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Jesus’ Interactions with Judas

Perhaps one of the most interesting relationships in the Gospels is the relationship between Jesus and Judas. The role Judas played in Jesus’ death often overshadows the dynamics of this relationship. It is quite possible that 2,000 years of commentary have blurred the nuances of this relationship.

Matthew 26:50 - And Jesus said unto him, ‘Friend, wherefore art thou come?’ Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him. (KJV)

One of the most difficult things to recover from is a betrayal by a close friend. But here we see that, contrary to human nature, Jesus referred to Judas as his friend during the actual act of betrayal. He still held on to the relationship despite the circumstances. In this moment, we see that betrayal is not necessarily a reason to disregard or give up on a relationship.

The use of the word ‘friend’ here is sometimes taken to be a simple greeting and is therefore disregarded. But if we look more broadly at when Jesus spoke, we find that every word He uttered had purpose and direction. There were no accidental or casual words with unclear meanings. He spoke directly and with authority.

Matthew 7:29 - For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. (KJV)

He spoke to the fig tree and it withered.

Matthew 21:19 - And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, ‘Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever.’ And presently the fig tree withered away. (KJV)

Thus, when we see the word ‘friend’ in Matthew 26:50, we ought to take it to mean what it does mean; namely that Jesus still regarded Judas as a friend.

One of the fundamental tenets of Jesus’ teachings is forgiveness.

Matthew 18:21–22 - Then came Peter to him, and said, ‘Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?’ Jesus saith unto him, ‘I say not unto thee, until seven times: but, until seventy times seven.’ (KJV)

Ultimately, in forgiving Judas so quickly and without hesitation, Jesus was merely practicing what He had preached. But when one examines Judas’ character a bit further, perhaps Jesus’ response was due to his relationship with and knowledge of Judas.

Unlike Absalom or Lucifer, Judas did not have (as far as we can tell) a long-standing plan to overthrow Jesus.

Isaiah 14:12–14 - How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north. I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. (KJV)

Judas did not openly oppose Jesus’ leadership. Neither did he try to convert any of the other disciples to his way of thinking.

2 Samuel 15:1–6 - And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him. And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was so, that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said, ‘Of what city art thou?’ And he said, ‘Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel.’ And Absalom said unto him, ‘See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee.’ Absalom said moreover, ‘Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice!’ And it was so, that when any man came nigh to him to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him. And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so, Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel. (KJV)

What led Judas to betray Jesus was his love for money. Judas was tempted and attracted to the offer of money by the chief priests.

Matthew 26:14–16 - Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests. And said unto them, ‘What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you?’ And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver. And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him. (KJV)

Paul teaches us that the love of money is the root of all evil. It is no wonder that Judas betrayed Jesus!

1 Timothy 6:10 - For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. (KJV)

Perhaps Jesus still referred to him as ‘friend’ knowing Judas had only succumbed to a weakness – his love for money – that he was unable to overcome. Perhaps Jesus knew Judas was unaware of the gravity of what he had done. Judas, at that stage, could never have known that throughout history he would be remembered as the betrayer of the Son of God. Perhaps Jesus knew Judas did not inherently dislike Him or that he was not out to overthrow His leadership. Perhaps Jesus knew Judas would find it difficult to recover from his actions when it finally dawned on him what he had done for money.

Matthew 27:3–5 - Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, Saying, ‘I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood.’ And they said, ‘What is that to us? see thou to that.’ And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself. (KJV)

All of these factors may have influenced Jesus’ response to Judas.

Questions: Am I willing to forgive those who have betrayed me? Did this betrayal occur because someone was facing difficulty? Is there a weakness this person is yet to overcome? Am I willing to accept this weakness and guide them through it?