Mark 14:10-11, Judas to Betray Jesus

[We pick back up after the interlude and see the answer to the chief priest’s dilemma.]

¹⁰ Then Judas Iscariot [only mentioned previously in 3:19 in the list of disciples, now becomes a chief player in the climax to Mark], who was one of the twelve, went to the chief priests [on his own initiative] in order to betray him to them. ¹¹ And when they heard it, they were glad and promised to give him money. And he sought an opportunity to betray him. [Why? It seems most likely that Judas was disillusioned with Jesus’ Messianic leadership and wanted to get out before it was too late and save his own skin. He may have concluded, like Saul of Tarsus, that Jesus was a false prophet. Yet it may be that he wanted the money. Other gospels report that he stole from the group’s common purse. The scene is set. The devotion of the faithful woman who anointed Jesus is counterpointed by the cold, calculated betrayal of Judas.]