Plotting To Kill Jesus

Luke 21:37-22:6

It is hard to realize the timing of this passage. Just the previous Sunday, was palm Sunday, the day Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey in chapter 19. The previous sixteen chapters cover a three year period. The last five chapters cover just one week. At this stage in his ministry, things are moving very fast.

“And in the day time he was teaching in the temple; and at night he went out, and abode in the mount that is called the mount of Olives. And all the people came early in the morning to him in the temple, for to hear him. Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover.” (Luke 21:37-22:1)

Jesus is spending his last few days teaching during the day and camping on the Mount of Olives at night. Those who have come to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover meet with him early each morning. The crowds following him are really troubling to the religious and political leaders, because his teaching challenges their authority to do many things they have been doing. Fearing that the people may reject their authority, they seek a way of destroying his influence. It is not much different than the smear campaigns of the last election, except our democratic process makes murdering the opposition more difficult.

“And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people. Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve. And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them.” (Luke 22:2-4)

Afraid of the peoples reactions, the leaders seek a way to execute Jesus. They will need to arrest him privately to prevent an uprising, then convince the people of his guilt. An arrest and interrogation will give a sense of legitimacy to the execution, but it needs to be handled carefully. Judas’ betrayal is necessary to lead them to where Jesus spends the night and identify him in the darkness. As one of the twelve, he can get close enough to prevent escape.

Judas was one of the twelve, chosen by Jesus, who had been a part of Jesus’ ministry from the beginning. He had experienced the same miracles as the others, seeing Jesus walk on water, calm the sea, heal hundreds, and feed thousands. In spite of all that, he didn’t believe although all the others did. He was like the Jews who were delivered from Egypt during the exodus, who saw God’s miracles, yet didn’t believe. According to Hebrews 4:2 They all heard the same message, but some were not saved because of a lack of faith. “For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.”

All Judas’ time with Jesus changed nothing. As Jesus said in John 6:70-71, long before the current passage. “Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil? He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve.” Judas’ entire focus was on the money he hoped to get, yet he was entrusted with their money by the others according to John 12:4-6. “Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him, Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.” His lack of faith made him susceptible to Satanic control. His greed was the handle Satan used to control him. He volunteered to betray Jesus for a fee.

“And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money. And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray him unto them in the absence of the multitude.” (Luke 22:5-6)

Fear of the peoples reaction if they witnessed his arrest lead to a desire to arrest Jesus away from the crowd. Once he was sure of getting paid, Judas began to consider the possible places and times when he’d be away from the crowd.