Holy Week with Judas – Spy Wednesday – Putting things in Motion

Greetings Dear Reader,

Mat 26:14-16

Then one of the twelve apostles, the one named Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests. He asked, "What will you pay me if I hand him over to you?" They offered him 30 silver coins. From then on, he looked for a chance to betray Jesus.

One must ask what the purpose is here. Theologians rarely do. For centuries most have been content to see the thirty pieces silver as the purpose and move on to other things. If we obey Jesus’ teaching to treat everyone with love, gentleness, mercy, and kindness then we must apply that to Judas. A part of that must be assessing his motive.

In verse 15 above the phrase “hand him over” is the same Greek word as is translated as “betray” in verse 16. The word is the one discussed earlier this week, “paradidomi”. Remember that translators impact the view one gets of others through the choice of translated words.

In the Septuagint, the translation of the Old Testament into Greek, the word “paradidomi” is used to mean that God provided (Genesis 27:20), to meet or encounter (Exodus 21:13), or even as a gift from God (Joshua 2:14). It is clear that the word has a broad spectrum of meaning in the biblical world; in the world in which Jesus and Judas walked.

So we return to the question of motive. I truly believe that Judas was trying to push Jesus into acting less like a carpenter and more like God. I think that he approaches the priests with the intent to move Jesus into a corner and force him to act. He knows that Jesus has passed through violent crowds unharmed (Luke 4:30). He knows the Jesus has power over life and death.

If we apply Christ’s teaching on judgment and love to Judas, we must consider that he is acting out of belief above greed here. We must consider that his fault is impatience rather than simple greed. Then again, is not impatience a form of greed?

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every scribe who has become a disciple of the kingdom of heaven is like a home owner. He brings new and old things out of his treasure store."