to attract and motivate the masses. He perhaps perceived Y‘shua as a man who was putting together an
organisation to revolt against Rome and to physically restore Israel to its rightful place in the sun.
These hopes were often threatened by what Judas heard Y‘shua teach. He spoke more of spiritual reform
than of social and political action and revolution. A real crises must have come to head in the ̳bread of life
discourse‘ of Y‘shua in John chapter six; for there, when the crowds were ready to forcibly make Y‘shua their
King (as Judas had hoped for), Y‘shua declined and began to teach of His self-sacrifice and atoning death.
The crowds departed, never again to follow Y‘shua (John 6:66); and in my mind Judas mentally departed as
well – but for some strange reason, he still followed as a disciple.
Judas, like the others, had left all to follow Y‘shua (Matt 19:27); but he had expected a little return on his
investment by now. Any enterprising businessman is willing to deny himself some luxuries in the hope of
making a profit, but too much time had passed and no hope of advantage was on the horizon. Y‘shua began
to talk more and more of death, not of defeat for the Romans; and glory for Israel, Himself, and especially the
disciples. He had charge of the money bag. He would help himself from time to time. After all, he deserved it
for all the sacrifices he had made. A man should see a little fruit from his labours.
Perhaps, too, Judas gave thought to taking over the organisation. He, no doubt, was a man of many
capabilities (which may have earned him the job of treasurer for the group). If Y‘shua would not use the
organisation that was beginning to take shape under His ministry, why not remove Y‘shua and take over
himself? Such thoughts, I would suggest, may well have been entertained in the mind of Judas over the
months approaching the final assault on Jerusalem.
With the triumphal entry, the hopes of the betrayer may well have been rekindled one final time. But it was
not long until the inevitable became obvious. Y‘shua seemed to almost deliberately antagonise the
opposition and to alienate those who could have offered their support to the cause of the Kingdom.
The last straw for Judas was what occurred at the dinner party in Y‘shua‘s honour at the home of Simon the
Leper (Jar Maker) (Matt 26:6-13; Mark 14:3-9; John 12:1-8). In Judas‘ mind, Mary foolishly squandered an
expensive perfume on Y‘shua. ―Such gifts were given to kings. Only such a gift would be a worthy expression
of her deep devotion and profound love for the Master. It was customary to anoint the heads of Rabbis and
special guests at marriage feasts, but Mary anointed with the most expensive perfume both the head and the
feet of her Lord.‖ (J. W. Shepard, The Christ of the Gospels (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1939), pp. 531-532.)
Should this not have been sold and the money given to the poor? ―It was natural for them to think in terms of
provision for the poor, for it was customary on the evening of Passover to remember the poor with gifts (M.
Pesachim IX. 11; X. 1; cf. John 13:29). It was also the practice to give as charity one part of the second tithe
normally spent in Jerusalem during the feast.‖ (Lane, Mark, p. 493.) Even the other disciples agreed. But the
waste of money was perhaps only secondary to Judas. The real irritation may have been Y‘shua‘s words of
commendation and His explanation that Mary‘s anointing was in preparation for His burial. Here He was,
heralded and welcomed by those in Jerusalem. Here was the day of opportunity for Y‘shua, and He can talk
only of death. How could anyone (Judas thought) be so shortsighted?
Judas may have reasoned that the betrayal of Y‘shua would do several things. First, it would give Y‘shua the
death which He seemed determined to have. Also, it would remove Y‘shua as the leader of this movement
and give Judas the opportunity to take over and do it right. Finally, it would provide an opportunity to recover
money that he had every right to expect.
And so it would seem – a lethal combination of greed, ambition and rebellion met in this man Judas. For
years he played the role of disciple, but always looking out for his own interests. Such sin cannot be brooded
upon and concealed forever.
26:17-22 Now on the first day of the Feast of the Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus,
saying to Him, "Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?"―(17) Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto him,
Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the passover? (18) And he said, Go into the city to such
a man, and say unto him, The Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at thy house with my
disciples. (19) And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the passover. (20)
Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve. (21) And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say
unto you, that one of you shall betray me. (22) And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of
them to say unto him, Lord, is it I?‖