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I. THE PERSON. Judas: praise. One of the chosen twelve. Our Lord must have foreseen this when He called him. The call of Judas facilitated fulfilment of Scripture. Called "the traitor" (Luke 6:16); "son of perdition" (John 17:12). Avaricious; dishonest in choice of means for securing what he may have deemed a lawful end.

II. THE MOTIVE. Various motives have been imputed.

1. Sense of duty in bringing Jesus to justice. But consider Acts 4:15, 23; Acts 5:27-40; where the high priests, etc., are silent when they might have repeated the charges of Judas. Especially note Matthew 27:4.

2. Resentment (comp. Matthew 26:8-17; John 12:4, 5). But two days elapsed before the deed was executed. Resentment would have subsided.

3. Avarice (Matthew 26:15). But had this been the chief motive, he would surely have bargained for a larger sum, and not have sold his Master for less than £4, as he did, nor would he afterwards have returned it.

4. Ambition (consider John 7:31; Matthew 16:16; Matthew 19:28), by some thought to be the true motive. To him Jesus was King. He would force Jesus to declare Himself. If Jesus were made a king, what might not he (Judas) become? He knew the power of Jesus, and thought that, at the worst, Jesus would escape from danger (Luke 6:30; John 8:59; John 10:39), hence Matthew 26:48 was ironical. He believed the Messiah would never die (John 12:34). Contrast the ambition of Judas with the lesson of humility he had heard.

5. Demoniacal possession (John 13:27).

III. THE TIME. Significant — the Feast of Passover. Type and anti-type. Multitudes at Jerusalem. Witnesses of these things (Acts 2:5-36). Many had beheld His miracles and heard of His fame in other parts. Night — a fit time for a dark deed (John 3:19).

IV. THE MANNER — a kiss. Perhaps Judas was sincere, after all, and meant this as a friendly act to force Jesus into an avowal of His kingship. If so, then one may be wrong though sincere, and mere sincerity will not save (Proverbs 16:25).

V. THE EFFECT.

1. To Judas.

2. To Jesus.

3. To ourselves.Learn —

1. God maketh the wrath of man to praise Him.

2. Official standing, a power for evil in the hands of the unprincipled and ignorant.

3. Shows of friendship may be tricks of treason (Proverbs 27:6).

4. Seek to be not only sincere, but right.

5. The fulfilment of Scripture, a proof of the Messiahship of Christ.

6. If He be the only and true Saviour, have we accepted Him?

(J. Comper Gray.)

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KJV: Rise up, let us go; lo, he that betrayeth me is at hand.

WEB: Arise, let us be going. Behold, he who betrays me is at hand."