What other scriptures reveal Judas' character and intentions similar to John 12:4? The Verse That Opens the Window John 12:4 – “But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was going to betray Him, asked,” Early Warnings in John’s Gospel • John 6:70-71 – “Jesus answered them, ‘Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!’ He was speaking about Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. For although Judas was one of the Twelve, he was later to betray Jesus.” • John 12:5-6 – “‘Why wasn’t this perfume sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?’ Judas did not say this because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to steal from what was put into it.” Greed Moves into Open Betrayal • Matthew 26:14-16 – “Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests and asked, ‘What are you willing to give me if I hand Him over to you?’ And they set out for him thirty pieces of silver. So from that time on Judas looked for an opportunity to betray Jesus.” • Luke 22:3-6 – “Then Satan entered Judas Iscariot, who belonged to the Twelve. And he went to discuss with the chief priests and temple officers how he might betray Jesus to them. They were delighted and agreed to give him money. He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present.” Spiritual Darkness Intensifies • John 13:2 – “The evening meal was underway, and the devil had already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray Jesus.” • John 13:10-11 – “Jesus replied, ‘A person who has bathed needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not all of you.’ For He knew who would betray Him. That is why He said, ‘Not all of you are clean.’” • John 13:27 – “After Judas had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Then Jesus said to him, ‘What you are about to do, do quickly.’” Hypocrisy Unmasked in the Upper Room • Matthew 26:23-25 – “He answered, ‘He who has dipped his hand into the bowl with Me will betray Me. … Woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would be better for him if he had not been born.’ Then Judas, who would betray Him, said, ‘Surely not I, Rabbi?’ Jesus answered, ‘You have said it yourself.’” The Kiss That Sealed His Fate • Mark 14:44-46 – “Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: ‘The One I kiss is the man; arrest Him and lead Him away securely.’ Going at once to Jesus, he said, ‘Rabbi!’ and kissed Him. Then the men seized Jesus and arrested Him.” Aftermath and Divine Commentary • Acts 1:16-18 – “Men, brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand through the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. He was counted among us and was allotted a share in this ministry. With the reward of his wickedness Judas purchased a field; and there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out.” Snapshot Summary • Repeated theft (John 12:5-6) shows a heart already bent toward sin. • Jesus labels him “a devil” long before the betrayal (John 6:70-71). • Greed for silver propels him to the priests (Matthew 26:14-16). • Satanic influence escalates from suggestion (John 13:2) to possession (John 13:27). • Judas’ outward show of piety (“Surely not I, Rabbi?”) masks inner treachery. • His final act—a deceitful kiss—exposes a conscience seared beyond repentance (Mark 14:44-46). • Acts 1 records God’s verdict: Judas’ choices led to gruesome ruin and prophetic fulfillment. Taken together, these passages present a consistent, sobering portrait of Judas: a man who opened the door to temptation, cultivated secret sin, and finally surrendered fully to the enemy’s agenda. |
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