As the Gospel of John tells the story of Judas, the Disciple who betrayed Jesus, it relies on the Old Testament to fill in some of the details!

Specifically, Psalm 41:9, which says: “Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.” Initially these are the words of King David grieving over one of his friends (Ahithophel) who had become disloyal! But Jesus (in John 13:18) applies this Scripture to His own situation, to His betrayal by Judas! (Thus we learn that Psalm 41 is Messianic, prophesying certain things about Jesus our Lord!)

Psalm 55:12-14 is also an Old Testament Text pointing to Jesus’ betrayal! “For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him. But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance. We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company.”

And when Judas led that host of soldiers to arrest Jesus, our Lord (with this Passage in mind) simply called the turncoat “friend!” Matthew 26:47-50 relates the incident: “And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people. Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast. And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him. And Jesus said unto him, FRIEND, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.”

Wow!

Then Peter in Acts 1 quotes yet another Psalm concerning Judas. Psalm 109:8 prayerfully predicts: “Let his days be few; and let another take his office.”

Now Acts 1:20 … “For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take.”

Peter quoted this verse and applied it to Judas as he led the Believers in Jerusalem to elect someone to fill Judas’ shoes among the disciples.

What a vast study this could become … how the New Testament uses the Old Testament to validate the Claims of Jesus!

Watch the whole class now …

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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