Judas Conspires with Jesus' Enemies 

On Wednesday, April 5, 30 CE, while Jesus was away in the hills with John Mark, Judas disregarded his Master's specific request to stay away from Jerusalem. Instead, he made his way to the home of Caiaphas the high priest to meet with Jesus' enemies. This secret meeting was convened to strategize the charges against Jesus and plan the course of action to secure Roman approval for his execution. Their primary aim was to apprehend Jesus with minimal trouble.

The day before, during a lunch meeting, Judas confided in some of his relatives and Sadducean friends, expressing his doubts about Jesus as the anticipated deliverer of Israel. He yearned for a graceful exit from the movement and his associates flattered him, assuring him that his departure would be celebrated by the Jewish rulers. They led him to believe that he would receive great honors from the Sanhedrin, finally freeing himself from the stigma associated with his well-intentioned but "unfortunate association with untaught Galileans."

Although Judas could not fully accept the claims by some that Jesus' mighty works were connected to the power of the devil, he did become convinced that Jesus would not use his power to save himself. He concluded that Jesus would allow the Jewish rulers to destroy him – and the thought of being associated with a movement that appeared to be heading towards defeat was humiliating for Judas. He refused to entertain the idea of apparent failure. While he recognized the strength of his Master's character and the depth of his merciful mind, Judas found pleasure in entertaining the notion that Jesus, although well-meaning, was perhaps mentally unsound and misunderstood.

Furthermore, Judas began to feel resentful that Jesus had not bestowed upon him a position of greater honor. While he had previously appreciated the distinction of being the apostolic treasurer, he now believed that his abilities were overlooked and unappreciated. He was consumed with indignation that Peter, James, and John had been favored with close association with Jesus. As he made his way to Caiaphas' home, Judas was more determined to get even with his fellow apostles than betray Jesus.

Above all, a new and overpowering thought consumed Judas' consciousness: he craved personal honor and glory. If he could secure this while settling the score with those who had contributed to his profound disappointment, it would be all the better. A confusing blend of pride, desperation, and determination fueled his terrible conspiracy. Clearly, it was not money that motivated Judas to arrange Jesus' betrayal at the home of Caiaphas.

As Judas approached Caiaphas' residence, he had finally resolved to abandon Jesus and the other apostles. Once he had made up his mind to desert the cause of the kingdom of heaven, he was determined to secure as much honor and glory for himself as possible. Initially, all of the apostles had shared this desire for honor and glory for themselves, but over time, they learned to appreciate the truth and love of Jesus more than Judas did.

Judas was introduced to Caiaphas and the Jewish rulers by his cousin. His cousin explained that Judas, recognizing his error in following the subtle teachings of Jesus, desired to publicly renounce his association with the Galilean. Simultaneously, he sought to reunite with his Judean brethren and professed that it would be best for the peace of Israel if Jesus were discreetly apprehended. By offering his services, Judas intended to avoid stirring up the multitudes or delaying Jesus' arrest until after the Passover.

When his cousin had finished speaking, Judas stepped forward and said, "All that my cousin has promised, I will do, but what are you willing to give me for this service?" His mind was so set on himself and his thoughts of glory and honor that he didn’t seem to notice that Caiaphas, himself a vain and hard man, looked at him with disgust.

And then Caiaphas looked down upon the betrayer while he said: "Judas, you go to the captain of the guard and arrange with that officer to bring your Master to us either tonight or tomorrow night, and when he has been delivered by you into our hands, you shall receive your reward for this service."

When Judas heard this, he left the chief priests and rulers and talked with the captain of the temple guards as to the manner in which Jesus was to be apprehended. Judas knew that Jesus was off in the hills with John Mark that day, and so they agreed among themselves to arrest Jesus the next evening (Thursday) after the people of Jerusalem and all of the visiting pilgrims had retired for the night.

The chief priests and elders were relieved that they would not have to arrest Jesus in public, and the securing of Judas as a traitorous ally ensured that Jesus would not escape from them as he had so many times in the past.

Judas returned to his associates at the camp intoxicated with thoughts of social importance and glory. He had joined with Jesus hoping to someday become a great man in the new kingdom. Now, he realized that there would be no new kingdom as he had hoped. But he felt that he had been very smart to trade off his disappointment in failing to achieve glory in an anticipated new kingdom for the immediate realization of honor and reward in the old order, which he now believed would survive. That old order, Judas believed, would certainly destroy Jesus and all that he stood for.

Judas' betrayal of Jesus was the cowardly act of a selfish deserter whose only thought was his own safety and glorification, no matter what might be the results of his actions upon his Master and upon his former associates.

Judas had long been engaged in this deliberate, persistent, selfish, and vengeful consciousness of progressively building up in his mind, and entertaining in his heart, these evil desires of revenge and disloyalty. Jesus loved and trusted Judas even as he loved and trusted the other apostles, but Judas failed to develop loyal trust and to experience wholehearted love in return. And how dangerous ambition can become when it is once wholly integrated with self-interest and motivated by vengeance!

It is sad when someone becomes so attached to worldly things that they are blind to real values and spiritual realities. It’s so easy to be disappointed in worldly things when that’s all one sees as worthwhile. Judas craved worldly honor in his mind and grew to love this desire with his whole heart. The other apostles craved this same worldly honor in their minds, too, but with their whole hearts they loved Jesus and were doing their best to learn to love the truths which he taught them.