ACC ~ John 13 v27

TEMPTING GIVES WAY TO POSSESSION

AUGUSTINE: But now, after the bread, Satan entered into Judas, no longer to tempt one who belonged to another but to take possession of him as his own. TRACTATES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 62.2. [1]

[1] NPNF 1 7:313**.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SATANIC ATTACK AND POSSESSION

AMMONIUS: Since Satan saw Judas wishing to betray the Lord and hastening to do this, then “he entered him.” It is one thing for the devil to assail someone and quite another for the devil to enter him, just as it is one thing to strike someone outwardly and quite a different matter to hit someone’s vital organ or thrust a sword into him. FRAGMENTS ON JOHN 457. [1]

[1] JKGK 310.

THE DEVIL ENTERS JUDAS AFTER JUDAS PARTAKES OF SUPPER

CHRYSOSTOM: Let no one … be a deceiver, no one full of evil, no one holding venom in his mind, lest his partaking lead to condemnation. [1] After Judas took what was offered, the devil hastened into him, not because the devil despised the Lord’s body but because he despised Judas for his shamelessness. Thus you may learn concerning those who partake unworthily of the divine mysteries, that these especially are the ones the devil invades and enters at once, just like he did to Judas of old. Honors, indeed, are of benefit to those who are worthy, but those who enjoy them without deserving them are propelled into greater retribution. I say these things not to frighten but to protect you. SERMON ON THE BETRAYAL BY JUDAS 1.6. [2]

[1] 1 Cor 11:29.

[2] MFC 7:145*; PG 49:380. Some Fathers, like Chrysostom, believed Judas partook of the sacrament at its institution but did so unworthily, which led to his destruction. Others, like Ephrem, however, believed that Judas was not allowed to participate, or at least not allowed to fully participate, in the sacrament.

SATAN ATTACKS WEAK POINTS

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: When a skilled general lays siege to a city, he spares no effort to quickly attack the weakest parts of the wall with his battering rams, knowing that in such areas the capture will be easy. I believe that Satan employs an identical strategy when laying siege to the human heart, attacking at its weakest point, thinking that he will easily bring it into subjection especially when he sees it unfortified by those reinforcements that would likely repel the attack of the passions such as emotions that are under control, bold courage, a devotional heart, and most importantly, the mystical Eucharist, for this is the most effective antidote to the murderous poison of the devil. COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 9. [1]

[1] LF 48:200**.

SATAN CONFIRMS THE WILL OF JUDAS

THEODORE OF MOPSUESTIA: What Judas believed to be hidden and turning around in his mind was disclosed through the handing of the bread and made known to all the disciples. He was so far away from the admirable virtue of the one who knows the inner thoughts that, even though he had to feel ashamed and blush because of that public rebuke, he on the contrary confirmed even more inside himself the will of his iniquity. And since he was offended by the blame [he received], he prepared to execute his crime at once. The Evangelist rightly called this thought the entry of Satan by attributing to Satan the confirmation of Judas’s will. COMMENTARY ON JOHN 6.13.27-30. [1]

[1] CSCO 4 3:260.

JUDAS REPENTED BUT DESPAIRED

AUGUSTINE: The one who persuaded Judas to betray Christ is the one who persuaded him to hang himself with a noose. He repented, you remember, of “having betrayed righteous blood,” [1] but his repentance was without hope. He repented, but he also despaired. He did not believe he would receive mercy. He did not come to the one he had betrayed and ask him his pardon. He did not ask for pardon from him; he did not implore him to set him free; he did not entrust himself to his blood for redemption. [2] SERMON 313E.4. [3]

[1] Mt 27:4.

[2] In contrast to Peter, who denied his Lord, but in his subsequent repentance trusted also in Christ’s mercy.

[3] WSA 3 9:112; MiAg 1:538.

CONFIDENCE MOTIVATES JESUS

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: Our Lord Jesus the Christ may now appear to be addressing Satan himself rather than the disciple who by careless infatuation had fallen into Satan’s power. … It is as though Jesus is saying, “That work of yours, O Satan, which you alone know and which is ever dear to you, see that you do it quickly. You killed the prophets, and you were always leading the Jews to impiety. In time past you obtained the death by stoning of those who were sent as ambassadors to Israel bearing the word of salvation. You did not spare one of those who were sent from God. Toward them you showed your incredible brutality and the excess of your madness. And now I have come following in their steps. … I have come to overthrow the sovereignty of sin that you have brought to power and to make clear to everyone the one who is truly God by nature. But I know full well your implacable temper. The harm you desire to inflict on all who wish to accomplish works like I have come to do is what you inflict on me now. But you will cause me no more grief by being swift to attack and quick in your assault, even though you will inflict great pain on me at first.”… Jesus’ words are not so much an exhortation as a threat to his enemy. It is as though some handsome youth in early manhood, his heart swelling with fresh vigor at the sight of an opponent running at full speed to attack him, were to pick up a sharp battle axe in his right hand, and in full knowledge that his enemy will no sooner reach him than die, were to call out, “What you are going to do, do it quickly, for you will feel the force of my right arm.” And surely this would not be the cry of one who is eager to die but rather the cry of one who knows certainly that he will be victorious and will prevail over the one who wishes to hurt him. COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 9. [1]

[1] LF 48:202-4**. See also Cyprian Testimonies Against the Jews 3.80; Tertullian Against Marcion 5.6.