“And while he yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him.”
(Luke 22:47)
The betrayal of Jesus by Judas in Gethsemane initiates one of Scripture’s most tragic sequences. Matthew 27:1-5 details the aftermath: chief priests and elders conspired to kill Jesus, bound him, and delivered him to Pilate. Judas, seeing Jesus condemned, regretted his act, returned the thirty silver pieces, and confessed betraying innocent blood. The leaders dismissed him, and he threw the money at their feet, departed, and hanged himself. Luke 22:3 attributes this to Satan’s entry into Judas. Once he was finished using him, Satan abandoned him, leaving Judas overcome by what he’d done … resulting in his suicide (Acts 1:25).
Betrayal in Scripture means delivering someone to authorities, but Judas’ act was profoundly treacherous.[1] As one of the twelve, he exploited intimacy for gain, though he knew Jesus was innocent, under the cover of darkness and the show of feigned affection by way of a kiss. Jeremiah 17:9 describes the heart as deceitful and wicked, and Judas certainly exemplifies this. For three years he walked with Jesus as one of His chosen apostles (like Peter and John). Like the other apostles, Judas was empowered to heal and cast out demons, yet his heart remained unchanged.
How could Judas betray the Lord after such exposure? His deceitful heart mirrors all unredeemed humanity. Without true spiritual transformation by the Word and the Spirit, anyone could commit similar acts. Betrayals today may seem more subtle like those of hypocrisy and prioritizing gain over Christ, but God views them equally. And the cost of betrayal remains equal to what Judas experienced: he came to a bitter end, suffering eternal torment and separation from God.
Judas partook of the Passover meal but never tasted the Bread of Life or the Living Water. His apostleship was nominal, fooling others (Matthew 26:19-22) and perhaps even himself by thinking repentance would be possible after betrayal (Matthew 27:3).
Judas’ story is a warning for all believers to realize that we must diligently guard our hearts, (Proverbs 4:23) while seeking a thriving relationship with Christ and faithfully honoring the One who bought us with His precious blood (1 Corinthians 6:20).
Contemplations
- Hidden betrayals in life. Show me, Lord, where I betray You daily through unloving actions or hypocrisy. As You are love (1 John 4:8) and truth (John 14:6), my selfish pursuits mock Your sacrifice. I confess chasing earthly gain (1 Timothy 6:6) and exploiting faith for my advantage. Cleanse my deceitful heart, aligning it with Yours.
- Redeemed from sin’s sale. You redeemed me from the slavery of sin by your blood. And yet I betray you anew with recurring sins. Grant repentance like Proverbs 28:13 promises, turning my heart heavenward that I may seek Your face continually. Forgive my wavering, Lord, and fix my desires on You alone.
- Guarding against deceit. My heart is deceitful (Jeremiah 17:9), capable of the same treachery as Judas without your Spirit. Awaken true devotion in me, Lord, that I may guard my heart (Proverbs 4:23) and nurture a genuine relationship with You.
- Eternal cost awareness. Judas’ end warns me of betrayal’s price—eternal separation from God. I grieve my subtle disloyalties when I prioritize myself over You. Strengthen me to deny self (Luke 9:23) and to honor Your redemption (1 Corinthians 6:20). Keep me vigilant, living faithfully for Your glory.
Prayer (supplication)
Sovereign God, You are the righteous judge who sees every treacherous heart. I come before You, a sinner prone to betrayal, pleading for Your mercy to guard me from Judas’ path. Luke 22:47 exposes his kiss of deceit; search my soul for hidden disloyalties. When Satan tempts, as in Luke 22:3, shield me from his snares.
I beg you, Father, to transform my deceitful heart (Jeremiah 17:9). I confess unloving acts, hypocrisy, chasing gain over Your kingdom (1 Timothy 6:6). Like Judas, I sometimes exploit intimacy with You for selfish gain. Forgive these betrayals; renew my mind by Your Spirit, that I may love as You love (1 John 4:8).
Grant me diligence to guard my heart (Proverbs 4:23). I plead for strength against fooling others as well as myself (Matthew 26:19-22). Awaken genuine devotion, that I deny self and follow You (Luke 9:23) with all devotion.
I ask for discernment to recognize Satan’s abandonment after sin, just as Judas faced (Matthew 27:3-5). Spare me such remorse leading to despair, and instead bring me to godly sorrow and repentance (Proverbs 28:13) when I fail You.
Finally, Lord, protect Your church from betrayers within. Equip leaders to expose deceit so that purity may prevail. For myself, I ask for Your grace to live redeemed, honoring the price You paid for me (1 Corinthians 6:20). And at the judgment, may I stand with the apostles and not with devils (Matthew 19:28; John 6:70). Bind me to Your will, that I glorify You eternally.
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Further Scripture references for Luke 22:47
Matt. 26:47, Mark 14:10, 43, John 18:3, Luke 22:3, Luke 22:48.
[1] “There is never a hardened Pharaoh in the world that can truly say, ‘The Lord is my portion;’ nor there is never a murdering Saul in the world that can truly say, ‘The Lord is my portion;’ nor there is never a painted bloody Jezebel in the world that can truly say, ‘The Lord is my portion;’ nor there is never a cunning Ahithophel in the world that can truly say, ‘The Lord is my portion;’ nor there is never a proud Haman in the world that can truly say, ‘The Lord is my portion;’ nor there is never a tyrannical Nebuchadnezzar in the world that can truly say, ‘The Lord is my portion;’ nor there is never a crafty Herod in the world that can truly say, ‘The Lord is my portion;’ nor there is never a rich Dives in the world that can truly say, ‘The Lord is my portion;’ nor there is never a treacherous Judas in the world that can truly say, ‘The Lord is my portion;’ nor there is never an hypocritical Simon Magus in the world that can truly say, ‘The Lord is my portion;’ nor there is never an apostatizing Demas in the world that can truly say, ‘The Lord is my portion;’ nor there is never a persecuting scribe or pharisee in the world that can truly say, ‘The Lord is my portion.’ It is only the saint that can truly say, ‘The Lord is his portion,’ for God is peculiarly his, he is only his.” Thomas Brooks, The Complete Works of Thomas Brooks, ed. Alexander Balloch Grosart, vol. 2 (Edinburgh; London; Dublin: James Nichol; James Nisbet and Co.; G. Herbert, 1866), 22–23.
