3 Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve. 4 And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them. 5 And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money. 6 And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray him unto them in the absence of the multitude. (Luke 22:3-5 KJV)
William Burkitt N.T. Commentary
Observe here, 1. The person betraying our blessed Saviour, Judas. Judas a professor, Judas a preacher, Judas an apostle, and one of the twelve, who Christ had chosen out of the world to be his dearest friend, one of his family and household: shall we wonder to find friends unfriendly or unfaithful to us, when our Saviour had a traitor in his own family?
Observe, 2. The heinous nature of Judas’ sin: he betrayed Jesus; Jesus his Maker, Jesus his Master. It is no strange or uncommon thing for the vilest of sins, and the most horrid impieties, to be acted by such persons as make the most eminent profession of holiness and religion.
Observe, 3. What was the occasion that led Judas to the commission of this sin; it was his inordinate love of money. I do not find that Judas had any particular malice, spite, or ill-will against our Saviour; but a base and unworthy spirit of covetousness possessed him, and this made him sell his master.
Covetousness is the root of sin; an eager and insatiable thirst after the world is the parent of the most monstrous and unnatural sins, for which reason our Saviour doubles his caution, Take heed and beware of covetousness; Lu 12:15 It shows us both the great danger of the sin, and the great care that we ought to take to preserve ourselves from it.
BURKITT | Luke 22:1-2 | Luke 22:3-6 | Luke 22:7-13 | Luke 22:14-23 | Luke 22:24-27 | Luke 22:28-30 | Luke 22:31-32 | Luke 22:33-34 | Luke 22:35-38 | Luke 22:39-46 | Luke 22:47-53 | Luke 22:54-62 | Luke 22:63-65 | Luke 22:66-71 |