COMMENTARY ON MARK
LESSON NUMBER 149
“ Mark 14:10 And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests, to betray Him unto them. 11And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. And he sought how he might conveniently betray Him.”
(Mark 14:10-11; Matt 26:14-16; Luke 22:3-6)
JUDAS PREPARES TO BETRAY JESUS
INTRODUCTION
The scene is Jesus at the house of Simon the leper. Mary had expended all of her precious ointment upon Jesus, pouring it on His head, and anointing His feet, while drying them with her hair. In that unique moment, with the odor of the ointment filling the room, Jesus has been anointed for His burial. Knowing what had been done, it was a tender moment for our Lord. He says that wherever the Gospel is preached in the whole world, Mary will be memorialized for this deed. A variety of feelings have been exposed by Mary’s deed. The Master has been no doubt comforted as He prepares to lay down His life, a ransom for many. Others, diverted by the heinous suggestion that the ointment could have been used for better purposes, have leveled criticism at Mary. As is characteristic of Jesus, He has not let their criticism go unnoticed. He has risen to the defense of Mary, and commanded that she be left alone. He identified her work as not only a good one, but one that had to do with the salvation of the world – something of which even the disciples were not yet aware. It is ever true that when men’s thinking about the salvation of God are distorted, everything else of consequence is also blurred. It is as though God will not allow men to think correctly about anything if they cannot think properly about His Son. Thus godly thinking not only has a sanctifying effect upon men, but ungodly thinking has a defiling effect upon them. It is not possible to sidestep these consequences. When we see people advancing in the faith, they have been thinking correctly about Jesus. When we see them in a state of retrogression, or even rebellion, it is because they have not been thinking correctly about Christ.
JUDAS GOES TO THE CHIEF PRIESTS
“ Mark 14:10 And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests, to betray him unto them.”
Now, in order to confirm the wickedness of the devil, and the absolute hardness of those who are under his control, Judas leaves to commit the most heinous deed ever committed by a man – the betrayal of the Son of God into the hands of sinners.
ONE OF THE TWELVE. Judas was a member of the highest ranking men in the history of the human race. The church is the most unique gathering of men, being referred to as the “family” of God, that is named after Christ (Eph 3:15). Within that family, which is built together “for a habitation of God through the Spirit” (Eph 2:22), the twelve apostles are “first” (1 Cor 12:28). Their names are on the foundation stones of the walls of the glorified church (Rev 21:14). Judas was “one” of that sacred number – “the twelve.” When referring to the twelve apostles, that expression is used twenty-seven times in Scripture. It is not possible to be part of a more elite and privileged group than “the twelve.”
The only possible way to be “one of the twelve” was to be chosen by Christ Himself to be an apostle. There were no volunteers. While Jesus was upon earth, no one arrogated this office unto himself. During that time, there were not even any pretenders who made a claim to be an apostle. Jesus chose the twelve after spending a night in prayer – and Judas was one of them (Lk 6:12-16, esp v 16). Mark says that when Jesus chose the twelve “He called unto Him whom He would,” ordaining twelve of them “that they should be with Him, and that He should send them forth to preach” – and Judas was one of them (Mk 3:13-19, esp v 19). There is absolutely no question concerning the validity of Judas’ apostleship.
If it is true that once Jesus chooses you, or once you are truly with Him, it is not possible to lose your position or status, then Judas will surely be locked into His position, and his future with Jesus will be secure. Yet, as the direct result of what Judas now sets out to do, he will “fall by transgression,” in order that he might “go to his own place” (Acts 1:25). He will not merely lose a reward or two, but will be altogether excluded from the office of an apostle, and another will take his place. All of this will be done according to Divine appointment (Acts 1:16-21; Psa 109:8).
Judas stands as a powerful refutation of the idea that a person once identified with Jesus cannot fall from favor or be lost. I do not doubt that his record will be brought up on the day of judgment to confirm that there is no justification for embracing such a view.
WENT TO THE CHIEF PRIESTS. It is ironic that the people to whom Judas had to go were Jewish authorities. He could not go to the Roman authorities, for they saw no threat in Jesus – even though, in truth, His kingdom would bring their kingdom down. Later, Pilate would tell the accusing Jews, “Take ye Him and judge Him according to your law” (John 18:31). Concerning any judicial judgment against Jesus, Pilate would also say two times, “I find no fault in Him” (John 19:4,6). But it was not so with the religious authorities! This confirms that religious corruption causes men to descend further into reprobation, or Divine rejection, than moral depravity. This is because corrupt religious thinking tends to sear the conscience, rendering it insensitive to Divine influences.
SATAN ENTERED INTO JUDAS. In this account of Judas going to the chief priests, Mark precedes the record
with these words, “Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve” (Luke 22:3). Later, when Jesus was with His disciples at the Last Supper, John said, “And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray Him” (John 13:2). In his record of that night, John states that Satan again entered into Judas, provoking him to leave the meal and actually betray Jesus: “And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly” (John 13:27). Thus we see the entrance of Satan as the cause for the very idea of betraying Jesus. The devil put that idea in the heart of Judas, and he received it, cogitated upon it, and made a determination. Then, when the actual deed was going to be carried out, Satan again entered him to bring the deed to its culmination.
All of this underscores the danger of making a place for the devil (Eph 4:27) – something that Judas, through His covetous practices (John 12:6), had done. Giving no place to the devil is another way of saying “stand against the wiles of the devil” (Eph 6:11). Giving a place to the devil is the same as making “provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof” (Rom 13:14). The liability of Satan working within men is also seen in the case of Ananias and Sapphira. Peter asked Ananias “why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost?” (Acts 5:3). Like Judas, that couple had made a place for the wicked one. When that happens, as confirmed in Judas, Satan gets “the advantage of us” (2 Cor 2:10). There is no way for a mortal to withstand the assaults of the wicked one if a place is made for him to work. This is part of the logic that undergirds the reasonableness of holiness.
THE CHIEF PRIESTS ARE GLAD AND PROMISE HIM MONEY
“ 11a And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money.”
THE CHARACTER OF JUDAS. Judas’ reprehensible act was in perfect keeping with his nature. Although Jesus had chosen Judas to be an apostle, it was only in order to the fulfillment of the Scripture (John 17:12). It was prophesied that the betrayal of the Christ would come from within the circle of His companions. Thus the Psalmist prophesied, “Yea, Mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of My bread, hath lifted up his heel against Me” (Psa 41:9). Again, the Psalmist foretold of the tender association that would exist between the betrayer and the Betrayed: “For it was not an enemy that reproached Me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated Me that did magnify himself against Me; then I would have hid Myself from him: But it was thou, a man Mine equal, My guide, and Mine acquaintance. We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company” (Psa 55:12-14). Peter referred to this very text when he said Judas “was guide to them that took Jesus” (Acts 1:16). It is true that David also experienced this kind of betrayal from his own counselor Ahithophel (2 Sam 15:12-12). Yet, the thrust of his words actually applied more to the coming Messiah.
Early in Christ’s ministry, when He fed the five thousand, He was fully aware of the corruption of Judas. At that time Jesus said to His disciples, “But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. (John 6:64). Also, when the disciples said, “we believe and are sure that Thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God,” Jesus responded, “Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?” John then adds the words, “He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for He it was that should betray Him, being one of the twelve” (John 6:69-71).
Now, with no choice but to yield to the one for whom he has made a place, Judas goes to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them, in order that they might fulfill their wicked will.
WHEN THEY HEARD IT. Matthew tells us what Judas said. “What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you?” (Matt 26:15a). Luke says he “communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray Him unto them” (Luke 22:4). Both Mark and Luke say the leaders “were glad” to hear Judas’ proposal (Mk 14:11; Luke 22:5). Some versions read they were “delighted,” NIV “pleased,” CJB “rejoiced,” DARBY “greatly pleased,” NRS and “rejoiced and were delighted.” AMPLIFIED The word “glad” is an especially strong one meaning, “to rejoice exceedingly.” THAYER Remember, up to this point the chief priests and their cohorts had been stymied in their attempts to apprehend Jesus (Mk 11:18; 12:12; Lk 20:19; 22:2). How glad they were to see Judas, who appeared to make their job all the easier. Little did they know that they were actually being moved along by “ the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God” (Acts 2:23). They were, in fact, nothing more than ignoble vessels, to be used for dishonorable purposes (2 Tim 2:20). Such people are always “glad” when they imagine they will be freed from Divine influences.
THEY PROMISED TO GIVE HIM MONEY. Judas being a covetous man, it was appropriate that he be offered money to betray Jesus. He already occupied a position that could well have been the envy of thoughtful men. But a covetous heart is not satisfied with being close to Jesus, being taught by Him, and being sent out by Him.
Matthew provides the amount of money that was offered to Judas. “And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver,” or “thirty silver coins” NIV (Matt 26:15). This is precisely what was prophesied by Zechariah. “And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver” (Zech 11:12). Later, Matthew again mentions this money, referring to Judas returning it. There he mentions it was used to purchase the potters’ field, stating that it fulfilled a word spoken by Jeremiah. In that text, however, Matthew’s intent was not to comment on the thirty pieces of silver themselves, but on the purchase that was made with them. That purchase was the thing that fulfilled a compendium of texts written by Jeremiah (Jer 18:2; 19:1-2; 32:8-14).
Mark says, “they promised to give him money.” Matthew says, “they covenanted with him.” Luke also says “they covenanted to give him money” (Lk 22:5). Therefore, an agreement was struck between the avowed enemies of Jesus and one of His own apostles.
Thus Judas contradicted the word of the Jehu to Jehosaphat: “Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the LORD? therefore is wrath upon thee from before the LORD?” (2 Chron 19:2). Unlike the sweet Psalmist of Israel, Judas could not say, “Do not I hate them, O LORD, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee? I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies” (Psa 139:21-22).
Be sure of this, that there are still people who form alliances with the wicked for seemingly personal advantage. However, such pacts do not go unnoticed by heaven, and all who indulge in such practices will be called into account for doing so. Far better to heed the words of Solomon, “My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not” (Prov 1:10).
JUDAS SEEKS AN OPPORTUNITY TO BETRAY JESUS
“ 11b . . . And he sought how he might conveniently betray Him.”
HE PROMISED. Luke says of Judas’ response to the proposal of the chief priests, “he promised” (Lk 22:6). He heartily consented to the arrangement, and thus the offer of thirty pieces of silver was accepted by him.
Matthew says it was “the price of Him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value” (Matt 27:9) – that is, the chief priests saw Jesus as being worth thirty pieces of silver, and Judas consented that this was a fair price. This is to be compared with the value Mary had attached to Jesus just prior to this, when she poured out upon Him all of her precious ointment. What a staggering comparison of values! Judas valued the ointment at “three hundred pence” (Mk 14:5). The value of Jesus? – thirty pieces of silver! Under the Law, that was the value of a slave that had been gored by an ox. “If the ox gores a male or female servant, he shall give to their master thirty shekels of silver, and the ox shall be stoned” NKJV (Ex 21:32). 300 pence is equivalent to about 85% of a year’s wages. 30 pieces of silver is equivalent to about one week’s wage. That would be a dollar ratio of approximately $630 to $25,000. Of course, there are still those who attach very little genuine worth to Jesus. They invest as little as possible in the Son of God – of both their persons and resources.
HE SOUGHT OPPORTUNITY. Mark says Judas “sought how he might” betray Jesus. Both Matthew and Luke say that he “sought opportunity to betray Him” (Matt 26:16; Lk 22:6). In other words, he had to be diligent, alert, and even aggressive. He would have to work to gain this money, assessing situations, correlating them with perceived possibilities, and making sure that he would, in the end, be able to get his blood money. He was fulfilling the word of Micah concerning the wicked: “That they may do evil with both hands” (Mic 7:3). He could not be casual in his assignment.
Matthew says Judas went right to work, wasting no time. “And from that time he sought opportunity to betray Him.” David declared that this was a trait of the wicked – diligent pursuit of the things they desire. “They search out iniquities; they accomplish a diligent search: both the inward thought of every one of them, and the heart, is deep” (Psa 64:5-6). It is one of the invariable marks of false religion (and that is what we have in the case of both Judas and the chief priests), that they are more eager to satisfy their own corrupt desires than to fulfill the Divine appointment for men. That high appointment is stated in this way: “That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after Him, and find Him, though He be not far from every one of us” (Acts 17:27). To the human race, this is like eating of all of the trees of the garden, including the tree of life. Failing to seek after the Lord is like gravitating to the forbidden fruit, listening to the devil, and then imagining that an advantage will be gained from eating the fruit.
It is inherent in human nature to be diligent to pursue what is perceived as being valuable or an advantage. Even a sloth seeks for opportunity to be idle, and to obtain needed resources with little of no effort. Man has been made to be diligent, and that is what he will be – either for what he perceives to be temporal advantages, or for the God who created Him.
We must not forget that the righteous are also to look for opportunities. “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do
good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith” (Gal 6:10).
CONVENIENTLY BETRAY HIM. Here “conveniently” does not mean with a minimal amount of effort, or casually. This is confirmed by the fact that Judas “sought how” he might betray Jesus. The word “conveniently” means opportunely, or at the proper time. The NASB reads, “at an opportune time.” Other versions read, “he watched for an opportunity to hand Him over,” NIV “looking for the right time and place,” AMPLIFIED and “the best way.” IE
Luke provides a more pointed word on the approach of Judas. He says he “sought opportunity to betray him unto them in the absence of the multitude” (Luke 22:6). He was apparently privy to the reasoning of the chief priests concerning the best time to take him: “Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar of the people” (Mark 14:2). Therefore, Judas had to avoid times when Jesus was with people – which would be exceedingly difficult. During the past few days Jesus has been continually in the public eye. There was the triumphal entry, the cleansing of the Temple, teaching daily in the temple, and healing the lame who came to Him in the temple. Then, there was His presence in Bethany, the raising of Lazarus, and the feast at the house of Simon. Judas would have to work hard to find an opportunity to betray Jesus when He was alone – but he was willing to do so. Now, he would capitalize on his familiarity with Jesus for ignoble purposes. Unbeknown to Judas, the events that will take place will fulfill God’s “counsel determined before to be done” (Acts 4:28). Later, when Jesus instituted the Lord’s Table, He said of the deed of Judas, “And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom He is betrayed!” (Luke 22:22). Mark’s Gospel adds, “good were it for that man if he had never been born” (Mark 14:21).