Bible Questions and Answers

Can you explain Luke 22:3 and John 13:27?

• Luke 22:3 Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve.
• John 13:27 And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly.

Satan in the New Testament is the personification of the propensity to sin within man, both individually and collectively. It means that the propensity to sin within Judas got the better of him.

Having got the money from the High priest, he was waiting for an opportunity to betray Jesus. That was the moment when he made up his mind to betray him that night.

There is a similar happening described by Peter in his encounter with Ananias and Sapphira. Acts 5:1-4

The personification ‘why has Satan filled your heart’ (in verse 3) is the equivalent of ‘Why have you conceived this thing in your heart?’ (in verse 4). There is no supernatural entity involved – it is a figure of speech.

Both Judas and Ananias were responsible for concocting their own sin, there was no third party to blame.

I hope you find this helpful.

God bless,
Glenn