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Ερώτηση:
Για ποιο λόγο ο Ιούδας έλαβε τα αργύρια για να προδώσει τον Κύριο; Εφόσον ο Χριστός είχε αναπτύξει ευρύτατη κοινωνική δράση ήταν αδύνατο οι Γραμματείς και οι Φαρισαίοι να μην τον αναγνώριζαν για να τον συλλάβουν.

Question 16.
For what reason did Judas receive the 30 pieces of silver to betray the Lord? As Christ had developed an extensive social activity, it was impossible for the Scribes and the Pharisees not to recognize him so as to arrest him.
 

Answer to Question 16.
Dear Constantine,

When Christ preached in public, he always had a large following who believed he was a holy man of God and a Prophet. Of course the Scribes and Pharisees knew who Christ was: they were also among those who listened to him and on many occasions tried to test his wisdom with their trick questions. They even saw him perform many miracles and on many occasions accused him publicly of not keeping the Sabbath. If the Scribes and Pharisees openly arrested Christ there would have been a public outcry and they feared the mob would attack them. Listen to what the Evangelists say: “But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they took him for a prophet.” (Matthew 21:46) “And they sought to lay hold on him, but feared the people.” (Mark 12:12) “And the chief priests and the scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on him; and they feared the people: for they perceived that he had spoken this parable against them.” (Luke 20:19) “And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people.” (Luke 22:2)
Thus they couldn’t arrest him while he was surrounded by the multitudes. They needed to get Jesus while he was alone without fear of the mob. This was not easy as Christ and the Apostles didn’t have a permanent residence: they were always on the move. Where Christ went in the evenings was not known to them but only to the elite few who followed him. They probably even made sure the crowds didn’t follow them before they settled for the night otherwise they would never have had any rest. The Jews therefore needed someone who could take them to where Jesus rested for the night. The opportunity came when Judas himself approached them and told them that he would show them the place: “Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve. And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them. And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money.” (Luke 22: 3-5)
In John 18:2 it says that Judas also knew the place. The Jews were not interested in arresting the Apostles but only their master. As it was dark, it would not have been easy to single out who Christ was. Judas made it easier for them by showing them with the kiss of betrayal who Christ was.