Devine Scripture

Luke 22:3

What does Luke 22:3 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 22:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 22:3 means

Luke reveals the deeper source behind Judas Iscariot’s betrayal: “Satan entered into Judas.” This does not excuse Judas, but uncovers the spiritual battle. A chosen apostle, “of the number of the twelve,” becomes an instrument of the adversary. Judas opens himself to the tempter’s influence through his own sinful willingness, yet the wording highlights a real, personal evil power at work against Jesus. The Messiah’s sufferings include treachery by a close companion, fulfilling Scripture’s pattern. The enemy’s design is to destroy; God’s design, through the same event, is to save. The verse warns that proximity to Jesus without faith leaves one vulnerable. It also sets in motion the chain of events leading to the arrest.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And Satan entered into Judas who was called Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And Satan entered into Judas who was called Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And Satan came into Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And the Adversary entered into Judas, who is surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And Satan entered into Judas, who was surnamed Iscariot, one of the twelve.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And Satan entered into Judas, who was surnamed Iscariote, being of the number of the twelve.

Context

Having described the leaders’ murderous intent and fear of the people, Luke names the agent who will grant them access to Jesus: Judas. This verse functions as the spiritual key to the plot. Immediately, Judas will go to confer with the authorities about how to hand Jesus over. The passage then will shift to the leaders’ gladness and agreement to pay, and Judas’s search for a quiet opportunity. Later, at the meal, Jesus will expose the betrayer’s presence at the table.

v.2And the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might put him to death; for they feared the people.

v.3This passage

v.4And he went away, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might deliver him unto them.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Mark 14:10

    And Judas Iscariot, he that was one of the twelve, went away unto the chief priests, that he might deliver him unto them.

  • Matthew 4:10

    Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

  • Acts 5:3

    But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thy heart to lie to the Holy Spirit, and to keep back part of the price of the land?

  • Matthew 26:14

    Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests,

  • Luke 6:16

    and Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor;

  • John 13:26

    Jesus therefore answereth, He it is, for whom I shall dip the sop, and give it him. So when he had dipped the sop, he taketh and giveth it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot.

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