Matthew 26:14-27:66

Ancient Lens

What can we learn from the historical context?

Betrayal and Supper

Judas’ motivation for betraying Jesus is not clear in Matthew and Mark. It certainly was not the money because “30 pieces of silver” was probably a modest sum. Both Luke and John attribute his motive to Satan (Lk 22:3; Jn 13:2). The time was “the first day of Unleavened Bread,” a feast that began on 15 Nissan and ended on 21 Nissan (March/April). Some would suggest that the festival actually began on 14 Nissan and lasted eight days. The place was the house of one whom Jesus refers to as “the man,” even though there was evidently a relationship between him and Jesus, for the man knew him as “the teacher” (26:18). It is quite likely…