Betrayal and Denial - a Bible Study

[Christ4Ever]

Betrayal: to deliver or expose to an enemy by treachery or disloyalty: Benedict Arnold betrayed his country. 2. to be unfaithful in guarding, maintaining, or fulfilling: to betray a trust.

One can attempt to simplify it by stating "when one person is wronged by another". There would have to be a greater depth to what happened with Judas, then just being "wronged" which can be seen as "treated unfairly or unjustly:".

Think about what Judas did. Who did he turn Jesus over to, but to His enemies of cause. Why did he do this? Was it because of the love of money? Or could it have been in the misguided belief that Jesus looked to himself over others, namely the poor? Maybe something else entirely. Something to consider when reading the below scriptures.

But the disciples were indignant when they saw this, and said, "Why this waste? 9 "For this perfume might have been sold for a high price and the money given to the poor." ... 14 Then one of the twelve, named Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15 and said, "What are you willing to give me to betray Him to you?" And they weighed out thirty pieces of silver to him. 16 From then on he began looking for a good opportunity to betray Jesus. Matthew 26:8-9, 14-16

Now Judas was not the only disciple to be "indignant", but he is the only one recorded as a disciple who took active action against Jesus. So what does a betrayer do? They do what the name says they do. He conspires to turn someone whom he knows over to the enemy which in this case are the priests.

Some might say that he was treated differently than the others, in trying to justify Judas' action against our Lord. It's possible, but unlikely that he was. An example is a joint venture with the twelve.

Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed Him. 5 These twelve Jesus sent out after instructing them: "Do not go in the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter any city of the Samaritans; Matthew 10:4-5

He was also given the power of the Holy Spirit to heal, raise the dead etc...

"Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give. Matthew 10:8

So even for a time Judas was a recipient of Holy Spirit power. Not that it helped to change what it seems he was destined to become. Now we can know that Jesus knew, but none of the others knew until Jesus spoke of it.

"But there are some of you who do not believe." For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who it was that would betray Him. ... 70 Jesus answered them, "Did I Myself not choose you, the twelve, and yet one of you is a devil?"71 Now He meant Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, for he, one of the twelve, was going to betray Him. John 6:64, 70-71

So until then none knew, but Jesus, but now all were told this, but probably as was the case with much of what Jesus said they did not really comprehend it the fullest or who was meant by it. At least not until their minds were opened. By that time Judas had already hung himself.

One might even look at the following verse and see that works are not what are going to save you. One might even classify Judas as an example of it and part of the meaning of this verse that has scared some believers for over 2000 years.

"Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' Matthew 7:22

Now we do know that Satan was the one who placed in Judas' heart the thought of betrayal. Which was before Judas did the things called to do in Matthew 10:8. Could it have been what changed him to having a change of heart?

I wonder if Judas was even aware of Satan workings on him. Regardless, did he have to listen or follow through with it? I don't know, but what I do know is that there are many thoughts/actions that we battle with. And this while we are filled with the Holy Spirit! Still rejection of His guidance is not unheard of. So we still fall, get back up, and at times continuously almost to the point of ad nauseam. Which of cause begs other questions, but that is not for this discussion.

Now we add this scripture to Judas' actions: And Satan entered into Judas who was called Iscariot, belonging to the number of the twelve. Luke 22:3 Now we go from plotter to actively siding with the enemy "Satan".

Side note: The last paragraph is the reason why I don't believe any of the disciples retained the Holy Spirit power that was theirs as shown in Matthew 10:8.

I previously mentioned the whys Judas might have betrayed Jesus. Was there some lie that was believed that though he might acknowledge the miracles of Jesus, His power, but not completely see him as Messiah Jesus who needed to suffer. Instead rather as one that needed to be pushed to become who was expected of Him by the Jews then and now, Conqueror?

The following taken from: Jewish expectation for the messiah

By the first century, the Jewish longing for the Messiah reflected the biblical tradition of a Davidic descendent, who would reign over Israel forever (2 Sam. 7:13; 22:51; Ps. 89:4). The Jewish community expected the Messiah to defeat the Romans and reestablish David’s throne. Longing for the arrival of the Messiah, the anointed king of Israel, prompted crowds to gather along the road leading up to Jerusalem to announce Jesus’ entrance to the city (Matt. 21:1-11). These crowds likely expected Jesus to enter the city, defeat the Romans and reestablish peace over Israel.

Maybe Judas believed he was the catalyst for Jesus to proclaim himself publicly as the Messiah. Is it possible that Judas might have somehow believed that turning Jesus over to the priests would then force Jesus' hand and he'd have to declare himself, taking His rightful place as King? Was this the lie/deception that Satan placed into Judas? If so, when this acknowledgement by Jesus did not happen we see Judas' reaction in scripture?

Then when Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that He had been condemned, he felt remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, 4 saying, "I have sinned by betraying innocent blood." But they said, "What is that to us? See to that yourself!" Matthew 27:3-4

Now what Judas felt was "remorse" which can also be considered in Strongs as being seen as being an act of "repenting" of what he might not have seen so clearly till this moment that in this act regardless of the motivating reasons he had. He had still "betrayed innocent blood"! Now I don't know of any existing Old Testament law concerning the punishment for betraying someone. (Scholars please) However, he continued to be self absorbed/overwhelemed in his sin so that he felt all that was left for him to do was to go hang himself.

So instead of choosing life in Jesus, he choose Satan and death "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. John 10:10

At the very least this story of Judas and his betrayal; leaves us a cautionary tale about attempting to control/manipulate events, or people. When in truth that really is in the purview of God!
YBIC
C4E
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So how to answer you my dear brother @Br. Bear? What is the difference between "Betrayal & Denial?"

My answer would have to be: What resides in the persons heart.

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@Brighthouse - I understand it a little better dear brother. My heart goes out to you.

 

[Curtis]

Was it maybe because "Judas" really never believed who Jesus was, or maybe he did know but decided not to believe? Having a form of Godliness is easy to display to deceive many by their outward actions, but never producing the fruit that comes from repentance. It would be very easy to "betray" someone you don't believe in. After all the "love of money" is the root of all evil, and Judas was in charge of the money bag. Having a opportunity to increase the funds he had by betraying Jesus would seem like an easy way to make an extra buck.
Even the ungodly are under condemnation in their own conscience when they do wrong.

John 6:64.. But some of you do not believe Me." (For Jesus knew from the beginning which ones didn't believe, and He knew who would betray Him.)

This surely was no surprise to Jesus to what Judas did.

 

[RJ]

This surely was no surprise to Jesus to what Judas did.

Surely, Jesus knew this before the foundation of the earth!

 

[HisFollower]

Concerning Judas, Christ said: "but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born." (Matthew 26:24)
Concerning Peter Christ said: "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren."
(Luke 22:31-32)

 

[Br. Bear]

Greetings,

some good points coming out here. It is good to use Scripture if possible because we then have Scripture balancing and witnessing to Scripture.

If I may dig a little deeper into one or two points made, not ignoring any others, and not contesting,

Money does appear a big part of the betrayal.

We see this also in the case of Joseph. Was he betrayed? (there are several similarities in the story about Joseph) Above, we read in Zechariah about Judah and Israel. Was it Judah who planned against Joseph?

Then I cut asunder mine other staff, even Bands, that I might break the brotherhood between Judah and Israel.

And Judah said unto his brethren, What profit is it if we slay our brother, and conceal his blood? Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmeelites, and let not our hand be upon him; for he is our brother and our flesh. And his brethren were content.
Genesis 37:26-27

Also in Samson and Delilah, interestingly, she said a few times that Samson had betrayed her but it is she who agreed for money to betray Samson. Not sure what he was up to but he didn't keep himself covered in more ways than one!

And it came to pass afterward, that he loved a woman in the valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah. 5And the lords of the Philistines came up unto her, and said unto her, Entice him, and see wherein his great strength lieth, and by what means we may prevail against him, that we may bind him to afflict him: and we will give thee every one of us eleven hundred pieces of silver.
Judges 16:4-5

And adding to the money we see death.

Another point is that betrayal in its 'perfect' sense involves doing so to someone you know and know well and perhaps we should be looking at even being someone we love or at least are in a love relationship with?

One other interesting point is that of remorse to the point of death as seen in Davids counselor, Saul also had devious ideas against David which Judas appeared to reflect, in that Judas did no personal harrm but was involved in a plot or attempt by others?
And Saul said to David, Behold my elder daughter Merab, her will I give thee to wife: only be thou valiant for me, and fight the LORD'S battles. For Saul said, Let not mine hand be upon him, but let the hand of the Philistines be upon him.
1Samuel 18:17
and that was after this:
And it came to pass on the morrow, that the evil spirit from God came upon Saul,
1Samuel 18:10a

but back to Davids counselor: Ahithophel
And when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his ass, and arose, and gat him home to his house, to his city, and put his household in order, and hanged himself, and died, and was buried in the sepulchre of his father.
2Samuel 17:23


and one more which is plenty to get our teeth into for now...
there has been discussion of human behaviour and frailty and the like and this in an effort to understand the betrayal and denial.
Notice the behaviour and conversation here:

And when the hour was come, He sat down, and the twelve apostles with Him. And He said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God. And He took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come. And He took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is My body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of Me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in My blood, which is shed for you. But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth Me is with Me on the table. And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom He is betrayed!

And they began to inquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing.


And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.
Luke 22:14-24

see how the focus changed so quickly?



Bless you all ....><>

 

[Brighthouse]

I do not believe a hard heart towards certain things are always bad either. LOL I wish a hardened heart towards doubt,and towards judging others for whatever reason!Jesus himself had a very hardened heart towards any unbelief! And through scripture unbelief showed death as being the result. I look at the armor of God as one who hardens his whole body against such unbelief.( Eph 6:13-18)

So that one will not melt under the heat of the enemy! The fires of sin, are the most powerful flame against us believers.And without the armor none could possibly withstand it. I myself look at Jesus Christ as far more then a man,as God himself in the flesh,he did not arrive with just flesh and blood, but also with his very own armor! His sword was very sharp!( Matt 23) His goodness shined brighter then the sun itself,and!!!! Wherever he dwelt among the people,they were always made complete through him, and indeed by him! God is established,so should be his son's and daughter's!The difference to a heart,become's the action of one's own deeds.( Matt 13:23) Not in words alone, as we have all come to understand.( James 1:22)