Judas Arranges For Jesus Betrayal
June 8, 2022
Commentary
Judas Iscariot went to the chief priests to arrange for Jesus’ betrayal and struck up a bargain for thirty pieces of silver (vv. 10-11). Perhaps you are wondering how he could do such a terrible thing. Very likely Judas expected Jesus to start a political rebellion and overthrow Rome. Now as it became evident that Jesus kingdom was not physical or political but spiritual Judas’ greedy desire for money and status could not be fulfilled if he continued to follow Jesus. Regardless of what motivated him it is clear that Judas allowed his desires to place him in a position where Satan could manipulate him. It is evident that the desire for money can make a person blind to honesty and decency.
It was the first day of the feast of unleavened bread (v. 12). The Passover lamb was to be slain between 3:00-6:00 p.m. on the 14th day of Miran. Since for the Jews the new day began with sundown, it would have been Friday when Jesus and His disciples met in the upper room. Each worshiper slew his own lamb in the Temple and then it was carried home to be roasted. It must not be boiled. The disciples asked the Lord where they should prepare to eat the Passover. It was a rule of the Jews that it must be eaten between sunset and midnight. Also there must be a group of at least ten to twenty people for each lamb which made the disciples an ideal group.
Jesus told Peter and John to find a man, “bearing a pitcher of water,"(a man with a water-pot on his shoulder would stand out in the crowd because these were usually carried by women) and he would show them an upper room already prepared (vv.13-15). These two disciples went into the city and found everything just as Jesus had said (v. 16).
Application
How would I feel if one of my closest associates on this earth was to betray me for a sum of money? Would I be able to accept it as part of God’s will for my life? Perhaps I can think of someone who has really disappointed me and I still hold bad feelings toward them. If so, I need to make this right.
Mark 14:10– 16 (NET)
10 Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus into their hands. 11 When they heard this, they were delighted and promised to give him money. So Judas began looking for an opportunity to betray him.
12 Now on the first day of the feast of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb is sacrificed, Jesus’ disciples said to him, “Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover?” 13 He sent two of his disciples and told them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him. 14 Wherever he enters, tell the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher says, “Where is my guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?”’ 15 He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.” 16 So the disciples left, went into the city, and found things just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover.