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Luke 22:6

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And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray him unto them in the absence of the multitude.

And {G2532} he promised {G1843}, and {G2532} sought {G2212} opportunity {G2120} to betray {G3860} him {G846} unto them {G846} in the absence {G817} of the multitude {G3793}.

He agreed and began looking for a good opportunity to betray Yeshua without the people’s knowledge.

Judas consented, and began to look for an opportunity to betray Jesus to them in the absence of a crowd.

And he consented, and sought opportunity to deliver him unto them in the absence of the multitude.

Commentary

Context

Luke 22:6 follows immediately after Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus's twelve disciples, has made a pact with the chief priests and captains to betray Jesus (see Luke 22:3-5). The Jewish religious leaders were actively seeking a way to seize Jesus and put Him to death, but they feared the large crowds who followed Him and recognized Him as a prophet. This verse highlights Judas's active participation in their conspiracy: he not only agreed to their terms but also began to diligently look for the opportune moment to hand Jesus over when the public would not interfere.

Key Themes

  • Deliberate Betrayal: This verse underscores the intentional and calculated nature of Judas's actions. He didn't merely promise; he actively "sought opportunity," indicating a premeditated and malicious intent to deliver Jesus into the hands of His enemies. This contrasts sharply with the loyalty expected of a disciple.
  • Fear of the Multitude: The phrase "in the absence of the multitude" reveals a crucial strategic concern for the Jewish authorities. They understood Jesus's popularity and feared a public uprising if they arrested Him openly. Judas, being an insider, was aware of this vulnerability and planned to exploit it, ensuring Jesus's arrest could occur discreetly, away from His supporters.
  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: While Judas acted out of his own free will, his actions, driven by greed and spiritual blindness, ultimately served to fulfill ancient prophecies concerning the Messiah's betrayal. This dark chapter in Jesus's life was part of God's sovereign plan for redemption (Acts 2:23).

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "betray" here is paradidomi (παραδίδωμι), which literally means "to hand over" or "deliver up." While it can be used in neutral contexts, in this setting, it carries the strong connotation of treachery and disloyalty. The phrase "sought opportunity" translates from eukairian ezētei (εὐκαιρίαν ἐζήτει), emphasizing that Judas was not passive but actively searching for a "good time" or "favorable moment" to carry out his nefarious plan. This highlights his proactive role in the conspiracy.

Practical Application

Luke 22:6 serves as a sobering reminder of several timeless truths:

  • The Danger of Hidden Motives: Judas's outward appearance as a disciple masked a heart consumed by greed and perhaps disillusionment. This warns against spiritual hypocrisy and the importance of examining our own hearts and motives.
  • The Reality of Betrayal: Even those closest to us can betray trust. This verse acknowledges the pain and reality of such experiences, reminding us that even Jesus experienced profound betrayal from one of His inner circle.
  • God's Sovereignty Over Evil: Despite the heinous nature of Judas's act, it ultimately served God's greater redemptive purpose. This offers comfort that even in the face of human wickedness, God remains in control and can bring about good from evil, leading to the salvation offered through Christ's sacrifice.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Matthew 26:5 (2 votes)

    But they said, Not on the feast [day], lest there be an uproar among the people.

  • Mark 14:2 (2 votes)

    But they said, Not on the feast [day], lest there be an uproar of the people.