Simple Answers Troubling Questions to ? ? Did Judas Have Free Will?

What Did Judas Do? Betrayed Jesus (After Passover, as Jesus was in the Garden of Gethsemene) (Matthew 26:47-50)

Matthew 26:47-50 And while He was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, with a great multitude with swords and clubs, came from the chief priests and elders of the people. 48 Now His betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him.” 49 Immediately he went up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed Him. 50 But Jesus said to him, “Friend, why have you come?” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and took Him.

What Did Judas Do? Betrayed Jesus (After Passover, as Jesus was in the Garden of Gethsemene) (Matthew 26:47-50) Why did he do it? Was he a pawn, without free will? (Required by God… or a puppet of the devil?) (John 13:1-4)

John 13:1-4 Now before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end. 2 And supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray Him, 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, 4 rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself.

What Did Judas Do? Betrayed Jesus (After Passover, as Jesus was in the Garden of Gethsemene) (Matthew 26:47-50) Why did he do it? Was he a pawn, without free will? (Required by God… or a puppet of the devil?) (John 13:1-4) One thing is sure: Christ’s betrayal was spoken of as certain before it occurred.

John 6:70-71 Jesus answered them, "Did I not choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?" 71 He spoke of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, for it was he who would betray Him, being one of the twelve. (Note: Jesus did not identify Judas at this time. John wrote after the betrayal. Jesus here called each apostle to self-examination).

Definitions: Question: Does the fact that Jesus foretold His betrayal indicate mere foreknowledge? Or predestination? Foreknowledge - knowledge of an event before it occurs Predestination - foreordained: established or prearranged unalterably The concept of individual predestination has far reaching consequences

Consequences of Predestination God, who is the only one capable of such, would ultimately be charged with forcing a man to sin. (James 1:13-15)

James 1:13-15 Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.

Consequences of Predestination God, who is the only one capable of such, would ultimately be charged with forcing a man to sin. (James 1:13-15) God, who “so loved the world” would become a respecter of persons; Singling out specific individuals, and denying their redemption to serve His purpose (Acts 10:34-35 KJV; Ezekiel 18:4-9)

Acts 10:34-35 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: 35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.

Ezekiel 18:4-9 “Behold, all souls are Mine; The soul of the father As well as the soul of the son is Mine; The soul who sins shall die. 5 But if a man is just And does what is lawful and right … 9 If he has walked in My statutes And kept My judgments faithfully-He is just; He shall surely live!” Says the Lord GOD.

Comparing Two Accounts (Luke 22:1-6) Read “Then Satan entered Judas.” (Matthew 26:14-17) Read Motivated by avarice (cf. John 12:4-6; cf. Acts 5:1-3)

John 12:4-6 Then one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, who would betray Him, said, 5 “Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” 6 This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it.

Acts 5:1-3 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. 2 And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles' feet. 3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself?” Parallel: Satan the enticer, but Ananias was responsible!

Conclusion God is not capricious, holding men accountable for sins committed without volition What Pilate did, he did because he chose to do it. The devil’s part was the enticement (30 pieces of silver) God’s part was using Judas to further his “Scheme” of Redemption Statements predicting the betrayal are in indication of the foreknowledge of God, not a coerced act.