Luke 22:3 (KJV)

What does Luke 22:3 mean?

Luke 22:3 describes the moment when Satan entered into Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus’ twelve chosen disciples. This verse marks the point where Judas becomes the agent through whom Jesus will be betrayed.

In the setting of Luke’s Gospel, Jesus is in Jerusalem during the Passover week, and the religious leaders are looking for a way to arrest him quietly. The verse highlights that Judas, despite being one of the twelve closest followers of Jesus, is influenced by Satan and becomes willing to betray Jesus. This sets in motion the events leading to Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion.

The Greek behind Luke 22:3

• "entered" (εἰσῆλθεν, eisēlthen): This word means to go into or come into. The Greek here suggests a decisive action, showing that Judas’s betrayal is not just a personal decision but is influenced by a spiritual force.
• "Satan" (Σατανᾶς, Satanas): The Greek uses the same word as the Hebrew for the adversary or accuser. Naming Satan directly emphasizes that this betrayal is part of a larger spiritual conflict, not just a human plot.
• "of the number" (ἐκ τοῦ ἀριθμοῦ, ek tou arithmou): This phrase points out that Judas was counted among the twelve, underlining the shock and seriousness of his betrayal since he was part of Jesus’ inner circle.

Why Luke 22:3 matters

• Luke 22:3 clarifies that Judas’s betrayal is not simply a matter of personal weakness or greed, but is portrayed as part of a spiritual struggle involving Satan’s influence.
• The verse emphasizes the vulnerability of even those closest to Jesus, showing that being part of the inner circle does not automatically prevent someone from turning away.
• By connecting Judas’s actions to Satan, Luke sets up the coming events as not just political or personal but as part of a cosmic battle between good and evil, which is a key theme in Luke’s account of Jesus’ final days.