2.11.08 Were You There Study Guide Notes

Today's text: Matthew 26:14-30

NIV Matthew 26:14 Then one of the Twelve-- the one called Judas Iscariot-- went to the chief priests 15 and asked, "What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?" So they counted out for him thirty silver coins. 16 From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over. 17 On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?" 18 He replied, "Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, 'The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.'" 19 So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover. 20 When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve. 21 And while they were eating, he said, "I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me." 22 They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, "Surely not I, Lord?" 23 Jesus replied, "The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. 24 The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born." 25 Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, "Surely not I, Rabbi?" Jesus answered, "Yes, it is you." {25 Or "You yourself have said it"} 26 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is my body." 27 Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. 28 This is my blood of the {28 Some manuscripts the new} covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father's kingdom." 30 When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.


We transition from the scene at Bethany to focus upon Judas Iscariot who goes to meet with the leading priests. He has made up his mind to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver (the amount paid for a male slave.) The religious leaders needed Judas in order to make it look like Jesus' own were turning upon him. This was one way to perhaps not cause a riot of Jesus' followers.
Judas was therefore being used. The thirty pieces of silver was meaningless to the religious leaders, it was the appearance of a fracture from within that they wanted.

When things are falling apart in your life, do you look to get out or to go through? Judas decided to get out and it cost him more than he could have ever of realized.