Continued from Chapter 37e
(Psalms 41:10)
New Testament authors attempt to legitimatize the claims they make on behalf of Jesus by referral to biblical verses. Psalms 41:10 (verse 9 in some versions) reads: “Even my own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, who did eat my bread, has lifted his heel against me.” The Gospel of John has Jesus use the last half of this verse to predict that Judas will betray him. It states: “He who eats my bread has lifted up his heel against me” (John 13:18). The biblical citation is not used in a homiletic sense, but supposedly finds historic fulfillment in this application to the betrayal of Jesus by Judas. Herein we find an example of one of the great lapses in the general claim that Jesus “fulfilled” biblical prophecy. In an historic context it is the plain meaning of a verse that needs to be considered if one is to speak of actual prophetic fulfillment and not merely a similarity of circumstances. In such a case, the full verse and, in fact, the entire context should be viewed as one integral unit.
Had the author of John considered the contents of the full verse or, indeed, the entire psalm it would have disrupted his perception of Jesus as a sinless, all-knowing, miracle-working celestial being come to earth. Jesus, it is alleged, had the all-knowing insight afforded him by his supposed divine status to see fulfillment of this verse in his life. What is more, John’s Jesus would have the foreknowledge of the traitorous role Judas would play in the unfolding of events leading to his passion. But, if that is correct, then Jesus would not be telling the truth in calling Judas by the psalmist’s words “familiar friend” (literally “the man of my peace”). In addition, Jesus would be lying when, again, he referred to Judas in the words of the psalm, as one “in whom I trusted.” With the supernatural qualities attributed to Jesus he would have known that Judas could not be trusted and that eventually he would betray Jesus..
Psalms 41:10 addresses the feelings of betrayal at the hands of a trusted friend. It expresses the sorrow one feels when one who is close to you betrays your trust. But, if Jesus was who the author of John claims, then he knew the heart of Judas long before they even met. John’s Jesus is even said to have known that Judas was about to betray him. Thus, he says to Judas, “What you do, do quickly,” as Judas leaves to inform Jesus’ enemies of his whereabouts. (John 13:27).
There is one more significant point that must be addressed. This psalm is a complete unit recording one individual’s feelings, not random statements collected together. Therefore, it rightly must be understood as applying in its entirety to one individual. But, then consider this, verse 5 (verse 4 in some versions) says, “As for me, I said: O Lord, be gracious to me, heal my soul; for I have sinned against You.” If applied to Jesus, it would be tantamount to an admission to his being a sinner against God. To think that Jesus is the fulfillment of part of verse 10, but not of the entire verse is simply deluding oneself. There is no honest way to consider any part of this psalm as a prophecy of the betrayal of Jesus without considering that he was also a sinner.
© Gerald Sigal
Continued