Mark 14:10-11

14. THE TREACHERY OF JUDAS Matthew 14:10-11

TEXT 14:10-11

And Judas Iscariot, he that was one of the twelve, went away unto the chief priests, that he might deliver him unto them. And they, when they heard it, were glad, and promised to give him money. And he sought how he might conveniently deliver him unto them.

THOUGHT QUESTIONS 14:10-11

761.

Was the betrayal of Judas at all related to the incident which just preceded it? Discuss. Cf. Matthew 26:14.

762.

What possible motive or motives did Judas have in the betrayal? Suggest at least two.

763.

Just what agreement did Judas make with the chief priests?

764.

Did the priests pay him at the time of his agreement with them?

765.

How could these religious men act in such an irreligious mannerdiscuss the chief contributing cause to such a condition.

766.

Did the betrayal of Judas include delivering Jesus into their hands?

COMMENT

TIMELate Saturday evening, April 1, A.D. 30.
PLACESTemplethe house of Caiaphas.

PARALLEL ACCOUNTSMatthew 26:14-16; Luke 22:3-6.

OUTLINE1. The man of the betrayal, Mark 14:10 a. Mark 14:2. Those who paid, Mark 14:10 b - Mark 14:11 a, Mark 14:3. Waiting and watching, Mark 14:11 b.

ANALYSIS

I.

THE MAN OF THE BETRAYAL, Mark 14:10 a.

1.

Judas Iscariot.

2.

One of the Twelve.

II.

THOSE WHO PAID, Mark 14:10 b - Mark 14:11 a.

1.

Chief priests.

2.

They were pleased.

3.

Money promised.

III.

WAITING AND WATCHING, Mark 14:11 b.

1.

Waiting as a supposed friend.

2.

Watching as a traitor for the best time to deliver Him up.

EXPLANATORY NOTES

I.

THE MAN OF THE BETRAYAL, Mark 14:11 b.

Mark 14:10-11Volunteering to betray. The and connects this with the preceding paragraph, not only historically but psychologically. His present action was (immediately) determined by the gift of Mary and the mild rebuke of the Master.

To deliver up Christ to his enemies. Whether he fully realized how much was involved as a result of this step is uncertain. He might imagine that not death, but the checking of his Master upon the career he had marked out, would ensue. But there is recklessness as to any consequences, provided he himself should be no loser. In robbing the alms from the bag, he was guilty of a breach of trust; in this new development of his master passion the unfaithfulness culminated. It is manifest that the spiritual side of Christ's ministry had for him no value. It was only the earthly rewards that might attend on discipleship that made it attractive to him. Was it to force the hand of the ideal, unpractical Christ that he sought to deliver him up? A miracle of deliverance might then result in a realization greater than his most brilliant hopes could depict, and thus his (passing) act of villainy be condoned. Or was it in sheer disgust and desperation respecting the course affairs seemed to be taking that he conceived of his deed? We cannot tell. In a mind like that of Judas there are depths beyond depths.

II.

THOSE WHO PAID, Mark 14:10 b - Mark 14:11 a.

That selfishness was at the root we may be sure. Avarice is the direction it took. He proposed money, and asked how much (Matthew 26:15). Thirty pieces of silver a small sum? Yes, but he might be at that moment in real or fancied need, or the amount might be looked upon as a mere instalment of further reward, when he might have made himself useful, perhaps necessary, to the rulers. Fear of consequences, if he followed Christ further in the direction in which he was moving, may also have influenced his mind. And there can be no question as to the immediate impulse of wounded feeling, through baffled dishonesty and the sense that Christ saw through him. Falling short of the higher illumination and power of the Spirit, he was at the mercy of his own base, earthly nature.

III.

WAITING AND WATCHING, Mark 14:11 b.

The background to all this mental and spiritual movement on the part of Judas is the attitude of the chief priests and scribes, seeking how they might take Christ. But for opportunity afforded the treachery of Judas might have remained an aimless mood or a latent disposition, instead of becoming a definite purpose. In this consists the danger of unspiritual states of mind: they subject those in whom they are indulged to the tyranny of passing influences and circumstances.M. (Bickerstetb)

FACT QUESTIONS 14:10-11

930.

Show the psychological connection of this act to the gift of Mary and the rebuke of Jesus.

931.

Does one sin lead to another in the life of Judas? Discuss.

932.

What had no attractionwhat had great attraction in the life of Judas?

933.

How could it be said by some that Judas was attempting to force the hand of an unpractical Christ?

934.

Show how selfishness turned to avarice.

935.

Show how fear of consequences in following Christ and wounded feelings could have contributed to the motive for betrayal.

936.

Except for something the treachery of Judas might have remained an aimless mood or a latent dispositionwhat was it?

Please note the vast import of this for us.