The Betrayal of Judas
Who does not know the story of Judas and his venal betrayal of Jesus for 30 pieces of silver? On this story rests the ever-smouldering resentments of “anti-semitism”, as well as a deep, barely conscious suspicion of those closest to us, who might at any time deliver us to evil for base and selfish reasons. The epithet, ” a Judas,” has entered the secular lexicon as one of the greatest attacks on a person’s character.
And yet, as well-known and entrenched in the Western mind as is this story of Judas’ betrayal of Jesus, it is apocryphal, both in its secular and religious meaning. The OED defines apocryphal as both “Of doubtful authenticity; spurious, fictitious, false; fabulous, mythical” and “Of or belonging to the Jewish and early Christian uncanonical literature.”
The story we think we know so well is false on the very face of it. We also know that the Christos comes to earth incarnated in the man Jesus of Nazareth of the lineage of David, with the precise mission to be crucified and through this final and ultimate sacrifice to redeem man. Had this not happened, there would be no redemption. Jesus Christ set about to arrange the crucifixion and even foretold of it, and yet somehow the misconception persists that this was a tragedy and that the Jews were to blame for its occurrence, that Judas, the one who undertakes, at Christ’s bidding, to deliver him to the authorities, becomes the scapegoat, and Peter, who resisted what Christ had planned and executed, becomes the foundation of the institutional church founded on the very fact of the “betrayal.”
Why is the rational story at variance with the story we emotionally hold to despite what is in scripture?
The scriptural passages abound with the true story of the crucifixion, which should be the basis for celebration, being but the completion of the spiritual mission of the Christ, yet which is treated as a tragic event, for which someone must be made to bear the cost.
Let us examine first what scripture, the revealed word of God, tells us.
The story starts with the second “Genesis,” pre-dating even the first Genesis.
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
John 1:2 The same was in the beginning with God.
John 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
John 1:4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
John 1:5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
Thus, the Gospel of John sets the stage for what is to happen: the Christ, the Word, the Logos, the Life and the Light, seeks to enter the world of darkness, that is, the earthly domain. However, this domain, under the suzerainty of Satan, the Prince of Darkness, granted such by God Himself, refuses to receive the arrival of the Christ, the “light of men.” The KJV states “and the darkness comprehended it not.” The Greek term translated as “comprehended” is katalamba¿nw katalambano, which has the meaning of “taking” or “receiving.”
Strong’s Concordance has the following:
from 2596 and 2983; to take eagerly, i.e. seize, possess, etc. (literally or figuratively)
2983. lambano, lam-ban´-o; a prolonged form of a primary verb, which is use only as an alternate in certain tenses; to take (in very many applications, literally and figuratively (properly objective or active, to get hold of; whereas 1209 is rather subjective or passive, to have offered to one; while 138 is more violent, to seize or remove)): — accept, + be amazed, assay, attain, bring, x when I call, catch, come on (x unto), + forget, have, hold, obtain, receive (x after), take (away, up).
Thus, in the beginning, the plan was to devise a way for the Light to be received by the darkness. It had to be done in a deceptive manner, that is, one that would take advantage of the very nature and character of Satan against him.*
*When he was accused of using Satan to cast out demons, Jesus Christ answered that that was indeed what was needed to defeat the Prince of Darkness, as a house divided cannot stand, that is, in using the very powers and laws by which Satan rules against him, Satan not having the power of free choice, as does man.
Matt. 12:24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.
Matt. 12:25 And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:
Matt. 12:26 And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?
In various passages of the Gospel, Christ also makes clear that the crucifixion was pre-ordained by God for a purpose.
John 15:25 But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause. [gratuitously = as a gift]
John 15:26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:
John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. John 16:8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
John 13:1 I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me. John 10:17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
John 10:18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
Matt. 16:21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
Luke 24:6 He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,
Luke 24:7 Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.
Luke 24:8 And they remembered his words,
Mark 8:31 And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.
Mark 8:32 And he spake that saying openly.
Matt. 17:22 And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men:
Matt. 17:23 And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again.
But, the Prince of Darkness, Satan, would not readily accept the light, that being against his nature. Thus, the situation is in deadlock.
So, what was the plan? The last passage sets the stage. First, it is a critical fact that the Christ comes from a domain and with a wisdom that is higher and greater than that possessed by Satan. As Paul explains:
1Cor. 2:5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
1Cor. 2:6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:
1Cor. 2:7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
1Cor. 2:8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
Second, Jesus, the Christos, who cannot be directly received/accepted by Satan, will use a body-double, much like a stunt double, to accomplish what could not be accomplished otherwise.
John 13:18 I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me.
John 13:20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.
John 13:21 When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray [paradidomai] me. John 13:26 Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.
John 13:27 And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him [Satan], That thou doest, do quickly.
It is not simply that the authorities, the powers-to-be representative on earth of the darkness (resistance to life), could not catch Jesus without Judas’ actions, but that they were constrained in so doing. As one observer has noted:
Jesus repeatedly, but in vain, tried to have himself arrested. He openly challenged the other rabbis: he attracted enormous crowds; he violated the Sabbath; he raised a scandal in the synagogue; he was socially subversive; and all having been of no avail, he chose to set the Last Supper in the habitual place where he always met his disciples, instead of escaping as he was begged to do.
Are we really supposed to believe that the officers and men did not know that place? That they had not had many better opportunities of arresting Jesus? That they had to be led in the night by Judas? Of course not!
(Carlos Suares, The Cipher of Genesis)
Thus, Satan received/accepted Judas (“entered into him”), not knowing that thereby he was receiving He who had chosen and sent this representative. This spiritual law is reflected in human law in terms of the laws of agency (that done in a person’s name by a designated agent is as binding legally as if done by the person himself; it is also the basis for representative democracy).
There remains the issue of the nature and character of Judas. If the above is granted, it would still seem that he was a bad person, betraying his master. First, on the matter of his character, it must have been exceptional, that is not of the other disciples, as he was specifically chosen to carry out this very critical, delicate and momentous mission, acting as the chosen representative or agent of Jesus Christ. That the other disciples were not up to the task, and of lesser character is underlined by the public protestations of Peter, speaking for the other disciples (all, as the gospels recount, sorrowful at hearing the news of the impending death of their master).
Matt. 16:21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
Matt. 16:22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.
Matt. 16:23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.
Mark 8:31 And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.
Mark 8:32 And he spake that saying openly. And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him. Mark 8:33 But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men.
These passages echo the statement made to Satan when he tempted Jesus Christ in the desert, as Peter’s protestation was like a temptation to Jesus, whose human self was troubled and hesitant in the face of his divine task.
Luke 4:6 And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.
Luke 4:7 If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine.
Luke 4:8 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
John 12:27 Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.
John 13:21 When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.
Another aspect we must take into account in assessing the character and nature of Judas is in the name. Names in ancient times, and particularly in scripture, have a deeper soul-spiritual significance, revealing much about the person.
The Hebrew names of Jesus (YHSHHW) and Judas (YHWDH) both derive from the unspoken name for God, the tetragrammatom, YHWH, or life in the process of becoming and unfolding itself, the I AM that I AM name (YHWH) God identified Himself as to Moses on Mount Sinai. The difference is that YHSHWH (Jesus) has a Sheen (ש) inserted before the Waw indicating an action of being, and Yhwdh (Judas or Yehouda)having a Dallet (ס) after, a resistance to the flow of life, and in particular to the flow of the action of life brought by the Light, the Christ in the from of Jesus (YHSHWH).
It is in the joining of the polarity of action (Sheen) and resistance (Dallet) that is produced, leading to the action of violence, ruin and the opposite of life, that is, the death of Life brought into darkness, the first part of the great drama of the entry of Life into the realm of the earth, so as to provide not just life-death, but Life triumphant over death, Light over dark, and Life everlasting, from the God of the living.
Mark 12:27 He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living:
John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
But first the darkness must receive her King, and for Life to enter, it must have a darkness within itself so as to be received. Judas plays this role. He cannot be a traitor, a betrayer. There is first no great protest from the other apostles when Jesus announces that one among them will “betray” him. Why? What does the scripture state? First, it makes a distinction between those who have no trust (pisteo, often erroneously translated as belief), such as Peter, and who resist what must happen out of their own ego needs, and the one who obviously had faith and would “betray” (paradidomi) him. Just as pisteo is erroneously translated as “belief” instead of trust, so is paradidomi falsely translated as “betray” when it’s meaning is more the sense of deliver, Judas then being the one who becomes the deliverer, chosen for this purpose, hand-picked by Jesus Christ himself.
If we examine the term paradidomi in Strong’s Concordance, we find:
3860. paradidomi, par-ad-id´-o-mee; from 3844 and 1325; to surrender, i.e yield up, intrust, transmit: — betray, bring forth, cast, commit, deliver (up), give (over, up), hazard, put in prison, recommend.
1325. didomi, did´-o-mee; a prolonged form of a primary verb (which is used as an alternative in most of the tenses); to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection): — adventure, bestow, bring forth, commit, deliver (up), give, grant, hinder, make, minister, number, offer, have power, put, receive, set, shew, smite (+ with the hand), strike (+ with the palm of the hand), suffer, take, utter, yield.
At this point, when Jesus transfers his action (sheen) to Judas (the negative polarity of Life), his agent, Satan enters into him (Judas) according to his nature and the laws that govern his nature (he can do no other, that is, he has been played by the Christ possessing a wisdom beyond that of the cosmos, the wisdom of God, a hidden wisdom for the archons or cosmic rulers such as Satan). In effect, Judas and Jesus are one in the act (“believe [trust] that I am he” – Judas).
John 13:18 I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me.
John 13:19 Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he.
John 13:20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.
John 13:26 Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.
John 13:27 And after the sop Satan entered into him.
Now the game has been activated. At this point Jesus orders Satan, who has taken over Judas (Judas having sacrificed himself as agent for his master and the higher, grander divine plan, alone among the apostles to understand that the crucifixion must happen) to do what must be done quickly, that is, to deliver him into Satan’s world via the earthly powers (the priests), and Satan has no choice, given his nature, but to obey the command. Again, via a deception (Judas as agent for Jesus) and through use of the law of similar resonance, Jesus Christ, operating from a higher wisdom, hidden by God from the cosmic rulers, of whom Satan is one, sets Satan against Satan, and he is powerless to resist. The tarp is set and now needs to be sprung. Jesus/Judas/Satan is the bait and Satan is the rat.
John 13:27 And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly.
John 13:30 He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night.
And then, Jesus speaks not in the negative, but in the positive, to emphasize the greatness of the deed that Judas had undertaken, in his sacrifice of himself. The trap is sprung. The rest is history.
John 13:31 Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him.
John 13:32 If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify him.
Why then, is there blame and recrimination around an event that was planned at the highest levels, the pleroma of God himself, and executed through God, the Son, come down to earth in the flesh to carry out the plan, conceived at the beginning, before the world was, to bring Light and Life into the earthly domain of man, so as to provide for the possibility of redemption out of the servitude to the Prince of Darkness? The clue lies in the reaction of Peter, who represents those forces in us that seeks to resist any change, to choose security, continuity over the radical possibility of Life out of death, despite the assurances of the Christ that this will lead to everlasting life, to the possibility of heaven on earth. The human psyche favours the static over change, the known over the unknown. To fully accept the implications of the crucifixion as a necessary and fundamental event for human life, as the condition for that life to defeat the forces of death, is too much for the ordinary consciousness to bear. In the enduring interplay of life and death, we tend to choose death (security, status quo) over life (change, risk, transformation).