Judas Iscariot Begins to Speak - John 12:4

The apostle John wrote how, “Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him. Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odor of the ointment”, and in chapter twelve and verse four of his book John shared how, “Judas Iscariot” began to speak where we read:

Then said one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him,

The verse reads, “Then said one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, ...” John began with the words, “then said one of his disciples” which means “at that time uttered, declared and proclaimed a particular and certain one of Jesus' students, pupils and attendants”, “Judas Iscariot” or “Judas which means he shall be praised, Iscariot which means of the men of Kerioth”, “Simon's son” which means “the male offspring and progeny of Simon whose name means a little rock or stone”. John shared how “one” of Jesus' students who was named “Judas Iscariot” began to make a statement about what he saw.

The verse continues, “... which should betray him, ...” John added the words, “which should betray him” which means “who was about to, intended to and had in mind to deliver Jesus up to custody and to be judged, condemned, scourged, tormented and put to death”. John shared how “Judas Iscariot” was the “disciple” of Jesus who would eventually “deliver” Him over to the religious authorities to be “judged, condemned, beaten and crucified”.

When we consider John's words in this verse, we learn about “Judas” who was to “betray” Jesus. “Judas” observed how “Mary” anointed Jesus' feet with the “ointment of spikenard” and will comment about it in our next verse, and his words reveal his heart as he spoke. God wants people to have a heart toward His Son Jesus so they can have a personal relationship with Him. The “sin” within people keeps them from having intimate fellowship with God, and when a person yields their life to His Son Jesus, He forgives their sin and cleanses them from all unrighteousness. Those who are wise will study this story about “Judas Iscariot” and ask the question, “Am I more like Mary or Judas when it comes to Jesus?”

Next time John shares how Judas asks, “why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".