Why did Satan enter Judas in Luke 22:3, and what does this imply about free will? Canonical Passage and Immediate Setting Luke records: “Then Satan entered Judas Iscariot, who was one of the Twelve” (Luke 22:3). The statement is nestled between the priests’ plot to kill Jesus (vv. 1–2) and Judas’ negotiation for the betrayal (vv. 4–6). Luke’s wording is echoed in John 13:2 and amplified in John 13:27, where Satan’s entry culminates in Judas’ final resolve. Prophetic Alignment Psalm 41:9—“Even my close friend… has lifted up his heel against me” —and Zechariah 11:12–13 forecast betrayal for thirty pieces of silver. Jesus affirmed these fulfillments (John 13:18; Matthew 26:24). Judas’ cooperation with evil actualizes these prophecies without nullifying his responsibility (cf. Acts 1:16–20). Pre-Existing Moral Trajectory of Judas John 12:4–6 reveals Judas as a habitual thief. Unrepented covetousness (1 Timothy 6:10) opened a foothold (Ephesians 4:27). Satan exploited a door Judas had already cracked by persistent unbelief and greed. The devil “had already put it into the heart of Judas” (John 13:2) before the final entry, indicating a progressive surrender of will. Divine Sovereignty vs. Human Freedom Scripture holds both truths concurrently: • Sovereignty: “The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed” (Luke 22:22). • Freedom: “But woe to that man by whom He is betrayed!” (same verse). The Bible presents a compatibilist portrait: God ordains redemptive history; human agents act voluntarily out of their own desires (Acts 2:23). Judas’ decision was neither coerced nor unexpected. Nature of Satanic Influence Demonic intrusion functions through consent. Satan cannot override God’s image-bearing faculty of choice (James 4:7). When a person persistently cherishes sin, the will becomes pliable to darker control (Romans 6:16). Judas remained lucid enough to return the coins (Matthew 27:3–4) and confess, revealing retained moral agency even after the diabolical entrance. Implications for Free Will 1. Authentic Choice Preserved: Judas deliberated with the priests (Luke 22:4) and later negotiated a signal (Matthew 26:48), demonstrating volitional planning. 2. Moral Responsibility Intensified: Greater revelation heightens culpability (John 15:24). Judas witnessed miracles (Matthew 10:1–8) and still rejected Christ. 3. Warning to Believers: Continuous sin can enslave the will (Hebrews 3:13). Spiritual vigilance is commanded (1 Peter 5:8). Theological Outcomes • The cross was secured by divine plan (Isaiah 53:10). Judas’ betrayal served salvific ends without excusing his evil. • Human will operates under God’s providence, yet remains accountable—a consistent biblical tension (Proverbs 16:9; Philippians 2:12–13). • Satan’s strategy underscores the cosmic conflict but also his limitation; he cannot thwart redemption (Colossians 2:15). Pastoral and Practical Takeaways Believers must repent quickly, keep short accounts with God, and fortify themselves by prayer, Scripture, and the Spirit’s filling (Ephesians 6:10–18). Unbelievers are urged to receive Christ, for He alone frees from the dominion of darkness (Colossians 1:13–14). Summary Statement Satan entered Judas because Judas persistently opened his heart to sin, fulfilling prophecy within God’s sovereign plan. The episode affirms that free will remains operative even under demonic influence, rendering Judas fully responsible while showcasing the unstoppable purpose of God in Christ’s redemptive mission. |
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