Mark 14:10 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went to the chief priests in order to betray him to them.

NIV: Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them.

NASB: Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went off to the chief priests in order to betray Him to them.

CSB: Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them.

NLT: Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples, went to the leading priests to arrange to betray Jesus to them.

KJV: And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests, to betray him unto them.

NKJV: Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Him to them.

For what might be the second time in less than a week, Judas has watched Jesus affirm the decision of a woman to "waste" a year's wages on pouring perfume on Jesus (John 12:1–8; Mark 14:3–9). He'd much rather have put the money in the disciples' treasury so he can steal it later (John 12:6). He doesn't really understand that he is the "son of destruction [or perdition]" (John 17:12), chosen by God to betray Jesus and then perish. This is not to say that God created him explicitly for that purpose. Rather, Judas' personal choices make him the perfect candidate for the job, and so God has placed him in the company of the disciples. It's likely Judas heard that the chief priests and Pharisees are looking for someone who can give them access to Jesus away from the crowds (John 11:57), and he sees his chance. Now, Satan has entered him to help him along in fulfilling his destiny (Luke 22:3).

Judas Iscariot is one of Jesus' original twelve disciples. The origin of "Iscariot" is uncertain. Some scholars associate it with a place in Judea called Kerioth. Others think Judas is a member of the Sicarii, the assassin wing of the Zealots that terrorize Judea. The Sicarii rebel against the hated Roman occupiers by wandering through crowds and killing Roman sympathizers with a sicae, or dagger. The Gospels mention Judas about twenty times—three times in a list of the disciples, all three of which note he will betray Jesus. One is a warning about Judas' betrayal. All the rest come in the context of narrating his treachery.

"Judas" is the Latin form of the Greek translation of the Hebrew "Judah." There are other "Judases" in the Bible besides Judas Iscariot. Jesus' half-brother and the author of the book of Jude is formally Judas (Matthew 13:55). There was also another Judas among the disciples, the son of James, who was also called Thaddaeus (John 14:22). Judas the Galilean rebelled against the Roman census in AD 6 or 7 (Acts 5:37). After Paul met Jesus on the road to Damascus, he recovered in a home owned by a man named Judas (Acts 9:11). Another Christ-follower in the early church named Judas accompanied Paul and Barnabas to Antioch to give the ruling that Gentiles didn't have to be circumcised (Acts 15:22, 31–32).

Many people insist that if God was more real, if He presented Himself in a more obvious way, people would eagerly agree to follow Him. Judas is one of many proofs that this is not true. His personality is perhaps more resistant to Christ than normal, but he spent three years with Jesus, the Son of God, and it did nothing to soften his heart.

Jesus is anointed in a symbolic anticipation of His death. Judas decides to secretly cooperate with local religious leaders to arrest Jesus in secret. During the Passover meal, Jesus predicts His betrayal by Judas, and Peter's denial. He also institutes the Lord's Supper, also known as communion. After praying on the Mount of Olives, Jesus is captured when Judas identifies Him to a hostile mob sent by Jewish authorities. He endures a corrupt, prejudiced trial, ending in a conviction for blasphemy. Peter, fearing for his life, lies about knowing Jesus, before remembering Jesus' prediction and breaking down in sobs.

Jesus has finished His public teaching ministry and now prepares for the crucifixion. His sacrificial loyalty will provide the means by which the disciples' abandonment will be forgiven. Next, the Romans, as representatives of Gentiles throughout history, will join the Jews and kill Jesus. Jesus will be buried, but He will rise again with the promise that His sacrifice will redeem the world. Matthew 26 and Luke 22 follow Mark 14 more closely while John 13:1—18:27 records more of Jesus' teaching in the upper room.

The Gospel of Mark emphasizes both Jesus' servanthood and His role as the promised Messiah: the Son of God. This is done through a concise, action-packed style. Mark provides relatively few details, instead focusing on actions and simple statements. This relates to the Gospel's authorship, which is believed to be based on the memories of the apostle Peter. These include many of Jesus' miracles, in contrast to other Gospels which include many more of Jesus' teachings and parables. Mark also makes frequent mention of Jesus' ministry being misunderstood by others.