Luke 22:3 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve.

NIV: Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve.

NASB: And Satan entered Judas, the one called Iscariot, who belonged to the number of the twelve.

CSB: Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, who was numbered among the Twelve.

NLT: Then Satan entered into Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve disciples,

KJV: Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve.

NKJV: Then Satan entered Judas, surnamed Iscariot, who was numbered among the twelve.

Judas has spent three years seeing the devastating effects of demon possession. He has watched Jesus free victims from that torment. It's possible he's expelled demons, himself (Luke 9:1–6). For some untold reason, however, he is in such a state of moral brokenness he is vulnerable to the direct control of Satan. We aren't told why, although Jesus calls him "a devil" (John 6:70).

Between the religious leaders' strategizing (Luke 22:2) and Judas's offer of betrayal, Matthew 26:6–13 and Mark 14:3–9 include the account of a woman who anoints Jesus' head with oil. The disciples criticize her for wasting such a valuable gift (Matthew 26:8). A week before, Mary of Bethany had anointed Jesus' feet. In this earlier event, it is Judas who begins the conversation about the foolish use of money. John reveals it is because he is a thief; he wished Mary had given them cash, instead, so he could pilfer it (John 12:1–8). It's not clear why Luke completely skips over the anointings or even if they are Judas's motivation for betraying Jesus. It is interesting how Luke juxtaposes Judas's betrayal with proper, Christlike servant-leadership and how Judas basically sells his birthright of kingdom authority for a bag full of silver (Luke 22:21–30).

Scholars debate about the meaning of "Iscariot." The two most favored interpretations are that either he is from the village of Kerioth or he was a Sicarius. The Sicarii, "dagger-men," are particularly violent Zealots who hide daggers in their cloaks and like to stab and kill Romans and Jewish collaborators before ducking into the crowd. They will have a prominent role in the rebellion against the Romans as well as the civil war inside Jerusalem. That conflict will result in the destruction of the city in AD 70. There's no external evidence that Judas was a Sicarius.

It's worth mentioning that the Bible mentions Satan possessing only two men: Judas and the Antichrist, both of whom are referred to as the "son of destruction" (John 17:12; 2 Thessalonians 2:3). The likelihood of Satan, himself, attacking an individual Christian is extremely low. It seems only Judas and the Antichrist are strategically important enough for direct possession.

In Luke 22:1–2, the Sanhedrin prepares for Jesus' arrest. In Luke 22:3–6, Judas prepares for his betrayal. Next, Jesus will prepare for the Passover meal (Luke 22:7–13). Luke 22:1–2 is essentially a restatement of Luke 19:47–48 and a continuation of Luke 21:37–38. The leaders have lacked a secret place to capture Jesus, where crowds cannot object. Judas's betrayal is what they need. Judas will lead them to Jesus in the quiet dark of night, away from the public. Matthew and Mark also record this turn of events (Matthew 26:1–5, 14–16; Mark 14:1–2, 10–11).

Luke 22 is a long chapter which records events leading to Jesus' political trials and crucifixion. He has successfully taught crowds at the temple and proved His authority over the religious leaders (Luke 19:47—20). Meanwhile the leaders have spent the week planning to arrest Jesus and have Him killed (Luke 19:47–48). This chapter records the Last Supper, the arrest on the Mount of Olives, and the trials before the Jewish religious leaders. Matthew 26, Mark 14, and John 18 cover much of the same information.

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.