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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.
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