And after Judas took the piece of bread, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “What you are about to do, do quickly" (John 13:2, 23-27 NET). Why did Jesus tell Judas to do what he was going to do quickly? — C.G.
My initial reply (2017): Maybe there was a chance Judas would procrastinate or drag out the process. Since Jesus’ arrest was unavoidable, and he had little more “ministering” to do, it was best to get it over as soon as possible. So perhaps he’s giving Judas a “push.” Let me think about this some more. It’s a good Q and deserves an appropriate A.
On further thought (2021): I still believe the Lord is saying, in effect, “Get on with it.” Jesus has embraced the Father’s plan, even though this means going to way of the cross.
Satan had entered Judas. (See also Luke 22:3.) I take this to mean that—even though God in his foreknowledge knew what Judas would do—there was still time for him to come to his senses. But no longer.
Chrysostom [late 4th century] is probably correct: “The do quickly is not the expression of one commanding, nor advising, but of one reproaching, and showing [Judas] that he desired to correct him, but that since he was incorrigible, he let him go” (Chrysostom, Homily 72 on the Gospel of John). Judas had made his decision, and Satan entered him. Chilling words, yes? (See also Luke 22:3.)
Realizing that all hope of Judas’s repentance was now gone, Jesus did not want him to continue among the Twelve. It was inappropriate for the evil one to be present among the disciples.
One final thought. In the Gospel of John, Jesus is on a schedule (e.g. John 2:4; 7:6; 13:1; 19:30). This does not indicate stress, panic, or hurry, but intentionality. Jesus probably anticipated that an arrest party would intercept him in the Garden of Gethsemane. As it turned out, they arrived after Jesus had finished praying. At that point, the Lord’s desire was to drink the bitter cup, not to delay.
