John 13:18-30

The betrayal of Jesus is considered to be one of the most heinous acts in human history, made even more heinous by the fact that Jesus was innocent and had come to save the world from sin, death, and the power of the grave.

Is there more to this betrayal? Why was Judas of all humans in history the one who betrayed Jesus…with a kiss no less?

Jesus tells His disciples about this betrayal before it even happens. Lets consider three aspects of His explanation.

First, Jesus explains that this betrayal was prophesied centuries before His coming to earth.

I am not referring to all of you; I know those I have chosen. But this is to fulfill this passage of Scripture: ‘He who shared my bread has turned against me.’

This is a quote from Psalm 41:9. By predicting that He will be betrayed and who will betray Him, Jesus is able to strengthen the faith of the disciples.

“I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am who I am. Very truly I tell you, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts Me; and whoever accepts Me accepts the one who sent Me.” John 13:19-20 NIV

Secondly, Jesus reveals that this betrayal will come from one of His own disciples. The disciples who had come to fear betrayal at every turn were shocked. They anticipated betrayal coming from outside of their tight-knit group.

After He had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, “Very truly I tell you, one of you is going to betray Me.” His disciples stared at one another, at a loss to know which of them He meant. John 13:21-22 NIV

Peter motions for John (the writer of this gospel who inserts himself into the narrative as “the disciple whom Jesus loved”) to ask Jesus which disciple He thinks will betray Him.

One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to Him. Simon Peter motioned to this disciple and said, “Ask Him which one He means.” Leaning back against Jesus, he asked Him, “Lord, who is it?” John 23-25 NIV

Instead of simply answering, Jesus shares the depth of this betrayal by sharing bread with His betrayer.

Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. John 13:26 NIV

Judas, the one who will betray Him, has shared the last three years of ministry with Jesus. Now He inexplicably denies Jesus. Why?

Lastly, Jesus shares the source of the betrayal, Satan himself.

As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. John 13:27 NIV

Apparently, Judas, who is described as a thief (see John 12:6), was the weakest link of the disciples and was singled out by Satan to do his bidding. Judas took the bread and left, going out into the darkness, the realm of Satan’s rule.

Possessed by Satan, Judas betrays the Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. Once this betrayal is complete, Judas, consumed with grief, commits suicide.

When Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. “I have sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood.”

“What is that to us?” they replied. “That’s your responsibility.”

So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself. Matthew 27:3-5 NIV

What a tragic turn of events! Yet, we are once again reminded that the death of Jesus on the cross was not a random act from a despondent God, desperate to win His children back. Every step of the mission of Jesus was predicted in scripture and fulfilled in life, even the betrayal of Jesus.

Questions to consider:
Reading through this passage, how do you feel about Judas and his role in the death of Jesus? What does this teach us about Satan and his hate for God’s children?
What are your thoughts about the truth that the life and mission of Jesus fulfilled so many promises in Scripture, that even the betrayal of Jesus was a fulfillment of Scripture?
Ask God today to protect you from the destructive schemes of Satan and to continue to teach your heart and mind the deep truths of Scripture.