A Final Chance for Repentance

In the shadowed hours before His crucifixion, Jesus Christ shared a final meal with His disciples, a gathering now immortalized as the Last Supper. Among those reclining at the table was Judas Iscariot, the one who would betray Him into the hands of the religious authorities. The Gospel accounts reveal a striking reality: despite foreknowing Judas’ treachery, Jesus extended acts of profound love and grace toward him. He knelt to wash Judas’ feet, an act of servant humility, and offered him the dipped bread, a cultural gesture of honor and friendship. These were not mere ritualistic formalities but deliberate invitations to repentance, reflecting the heart of a Savior who, even in the face of betrayal, sought the redemption of the betrayer.

This passage, rooted in the Gospel of John, poses profound theological questions about divine love, human responsibility, and the nature of God’s grace. How could Jesus, fully aware of Judas’ intentions, still offer such mercy? What does this reveal about God’s character and His desire for all to turn from destruction? Two pivotal scriptures frame our exploration: John 17:12, where Jesus refers to Judas as “the son of destruction,” and 2 Peter 3:9, which declares God’s patience and longing for all to reach repentance. From an evangelical perspective, this account exemplifies the incomprehensible grace of God, who pursues even the hardest of hearts, while simultaneously affirming the sobering reality of human choice.

In this blog post, we will examine Jesus’ interactions with Judas through a detailed exegetical analysis of key passages from the Bible’s English Standard Version (ESV), unpack the theological implications for evangelical faith, and apply these truths to the lives of believers today. Our journey will reveal that Jesus’ loving offer to Judas was a final chance to change—a chance Judas tragically rejected—underscoring both the depth of divine mercy and the weight of personal accountability.

Exegetical Analysis

Jesus and Judas at the Last Supper

The Gospel of John provides the most detailed account of Jesus’ final interactions with Judas, particularly in John 13:1-30. This passage sets the stage for understanding the depth of Christ’s love toward His betrayer. John 13:1 (ESV) states, “Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.” This love extended to all the disciples, including Judas, despite Jesus’ full awareness of what was to come.

The Foot Washing (John 13:1-17)

In an act that defied cultural norms, Jesus took on the role of a servant and washed the disciples’ feet. In first-century Palestine, foot washing was a menial task reserved for slaves, necessitated by dusty roads and open sandals. For a rabbi to perform this act was revolutionary, inverting societal expectations and embodying humility. John 13:5 (ESV) records, “Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.” Judas was among those whose feet Jesus washed, an act of love that transcended his impending betrayal.

Jesus later explains the significance of this act, saying in John 13:10-11 (ESV), “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you. For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, ‘Not all of you are clean.’” The reference to “not every one of you” points directly to Judas, whose spiritual impurity stemmed from his unrepentant heart. Yet, by washing Judas’ feet, Jesus offered a tangible expression of grace, a moment where the Savior’s touch could have stirred repentance.

The Dipped Bread (John 13:18-30)

Following the foot washing, Jesus shared a meal with His disciples, during which He explicitly addressed His betrayal. John 13:18 (ESV) states, “I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture will be fulfilled, ‘He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.’” This quotation from Psalm 41:9 foreshadows Judas’ actions, linking his betrayal to Old Testament prophecy.

The pivotal moment occurs in John 13:26-27 (ESV): “Jesus answered, ‘It is he to whom I will give this morsel of bread when I have dipped it.’ So when he had dipped the morsel, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, ‘What you are going to do, do quickly.’” In Jewish culture, offering a dipped piece of bread was a sign of friendship and esteem, often reserved for an honored guest. By extending this gesture to Judas, Jesus was not merely identifying the betrayer but issuing a final, loving appeal—a chance to reconsider his path before it was too late.

Judas’ response, however, was decisive. John 13:30 (ESV) records, “So, after receiving the morsel of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night.” The mention of “night” symbolizes the spiritual darkness that had overtaken Judas, a darkness sealed by his rejection of Christ’s offer.

Key Scriptures: John 17:12 and 2 Peter 3:9

John 17:12 – The Son of Destruction

In His high priestly prayer, Jesus reflects on His ministry and the fate of His disciples. John 17:12 (ESV) reads, “While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.” The phrase “son of destruction” (Greek: υἱὸς τῆς ἀπωλείας, huios tēs apōleias) identifies Judas as the one destined for perdition. The term ἀπωλεία (apōleia), derived from Koine Greek, denotes destruction or ruin, often with eschatological connotations of eternal damnation (e.g., Matthew 7:13, Philippians 3:19). This designation aligns with Judas’ role in fulfilling Scripture, such as Psalm 41:9 and Psalm 109:8, later cited by the Apostle Peter in Acts 1:20.

The clause “that the Scripture might be fulfilled” underscores God’s sovereignty, yet it does not absolve Judas of responsibility. The interplay between divine foreknowledge and human agency is a recurring Biblical theme, evident in passages like Acts 2:23, where Christ’s crucifixion is both God’s plan and the result of human sin.

2 Peter 3:9 – God’s Desire for Repentance

Complementing John 17:12, 2 Peter 3:9 (ESV) declares, “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” This verse reveals God’s heart for humanity, including Judas. The Greek word for “perish” (ἀπολέσθαι, apolesthai) is etymologically related to ἀπωλεία, reinforcing the connection between Judas’ fate and God’s desire to avert it. “Repentance” (μετάνοια, metanoia) signifies a transformative change of mind, a turning from sin to God.

Peter’s words affirm that God’s patience is an expression of His grace, providing opportunities for redemption even to those on the brink of destruction. Jesus’ actions toward Judas—washing his feet and offering the bread—embody this divine patience, extending a lifeline to a man poised to betray Him.

Supporting Scriptures

Additional passages enrich our understanding. Matthew 26:24 (ESV) states, “The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.” This pronouncement balances divine necessity with human culpability, lamenting Judas’ choice while affirming its role in God’s plan.

In Acts 1:16-17 (ESV), Peter reflects, “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.” Judas’ inclusion among the Twelve highlights the grace he received, yet his rejection underscores his accountability.

Theological Discussion

Jesus’ interactions with Judas illuminate several core doctrines:

God’s Sovereignty and Human Responsibility

The tension between divine foreordination and human free will is a hallmark of evangelical theology. Judas’ betrayal was prophesied (Psalm 41:9, John 13:18), yet Jesus’ warnings and grace offers imply genuine choice. Matthew 26:24 encapsulates this duality: the betrayal was “written,” yet “woe” befalls the betrayer. Evangelicals affirm that God’s sovereignty encompasses human decisions without negating moral agency, a mystery echoed in the crucifixion itself (Acts 2:23).

The Depth of God’s Grace

Jesus’ treatment of Judas reflects the boundless grace described in 2 Peter 3:9. By washing his feet and honoring him with bread, Jesus embodied God’s love for sinners, a love that pursues even those who reject it. This aligns with John 3:16 (ESV)—“For God so loved the world”—and 1 Timothy 2:4 (ESV), where God desires “all people to be saved.” Judas’ story reveals that no one is beyond the reach of grace, though not all will receive it.

The Consequences of Rejecting Christ

Judas’ fate serves as a warning. Hebrews 3:15 (ESV) exhorts, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.” Judas heard Christ’s voice—felt His touch, received His kindness—yet hardened his heart. His suicide (Matthew 27:5) and designation as “son of destruction” illustrate the eternal stakes of rejecting grace, a sobering call to repentance.

Assurance for Believers

For those who accept Christ, Judas’ story contrasts with the security of salvation. Unlike Judas, who never truly belonged (John 6:64), believers are assured by Jesus’ words in John 10:28 (ESV): “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.” This promise distinguishes the redeemed from the unrepentant.

Application for Believers

This narrative compels us to respond to God’s grace. First, it invites self-examination: Are we, like Judas, resisting God’s voice in areas of our lives? Second, it offers comfort: The One who loved Judas loves us, extending mercy despite our failings. Third, it motivates evangelism: God’s desire for all to repent (2 Peter 3:9) calls us to share the Gospel. Finally, it assures us: Once we trust Christ, His grip is unbreakable (John 10:28).

Conclusion

Jesus’ loving offer to Judas—washing his feet, offering the bread—was a final chance to change, a vivid demonstration of God’s grace and patience. John 17:12 marks Judas as the “son of destruction,” yet 2 Peter 3:9 reveals God’s longing for his repentance. Judas’ rejection underscores human responsibility and the peril of resisting grace, while Christ’s actions affirm divine love. For believers, this account is both a warning and a comfort, urging us to embrace the salvation Judas spurned. As Paul declares in 2 Corinthians 6:2 (ESV), “Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” May we heed this call, secure in the Savior’s relentless love.