Inquiry:
When did Satan enter Judas? Was it before (Luke 22:3, 7) or after (John 13:27) the last supper? Is there a contradiction?
Response:
The questioner implies that Satan could only enter Judas’ heart one time – either before or after Jesus shared the Passover feast with His disciples. I am curious why it is assumed that both cannot be true. The Bible says both are true, and as we will see, there is no inher-ent discrepancy here.
There may be a misunder-standing of what is meant by Satan entering Judas’ heart. He did not take bodily control of him, but simply tempted him to do evil, and Judas opened his heart to the devil’s will. Any time we choose to do wrong, it might be said that Satan has entered our heart also.
Satan wanted Jesus to be put to death. When Judas went to the chief priests and scribes and agreed to hand Jesus over for 30 pieces of silver, he did Satan’s will (Luke 22:3-6). John also acknowledges that before the feast
…the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray Him… (John 13:2)
Later that night, Jesus revealed Judas as His betrayer. At that time, it is recorded that “…Satan entered him” (John 13:27). At this point, Judas left the gathering and went out to accomplish Satan’s will.
There is no contradiction.
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