What does “Satan entered into him” mean regarding Judas in John 13:27? (2024)

Answer

In John 13:27, the apostle writes, “Then after [Judas] had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, ‘What you are going to do, do quickly’” (ESV). The one who accepted the morsel of bread at the Last Supper was Judas Iscariot, who had already planned to betray Jesus (verse 2). Despite Judas’ treachery, Jesus continued to extend love and friendship to Judas by washing his feet and sharing a meal with him (verses 1–30). It is deeply distressing, then, that Judas would still give himself over to the power of darkness and allow Satan to enter him.

In the broader biblical context, Judas’ betrayal fulfills Old Testament prophecy: “Even my close friend, someone I trusted, one who shared my bread, has turned against me” (Psalm 41:9; cf. John 13:18). Although God sovereignly orchestrated the events leading to Judas’ betrayal, Judas remains morally responsible for his vile and horrifying actions: “Satan could not have entered into him had he not granted him admission. Had he been willing to say ‘No’ to the adversary, all of his Master’s intercessory power was available to him there and then to strengthen him” (Bruce, F. F., Gospel of John, Eerdmans, 1983, p. 290).

Previously, Satan had put it into Judas’ mind to betray the Lord (John 13:2). But now there is a climax of evil in that disciple’s heart: he is possessed by Satan, who has filled his mind to perform this evil act and to eagerly see it through to completion. What had started as a suggestion in the mind has now become a full possession of mind, body, and will.

After Satan entered Judas, Jesus responds with a sense of urgency: “What you are about to do, do quickly” (John 13:27). Aware that Judas had moved beyond any appeal to conscience or heart, Jesus recognized the inevitability of Judas’ decision. In his misguided belief that he now held the upper hand, Judas presumed that Jesus would be left to grapple with the ensuing consequences. So, Jesus deemed it preferable for this delusion to reach its conclusion sooner rather than later—it was time to lay down His life.

Matthew 26 reveals something else Jesus said to Judas. When Jesus said, “One of you will betray me” (Matthew 26:21), the disciples became sorrowful and asked, “Is it I, Lord?” (verse 22, ESV). Judas, however, privately asked if it was he: “Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?” Jesus then told him, “You have said so” (verse 25). At that point, Judas knew that Jesus was aware of his impending betrayal.

There are two things of note here: First, the other disciples address Jesus as “Lord” (Matthew 26:22), but Judas addresses him as “Rabbi” or “Teacher” (verse 25). In fact, there is no biblical record of Judas ever addressing Jesus as “Lord.” For Judas, Jesus was never his Lord; Satan was—a fact that would eventually become apparent to the other disciples.

Second, the words you have said so (Matthew 26:25) deflect responsibility to the one asking the question. In verse 64, when the high priest asks if He is the Christ, Jesus says, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven” (ESV, emphasis added). Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, but Judas “loved the darkness rather than the light because [his] works were evil” (John 3:19, ESV).

After receiving the morsel of bread, symbolic of Jesus’ love and favor, Judas “immediately went out. And it was night” (John 13:30, ESV). This proves to us that sinful humanity requires more than good teaching to be saved. Judas had the greatest Rabbi and Teacher, yet he was still lost. He had the greatest Light, yet he was still in darkness.

Remorseful for what he had done, Judas later attempted to reverse course, but it was too late (Matthew 27:3–5). The Jewish leaders proceeded with their plan to execute an innocent man. Consequently, Judas went away to hang himself, a tragic conclusion to an even more tragic betrayal.

For Further Study

John: Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament by Edward W. Klink III

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