Biblion Bible Commentary
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Satan Entered Into Judas
Luke 22:1-6
1 Now the feast of unleavened bread, which is called the Passover, was approaching. · WEB
The tempter who left him in the wilderness comes back, and the way in is one of the twelve.
The feast of unleavened bread, which is called the Passover, was approaching. The chief priests and the scribes sought how they might put him to death, for they feared the people Luke 22:1–2.
The problem is stated as it was three chapters ago Luke 19:47–48: the decision is settled, the method is missing, and the obstacle is the crowd.
Satan entered into Judas, who was also called Iscariot, who was counted with the twelve Luke 22:3.
This is the return the book promised. When the wilderness temptations ended, the account said the devil departed from him until another time Luke 4:13 — and this is the other time, named at the start of the last week.
What it means is that the passion opens where the ministry opened, with the same adversary, and that the assault this time comes through a friend rather than head-on. The wilderness offered him the kingdoms; this offers thirty pieces of silver to somebody else.
The account does not use the statement to excuse anything. Judas... went away and talked with the chief priests Luke 22:4 — he goes, he negotiates, he agrees, and he looks for an opportunity. The initiative in every verb is his. Scripture holds both together here as it does elsewhere: the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, and woe to that man through whom he is betrayed Luke 22:22.
Who was counted with the twelve is the clause that does the damage. He was one of the number chosen after a whole night of prayer Luke 6:12–16, sent out with authority, present for every parable.
They were glad, and agreed to give him money Luke 22:5. Their gladness is the ugliest note in the paragraph. A problem has solved itself, and they do not ask why.
He consented and sought an opportunity to deliver him to them in the absence of the multitude Luke 22:6.
The last phrase is what he was bought for. Not information about doctrine, not evidence for a charge — a time and a place away from the crowd, which was the one thing the authorities lacked. And the search is patient, conducted over several days by a man who went on eating at the same table.
settled What this mark means