The Origin of Satan: How Christians Demonized Jews, Pagans and Heretics

by Elaine Pagels

Luke, unlike Matthew, reports no animosity on the part of Herod or the people of Jerusalem toward the infant Jesus. As in Mark, however, the moment Jesus appears as a grown man, baptized and “full of the holy spirit,” the devil immediately challenges him. The devil is thrice defeated, and Luke says that “the devil departed from him until an opportune time [achri kairou]” (emphasis added). Frustrated in his initial attempt to overpower Jesus, the devil finds his opportunity only at the end of the story, when the chief priests and scribes “sought to kill Jesus.” At that point, Luke says, “Satan entered into Judas Iscariot,” who “went and conferred with the chief priest how he might betray him; and they were glad, and agreed to give him money.” From that time, Luke says, Judas “sought an opportunity [eukairan] to betray him.”