Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Matthew 26:16
And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.
Verse 16. He sought opportunity] , a convenient or fit opportunity. Men seldom leave a crime imperfect: when once sin is conceived, it meets, in general, with few obstacles, till it brings forth death. How deceitful, how deeply damning, is the love of money! Well might a heathen exclaim, while contemplating the grave of a person who was murdered for the sake of his wealth: –
———- Quid non mortalia pectora cogis
AURI SACRA FAMES? VIRG. AEn. iii. 56
“O! cursed lust of gold! what wilt thou not compel the human heart to perpetrate?.”
Judas is deservedly considered as one of the most infamous of men, his conduct base beyond description, and his motives vile. But how many, since his time, have walked in the same way! How many, for the sake of worldly wealth, have renounced the religion of their Lord and Master, and sold Jesus, and their interest in heaven, for a short-lived portion of secular good! From Joh 12:6, we learn that Judas, who was treasurer to our Lord and his disciples, (for he carried the bag,) was a thief, and frequently purloined a portion of what was given for the support of this holy family. Being disappointed of the prey he hoped to have from the sale of the precious ointment, Mt 26:9, he sold his Master to make up the sum. A thorough Jew!
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him. Luke adds, “in the absence of the multitude”, Lu 22:6; in the most private manner, when he was alone, and in some solitary place, that no tumult might arise, and that there might be no danger of a rescue: for so he, and the chief priests, had consulted, and settled it, as what would be most prudent and advisable; and therefore, from that time forward, being prompted on by Satan, and the lucre of the money he was to receive, he narrowly watched, and diligently observed, the best and most fitting season to perform his enterprise, and quickly offered.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Sought opportunity ( ). A good chance. Note imperfect tense. Judas went at his business and stuck to it.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
16. Sought opportunity to betray him Luke informs us that the opportunity he sought was the absence of the multitude. The people were so strongly on the side of Jesus that the authorities dare not openly apprehend him. Their method was to take him secretly, charge him with some crime, and thus gain the multitude against him.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘And from that time he sought the opportunity to deliver him to them.’
And with the money in his hands Judas went away and began to plot Jesus’ betrayal, keeping his eyes open for any opportunity that would enable him to fulfil his promise. ‘To deliver Him.’ The ‘delivering’ of Mat 26:2 was thus to be commenced by one of Jesus’ own chosen disciples. He had had to choose between Jesus and Mammon. And he had chosen Mammon. His sole desire now was the betrayal of Jesus in accordance with His own prophecy.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
16 And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.
Ver. 16. And from that time he sought ] So it was no sudden, but a prepensed wickedness, done in cold blood, and upon mature deliberation. God’s people when they sin, they are surprised, and taken before they are aware, Gal 6:1 . There is no way of wickedness in them, ordinarily,Psa 139:24Psa 139:24 . It is of incogitancy: put them in mind, and they mend all. Or, it is of passion: and passions last not long. They deny not Christ that bought them: they can do nothing against the truth, they will not forego God upon any terms, they never sin with deliberation about this chief end: if they err, it is only in the way, as thinking that they may fulfil such a lust, and keep God too.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Mat 26:16 . , a good occasion, the verb, (Mar 6:31 ), belongs to late Greek (Lobeck, Phryn. , p. 125).
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
he: Mar 14:11, Luk 22:6
Reciprocal: 2Ki 5:25 – stood before 2Ki 8:14 – He told me Psa 10:3 – whom Psa 37:12 – General Hos 6:8 – polluted with blood Mat 17:22 – betrayed
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
6:16
Immediately after the bargain was made, Judas watched for an opportunity to fulfill it by pointing Jesus out in the way stated in verse 48.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Mat 26:16. From that time. Probably Tuesday evening.
Opportunity. A time and place suited to the crafty policy of the Sanhedrin. The opportunity soon offered; only one night intervened.
To betray him, or deliver him up. The same word as in Mat 26:2; Mat 26:15. Judas was not merely to tell where they could take him, but himself to be the active agent in taking Him and transferring Him into the hands of His enemies (see Mat 26:47-50; Mat 26:57). So that betray is the real meaning.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Verse 16
Sought opportunity. They did not dare to take him openly, by day, for fear of the people; and at night, he was accustomed to retire to places which were unknown to the persons whom they wished to send, to arrest him.