Chapter 271 of 404

The Betrayers

A minority of scholars doubt the participation of a betrayer in Jesus’ arrest,⁵⁶ but Romans normally did work through local informers, including in their attested dealings with Christians less than a century later.⁵⁷ Mark’s betrayal narrative (Mk 14:43-52; followed by Matt 26:47-56 and Lk 22:47-53) is paralleled in John (Jn 18:2-12), hence appears to be multiply attested. 1 Cor 11:23 refers to the night that Jesus was “handed over” in connection with his execution, which could well refer to the “betrayal” to the chief priests,⁵⁸ although other interpretations are possible.⁵⁹

More critical in recognizing the authenticity of this tradition, however, is the criterion of embarrassment. Just as the loyalty of one’s adherents proved a matter for praise,⁶⁰ their disloyalty would prove a matter of a teacher’s shame.⁶¹ Jesus’ followers would hardly invent a betrayer, especially a betrayer he had chosen to be a disciple. (Indeed, the Gospel writers are at pains to emphasize that Jesus foreknew that one of the twelve would betray him.)⁶²

The Synoptics highlight the heinousness of this betrayal by their depiction of Judas “kissing” Jesus to identify him. Raymond Brown is correct that we cannot historically establish or refute the historicity specifically of this kiss;⁶³ but it does make sense. Except when obscured by clouds, the moon would illumine the countryside during Passover;⁶⁴ yet others around Jesus, the shade of olive trees and the importance of getting the right person immediately (before resistance or flight could allow his escape) demanded that Judas specify the right person.⁶⁵

Nevertheless, visibility was probably less to the point than trying to make the expedition look more peaceful than it was; the authorities needed to capture only the ringleader and apparently wished to minimize confrontation and bloodshed (cf. Lk 22:38).⁶⁶ By having a disciple trusted by his colleagues approach the group, the aristocratic priests might hope to catch the disciples off guard and delay resistance; and these priests may have considered Judas more expendable than their own guards if the ploy failed or Judas actually was leading them to a trap (cf. Matt 27:3-10). Disciples often greeted rabbis with a kiss as a sign of intimacy and respect.⁶⁷ That Judas should betray Jesus with an outward gesture of devotion makes the act all the more heinous, and an ancient audience might grasp something of the depth of such betrayal’s pain (Lk 22:48).⁶⁸

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