Judas had at other times stayed with the Lord and the other disciples at night on the Mount of the Olives, just outside the city of Jerusalem, so he knew well where to lead the soldiers to take Jesus, without the people in the city knowing. It was still night when they came to the place, and they had lanterns, torches and weapons. It was a large band of men. The priests came also with their servants, to see that all their wicked plan was done. No doubt they were afraid of the power of Jesus and feared that He would escape, which is why they brought so many to help. They perhaps thought to surprise Jesus and the disciples sleeping, but He knew the moment to expect them, and stepped forward to meet them.
Judas Carries Out His Plan
The soldiers did not know Jesus from the disciples, so Judas had agreed to give them a sign; the person he would kiss was the one for them to take. A kiss was a common greeting among friends in that land, and Judas spoke to the Lord and kissed Him. How deceitful to act as a friend to the one he was betraying to His enemies! But Jesus was not deceived. He said, “Judas, betrayest thou the Son of Man with a kiss?”
When the other disciples saw that the soldiers had come to capture Jesus, they asked Him if they should fight, and one of them at once struck a man with a sword, cutting off his ear. It was not the Lord’s way that they should fight, and He restored the man’s ear, healing him. That man surely learned the power and kindness of the Lord. Jesus could have instantly sent the soldiers away, and it is told by John that when He spoke they went backward and fell to the ground. But He allowed them to take Him so that He should give His life, that even they could be forgiven, if they would believe on Him.
The soldiers, with the priests and servants, led Jesus into the city to the house of their leader. So Judas succeeded in his evil plan to deliver Jesus to those who hated Him, when the people in the city would not see it.
The Price of Betrayal
No doubt the men paid Judas the thirty pieces of silver agreed to, that same night. He may have expected Jesus to use His power to free Himself, and yet he would still have the money. Anyway, the money which was gained so wickedly did Judas no good, and was not used by him. When he saw that Jesus was not freed, he went to the priests to return the money, as though that would excuse him of his sin.
But the priests were satisfied with the result of their bargain, and would not take the money. Then Judas threw the thirty pieces of silver on the floor of the temple before them and went away and hanged himself (Matthew 27:3-53Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, 4Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that. 5And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself. (Matthew 27:3‑5)).
It was written long before of harm to be done to the holy One by a “friend ... which did eat of My bread, hath lifted up his heel against Me.” Those words meant, to do harm to. It was also written what price would be paid for Him: “So they weighed for My price thirty pieces of silver.”
Further Meditation
1. How did one of the disciples try to defend the Lord Jesus?
2. How long did the wicked Judas have to enjoy the money he earned? Scripture indicates that the pleasures of sin last for a “season.” When in Luke 15 does the Bible say the merry making in the Father’s house will end?
3. If you haven’t already read The Evangelists: Meditations on the Four Gospels by J. G. Bellett, you are in for a treat. It doesn’t give verse-by-verse details but it does provide a very heartwarming presentation of Christ in the gospels included in this book of Luke.