ACC ~ John 13 v18

JESUS IS AWARE OF JUDAS

ORIGEN: Literally, this means, I know who each person is whom I have chosen. Therefore, I also know who Judas is, and he does not escape my notice, although the devil has already put the things against me into his heart. COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 32.152. [1]

[1] FC 89:371; SC 385:254.

WAS JUDAS PREDESTINED TO BETRAY CHRIST?

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: Some may raise the following objection, “If we believe that Christ was all-knowing, why did he choose Judas, and why did he include him as one of the disciples if he knew that he would be convicted of treachery and fall prey to the snares of coveting?” Furthermore, another will say, “And if, as Christ himself says, Judas lifted up his heel against his master so that the Scripture may be fulfilled, surely Judas could not be deemed guilty of being responsible for what happened. Rather, the blame must rest with the power that caused the Scripture to be fulfilled.”… However, God knew that the first man, Adam, would sin, and yet he was created in the beginning. … And likewise, God anointed Saul to be king, knowing that he too would sin. … Therefore, in a similar manner, Christ chose Judas and associated him with the holy disciples, since at first he certainly possessed the capacity for discipleship. But when, after the temptations of Satan succeeded in making him captive to base greediness for gain, when he was conquered by passion and had become by this means a traitor, then he was rejected by God. This, therefore, was in no way the fault of him who called this man to be an apostle. For it lay in the power of Judas to have saved himself from falling, namely, by making the more excellent choice and transforming his whole heart and soul in such a way as to become a sincere follower of Christ. … Let no one suppose, as do some ignorant people, that the oracles delivered by the holy prophets are carried onward to final accomplishment simply in order that the Scriptures may be fulfilled. … Who could ever be so utterly void of proper reason as to suppose that the Word of the Holy Spirit should become, to any, a patron of sin? Therefore, we do not believe that the deeds of any were done simply so that the Scriptures might be fulfilled. But the Holy Spirit has spoken in perfect foreknowledge as to what will happen, so that when the event comes to pass we may find in the prediction a pledge to establish our faith that we may from that point on hold our faith without hesitation. COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 9. [1]

JUDAS INCAPABLE OF PRAISE

COSMAS OF MAIUMA:

The hateful Iscariot, heedless,

By intent, of the law of friendship,

Readied for betrayal the feet

Which Christ had washed. And though he ate

Your bread, the divine Body,

He raised his heel against you, O Christ,

And knew not how to cry out:

“Praise the Lord, O his works,

and exalt him unto all ages.”

The man without conscience received

The Body which redeems from sin

And the divine blood poured out

For the sake of the world;

But he was not ashamed to drink

What he sold for a price;

He took no offense at his wickedness,

And knew not how to cry out:

“Praise the Lord, O his works,

and exalt him unto all ages.”

KANON FOR THE FIFTH DAY OF GREAT WEEK, EIGHTH ODE. [2]

[1] LF 48:187-90**.

[2] MFC 7:390-91.