Matthew 14:1-25
And as they were reclining at table and eating, Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me, one who is eating with Me.” They began to be sorrowful and to say to Him one after another, “Is it I?” (vv. 18-19) I find it strange, but (surprisingly) altogether human that the disciples would be asking, “Is it I?” That is, I think my natural inclination would be denial – “Surely not I, Lord!” But these disciples must have known their inherent weaknesses, especially when they were at table with One so powerful. Later Peter reverses course and declares his commitment – even unto death (later, v. 29). And we know how that worked out…!!
Then Judas Iscariot … went to the chief priests in order to betray Him to them. (v. 10) Then…! Judas was clearly troubled with this anointing and the “wastefulness” of this costly perfume (see John 12:4-6). So it’s “then” that Judas goes to the chief priests. Why “then”? Was this some “final straw” for Judas? Did he finally come to his own realization that Jesus was not the Messiah? Or was Judas never a true believer as were (supposedly) the other eleven? Or was he just some greedy sort and saw an opportunity to come into some additional cash? (He was already taking from the money box that he kept for Jesus’ and the disciples’ use.) Or maybe he didn’t realize the depth of the chief priests’ plot, that their goal was Jesus’ death. After all, Judas was clearly troubled in the end… (See Matthew 27:3-5.) But still Judas had his opportunity to “repent”. Even after going to the chief priests he was at the Last Supper with Jesus when Jesus said, “…woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.” (v. 21b). One of the saddest incidents in all of Scripture!
See also: October 17 / Mark 14:1-11; October 20 / Mark 14:12-25