The Betrayal (Mark 14:43-48)

What is phileo love? It comes from the Greek word philos which means “affectionate friendship.” Strong’s Concordance says that its usage is: I love (of friends), regard with affection, cherish; I kiss. HELPS Word-studies definition of phileo is to show warm affection in intimate friendship, characterized by tender, heartfelt consideration and kinship. It is the word used to define the kiss that Judas gave Jesus when he came at night with a mob with swords and clubs. “‘The One I kiss,’ he said, ‘He’s the One; arrest Him and take Him away under guard.’” (Mark 14:44)

*Why did it have to be a friend who chose to betray the Lord? And why did he use a kiss to show them, that’s not what a kiss is for? Only a friend can betray a friend, a stranger has nothing to gain and only a friend comes close enough to ever cause so much pain.* “He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised and we esteemed him not” (Isaiah 53:3). Judas, one of the Twelve, brought with him a mob with swords and clubs when he came to betray Jesus. Have you ever experienced the sorrow of betrayal?

I keep hearing stories of those who seem to have had a close and intimate relationship with Jesus making public confessions of, “Why I’m no longer a Christian.” It’s not a personal walking away from their faith, it’s public. Judas didn’t slip away from Jesus in the night, instead he took a company of soldiers and some temple police from the chief priests and Pharisees. He knew where Jesus would be, and Judas led them to Him with lanterns, torches, and weapons. 

In Matthew we are told how Judas went boldly up to Jesus, greeted Him by calling Him Rabbi, and then kissed Him. How did Jesus respond? “‘Friend,’ Jesus asked him, ‘why have you come’” (Matthew 26:50)? In response the mob took hold of Jesus and arrested Him. This Greek word for friend is herairos. This word carries with it the idea of someone who is viewed as a friend, but is actually an imposter acting for self-gain. I believe that this kind of betrayal is happening today. 

The Bible teaches that “cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree.” Christ redeemed all those who put their faith in Him. He became a curse for those who put their trust in Him when He hung on the tree. Judas was filled with remorse when he saw the results of his betrayal. He regretted what he had done. He tried to reverse what was happening when he saw that Jesus was condemned by returning the silver that he had been paid. However, he never put his trust in Jesus. Instead he hung himself on a tree. So what would our loving friend and Savior say to those who publicly betray Him today? “Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows” (Isaiah 53:4). While there is breath there is hope for true repentance.

* “Why” by Michael Card