The final few minutes of Jesus' freedom were spent in a garden. It may have been hereabouts.
“Get up, let’s go; behold, the one who is betraying Me is near!” And immediately, while He was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, *came up, accompanied by a crowd with swords and clubs who were from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. Now he who was betraying Him had given them a signal, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the one; arrest Him and lead Him away under guard.” Mark 14:42-44 (NASB20) So had ended Jesus' hours of freedom. Did Judas really expect the execution?
More than once we hear of deadly responses to Jesus (see previous post, Jesus and that Coin). Now look in on the planning gathering in the High Priest’s palace - the threat had become much more concrete. The “high command” in (formal ?) meeting considered the final solution for the obnoxious and threatening Nazareth carpenter. Perhaps a special action group was formed to progress the matter? So, as it were, the High-Priest-in-Council could carry out the majority(?) wish of their council.
(Judging by later events, I assume the attendance was not 100%. Was there some kind of filter in operation for calling together those of similar views?) Stealth was necessary - the popular “vote” could favour Jesus, if not by majority, by a large number. Matters would have to be carefully managed. Neither the Council nor the Romans wanted a public disturbance.
John introduces the trigger to the elite's plotting of their irreversible step.
Many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what he did, believed in him, but some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. So the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered the council and said, “What are we to do? For this man performs many signs. If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.” But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all. Nor do you understand that it is better for you that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish.” He did not say this of his own accord, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but also to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad. So from that day on they made plans to put him to death (John 11:45-53 ESV). Plans.
The "dobbers" had seen the incredible - the local man, Lazarus, after having been decaying in his Bethany tomb - restored by Jesus to everyday life with his sisters! They saw the impact.
The leadership could not countenance the possibility of "everyone believing in Jesus". That was what mattered. That was all that mattered. To that awful possibility they attached an irresistible Roman intervention, at their cost, and the cost of their people. If Rome was a sincere concern, I do not know how they made that connection, unless they feared and expected Jesus leading a popular revolution, even if unwillingly on his part (see John chapter 6). Possibly that was all they could imagine.
Caiaphas had their solution. Death. The solution was adopted and then only needed opportunity for action.
At this moment it was clear that there was a Jerusalem community which could erupt. They would have to go carefully, very carefully.
It was two days before the Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread. The chief priests and the scribes were looking for a cunning way to arrest Jesus and kill him. “Not during the festival,” they said, “so that there won’t be a riot among the people” (Mark 14:1-2 CSB). They wanted to avoid a riot. Were they admitting to themselves a broad basis of support for Jesus, or just avoiding any community upset at that sensitive moment? Does that "cunning" also cover their confidence in manipulating the Romans to carry out their intention?
And so their initiating step came up.
Then Satan entered the heart of Judas Iscariot,[a] who was one of the twelve apostles. Judas went to talk with the chief priests and the officers of the temple police about how he could help them arrest Jesus. They were very pleased and offered to pay Judas some money. He agreed and started looking for a good chance to betray Jesus when the crowds were not around (Luke 22:3-6 CEV).
The Synoptics agree Judas was to receive silver; Matthew gives the amount: Judas Iscariot[a] was one of the twelve disciples. He went to the chief priests and asked, “How much will you give me if I help you arrest Jesus?” They paid Judas 30 silver coins (Matthew 26:14-15 CEV). The arrival of Judas must have seemed like an opportunity fallen into their lap. Judas had given them the opportunity for cunning stealth; Judas in turn had looked for the opportune time. He became their spy. They wanted a quiet and unseen moment, reminding me of a 3 am pounding on the door.
It is a little curious that the coin is not named here - it could have been the denarius, or the drachma, or the shekel. We have just the generic word, silver - possibly because of the more ancient quotation (see below). Was money the major factor? Did the money help Judas come to his decision? With his help, stealthy apprehension would be possible. Some “silver” would be well spent, they would think. I note that each writer refers to silver (money). Whilst not a fortune, it was a substantial amount, which, if denarius, could pay a labourer for 30 days of work. (In earlier times silver [or gold] would be weighed out in a payment; the language continued even after coinage took over.)
The "Last Supper" of Jesus and disciples had preceded the arrest. Our narrative then tells us:
After Jesus had said these things, he went out with his disciples across the Kidron Valley, where there was a garden, and he and his disciples went into it. Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, because Jesus often met there with his disciples. So Judas took a company of soldiers and some officials[a] from the chief priests and the Pharisees and came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons.
Then Jesus, knowing everything that was about to happen to him, went out and said to them, “Who is it that you’re seeking?”
“Jesus of Nazareth,” they answered.
“I am he,” Jesus told them.
Judas, who betrayed him, was also standing with them. When Jesus told them, “I am he,” they stepped back and fell to the ground.
Then he asked them again, “Who is it that you’re seeking?”
“Jesus of Nazareth,” they said.
“I told you I am he,” Jesus replied. “So if you’re looking for me, let these men go.” This was to fulfill the words he had said: “I have not lost one of those you have given me.”
Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it, struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.)
At that, Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword away! Am I not to drink the cup the Father has given me?” (John 19:1-11 CSB)
This then was a place familiar to the band of followers. We are not specifically given the content of those previous often meetings between Jesus and his disciples. They may have been rural Galileans but they had spent significant time in just that place, presumably by day.
I wonder if the arresting company actually forbore from taking Jesus' accomplices? Is the absence of women from this part of the narrative due to the fact that it was the 11 males who took to their heels, but not the women? Representations of the "Last Supper" that I have seen (artists' imagination) show only males present. There must have been women - after all, there was food to be served, etc! In similar vein, the easy assumption is that 11 male disciples had headed with Jesus across the valley. True, women are not specified in this account. However, at various points it is clear that there were women in the band of disciples, not least in the upper room after Jesus' resurrection (Acts chapter 1).
I do not know how big a piece of land Gethsemane then occupied. Perhaps it was extensive and Jesus had his favourite spot, even though there were no street lights! Presumably the large, bright moon had disappeared - the arresters came with "lanterns, torches, and weapons".
Compare the narrative from Mark:
And they went to a place called Gethsemane. And he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” And he took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be greatly distressed and troubled. And he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch.”[a] And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” And he came and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not watch one hour? (Mark 14:32-37 ESV). Jesus' twice reduced his companions. Perhaps many were left (posted?) at the edge of the "Garden". Were there women in the detached group? If so, did they remain at some distance? That seems likely. Jesus took three with him and then finally he separated from them also. So, there were three locations involved as the arrest took place. Why were the men so weary, I wonder? Was being unable to keep their eyes open a failure on their part? Jesus was awake! Clearly he hoped his friends would keep watch - to alert him at the approach of the danger they dreaded? Perhaps, but he had no intention to run!
Note again what Jesus said: My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch.”[a] And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will. What was it that made his soul crushed with grief to the point of death (NLT)? This detail must have been given later by Jesus, for the "witnesses" were at a distance and asleep! Or, were the three close enough to hear? Did Jesus repeat again and again his desperate plea, along with his acceptance of God's will?
He was very sorrowful. I am sure the betrayal by Judas deeply wounded Jesus. However, that does not account for the prayer, does it? Jesus walked on a little way before he knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you will, please don't make me suffer by drinking from this cup.[a] But do what you want, and not what I want” (Luke 22:41-42 CEV). Although not obvious at this point in the narrative, not so many hours before Jesus had inaugurated the New Covenant. The New Covenant involved the shedding of his blood, and the surrender of his body. He gave to his band the bread and wine symbols to continue to remember him - his body and his blood. They had heard: Drink from it, all of you, for this is my blood of the[e] covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins (Matthew 26:28 NRSVUE). But as he said that Jesus stood there amongst them in the flesh. Now, in the garden the moment of his body being given and his blood being poured out was so close.
The scene there in the garden, before the arrival of the arrest party, emphasises the isolation of Jesus. Alone, he faced the consequences of sin, though not of his own sin, for he had no sin. He shouldered the burden and took it upon himself. Friends were not far away but they had no possible role in our deliverance, nor does anyone else. For us, and for our salvation, the Son had come into the world to lay down his life, the righteous for the unrighteous.
It becomes clearer as we read on to see the explanations given after Jesus rose from the dead, and completed instructing his awestruck disciples. They in turn passed on what they had received.
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8 NIV).
Rebellion against God deserves death. Christ did the dying, for those who will have it. For all those who will have it.
Matthew's narrative returned to Judas. Earlier, Matthew had reported Jesus saying specifically that his death by crucifixion was to happen soon. Then came Jesus accepting his expensive pre-burial anointing by the woman with the perfume. "My burial". Was Judas disturbed and displeased then by Jesus speaking of his burial? Jesus had said explicitly said he would be killed (and rise on the third day). Everyone was puzzled and confused - this idea just did not fit the hoped for Christ.
During their final Passover meal Jesus said: “The Son of Man is going away just as it is written about Him; but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born” Matthew 26:24 NASB2020. Judas made choices, for whatever reason.
Matthew reports the sad end: When Judas, who had betrayed him, realized that Jesus had been condemned to die, he was filled with remorse. So he took the thirty pieces of silver back to the leading priests and the elders. “I have sinned,” he declared, “for I have betrayed an innocent man.”
“What do we care?” they retorted. “That’s your problem.”
Then Judas threw the silver coins down in the Temple and went out and hanged himself.
The leading priests picked up the coins. “It wouldn’t be right to put this money in the Temple treasury,” they said, “since it was payment for murder.”[fn] After some discussion they finally decided to buy the potter’s field, and they made it into a cemetery for foreigners. That is why the field is still called the Field of Blood. This fulfilled the prophecy of Jeremiah that says,
“They took[fn] the thirty pieces of silver—
the price at which he was valued by the people of Israel,
and purchased the potter’s field,
as the LORD directed.[fn]” (Matthew 27:3-9 NLT).
Meticulous concern for the proper thing! The priests would have ensured they were meeting purity rules!
I wonder where the potter's field is today? (Curiously, although similar themes can be found in Jeremiah, the quote connects to Zechariah 11:12-13.) Perhaps the name of the coin given to Judas was not stated because of the powerful "pieces of silver" image here from the prophet.
Too late for him, Judas had a change of heart. He was remorseful. It appears he was shaken by Jesus being condemned to actually die. He recognised that he had betrayed, as though he was guilty, a man - Jesus - who had never done anything wrong. Judas says he sinned in betraying the innocent one. If Matthew retained the sequence of events, this unique report comes after Jesus is sent off to the dealt with by Rome. Did Judas finally think it had gone too far, beyond the "point of no return"? That he had made a terrible mistake? That is speculation on my part - all of the available information is there for you to consider.
Was Judas' remorse the "woe" of which Jesus spoke? The priests and elders could not forgive Judas, even if they wanted to. Could Judas be forgiven? Yes! Was he forgiven? Did Judas ask the one who could forgive? He could have asked the only one who can forgive offence against God. I hope he did.
Remorse without repentance and confession to God is wasted, actually deadly! For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death (2 Corinthians 7:10 NLT). Strong words!
Why did Judas do what he did? The Gospel writer (above) gives the interpretation that Satan entered Judas' heart just then. In Judas' thinking, was it that he could see the strategic moment of public support would fade away, especially with the new note of deadly menace from the top people? Did he in fact actually want to force Jesus to act; to exercise his power and claim the rule for himself, and his followers? (The would be speculation.) Or did he just want the money? However, do you think a simple money motive fits with his tragic final step (above)? True, there is the extraordinary report that Judas was actually "light-fingered". Consider this: “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?” (He [Judas] said this not because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.) Jesus said, “Leave her alone. She bought it[a] so that she might keep it for the day of my burial (John 12:5-7 NRSVUE). Perhaps that truth about the man only came out afterwards.
On the final night Judas had been there in that room with the others. He and they shared in the Passover observance, which celebrated being spared God's judgement and being delivered to freedom. He and they ate that bread and drank that wine given special meaning by Jesus. He had his feet washed by Jesus. Unlike the others he was a thief! And he had the coins of betrayal.
Can ordinary people deceive themselves and be inwardly unchanged even in company of true believers? Can people who conform to the model Jesus gave also deceive themselves by wanting stuff (like wealth)?
What can ordinary people ask God for?
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one’ (Matthew 6:13 NIV).
Do you think Judas is easy to interpret and explain? Do the equivalent questions arise today? Is failure and betrayal all too easy?
May you be blessed by God
Allen Hampton
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