Looking at the accounts of Judas and Peter there are interesting observations to be made. "Satan entered into Judas.." (Luke 22:3) and as a result of Judas's betrayal the Lord was crucified. Yet, a little earlier in time when Peter tried to keep the Lord from the cross (Matt.16:22), Jesus said to him "Get thee behind me, Satan." Matt.16:23. On this verse Dr Gill writes; "it seems rather to mean the devil, who took advantage of Peter's weakness and ignorance.." That is, Satan was actually 'physically' present (or should I say spiritually?), though Peter could see him not. The Lord in no uncertain terms clearly informs us that it was Satan who was trying to take possession of Peter (as he eventually succeeded with Judas) in order to prevent His crucifixion. Subsequently Jesus told Peter "Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat." Luke 22:31. Of Satan, Peter writes in his epistle "your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." 1 Pet.5:8. What Satan tried to accomplish through Peter happened before what he eventually 'achieved' through Judas, and obviously if his mission through Peter had succeeded then God's plan of salvation for His elect would have failed miserably (an unthinkable thought!) thereby Satan would have dragged the whole of humankind into hell with him! (where we all deserve to be without God's free saving grace). We know that the Lord kept Peter on course; "I have prayed for thee, that thou faith fail not." Luke 22:32 Why couldn't have He prayed for Judas in like manner? But then Judas was chosen by God in Christ to perform his wicked act through satanic agency (John 6:70), yet it was done entirely of his own volition-his own 'free-will'! how can this be? How do we reconcile all of this? Jesus "knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray Him." John 6:64, so how could He possibly pray against a predetermined decree from His Father?
It is interesting that Satan tried to stop the crucifixion through Peter, yet 'achieved' it through Judas, and Judas was the chosen instrument to bring the crucifixion to pass! Was the episode in Matt.16:21 ff, the precise point in time that Satan learned of the cross? For, at this juncture was the first time the Lord places before His disciples a great and startling announcement that "He must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer...and be killed." He had not then come to reign (see Acts 1:7), but to die; to save all those whom "the Father giveth Me" John 6:37-39. In the words of J.C.Ryle; "It is almost impossible for us to conceive how strange and incomprehensible these tidings must have seemed to His disciples. Like most Jews, they could form no idea of a suffering Messiah. They did not understand that the fifty-third chapter of Isaiah must be literally fulfilled; they did not see that the sacrifices of the law were all meant to point them to the death of the true Lamb of God." (page 199 Expository thoughts on Matthew).
I would think it inconceivable that Satan didn't understand from Isaiah 53 that the seed of the woman (Gen.3:15), the Lord Jesus Christ, didn't come to die to save His elect people! but, he didn't know exactly how this event of all events must take place. From Satan's vantage point, he was correct to move Peter the way he did, but Judas? Why then did he move Judas to bring about the crucifixion? It is said that after the Passover supper Satan put it "into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray Him." John 13:2. Satan, of course would use all humankind "to betray Him", but this dastardly deed fulfilled the prophecy in Zech.11:12(RV); "So they weighed for my hire thirty pieces of silver." Satan acting with all his masterful guile was fulfilling what was written in the OT prophets, but did he know that the chief priests would give Judas "thirty pieces of silver" for he didn't ask for that amount?
It is said that God "moved David ...to number Israel." 2 Sam. 24:1, and the parallel passage in 1 Chron. 21:1 reads "Satan... provoked David to number Israel." There is no conflict here, as some think, likewise in the case of Judas, Satan is merely an instrument (albeit a very significant one!) that God uses to bring His purposes to pass. Satan couldn't have the other eleven apostles for the Lord Jesus prayed for Peter and his brethren, but not Judas (Luke 22:32).
it was impossible that Satan could out-thwart God's eternal counsels, nevertheless, it is a worthwhile study to dig into "the deep things of God." 1 Cor.2:10.
To those that know the truth (to whom the arm of the Lord is revealed-Isaiah 53:1) the crucifixion is the greatest victory that has, or will ever happen in the annals of time-yet, how some think otherwise! (Matt. 27:42, Mark 15:31, Luke 23:35).
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