NOTES for Mat 26:1-29
Today's reading describes both Judas' betrayal and the Last Supper, which was nothing other than a Passover Seder—the ritual meal celebrated during the Jewish feast of Passover. Yet betrayal is the thread running through the passage: in its very first verses, the Evangelist mentions the preparations for the Savior's arrest and execution (vv. 3–5), of which Jesus Himself is fully aware (vv. 1–2). The Evangelist presents the account of the washing of the feet (vv. 6–12) as an episode directly connected with Judas' betrayal (vv. 14–16). Even in the account of the Last Supper, betrayal remains the central theme: Jesus speaks of it (vv. 21, 23–24), the disciples fear it, as though unsure of themselves (v. 22), and the most dramatic moment in the account is the dialogue between Jesus and His betrayer (vv. 23–25).
Apparently, the Evangelist saw in Judas' betrayal something important not only for the apostles themselves but also for everyone to whom his Gospel was addressed. Otherwise, such attention to a figure who was, to put it mildly, deeply odious would be hard to explain. Clearly, the sacred author wanted to show the reasons for what happened. It is no accident that he links Judas' decision to betray the Teacher with an event that raised questions not only for Judas but for the other disciples as well: the anointing of Jesus with fragrant ointment. This could indeed have seemed to many an excessive luxury, something the religious circles of Judea always regarded with suspicion and condemnation, distinguishing themselves from the aristocracy, among whom ostentatious and often provocative luxury was commonplace. In the opinion of most of those present, Jesus certainly should not have allowed the woman to do what she did (vv. 8–9). It is not surprising that Jesus' disciples, too, were perplexed, for they were all children of their time and their milieu.
Yet many were perplexed, while Judas alone resolved to betray Him. What made him take that decision? The answer is not hard to find in the account of the Last Supper: Jesus speaks of betrayal, and the apostles, utterly unsure of themselves, ask with fear and hope, 'Is it I?' Such a response is entirely understandable and explicable; at first glance, only the betrayer's own question seems inexplicable: 'Is it I?' One quite natural explanation, however, suggests itself: Judas is testing Jesus. Will this Teacher, who sees people's hearts, be able to recognize the man who has planned to hand Him over to the authorities? But then something else becomes clear: only someone in whose heart doubt had long since taken root could decide on such a test, and now he merely wants to confirm that he is right. At that point, reality is revealed to him as it is: he receives proof that the Teacher knows. He knows—and does not drive him away. He gives him one last chance, a chance to stop being a traitor. A chance to repent. But to repent in this way, Judas would have had to love Jesus—not as a chief, a movement's leader, or even as the Messiah, but simply as a human being. Then, perhaps, he would not have been so indignant or condemned the woman who anointed Jesus' feet. Yet Judas had no such love for Jesus. And so he becomes a traitor—a traitor to the Teacher and to the Kingdom.