The Backstory

Introduction

Luke 22:47–48 NASB95

While He was still speaking, behold, a crowd came, and the one called Judas, one of the twelve, was preceding them; and he approached Jesus to kiss Him. But Jesus said to him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”

It is important to recall the situation around Jesus politically.

It was this environment with Jesus that lead to His arrest, and execution.

We need to understand something of this situation in order to see power of God at work in His arrest etc..

The

Present the problem/questions:

How could the Jewish leaders have the ability to command/make use of a Roman cohort?

What would motivate Rome to get involved with a local squabble?

Order of process:

The Roman presence was by force and resented by the Jews.

The Jewish leadership despised the Romans, but were allied to them secretly for the sake of money and power.

The Roman army could then be useful to the Jews if the right strings were pulled.

The threat of insurrection was enough to get Rome to act.

The Occupation of Israel by the Romans:

Rome took over the region in 63 BC.

They considered Israel the frontier of their kingdom, although they would go on to Asia afterwards.

They colonized Israel for that reason.

The Roman kingdom was based upon their ruthlessness and their force.

Herod the Great, inherited the region in 14 BC.

The Sacred Bridge: Carta’s Atlas of the Biblical World Herod’s Death and the Division of His Kingdom

In his last days, Herod received permission from the emperor to execute Antipater. He executed his eldest son a mere five days before his own death (Ant. 17:191). Josephus likewise reports that Herod realized there would be little mourning at his death. So, he arrested the leading men of the country and instructed Salome that they should be executed upon his death in order to assure the mourning of the nation (Ant. 17:174–175). She would later rescind that order (Ant. 17:193)>.

The Jews were particularly hard to handle because of their tenacity to hold to their religion and their city:

The Works of Josephus: New Updated Edition Chapter 9: The Death of Salome. The Cities Which Herod and Philip Built. Pilate Occasions Disturbances. Tiberius Puts Agrippa into Bonds, but Caius Frees Him from Them, and Makes Him King. Herod Antipas Is Banished

3. (172) On the next day Pilate sat upon his tribunal, in the open market place, and called to him the multitude, as desirous to give them an answer; and then gave a signal to the soldiers that they should all by agreement at once encompass the Jews with their weapons; (173) so the band of soldiers stood round about the Jews in three ranks. The Jews were under the utmost consternation at that unexpected sight. Pilate also said to them, that they should be cut in pieces, unless they would admit of Caesar’s images; and gave intimation to the soldiers to draw their naked swords. (174) Hereupon the Jews, as it were at one signal, fell down in vast numbers together, and exposed their necks bare, and cried out that they were sooner ready to be slain, than that their law should be transgressed. Hereupon Pilate was greatly surprised at their prodigious superstition, and gave order that the ensigns should be presently carried out of Jerusalem.

4. (175) After this he raised another disturbance, by expending that sacred treasure which is called Corban upon aqueducts, whereby he brought water from the distance of four hundred furlongs. At this the multitude had great indignation; and when Pilate was come to Jerusalem, they came about his tribunal, and made a clamor at it. (176) Now when he was apprised aforehand of this disturbance, he mixed his own soldiers in their armor with the multitude, and ordered them to conceal themselves under the habits of private men, and not indeed to use their swords, but with their staves to beat those that made the clamor. He then gave the signal from his tribunal (to do as he had bidden them). (177) Now the Jews were so sadly beaten, that many of them perished by the stripes they received, and many of them perished as trodden to death, by which means the multitude was astonished at the calamity of those that were slain, and held their peace.

He died in 4 BC and, due to the rivalries and the unrest existing within Rome and its allies when he died, the kingdom of Palestine fell into 3 divisions, divisions that his sons took over:

Archelaus - Judea, Idumea, and Samaria and others.

Herod Antipas - Galilee and Perea.

Herod Philip - Furthest northeastern edge of Herod the Great’s region.

Rainey, Anson F., and R. Steven Notley. The Sacred Bridge: Carta’s Atlas of the Biblical World. Second Emended & Enhanced Edition (Jerusalem, Israel: Carta Jerusalem, 2014), p.348.

The regions were not at peace because of the continued occupation of the Romans in the Jewish settlements.

Uprisings and rebellions against Rome were common.

The Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary Roman Army

The loss of life in disturbances and riots in the cities was considerable and the countryside became ever more lawless. In a deteriorating situation, the governors of Syria had to intervene more frequently both to restore order and curb the procurators. Cassius Longinus went to Jerusalem with troops from Syria in 45/6; in ca. 52 Ummidius Quadratus had to end the Jewish-Samaritan fighting; finally, in 66 there was Cestius Gallus’s intervention with a legion and his subsequent disastrous retreat from Jerusalem. The planting of a new Roman colony with legionary veterans at Ptolemais, on the very edge of the Judean province, was another sign of growing concern. It was in this context that the Apostle Paul’s imprisonment at Caesarea took place.

The Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary Roman Army

With the creation of a province in A.D. 6, the royal forces were apparently incorporated into the Roman army as auxiliaries. The major force consisted of 3,000 cavalry and infantry originally raised in Sebaste and Caesarea, named now (if not already under their romanophile Herodian masters) Ala I Sebastenorum and Cohortes I–V Sebastenorum.

The prefects of Judea also removed the seat of government to Caesarea, where at least some of the Sebastenian regiments are later attested. It is at Caesarea too that the Cohors (II?) Italica was to be found ca. A.D. 40. An unnamed cohort was based in Jerusalem and the various strongholds probably retained their Herodian garrisons. Extra troops were certainly brought to Jerusalem during the great religious festivals.

The troubles of Judea under these prefects became progressively more severe. Unrest and uprisings caused by provocative action by the governors, required military action. The major forces in Syria, however, were little in evidence. In 37, Vitellius advanced through Galilee on his way to Arabia Petrea. Not until 40, however, when the Emperor Gaius ordered his own statues set up in the Temple at Jerusalem, did troops from Syria intervene in the province of Judea directly.

Pro-Israel groups sprang up (i.e. Zealots).

This increased Roman military presence.

The more the Jews revolted, the more the Romans built up their armies.

Pilate’s wife had horrible dreams about Jesus the night before.

This indicates that the chief priests and Pharisees had received permission from Pilate to use a cohort to arrest Jesus.

She would have known about that, or would she?

Matthew 27:19 NASB95

While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent him a message, saying, “Have nothing to do with that righteous Man; for last night I suffered greatly in a dream because of Him.”

Pilate had ordered soldiers to stop tumults by swords and “staves” in the past.

The Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary Roman Army

The procurators, provocative and violent, used their forces ruthlessly to put down all opposition. A striking feature of both governors and their troops is the extent to which they were anti-Jewish.

The Roman soldiers would have been dispatched only at the order of Pilate, the Roman governor.

What would have moved Pilate to agree to get involved in a Jewish problem?

What would have motivated Pilate to agree to a dispatch of a cohort (ca 500 soldiers) late at night with torches, swords, and clubs?

We can see what he was told by his questioning of Jesus.

The Ministry of Jesus-

His ministry was expanding beyond the leaders’:

Jesus only

Jesus and the twelve

Jesus and the twelve and the 70

The impact this had on the influence over the people was tremendous.

They were losing their power and they were being threatened by the righteousness and influence of the Messiah.

The influence of Jesus would then cause the people to begin to see the leaders for who they were.

The result would have been the removal of the ruling body and being put out by the Romans.

It would lead to revolt:

John 11:47–48 NASB95

Therefore the chief priests and the Pharisees convened a council, and were saying, “What are we doing? For this man is performing many signs. “If we let Him go on like this, all men will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.”

The Response of the religious leaders:

Jesus’ teaching created hostility from the leaders of Israel:

Jesus was hated from the beginning-

Luke 4:28–30 NASB95

And all the people in the synagogue were filled with rage as they heard these things; and they got up and drove Him out of the city, and led Him to the brow of the hill on which their city had been built, in order to throw Him down the cliff. But passing through their midst, He went His way.

John 5:16–18 NASB95

For this reason the Jews were persecuting Jesus, because He was doing these things on the Sabbath. But He answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I Myself am working.” For this reason therefore the Jews were seeking all the more to kill Him, because He not only was breaking the Sabbath, but also was calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God.

Matthew 23:1–3 NASB95

Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples, saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses; therefore all that they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds; for they say things and do not do them.

Mark 12:38–40 NASB95

In His teaching He was saying: “Beware of the scribes who like to walk around in long robes, and like respectful greetings in the market places, and chief seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets, who devour widows’ houses, and for appearance’s sake offer long prayers; these will receive greater condemnation.”

The loss of the people and their subjection was too much for the leaders.

Matthew 26:3–5 NASB95

Then the chief priests and the elders of the people were gathered together in the court of the high priest, named Caiaphas; and they plotted together to seize Jesus by stealth and kill Him. But they were saying, “Not during the festival, otherwise a riot might occur among the people.”

They needed an opportunity.

They needed secrecy, privacy, and authority.

They got it by the man, Judas

Luke 22:1–6 NASB95

Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which is called the Passover, was approaching. The chief priests and the scribes were seeking how they might put Him to death; for they were afraid of the people. And Satan entered into Judas who was called Iscariot, belonging to the number of the twelve. And he went away and discussed with the chief priests and officers how he might betray Him to them. They were glad and agreed to give him money. So he consented, and began seeking a good opportunity to betray Him to them apart from the crowd.

What made him do this?

Judas was already a devil - John 6.

Judas was likely a mercenary of sorts.

Judas was covetous (he used to pilfer money).

The continued rulership of the Jews benefitted Judas somehow.

The final straw for him was:

John 12:1–8 NASB95

Jesus, therefore, six days before the Passover, came to Bethany where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. So they made Him a supper there, and Martha was serving; but Lazarus was one of those reclining at the table with Him. Mary then took a pound of very costly perfume of pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of His disciples, who was intending to betray Him, said, “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and given to poor people?” Now he said this, not because he was concerned about the poor, but because he was a thief, and as he had the money box, he used to pilfer what was put into it. Therefore Jesus said, “Let her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of My burial. “For you always have the poor with you, but you do not always have Me.”

Matthew 26:14–16 NASB95

Then one of the twelve, named Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What are you willing to give me to betray Him to you?” And they weighed out thirty pieces of silver to him. From then on he began looking for a good opportunity to betray Jesus.

Mark 14:10–11 NASB95

Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went off to the chief priests in order to betray Him to them. They were glad when they heard this, and promised to give him money. And he began seeking how to betray Him at an opportune time.

John 12:9–10 NASB95

The large crowd of the Jews then learned that He was there; and they came, not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might also see Lazarus, whom He raised from the dead. But the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death also;

The handoff of the land of the Jews between Roman powers and Jewish religious leaders created immense antagonism between the Jews and Rome.

Much of the forced subjection of the people depended upon Rome hiring mercenaries, nationals who were willing to be fight their own people for money.

It was not uncommon for these mercenaries to be hired in order to maintain Roman Peace.

Judging from how they responded to Judas, though, the religious leaders had no qualms about using a kind of mercenary to betray their own nation as well.

It was within this practice that we find Jesus with His disciples.

Judas, then, would have been one who had it in his heart to be a kind of mercenary, paid by the Chief Priests, and willing to cooperate with Rome in order to avoid the sedition and rebellion of the Messiah.

NOTE: see the hypocritical evil in the band of religious leaders-

Matthew 27:1–7 NASB95

Now when morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people conferred together against Jesus to put Him to death; and they bound Him, and led Him away and delivered Him to Pilate the governor. Then when Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that He had been condemned, he felt remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” But they said, “What is that to us? See to that yourself!” And he threw the pieces of silver into the temple sanctuary and departed; and he went away and hanged himself. The chief priests took the pieces of silver and said, “It is not lawful to put them into the temple treasury, since it is the price of blood.” And they conferred together and with the money bought the Potter’s Field as a burial place for strangers.

What did the leaders think?

Matthew 26:59–68 NASB95

Now the chief priests and the whole Council kept trying to obtain false testimony against Jesus, so that they might put Him to death. They did not find any, even though many false witnesses came forward. But later on two came forward, and said, “This man stated, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and to rebuild it in three days.’ ” The high priest stood up and said to Him, “Do You not answer? What is it that these men are testifying against You?” But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest said to Him, “I adjure You by the living God, that You tell us whether You are the Christ, the Son of God.” Jesus said to him, “You have said it yourself; nevertheless I tell you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.” Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has blasphemed! What further need do we have of witnesses? Behold, you have now heard the blasphemy; what do you think?” They answered, “He deserves death!” Then they spat in His face and beat Him with their fists; and others slapped Him, and said, “Prophesy to us, You Christ; who is the one who hit You?”

What was Rome told?

The leaders told Pilate that Jesus starting another uprising, an insurrection against the Jews and the Romans:

Matthew 27:11–14 NASB95

Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor questioned Him, saying, “Are You the King of the Jews?” And Jesus said to him, “It is as you say.” And while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He did not answer. Then Pilate said to Him, “Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?” And He did not answer him with regard to even a single charge, so the governor was quite amazed.

Pilate was told that Jesus was usurping the Temple, Israel, refusing taxation, and saying that He was a king:

Luke 23:1–5 NASB95

Then the whole body of them got up and brought Him before Pilate. And they began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar, and saying that He Himself is Christ, a King.” So Pilate asked Him, saying, “Are You the King of the Jews?” And He answered him and said, “It is as you say.” Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no guilt in this man.” But they kept on insisting, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching all over Judea, starting from Galilee even as far as this place.”

Pilate asked if He was a king.

He said “Yes” each time.

This was laughable!

Herod Antipas:

Luke 23:8–12 NASB95

Now Herod was very glad when he saw Jesus; for he had wanted to see Him for a long time, because he had been hearing about Him and was hoping to see some sign performed by Him. And he questioned Him at some length; but He answered him nothing. And the chief priests and the scribes were standing there, accusing Him vehemently. And Herod with his soldiers, after treating Him with contempt and mocking Him, dressed Him in a gorgeous robe and sent Him back to Pilate. Now Herod and Pilate became friends with one another that very day; for before they had been enemies with each other.

The religious leaders brought false charges and accusation against Jesus, recieved permission from Pilate to get Roman cohort, and have Him arrested.

They had an insider who testified that Jesus was an insurrectionist, Judas.

They alleged that Jesus was staging a rebellion over the entire region like previous rebels/martyrs.

Under these allegations, Pilate released the troops, the cohort (ca 500).

Luke 23:14–16 NASB95

and said to them, “You brought this man to me as one who incites the people to rebellion, and behold, having examined Him before you, I have found no guilt in this man regarding the charges which you make against Him. “No, nor has Herod, for he sent Him back to us; and behold, nothing deserving death has been done by Him. “Therefore I will punish Him and release Him.”

Conclusion

Luke 22:47–48 NASB95

While He was still speaking, behold, a crowd came, and the one called Judas, one of the twelve, was preceding them; and he approached Jesus to kiss Him. But Jesus said to him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”

All of this evil, satanic, demonic plot built upon lies, slander, accusation, greed, covetousness, power, and godless pride, hidden behind a kiss of affection…and Jesus and Judas knew it.