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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comRobertson Word Pictures - John 12:4 - 12:4
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
Judas Iscariot (Ioudas ho Iskariōtēs). See ho Iskariōtēs in Joh 14:22. See Joh 6:71; Joh 13:1 for like description of Judas save that in Joh 6:71 the father’s name is given in the genitive, Simōnos and Iskariōtou (agreeing with the father), but in Joh 13:1 Iskariōtēs agrees with Ioudas, not with Simōnos. Clearly then both father and son were called “Iscariot” or man of Kerioth in the tribe of Judah (Jos 15:25). Judas is the only one of the twelve not a Galilean.
One of his disciples (heis tōn mathētōn autou). Likewise in Joh 6:71, only there ek is used after heis as some MSS. have here. This is the shameful fact that clung to the name of Judas.
Which should betray him (ho mellōn auton paradidonai). John does not say in Joh 6:71 (emellen paradidonai auton) or here that Judas “was predestined to betray Jesus” as Bernard suggests. He had his own responsibility for his guilt as Jesus said (Mat 26:24). Mellō here simply points to the act as future, not as necessary. Note the contrast between Mary and Judas. “Mary in her devotion unconsciously provides for the honour of the dead. Judas in his selfishness unconsciously brings about the death itself” (Westcott).