ACC ~ Luke 22 v47 - 48

THE SHAME AND HUMILIATION OF JUDAS

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: He adds that he was one of the Twelve. This also is a matter of great importance to demonstrate more fully the guilt of the traitor’s crime. The Lord equally honored him with the rest and decorated him with apostolic dignities. Christ admitted him, chosen and beloved, to the holy table and the highest honors, but this became the pathway and the means for the murderers of Christ. What dirge can be sufficient for him, or what floods of tears must not each shed from his eyes when he considers from what happiness that wretched being fell into such total misery! For a worthless cent, he stopped being with Christ and lost his hope toward God. He lost the honor, crowns, life and glory prepared for Christ’s true followers, and the right of reigning with the Lord. COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 148. [1]

[1] CGSL 587-88**.

THE IRONY OF JUDAS’S KISS

AMBROSE: This is a great sign of divine power and a great lesson of virtue. The intention of betrayal is revealed, and yet patience is not denied. You have shown, Lord, whom he betrayed, while you reveal the hidden things. [1] You have also shown whom he betrayed, when you say “the Son of man,” because the flesh, not the Godhead, is meant. Nevertheless Christ even more refutes the ingratitude that betrayed him. Although he was the Son of God, yet for our sake he was willing to be the Son of man. It is as if he would say, “Because of you, ungrateful one, I took upon myself what you betray.” Look at the hypocrisy! I think it is exposed through the question that accuses the traitor with the compassion of love: “Judas, do you betray the Son of man with a kiss?” That is like saying, “Do you wound with the pledge of love, shed blood in the duty of charity, and give death with the instrument of peace? Do you, a servant, betray your Lord, a disciple his master, a chosen one the creator?” In other words, “The wounds of a friend are more useful than the voluntary kisses of an enemy.” [2] He says this to a traitor. What does Christ say to a peacemaker? “Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth.” [3] He kissed Judas, not that Christ should teach us to pretend but that he should not appear to flee from betrayal. Hence he did not deprive Judas of the dues of love. [4] It is written, “I was peaceful among those that hate peace.” [5] EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 10.63-64. [6]

[1] Ps 50:6 LXX.

[2] :1–24:53 PRELIMINARY REMARKS | ON THE GOSPEL

[3] Song 1:2.

[4] See Mt 26:49.

[5] Ps 120:6 (119:6 LXX).

[6] EHG 409**.

JUDAS LACKED POWER ON HIS OWN

EPHREM THE SYRIAN: The tribe of Judah marked the beginning of the kingdom, [1] and the apostle Judas marked its extinction. In deceitfully handing him over to the Romans with a kiss, he handed over to them the responsibility of avenging Jesus so that they would one day exact it from Judah. The wicked one came to dig his deep abyss, and our God explained it gently to him. He showed that he was helpful, a fountain of mercy. He said, “Judas, would you betray the Son of man with a kiss?” He showed that Judas did not have the power to hand over the Son of God. “Well then, why have you come, my friend?” [2] The Lord called animosity friendship, and he turned toward Judas. The deceitful disciple approached the true Master to kiss him. The Lord withdrew from him the Spirit that he had breathed into him. He removed it from him, not wanting the corrupting wolf to be among his sheep. He said, “That which he had has been taken away from him.” [3] COMMENTARY ON TATIAN’S DIATESSARON 20.12. [4]

[1] See Gen 49:10.

[2] Mt 26:50.

[3] Mt 13:12.

[4] ECTD 298**.