Luke 22:3 Meaning and Explanation
“Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Satan enters Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, and the plot finds its opening from within.
What Does Luke 22:3 Mean?
Luke has not named Satan since the wilderness temptation ended and the devil departed 'for a season' (Luke 4:13). Now, at the decisive hour, the adversary returns - not with open assault but through a friend at the table, one of the twelve.
Scripture does not say Judas was forced; the next verse shows him going of his own accord. Temptation found a door already ajar - John notes Judas had been pilfering from the common purse (John 12:6). The verse is a sober warning that nearness to Jesus is not the same as belonging to him, and a summons to keep the heart's doors shut against the adversary and open to the Lord.
Luke 22:3 in the Original Language
satanas (Σατανᾶς), 'Satan' -- the adversary; the name comes from a Hebrew word meaning accuser.
Frequently Asked Questions About Luke 22:3
What does Luke 22:3 mean?
Satan enters Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, and the plot finds its opening from within.