XXXIII. The Third Day in Jerusalem
132. Judas Conspires to Betray Jesus
1It was now two days before the Passover and the feast of Unleavened Bread.3The chief priests and the elders of the people gathered in the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, 4and took counsel together in order to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him. 5But they said, “Not during the feast, lest there be a tumult among the people.”
14Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15and said, "What will you give me if I deliver him to you?”
11And when they heard it they were glad, and promised to give him a reward. 6So he agreed, and sought an opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of the multitude.
(Mk. 14:1; Mt. 26:3–5, 14–15; Mk. 14:11; Lk. 22:6)
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The Parable of the Talents also teaches us that, in accordance with the truths we receive, we will one day face a reckoning. We must grow in the knowledge of truth and increasingly give forth the fruits of the spirit in our daily lives. And we must grow in our devotion to the unselfish service of others. In this way we are worthy stewards of Jesus' truth and will be abundantly rewarded. If, however, we are like the unworthy servant who hid his talent in the ground, if we are selfish and slothful stewards of truth, we must also face the just consequences of our actions. Jesus' truth is living, it must grow in us and through us in the world.
Mt. 26:3 The chief / Then the chief (RSV)
Mk. 14:11 him a reward. / him money. (RSV) (177:4/1924–7)
