Was Judas trying to force Jesus to resort to violence and start the war for Jewish independence? I think so. The reason Judas greeted Jesus with the customary kiss (which was also a covert sign) is that Judas didn’t so much want to betray Jesus as he wanted to manipulate Jesus. Judas wanted to provoke Jesus into launching a violent revolution. Judas wanted to remain a part of the inner circle of disciples following a now violent Jesus. Judas acted like he was still a faithful disciple because Judas wanted to be a faithful disciple—but only on his own terms. Judas didn’t want to betray Jesus,
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