Albert Barnes Commentary Luke 22:3

Albert Barnes Commentary

Luke 22:3

1798–1870
Presbyterian
Albert Barnes
Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes Commentary

Luke 22:3

1798–1870
Presbyterian
SCRIPTURE

"And Satan entered into Judas who was called Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve." — Luke 22:3 (ASV)

Then entered Satan into Judas. It is not necessary to suppose that Satan entered personally into the body of Judas, but only that he brought him under his influence. He filled his mind with an evil passion and led him on to betray His Master. The particular passion Satan used was avarice—probably the besetting sin of Judas. To show its exceeding evil and baseness, it is only necessary to say that when it produced its appropriate effect in this case, it led to the betraying and crucifixion of the Son of God.

We may also learn that when Satan tempts people, he commonly does it by exciting their native passions and raising them to the highest pitch. He does not make them act contrary to their nature but leads them on to act out their true disposition.

Satan. This word properly means an adversary or an accuser. It is the name commonly given in the Scriptures to the prince or leader of evil spirits, and is given to him because he is the accuser or calumniator of the righteous , as well as because he is the adversary of God.

Being of the number of the twelve. One of the twelve apostles. This greatly aggravated his crime. He should have been bound by the most tender ties to Jesus. He was one of His family—long with Him, and treated by Him with every mark of kindness and confidence; and nothing could more enhance his guilt than to make use of this confidence in such a way for the commission of one of the basest crimes.