MOMENTS WITH THE GOSPEL
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| Moments with the Gospel Series Icon |
WEDNESDAY OF HOLY WEEK.
Spy Wednesday – The Price of Betrayal & the Love of
Christ
Section
1: Symbols of Spy Wednesday
Spy
Wednesday is laden with symbolism, much of it subtle yet deeply significant. In
Matthew 26:14-25, we witness the moment when Judas finalizes his betrayal,
accepting thirty pieces of silver in exchange for handing Jesus over to the
authorities. Every element in this passage—the silver, the dipping of the hand,
and the choice of words—carries meaning that extends beyond the immediate narrative.
The
Thirty Pieces of Silver – A Price of Rejection
"Then
one of the Twelve, the one called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and
asked, ‘What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?’ So they
counted out for him thirty pieces of silver." (Matthew 26:14-15)
- This was
the price of a slave who had been gored by an ox in Exodus 21:32—a
devalued life, a mere compensation.
- Zechariah
11:12-13 prophesied this amount, calling it a "noble price" in
sarcasm, highlighting how little the Messiah was valued.
- After
realizing his guilt, Judas returns the money, fulfilling Zechariah’s words
that the silver would be thrown into the temple and used for the potter’s
field.
What
does this teach us?
- Judas
did not bargain for more—he accepted the first offer. Did he truly
understand what he was doing?
- The
silver reflects how the world often undervalues Christ—do we, too,
sometimes take our faith for granted?
“Not
I, Lord?” vs. “Not I, Rabbi?” – A Subtle but Profound Difference
"Surely
it is not I, Lord?" The disciples said
this after Jesus had told them that someone was to betray Him.
"Surely
it is not I, Rabbi?"
Judas response is subtle but
profoundly different (Matthew 26:22, 25)
The
Key difference which we need to recognise for ourselves as well is that
- The
disciples call Jesus "Lord" (Kyrios), recognizing His authority.
- Judas
calls Him "Rabbi" (Teacher), showing that he saw Jesus as a
teacher, not the Messiah.
- Judas
never refers to Jesus as "Lord" in any Gospel account.
This will further explored later in the
chapter.
What
does this teach us?
- Do we
see Jesus as just a moral teacher, or as Lord of our lives?
- Faith is
more than knowledge—it requires surrender.
Understanding
the Depth of the Betrayal of Judas.
Judas
Putting His Hand in the Dish – A Moment of Ultimate Betrayal
The difference between Jesus dipping the bread
in the Gospel from Tuesday of Holy Week and Judas putting his hand in the dish
in the Gospel of Wednesday of Holy Week is significant.
Tuesday
of Holy Week: (John 13:21-26) – Jesus Dipping the Bread
“So
when He had dipped the morsel, He gave it to Judas, son of Simon Iscariot.”
(John 13:26)
In
Jewish culture, dipping a morsel and offering it was a sign of honour,
friendship, and respect at the table. Jesus was the host of the dinner. Jesus
offered Judas one last invitation to accept His love. This gesture was an
appeal given out of love not an accusation—Jesus was giving Judas an
opportunity to turn back.
This
is contrasted with Wednesday’s Gospel in Holy Week (Matthew 26:23) – Judas
Putting His Hand in the Dish
“The one who has dipped his hand into the dish
with me is the one who will betray me.” (Matthew 26:23)
Unlike
Tuesday’s Gospel in Holy Week, Jesus is not the one dipping—Judas is.
- The
phrase “put his hand in the dish” echoes Psalm 41:9:
“Even my close friend, someone I trusted, one who shared my bread, has turned against me.”
Unlike the action of Jesus as host of
the dinner, Judas’ action was not an action of honour. It was in fact a
violation of trust. In this Gospel,
Jesus is really saying “The very one who has shared my table, who has eaten
with me as a friend, will now betray me.”
Judas’ action accentuates the horror of his betrayal. He is not acting
as a guest who honours his host but rather as a traitor.
Key Difference in the two actions is that Jesus’
action of dipping the bread was an invitation to love and to continue in the
mission of discipleship. Judas rejects outright this invitation, so by putting
his hand in the dish, he says by his action to Jesus that he was rejecting the
call to discipleship and mission.
Judas
putting his hand in the dish is not just an act of betrayal—it is an act of
control.
Judas’
Action: An Attempt to Seize Power Over Jesus.
“The
one who has dipped his hand into the dish with me is the one who will betray
me.” (Matthew 26:23)
In
Jewish hospitality, the host controlled the meal—Jesus, as the master of the
table, would have been the one to serve and distribute food. Judas inserting
his hand into the dish—especially after Jesus’ statement about betrayal—was an
assertion of dominance. Judas is no longer acting as a guest under Jesus’
authority, but rather his motivation was to place himself as an equal—or even
as the one in control.
This
is the turning point—Judas no longer sees Jesus as Lord or Rabbi but as someone
he can manipulate, hand over, and from whom he can profit. Scripture tells us
that he used to help himself to the common fund. Now he takes this dishonesty
further in his relationship with Jesus.
The
action of Judas must be seen as deliberate. The other disciples were distressed
saying ‘“Not I Lord surely?” Judas, does not comment but rather chooses that
moment to physically reaches into the dish with Jesus. It is as if he is
doubling down on his choice—symbolically saying, “I am part of this, I am
choosing this path.”
The
contrast between the 2 actions is vivid. Jesus dips the morsel and gives it to
Judas as an invitation of love and friendship. Judas dips his own hand into the
dish with Jeus as a statement of control and betrayal. It tells us that Judas
has made his final decision. This moment reveals his heart—he no longer follows
Jesus but believes he has the upper hand. His betrayal is no longer passive—it
is active.
Is This About Power or Delusion?
Did Judas actually believe he had
control over Jesus?
Perhaps he thought he could force Jesus’
hand—that by betraying Him, he could push Jesus into revealing His power and
overthrowing the Romans. Perhaps he believed he could outmanoeuvre the chief
priests, get paid, and still come out as part of Jesus’ inner circle. Perhaps
he was fully deceived by Satan (John 13:27), completely lost to the darkness. Whatever
the case, Judas reaching into the dish is not a random movement. Sadly, it is
his final declaration o where he stands and where his heart truly lies.
Spiritual
Meaning for Us
As
we reflect on love of Jesus inviting us as host we need to ponder:
·
Are
we simply sharing the table with Jesus?
·
Are
we truly committed to Him? Are we trying to take control in our own way?
·
Do
we ever receive the Eucharist or partake in prayer while our hearts remain
divided?
·
Are
we extending our hand to Christ in love, or holding back with our own agendas
or ‘putting our hand’ in the dish instead?
·
Do
we truly surrender to Christ, or do we—like Judas—try to fit Him into our own
plans?
·
Do we
accept Jesus’ gifts of love, or do we reject them and take matters into our own
hands?
Section
2: Gospel Reflection – The Love of Jesus in Betrayal
"One
of you will betray me."
(Matthew 26:21)
The
atmosphere at the Last Supper shifts dramatically when Jesus reveals that one
of them will betray Him. Imagine the weight of that moment. The disciples
are greatly distressed, each wondering if he is capable of such an act.
Jesus does not accuse anyone outright; instead, He listens to them in their
distress.
As
each disciple asks, “Not I Lord surely?” we see their own uncertainty.
They do not immediately accuse another. Instead, they are forced to examine
their own hearts, realizing that within them, there is the capacity to fall.
Jesus’
Love in the Face of Betrayal:
Jesus
does not shame Judas in front of everyone. He provides this opportunity for
each of the disciples to reflect on their own hearts. When Judas finally
speaks, Jesus does not rebuke him harshly. Jesus speaks the truth but does not
humiliate Judas, offering him another chance.
"Better
for that man if he had never been born." (Matthew 26:24)
This
statement is not a curse, but a sorrowful truth. Judas had the greatest
opportunity for redemption, yet he chose despair over mercy.
The
Placement of Judas’ Response – A Sign of Separation?
The
way Matthew structures this passage shows a clear distinction between Judas and
the other disciples.
First,
the other disciples respond:
"Not I Lord surely?" (Matthew 26:22)
Then,
Jesus speaks about the betrayer:
"The Son of Man is going to his fate, as the scriptures say he will,
but alas for that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! Better for that man
if he had never been born!" (Matthew 26:24)
Finally,
Judas speaks—alone:
"Not I, Rabbi, surely?" (Matthew 26:25)
Judas'
response is deliberately delayed.
It isolates him from the group—showing
that he has already distanced himself from them.
This mirrors his spiritual separation—he no longer sees Jesus as
"Lord" (Kyrios), only as "Rabbi."
Matthew is carefully showing that Judas was
already turning away—he was no longer part of the community of faith.
What does this teach us?
- Jesus
does not force salvation upon us—He invites.
- Are we
responding to His love, or turning away?
Jesus’ Final Words to Judas: “They Are
Your Own Words”
·
"You
have said it yourself."
(Matthew 26:25)
·
Jesus
does not outright accuse Judas. Instead, He lets Judas' own words confirm his
guilt. This is similar to how Jesus responds to Pilate in Matthew 27:11:
·
"Are you the King of the Jews?" Jesus replied, 'You say so.
Jesus does not force anyone to admit guilt—Judas must take responsibility for
his own choices. Jesus does not force us to admit our guilt either. However,
when we do, He is willing to forgive us with a look of love. Lent and Holy Week
gives us that opportunity again to desire that change of heart, to take
responsibility for our choices and to look to Jesus for His forgiveness.
The words of Jesus is distinct as it
separates His words from Judas' decision. Jesus does not "condemn"
Judas—He lets Judas condemn himself.
It could also imply that Judas’ actions
are no longer just his own. As John’s Gospel says, “Satan entered into him”
(John 13:27)—so in a way, Judas' words now reflect Satan’s influence over him.
Jesus’ words therefore are words of truth
and light while Judas’ words are now
shaped by deception.
Section
3: Significance Of Spy Wednesday In Holy
Week.
Spy
Wednesday is a term used in Catholic tradition to refer to the Wednesday of
Holy Week. It observes the day when Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus to
the authorities. The term "Spy" refers to Judas acting as a spy or
informer, and Wednesday is the day on which the betrayal is said to have
occurred. It is traditionally observed as the day when Judas Iscariot, one of
Jesus' disciples, agreed to betray him to the authorities for thirty pieces of
silver. In other words, the name
"Spy Wednesday" comes from the idea that Judas acted as a spy or
informant, betraying Jesus' location and allowing the Roman authorities to
arrest him. The events of this day are recounted in the Gospels of Matthew,
Mark, and Luke, and are often depicted in religious art and drama.
According
to the Gospel accounts, after Jesus and his disciples had finished their last
supper together, Judas went to the chief priests and offered to betray Jesus in
exchange for thirty pieces of silver. He then led the authorities to the garden
of Gethsemane, where Jesus was praying, and identified him with a kiss,
signalling to the soldiers which man to arrest.
In
Catholic tradition, Spy Wednesday is a solemn day of reflection and penance, as
it marks the beginning of the end of Jesus' life on Earth and his journey
towards crucifixion and resurrection. It is also a day to remember the danger
of greed and the importance of loyalty and faithfulness in our relationships
with others.
Spy
Wednesday is also a reminder of the importance of faithfulness and loyalty, and
of the dangers of greed and betrayal. Christians are encouraged to examine
their own hearts and relationships, and to pray for the strength to remain
faithful to their beliefs and to those they love.
What
Spy Wednesday Means for Us
"How do I respond to Jesus'
love?"
·
Do
we sometimes betray Christ in small ways—through selfishness, fear, or neglect?
·
Are
we similar to the disciples, who doubted themselves, or like John, who remained
close?
·
Are
we willing to accept mercy, or do we let despair take hold?
·
Do
we allow ourselves to be vulnerable before Christ, knowing that even in our
weaknesses, He loves us?
·
How
do we prepare our hearts for the Triduum?
·
Are
we fully open to walking with Christ, or are there areas we are still holding
back?
Although Judas is known through
Scripture to have unsavoury characteristics in his behaviour, we can take heart
that he was a failed disciple. We too can be like Judas- at least some
part of us- we can fail and betray Jesus by our behaviour and choose not to be
a worthy disciple.
On this Spy Wednesday, we may wish to
consider which areas of our lives that could be aligned or similar to Judas'
behaviour in being a failed disciple. We may wish to consider what are
the 30 pieces of silver that we use to betray Christ? For example, do we set up
our work colleagues, family members, parishioners and watch them take the fall
in the trap we set? Do we, when we are down, see no hope in Jesus as our
Saviour?
Thankfully, through
the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, we have been redeemed and we can
turn to Him. We admit our faults/sins and through the grace and the mercy
of God in the sacrament of Reconciliation/Penance hear the beautiful words of
absolution that Christ offers us.
Section
4: The Theme of Love in Jesus’ Actions
Spy
Wednesday is not just about betrayal—it is about Jesus’ unwavering love.
How
does Jesus show His love?
·
Even
as Judas prepares to betray Him, Jesus treats him with love.
·
Jesus does not publicly shame him—He allows
room for repentance.
·
Jesus
listens to His disciples without accusing or condemning.
·
Jesus
is showing them that love is greater than betrayal.
✔ Even
when faced with betrayal, Jesus does not stop loving.
"Love
one another as I have loved you."
(John 13:34)
💡 Final Reflection:
- Do we believe
that Jesus’ love is greater than our failures?
- Are we
willing to trust in His mercy, no matter how far we feel we have fallen?
- How does
knowing Jesus loved Judas until the end change our own view of mercy?
In
the light of this Gospel and all that it has to offer us, may our Spy Wednesday
be an opportunity to receive the love of
Jesus in the way we most need in our lives.
