Judas did not, however, believe that Christ would permit Himself to be arrested. In betraying Him, it was his purpose to teach Him a lesson. He intended to play a part that would make the Saviour careful thenceforth to treat him with due respect. But Judas knew not that he was giving Christ up to death. How often, as the Saviour taught in parables, the scribes and Pharisees had been carried away with His striking illustrations! How often they had pronounced judgment against themselves! Often when the truth was brought home to their hearts, they had been filled with rage, and had taken up stones to cast at Him; 721 but again and again He had made His escape. Since He had escaped so many snares, thought Judas, He certainly would not now allow Himself to be taken.

Men Judas troede imidlertid ikke, at Kristus ville lade sig tage til fange. Hans hensigt med at forråde ham var at give ham en lære. Det var hans mening at spille en rolle, der fra nu af ville gøre Frelseren mere forsigtig og få ham til at behandle ham med passende respekt. Men Judas vidste ikke, at han udleverede Frelseren til døden. Hvor ofte var det ikke sket, når Kristus lærte i lignelser, at de skriftkloge og farisæerne havde ladet sig rive med af hans forunderlige billedsprog. Hvor havde de ikke tit afsagt dommen over sig selv! Mange gange, når deres hjerter var blevet ramt af sandheden, var de blevet rasende og havde taget sten op for at kaste dem efter ham; men atter og atter var han sluppet fra dem. Judas mente, at da Jesus havde undgået så mange fælder, så ville han sikkert ikke nu tillade, at man greb ham.