What does "woe to that man" teach about consequences for sin? Setting the Scene: Matthew 26:24 “The Son of Man will go as it is written about Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would be better for him if he had not been born.” Defining “Woe”: A Divine Warning • “Woe” is Heaven’s alarm bell—a proclamation of deep grief coupled with impending judgment. • It signals not merely misfortune, but the certainty of God-given consequences when sin is embraced. Personal Responsibility Spotlighted • Jesus distinguishes between God’s redemptive plan (“The Son of Man will go as it is written”) and human accountability (“woe to that man”). • Even when events fulfill prophecy, each participant is fully liable for his own choices (cf. Luke 22:22). • Judas cannot shift blame to fate; neither can we blame circumstances for willful sin. Consequences for Sin: Five Clear Truths 1. Severity beyond earthly suffering – “It would be better for him if he had not been born.” Eternal loss eclipses any temporal pain (Hebrews 10:26-27). 2. Inescapable judgment – Divine warning ensures no excuse when the sentence falls (Romans 2:5-6). 3. Proportionate retribution – Betraying Christ incurs a weightier woe than ordinary wrongdoing (John 19:11). 4. Lasting regret – Sin’s aftermath is so dreadful that non-existence seems preferable; remorse cannot undo the verdict (Matthew 27:3-5). 5. Moral ripple effect – Betrayal harms more than the sinner; it wounds others and impedes God’s work, multiplying consequences (Matthew 18:6-7). Echoes in Other Passages • Mark 14:21 “Woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed!” —same warning, underscoring certainty. • Matthew 18:7 “Woe to the man through whom [stumbling blocks] come!” —applies the principle to anyone causing spiritual harm. • Galatians 6:7-8 “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked. For whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.” —sowing betrayal reaps ruin. • Ezekiel 18:20 “The soul who sins is the one who will die.” —individual accountability across covenants. Takeaways for Daily Life • Guard the heart: small compromises grow into catastrophic betrayal. • Weigh choices in light of eternity; no sin is worth “woe” from the Savior. • When temptation whispers, remember the sobering words “better if he had not been born.” • Encourage one another toward faithfulness, reducing the risk of becoming the person through whom sin enters. |
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