomery, Principalities and Powers
Also see my Special Topics at Luk 4:2 (Satan) and Luk 4:33 (The Demonic).
Be careful of cultural myths and superstitions. Satan affects Peter in Mat 16:23 to tempt Jesus in the very same wayto avoid His substitutionary death. Satan is consistent. He is trying any way possible to stop Jesus’ redemptive work on our behalf.
1. Satan’ temptation of Jesus, Luke 4; Matthew 4
2. Peter, Matthew 16
3. Judas and the Sanhedrin, here
Jesus even describes Judas as a devil in Joh 6:70. The Bible does not discuss the subject of demon possession and influence as it relates to believers. But, believers are obviously affected by personal choices and personal evil!
“Iscariot”
SPECIAL TOPIC: ISCARIOT
“belonging to the number of the twelve” These were the special disciples whom Jesus chose to intimately reveal Himself to and train to become the “new Israel.” A really good book on Jesus’ training methodology is Robert E. Coleman, The Master Plan of Evangelism. These men became known as “the Twelve.” See Special Topic at Luk 6:13.
Luk 22:4 “officers” This refers to the Temple police. One of the divisions of the Levites was charged with guarding, maintaining order, and inflicting punishment on the Temple mount. The priests guarded the temple itself, but the temple police (we learn from Philo, De Specialibus Legibus (Loeb 7, 1.156) were assigned to
1. opening and closing the outer doors of the temple area
2. guarding the opening between the Court of the Gentiles and the Court of the Women
3. patrolling the commercial area known as the Court of the Gentiles
At night there were twenty-one guards posted around the temple area’s perimeter (M. M. dd. 1.1).
They were under the control of the Sanhedrin, which usually met in the temple. They are usually referred to
1. as officials or attendants, Joh 7:32; Joh 7:45-46; Joh 18:18
2. at Jesus’ arrest, Joh 18:3; Joh 18:12
3. at the night trials, Joh 18:18; Joh 18:36
a. at Peter’s denial, Mat 26:58; Mar 14:54; Mar 14:65; Joh 18:18
b. at Jesus’ sentencing by Pilate, Joh 19:6
4. in Act 4:1; Act 5:22-26; Act 21:30
Luk 22:5 “they were glad” They rejoiced because now they could arrest Jesus quietly and discreetly in private without the pilgrims or townspeople knowing anything about it (cf. Luk 22:6).
“and agreed to give him money” We learn from Mat 26:15 that it was thirty pieces of silver, which fulfills the prophecy of Zec 1:12.
Luk 22:6 “and began seeking a good opportunity to betray Him” The night of the Passover observance would have been an opportune time because everyone was home with their family groups on this special holy evening.
“apart from the crowd” We must remember that Jesus was a very popular person in Galilee and during this festival hundreds and hundreds of people from Galilee were in Jerusalem. This is the very reason the High Priest had decided to wait in Mar 14:2, but when one of His own offered to betray Him, they changed their minds.
Fuente: You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series by Bob Utley
Satan. See note on Mat 4:10.
into. Greek. eis. App-104.
Judas . . . the twelve. See App-141.
of. Greek. ek. App-104.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
3-6.] COMPACT OF JUDAS WITH THEM TO BETRAY HIM. Mat 26:14-16. Mar 14:10-11. Our account is strikingly peculiar and independent of the others. The expression . . is found in Joh 13:27,-and certainly in its proper place. Satan had not yet entered into Judas,-only (Joh 13:2) put it into his heart to betray our Lord.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Luk 22:3. , entered) The time of the fact[230] is indicated in Joh 13:27 [After receiving the sop.] [It was before the day of unleavened bread that the thing (the entrance of Satan into Judas) so fearful to speak of occurred: Luk 22:7, Joh 13:1.-V. g.]
[230] i.e. Not the first entrance of Satan, but his taking full possession of Judas. Comp. Luk 22:3; Luk 22:6.-E. and T.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
entered: Mat 26:14, Mar 14:10, Mar 14:11, Joh 6:70, Joh 6:71, Joh 12:6, Joh 13:2, Joh 13:27, Act 5:3
being: Luk 22:21, Luk 6:16, Psa 41:9, Psa 55:12-14, Mat 26:23, Mar 14:18-20, Joh 13:18, Joh 13:26
Reciprocal: Gen 9:21 – and was Psa 56:5 – all Zec 11:12 – So Mat 10:4 – and Luk 22:47 – Judas Eph 2:2 – the spirit Rev 12:9 – and Satan Rev 17:17 – to fulfil
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
3
Then entered Satan. This does not mean that Satan here for the first time began to influence Judas, for he was called a devil by Jesus before this (Joh 6:70-71). But Judas had been rebuffed in his covetous attitude toward the woman with the ointment (Joh 12:3-6), and began at once to plan a wicked scheme against Jesus, which was under the impulse of Satan. (See notes on Mat 26:14-16.)
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Luk 22:3-6. THE AGREEMENT WITH JUDAS. The successive steps are stated in the same order by all three Evangelists. He went to them with his proposal; they joyfully agreed to pay him; he sought to betray Jesus. Luke, however, says: And Satan entered (Luk 22:3). Comparing this with Joh 13:27, we conclude that Luke speaks of a preparatory influence, and John of a later decisive possession. While the plan was Satanic, the actual betrayal was more so.
And captains (Luk 22:4), i.e. the officers of the temple-guard, composed of Levites. Their help would be necessary, and doubtless they had been incensed by our Lords words in the temple.
Money (Luk 22:5). The amount is named by Matthew alone.
Without tumult (Luk 22:6), lit. without a multitude, without attracting a multitude together. Cowardice is implied in this plan of wickedness. The inference from the words covenanted and consented, is, that the money was not paid at this time.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Observe here, 1. The person betraying our blessed Saviour, Judas. Judas a professor, Judas a preacher, Judas an apostle, and one of the twelve, who Christ had chosen out of the world to be his dearest friend, one of his family and household: shall we wonder to find friends unfriendly or unfaithful to us, when our Saviour had a traitor in his own family?
Observe, 2. The heinous nature of Judas’ sin: he betrayed Jesus; Jesus his Maker, Jesus his Master. It is no strange or uncommon thing for the vilest of sins, and the most horrid impieties, to be acted by such persons as make the most eminent profession of holiness and religion.
Observe, 3. What was the occasion that led Judas to the commission of this sin; it was his inordinate love of money. I do not find that Judas had any particular malice, spite, or ill-will against our Saviour; but a base and unworthy spirit of covetousness possessed him, and this made him sell his master.
Covetousness is the root of sin; an eager and insatiable thirst after the world is the parent of the most monstrous and unnatural sins, for which reason our Saviour doubles his caution, Take heed and beware of covetousness; Luk 12:15 It shows us both the great danger of the sin, and the great care that we ought to take to preserve ourselves from it.
Fuente: Expository Notes with Practical Observations on the New Testament
TREASON OF JUDAS
Mat 26:14-16; Mar 14:10-11; Luk 22:3-6. But Satan entered into Judas, called Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve. There is not an intimation against Judas till about the close of the second year of our Lords ministry. (Joh 6:64-71) Judas had faithfully preached these two years with the other eleven, his financial office infelicitously conducing to that fatal development of money-love. This whole year he has been gradually wrought upon more and more by Demon Avarice. Now, he even has the impudence to speak out overtly at the supper condemnatory of Mary for her lavish prodigality in pouring forty-five dollars worth of Oriental myrrh on the head of the Savior. Of course, this bold step encouraged Satan, who had long been tinkering with him and pulling on him, so that he proceeded at once to enter into him, thus gaining a decisive victory, and taking possession of him.
And having gone away, he spoke with the high priests and captains as to how he might deliver Him to them. These captains were the officers of the temple guards. The holy Temple Campus is said to contain thirty-five acres. Most of it is open pavement, where the Moslem millions now assemble on their great religious anniversaries; but where the children of Abraham, in the good olden time, used to gather, not only from all parts of Canaan, but from their Gentile dispersions in all the ends of the earth. As Jesus was a native Jew, He was never prohibited from coming into this holy area. At present, any Jew entering that holy place would be instantly killed. I have entered it twice, and both times guarded by Turkish soldiers, with loaded guns, so long as I remained in the sacred inclosure. Hence that holy place, from the days of David and Solomon, has been constantly guarded by soldiers. Of course, these temple guards were subject to the ipse dixit of the hierarchy.
And they rejoiced, and contracted with him to give money [i. e., thirty pieces of silver, as Matthew says]. And he promised them, and continued to seek opportunity to deliver Him to them without a mob. Such was the popularity of Jesus with the common people, that they constantly anticipated and feared that, in case of an attempt to arrest Him, a mob would rise, take Him out of their hands, and do them violence.
Fuente: William Godbey’s Commentary on the New Testament
Luk 22:3-6. The Betrayal of Jesus (Mar 14:10 f.*, Mat 26:14-16*).Lk. omits the anointing of Jesus, having recorded a similar incident in Luk 7:36-50. Special points in Lk.s narrative here are the Satanic possession of Judas (cf. Joh 13:2), the mention of the captains (officers of the Temple guard), and the explanation of the convenient season.
Fuente: Peake’s Commentary on the Bible
22:3 {2} Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve.
(2) God by his wonderful providence causes him to be the minister of our salvation who was the author of our destruction.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
2. Judas’ offer 22:3-6 (cf. Matthew 26:14-16; Mark 14:10-11)
Luke omitted the story of Jesus’ anointing in Bethany (Mat 26:6-13; Mar 14:3-9; Joh 12:2-8). He had already narrated a similar event that happened on another occasion (Luk 7:36-50). By his omission Luke allowed the story of the plot to arrest Jesus to flow more smoothly.
Fuente: Expository Notes of Dr. Constable (Old and New Testaments)
Only Luke and John mentioned Satan’s entering into Judas now (cf. Joh 13:2). Perhaps Luke wanted to clarify that Jesus’ death was due to more than just human scheming (cf. Act 5:3; 1Co 2:8). It was part of a cosmic plan to destroy the God-man (cf. Luk 4:1-12). Ironically Satan’s participation in Jesus’ arrest led to his own downfall (cf. Col 2:15; Heb 2:14). Luke also clarified Judas’ identity for his readers (cf. Luk 6:16) and noted Judas’ contact with the Jewish officers of the temple guards. It was probably these soldiers along with Roman soldiers who arrested Jesus (cf. Joh 18:3). Perhaps Judas went to them because he originally anticipated Jesus being arrested in the temple area.