How sustainable is the argument that Judas was not wanting to betray Jesus but was rather trying to precipitate a crisis so that Jesus' messiahship would be forced to into the open? This has been a view of a few but has little support with most Christians. What are the arguments in support of such a view?
1. The remorse he felt when Jesus did not resist arrest but went willingly to be crucified. Judas' suicide is taken to mean that the result of his betrayal was not what he expected.
I do not find any other support for such a view of Judas' betrayal.
What are the arguments against such a view?
1. The fact that the apostles were unsympathetic to Judas and saw it as a simple betrayal for money
2. John (John 12:6) says that Judas was a thief supporting the view that once he lost faith in Jesus' pacifist ways he decided to convert Jesus into money.
3. The view is pure speculation as it has no Biblical documentation.
What probably happened?
1. After the feeding of the 5000 Jesus' teaching was focused on preparing the apostles for the event of the cross. He teachings were focused on what it means to live the life of the cross in your day to day to life. It would appear that this teaching led Judas to lose faith.
2. The anointing of Mary may have been a turning point - when he saw Jesus majoring on non-essentials on (adulation of women) and ignoring the essentials the liberation of the Jews. After the period of popularity (which Judas probably saw as the laying of the foundation of a following) Jesus' teaching changed tack and He lost a lot of followers - John 6:66. This loss of followers would have raised many queries in Judas' mind about the intention of Jesus.
3. When he came to betray Jesus, one look by Jesus into his eyes (speculative) must have shattered him just as Peter's betrayal shattered Peter.
I do not see any need for speculation on Judas' motive when the Bible says .
1. The remorse he felt when Jesus did not resist arrest but went willingly to be crucified. Judas' suicide is taken to mean that the result of his betrayal was not what he expected.
I do not find any other support for such a view of Judas' betrayal.
What are the arguments against such a view?
1. The fact that the apostles were unsympathetic to Judas and saw it as a simple betrayal for money
2. John (John 12:6) says that Judas was a thief supporting the view that once he lost faith in Jesus' pacifist ways he decided to convert Jesus into money.
3. The view is pure speculation as it has no Biblical documentation.
What probably happened?
1. After the feeding of the 5000 Jesus' teaching was focused on preparing the apostles for the event of the cross. He teachings were focused on what it means to live the life of the cross in your day to day to life. It would appear that this teaching led Judas to lose faith.
2. The anointing of Mary may have been a turning point - when he saw Jesus majoring on non-essentials on (adulation of women) and ignoring the essentials the liberation of the Jews. After the period of popularity (which Judas probably saw as the laying of the foundation of a following) Jesus' teaching changed tack and He lost a lot of followers - John 6:66. This loss of followers would have raised many queries in Judas' mind about the intention of Jesus.
3. When he came to betray Jesus, one look by Jesus into his eyes (speculative) must have shattered him just as Peter's betrayal shattered Peter.
I do not see any need for speculation on Judas' motive when the Bible says .
hmm.... i've never heard this viewpoint before. I always assumed that the reason he committed suicide was that he didn't think through fully the consequences of his actions - that he wanted the money, but didn't really intend for a crucifixion to happen as a result.
ReplyDeleteIt is quite acceptable to interpret the suicide as Judas not realising that the betrayal would end in death - especially since the Jews did not have the power to enforce a death penalty. But it goes beyond the text and is an assumption.
ReplyDeleteBut was Judas trying to force Jesus' hand or only after quick money. I think the Bible says he was after quick money and it may not be right to speculate on the motive for the betrayal when the Bible has spoken.
A comment from Diya Paul of Chennai:-
ReplyDeleteThank u Uncle Lee :). Don't u think that Judas was meant to betray Jesus? It was part of God's gr8 plan/design to execute reality.
My Response:-
Pre-destination and free will is one of the mysteries of the Christian faith which can not be understood by human minds. The Bible speaks of predestination as well as free will. How this works is a mystery.
Free will says that we are responsible for all that we do. Pre-destination says that if God has not willed it it will not happen. See Exodus 9:12 and 8:15. The former says that Yahweh hardened Pharaoh's heart and the latter says that Pharaoh hardened his heart. Both are true.
Jesus was to be betrayed. It could be by anyone. If Judas did not do it someone else would have. Judas was not compelled by God to betray Jesus, but rather God used his traitorous nature, his love of money and his concept of the Messiah, to betray Jesus.
Thank you uncle, earlier I was also confused about predestination and free will, but Lord made me understand that both are two side of same coin and go hand in hand. I am responsible for what I do and Infinte, Timeless God knows about it before hand. It is a mystery to human mind! Praise the Lord!
ReplyDelete