The Last Night
They were delighted and agreed to give him money. Luke 22:5 · Berean Standard Bible
The religious leaders were thrilled when Judas offered to betray Jesus and agreed to pay him money for it. Their excitement is disturbing.
Their joy reveals how desperately they wanted Jesus gone. Finding a traitor from Jesus' inner circle must have felt like a gift.
Luke lets the leaders' reaction speak for itself — their delight at arranging a man's death says everything about their hearts.
Picture the scene: powerful religious men grinning with delight because one of Jesus' friends just offered to sell Him out. They quickly agree on a price. The contrast between their joy and Jesus' coming suffering is heartbreaking.
The authorities respond with charēsan (they rejoiced) and agree to give Judas argyrion (silver money). Matthew specifies thirty pieces of silver (Matthew 26:15), fulfilling Zechariah 11:12.
The joy of the religious leaders at finding a willing betrayer from within Jesus' circle reveals the depth of their hostility and their relief at solving the political problem of arresting Him without public outcry.
Luke narrates the transaction, highlighting the religious leaders' delight and the financial dimension of the betrayal.
The leaders could hardly believe their luck — one of Jesus' own men offering to deliver Him. Their joy contrasts starkly with Jesus' own sorrow. A price is set, and a life of infinite worth is bartered for coins.
3Then Satan entered Judas Iscariot, who was one of the Twelve.
4And Judas went to discuss with the chief priests and temple officers how he might betray Jesus to them.
5They were delighted and agreed to give him money.
6Judas consented, and began to look for an opportunity to betray Jesus to them in the absence of a crowd.
7Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb was to be sacrificed.
Read all of Luke 22 — The upper room, a betrayer's kiss, a servant's ear, and Peter's denial by firelight. The longest night in history begins.
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