Jesus gave Judas a final opportunity to repent during the betrayal.
In Matthew 26, Jesus addressed Judas as 'Friend' and asked why he had come, rather than immediately condemning him. Les Feldick emphasizes that Judas was never left without a choice, and even with prophecy foretelling the betrayal, Judas retained full free will and could have turned back.
Matthew 26:49-50 — These verses record both Judas' kiss and Jesus' personal address, showing the opportunity Jesus still extended at the moment of betrayal.
In Matthew 26, Judas came to Jesus with a large crowd of soldiers and greeted Him with a kiss. Jesus responded, 'Friend, wherefore art thou come?' The Scripture records that immediately after this the soldiers laid hands on Jesus and took Him. Jesus knew what was happening, yet His words still addressed Judas personally rather than exposing him as a lost cause.
Les Feldick teaches that Judas was not a helpless puppet. He had been with Jesus for three years and even held the money bag, yet Jesus knew from the beginning who and what Judas really was. When people say 'poor old Judas, he never had a chance,' Les corrects that idea directly: Judas was never left without a choice. God in His foreknowledge knew what Judas would do when given the opportunity, and the psalmist foretold the betrayal, but prophecy never removed Judas' free will. Judas had full opportunity of accepting had he wanted to, but he did not take it.
In Matthew 26:49-50, Judas came to Jesus and said, 'Hail, master,' and kissed him. Jesus answered, 'Friend, wherefore art thou come?' Rather than using a name of condemnation, Jesus spoke to Judas with a personal word. The record does not show Judas repenting in that moment; instead, the soldiers laid hands on Jesus and took Him.
Les Feldick insists Judas was not left without a choice. He had been with Jesus for three years and served as treasurer of the group, so he had every outward opportunity. When people say 'poor old Judas, he never had a chance,' Les says this is wrong. God knew in His foreknowledge what Judas would do, and prophecy foretold it, but Judas' free will was never taken away. He had full opportunity of accepting had he wanted to.
Both Scripture and Les show that Judas did not take the opportunity. After the betrayal, Judas brought the thirty pieces of silver back to the chief priests and admitted he had betrayed innocent blood. Then he threw the silver down in the temple and went and hanged himself. Les notes that at a crucial moment Satan entered Judas, making him an instrument of Satan for the Garden betrayal, but this did not erase the reality of Judas' own choice.
Arrest in the Garden
Les sets the scene of Jesus' arrest around midnight with a large force, leading up to the moment Judas came to betray Him.
Judas' Free Will Not Removed
Les insists Judas was not left without a choice; although God foreknew and prophecy foretold his betrayal, Judas had full opportunity of accepting had he wanted to.
Satan Enters Judas
Les shows that at a crucial moment Satan entered Judas, making him an instrument of Satan and enabling the Garden betrayal.
Judas Had a Chance
Responding to the idea that poor Judas never had a chance, Les points out that Judas was with Jesus three years and held the money bag, so he had every outward opportunity.
Why Jesus Told Peter "Feed My Sheep" — John 21 Explained
But nevertheless, Jesus comes back now in the last part of the verse, and when He had spoken this, He said unto him, "...follow Me." And then, of course, very human. Everybody's human, even in Scripture. And Peter's just as human as the rest of them. So now he hears these words that don't sit, I don't suppose, too comfortably.
Why Paul Was Never One of the Twelve — Acts 9 Explained
Now here it is, "...wherefore," Peter says, "...of these men," out of that 120 that are gathered in the upper room, "...wherefore of these men who have accompanied us with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John unto the same day that He was taken up from us," which of course was 40 days after the crucifixion, "...
Christ's Power Over the Arresting Party
Les notes the arresting soldiers were stricken backward by the power of Christ's voice, showing Jesus was not helpless to stop the betrayal.
Judas' Remorse and Death
Les recounts Judas later admitting he had betrayed innocent blood and going out to hang himself, showing he did not turn from his betrayal.
Matthew 26:49: And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him.
This is the moment Judas identified Jesus with a kiss, setting up Jesus' address to him.
Matthew 26:50: And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.
Jesus' reply shows the personal opportunity still offered to Judas at the betrayal.
Matthew 27:5: And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.
It records Judas' response after the betrayal, showing he did not take the offered opportunity.
Yes—Jesus called him 'Friend' and asked why he had come, a personal address that still gave Judas the opportunity to turn back. Les Feldick says Judas was never without a choice, and prophecy did not cancel his free will.
Les Feldick teaches that God in His foreknowledge knew what Judas would do, so prophecy foretold it, but Judas was not forced into it. He had full opportunity to accept, had he wanted to.
Rather than exposing Judas with a name of condemnation, Jesus used the personal word 'Friend.' Scripture records this as the moment of betrayal, and Les explains that Judas still had a choice in that moment.
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