John 6:70

John 6:70 presents a stark and prophetic declaration from Jesus, revealing His divine foreknowledge and the painful reality of betrayal within His inner circle.

Context

This verse follows a pivotal moment in Jesus' ministry. After delivering a profound discourse on being the Bread of Life (John 6:35-59), many of His disciples found His teaching challenging and "went back, and walked no more with him" (John 6:66). Jesus then turned to the twelve, asking if they too would leave. Simon Peter responded with a powerful confession of faith, stating, "Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life" (John 6:68). It is immediately after Peter's declaration of loyalty that Jesus, with full awareness of what lay ahead, makes this shocking revelation about one of the chosen twelve.

Key Themes

• Jesus' Omniscience: The statement, "Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?" profoundly demonstrates Jesus' divine knowledge. He knew from the outset who would betray Him, even as He selected Judas Iscariot to be among the apostles. This highlights His sovereignty and that His plan was not derailed by human treachery, but rather incorporated it.
• The Reality of Betrayal: This verse underscores the painful truth that genuine faith is not guaranteed by outward association, even within the closest spiritual communities. Judas, despite being chosen and given authority, harbored a heart fundamentally opposed to Christ.
• The Nature of Judas's Apostasy: Jesus' description of Judas as "a devil" (Greek: diabolos) is extremely significant. While not meaning Judas was literally Satan, it indicates that Judas was deeply influenced by, aligned with, or serving the purposes of Satan. The Gospel of John later explicitly states that "the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him" (John 13:2), and that Satan entered into him. This suggests a spiritual allegiance that went beyond mere human failing.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word translated as "devil" is diabolos (διαβολος). This term is most frequently used in the New Testament to refer to Satan, the accuser and slanderer of God and humanity. By applying this term to Judas, Jesus indicates that Judas was not merely a misguided follower or a disbeliever, but someone whose actions and intentions were fundamentally hostile to God's redemptive plan, effectively acting as an agent of evil. This strong language emphasizes the spiritual dimension of Judas's betrayal, aligning him with the ultimate adversary.

Practical Application

John 6:70 offers several timeless lessons for believers today:

• Self-Examination: It serves as a sober call for every individual to honestly examine their own heart and motives for following Christ, ensuring their commitment is genuine and not superficial (2 Corinthians 13:5).
• Spiritual Discernment: The presence of a "devil" among the twelve reminds us of the constant spiritual warfare and the potential for deception, even within the church. It highlights the importance of discernment and reliance on the Holy Spirit.
• God's Unwavering Sovereignty: Despite the profound betrayal, God's redemptive plan through Christ was not thwarted but fulfilled. This provides comfort that God is always in control, and His purposes will prevail, even when human actions seem to oppose them (Acts 2:23).