The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus       

Introduction
The betrayal and arrest of Jesus are some of the most sorrowful and sobering events recorded in the Gospels. They reveal how the wisdom and foreknowledge of God intersect with the sinfulness of man and the sacrificial love of Christ. We usually emphasize His death, burial, and resurrection—and rightly so—but His betrayal and arrest also teach us profound lessons about God’s plan, man’s choices, and our Savior’s love.

God’s Foreknowledge and Man’s Free Will
In Acts 2:22–23 Peter declared that Jesus was “delivered up by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God.” Some have mistakenly assumed this means God decreed Judas to be a traitor, leaving him without choice. That is Calvinism’s doctrine of predestination. Scripture makes it clear, however, that man has free will. James 1:13–14 says, “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God; for God cannot be tempted with evil, and He Himself tempteth no man: but each man is tempted, when he is drawn away by his own lust, and enticed.”

God’s foreknowledge does not equal divine coercion. Judas freely chose his betrayal, just as those who crucified Jesus freely chose their cruelty. God knew it would happen and wove their sinful choices into His plan of redemption. Pharaoh’s stubbornness in the Old Testament multiplied God’s signs and wonders. Judas’ betrayal in the New Testament set in motion the sacrifice of Christ, the true Passover Lamb.

The Knowledge and Wisdom of God
The betrayal of Jesus was prophesied long beforehand. Psalm 41:9 foretold that even a close friend who shared His bread would betray Him. Zechariah 11:12–13 specified thirty pieces of silver. Jesus Himself identified Judas as the betrayer nearly a year before the event (John 6:64, 70–71). In Matthew 26:25, He told Judas directly, “You have said it yourself.”

This was not God forcing Judas but rather God’s wisdom foreknowing what Judas would do. Luke 22:3 says Satan entered Judas, yet James 4:7 assures us that Satan cannot control anyone without their consent. Judas allowed himself to be led by greed and sin. God used this freely made choice to accomplish His purpose of salvation.

The Utter Sinfulness of Man
The manner of Jesus’ betrayal shows the depth of human wickedness. It was done in darkness (Luke 22:53). His enemies feared the people, so they seized Him by night. It was done by a friend. Judas was “one of the twelve,” as the Gospels emphasize, fulfilling the prophecy of betrayal by a close companion.

The method was especially shameful. Judas betrayed the Son of Man with a kiss (Luke 22:48)—a gesture of friendship turned into hypocrisy. The price was appallingly low: thirty pieces of silver, the value of a slave (Exodus 21:32). Zechariah 11:13 mocked it as “a goodly price.”

The arrest itself displayed man’s hatred. John 18:3 says a band of soldiers came with lanterns, torches, and weapons. Matthew 26:55 records Jesus asking, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest Me as you would against a robber? Every day I sat in the temple teaching and you did not seize Me.” The perfect, sinless Son of God was treated like a violent criminal.

The Sacrificial Love of Jesus
In all of this, Jesus displayed sacrificial love. He stopped Peter from fighting back: “Put the sword into the sheath; the cup which the Father has given Me, shall I not drink it?” (John 18:11). He could have called twelve legions of angels (Matthew 26:53), but He refused, because He was determined to fulfill God’s will.

Even as He was being arrested, Jesus protected His disciples. In John 18:8 He said, “If you seek Me, let these go their way.” He thought of His followers’ safety even as He walked toward the cross.

Conclusion
The betrayal and arrest of Jesus reveal three great truths. First, God’s wisdom and foreknowledge assured our redemption plan without taking away human choice. Second, man’s sinfulness is laid bare in Judas’ treachery and the cruelty of the mob. Third, Christ’s sacrificial love shines brightest of all, as He willingly submitted to betrayal and arrest so that He could save us.

Jesus could not save Himself and save us at the same time. He chose to save us.

Exhaustive Sermon Outline: The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus

Introduction

• The event reveals God’s wisdom, man’s sin, and Christ’s love (Acts 2:22–23).

I. God’s Foreknowledge and Man’s Free Will

• Misconception: predestination (Calvinism).

• James 1:13–14—temptation comes from man’s own lust.

• God foreknew Judas’ choice but did not force it.

• Example: Pharaoh’s stubbornness used by God (Exodus).

• Judas’ betrayal led to Jesus, the true Passover Lamb.

II. The Knowledge and Wisdom of God

• Prophecies of betrayal (Psalm 41:9; Zechariah 11:12–13).

• Jesus identified Judas early (John 6:64, 70–71; Matthew 26:25).

• Luke 22:3—Satan entered Judas, but Judas cooperated.

• James 4:7—Satan cannot control us without consent.

III. The Utter Sinfulness of Man

• Betrayal at night (Luke 22:53).

• Betrayed by a friend—“one of the twelve” (Psalm 41:9).

• Betrayal by kiss (Luke 22:48)—hypocrisy.

• Price: thirty pieces of silver (Exodus 21:32; Zechariah 11:13).

• Arrest: with swords, clubs, soldiers (John 18:3; Matthew 26:55).

IV. The Sacrificial Love of Jesus

• Refused defense (John 18:11; Matthew 26:53).

• Accepted the Father’s cup.

• Protected disciples (John 18:8).

• Willingly went to the cross.

Conclusion

• God’s wisdom and foreknowledge.

• Man’s sinfulness.

• Christ’s sacrificial love.

• Jesus chose to save us.

Call to Action

The betrayal and arrest of Jesus remind us that sin is real and choices matter. Judas gave in to temptation for a small sum and lost his soul. We must resist the devil (James 4:7) and submit to God. Let us also recognize Christ’s great love in willingly going to the cross. Will you respond to His love today by obeying the gospel and living faithfully?

Key Takeaways

• God’s foreknowledge does not mean forced predestination (Acts 2:23; James 1:13–14).

• Judas acted by his own free will, showing the seriousness of sinful choices (Luke 22:3; James 4:7).

• Betrayal by a close friend reveals the depth of man’s sin (Psalm 41:9; Luke 22:48).

• Jesus’ love shone as He accepted the Father’s will and protected His disciples (John 18:8; Matthew 26:53).

• Salvation required Jesus to choose us over Himself (John 18:11).

Scripture Reference List

• Acts 2:22–23 – God’s foreknowledge of Christ’s betrayal and crucifixion.

• James 1:13–14 – Man is tempted by his own lust, not by God.

• James 4:7 – Resist the devil and he will flee.

• Psalm 41:9 – Betrayal by a close friend foretold.

• Zechariah 11:12–13 – Thirty pieces of silver.

• John 6:64, 70–71 – Jesus knew who would betray Him.

• Matthew 26:25 – Judas identified.

• Luke 22:3, 48, 53 – Satan entered Judas; betrayal by kiss; arrest in darkness.

• Exodus 21:32 – Value of a slave.

• John 18:3, 8, 11 – Arrest with soldiers; Jesus protects disciples; accepts the Father’s cup.

• Matthew 26:53, 55 – Could call angels; challenged the hypocrisy of His arrest.

Prepared by Travis Main