Timothy Maas Supporter Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U. S. Army

I understand the interpretation behind the question, but, to me, if Jesus had been speaking directly to Satan (rather than to Judas) in the cited quotation, it would have relieved Judas of his free agency in the matter, which, as Jesus later made clear during His high-priestly prayer in John 17:12 (and as also implied in the prophetic foretelling of Judas' betrayal in Psalm 41:9), had not occurred.

October 10 2025 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Philip Davies Supporter

This is an interesting question, not least because Danny has asked it which shows it has some deeper thinking behind it. 

My own view is that Jesus was speaking to Judas. And my reasons for that are: 

1. The act of betrayal was performed by Judas, that is why he is held personally responsible for the betrayal. "Go and do what you have to do" refers to Judas doing something, not satan. Judas was responsible for the betrayal not satan. 

2. The fact that Jesus knew there was a traitor among the 12 since the start of his ministry also indicates that this was not an impulsive act by Judas, prompted only by satan entering him. 

3. To attribute the act of betrayal to Satan would leave Judas without responsibility for the act. It would make him just a puppet in the hands of others and it would be unfair to condemn him. But he is condemned.

The real question behind all this is: what does it mean for Satan to enter into a person? When we understand that, we will understand who Jesus was speaking to. There are a number of ways of looking at this. 

It could be literal, that Satan entered into him and made him do it in the same way that legion entered the Gadarene swine and made them run off a cliff. But if that were the case, then Judas would be no more responsible than the pigs for their actions.

It could be metaphorical in the sense that all wrong acts can be said to be emulating Satan, in the same way that all lies are just emulating the father of lies. This would make the situation similar to when Jesus rebuked Peter with the words "get behind me satan". Jesus used the name metaphorically to say Peter's thoughts were not in tune with God's thoughts. 

All in all, I view the phrase, "Satan entered into him" in this metaphorical sense. It's a way of saying Judas' act that evening was in accordance with Satan's will. But it was Judas' act, not Satan's act, and that means Jesus was talking to Judas.

October 10 2025 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jeffrey Johnson Supporter

Is Jesus speaking to Judas Iscariot, or is He talking to Satan, who has just entered Judas?

John 13:21: After saying these things, Jesus became troubled in spirit, and he bore witness, saying: "Most truly I say to you, one of you will betray me."

John 13:26: Jesus answered: "It is the one to whom I will give the piece of bread that I dip." So after dipping the bread, he took it and gave it to Judas, the Son of Simon Is·carʹi·ot.

John 13:27: After Judas took the piece of bread, then Satan entered into him. So Jesus said to him: "What you are doing, do it more quickly."

After reading the account and following the thought through, note Jesus' comments,

"It is one of the twelve, who is dipping with me into the common bowl," Jesus answers. "True, the Son of man is going away, just as it is written concerning him, but woe to that man through whom the Son of man is betrayed! It would have been finer for that man if he had not been born." After that, Satan again enters Judas, taking advantage of the opening in his heart, which has become wicked. Later that night, Jesus fittingly calls Judas "the son of destruction."

Jesus now tells Judas, "What you are doing, get it done more quickly." None of the other apostles understands what Jesus means. Some imagine that since Judas is holding the money box, Jesus is telling him, "Buy what things we need for the festival," or that he should go and give something to people experiencing poverty.

We read in verse 27 that Jesus spoke to Judas and told him to be quick about what he was going to do.

Each reference to our Lord's betrayer shows Judas in a position of proximity to and confidence with Jesus:

(1) One of the Twelve – trusted and elect (22:3)
(2) Hand of Judas next to the hand of Jesus at the Passover table – most important ritual in Judaism (22:21)

We do not doubt Judas' personal responsibility. It is explicit by the fact that he himself initiated the betrayal plan.

Also, as we recall, Judas asked, "What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him to you?" And they counted out to him thirty pieces of silver. 

Then we can read that from that time on, Judas sought an opportunity to betray Jesus.

After reading the account, we can conclude that Jesus was speaking to Judas, not Satan.

October 12 2025 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report