Day 104

Luke 22:1–6 (NIV)

¹ Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was approaching, ² and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus, for they were afraid of the people.

³ Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. ⁴ And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. ⁵ They were delighted and agreed to give him money. ⁶ He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present.

Pray for God to show you something to use from the passage

Read the Passage

Who is in the passage?

What action verbs do you see?

What other words stick out in your mind

Helpful Information

‎The Feast of Unleavened Bread, a week-long celebration, followed the day of Passover. In fact, the two feasts were usually treated as one. The Passover and Unleavened Bread commemorate Israel’s deliverance from Egypt, during which all the firstborn of Egypt died and the firstborn of Israel were “passed over” (Exod. 12; 23:15; 34:18; Lev. 23:5–6; Num. 28:16–17; Deut. 16:16). The next day Israel began its journey to the promised land. The Passover was the time when the nation reflected on its deliverance, as families held a meal to recall the event, sing, and offer thanks and sacrifices to God. Pilgrims flocked to the city to celebrate; Jerusalem was filled to capacity. Thus, the leaders’ concern about the mass of people who might react to any action against Jesus is real. Bock, D. L. (1996). Luke Volume 2: 9:51-24:53. Baker exegetical commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Books.

Questions

What is the significance of the events happening during Passover?

Why are the Jewish leaders afraid of the people?

What does it mean that Satan entered Jesus? Does it mean Judas didn’t have a choice about betraying Jesus?

Notes

Passover of course is important for the symbol of Jesus being the Passover lamb that is slain to save.

Thousands of people came to Jerusalem for the celebration.

vs 2 the leaders have not given up on getting rid of Jesus. (19:47-48) The problem was how do we get him without causing a riot with the people.

vs 3 - The Jewish leaders must have thought God provided when Judas came to them. I actuality it was the work of Satan.

What does it mean that Satan entered Jesus? Did Judas not have an option?

Think back to Luke 11:23-26.

Jesus states that if you leave your life open without following God Satan will take advantage to the full extent. John 10:1-2 describes the difference between how Satan enters and Jesus enters into the life of a person. If you don't say no Satan enters in. (remember how Jesus said no to Satan in Luke 4). For Jesus to enter he must be invited.

Also go back to the parable of the sower in Luke 8. Judas appears on the outside to be a follower but in reality he is not. John 12:6 tells that John used to steal from the money to be used by the disciples and Jesus. So love of money was evidently something that Judas had a problem with.

He also could have been disappointed that Jesus wasn't taking about overthrowing the Romans. He may have thought that Jesus was not worth being looked at as the Christ if he was going to leave the Romans in power

What Judas shows us is how much John 10:1-2 is true. God only enters our lives when we ask Him. Satan enters whenever and wherever. Invited or not. This is part of the reason Jesus talks constantly about being found faithful, giving your life to Him each day (9:23-25) Even Peter, the leader of the disciples, is attacked by Satan (22:31-32). While Satan enters Judas, it is Judas making the decision not to follow Jesus thus allowing Satan to work in his life.

vs 4-5 the chief "priests" in the plural shows how serious the problem is. Those who were current leaders of Judaism gather with the temple guards, the ones who would actually arrest Jesus, to figure out how to get Jesus. Judas is their answer to the problem of how to keep the crowd from revolting. Not only is Judas able to give them a place and time when the people are not around Jesus but he would also cause the people to pause and ask why one of Jesus' followers would turn Him in? The leaders would exploit these doubts and questions to turn the people to their side, using Judas' testimony to do it. Remember the people are looking for an earthly king and Jesus refuses to play that role. (19:11)

vs 6 - This verse sets up the time when Judas will betray Jesus. The Passover evening when people's attention is on the celebration would be the perfect time to arrest Jesus. It is interesting to compare 4:13 to this verse and see how the wording pointing to the work of Satan and his waiting for the time to spring his plan against Jesus.