Matthew 26:14-19

Judas Iscariot Agrees To Betray Jesus

15 and said, "What are you willing to give me to betray Him to you?" And they weighed out thirty pieces of silver to him.

16 From then on he began looking for a good opportunity to betray Jesus.

17 Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?"

18 And He said, "Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, 'The Teacher says, "My time is near; I am to keep the Passover at your house with My disciples."'"

19 The disciples did as Jesus had directed them; and they prepared the Passover.

Judas Received 30 Pieces Of Silver!

It only took 30 pieces of silver to betray the Savior of the world! Why?

Judas was a treasurer. And, like the other 11 disciples, he believed that Christ came to overthrow the Roman government and establish rule as the king.

So, Judas had much to gain as he would control untold wealth and an important station in this new "kingdom".

After the perfume incident and the woman, he most likely realized that Jesus had not come to establish an earthly kingdom or even a political one. His kingdom would not be of a physical sense.

Since Judas discovered that he would not receive this position and power, his greed led him to betray Jesus for a paltry amount consisting of thirty pieces of silver and gaining favor of the Pharisees and other leaders of the synagogue.

NOTE: The only verses in the Bible giving the exact amount (about the price paid for a slave) for the betrayal are in the Book of Matthew.

The planned capture of Christ was to be after Passover but Judas' betrayal helped to speed up the process.

For our lesson, let's keep Jesus in perspective, not expecting to receive our gifts here on earth but live our lives so that we can be with Him in heaven.

Love in Christ

- Bob