Paragraph 22:3–6
22:3a
Satan entered Judas Iscariot: The clause Satan entered Judas Iscariot means that Satan began to control Judas by influencing his mind and heart. In this context the phrase probably does not describe the type of control that a person cannot resist, as in demon possession. Judas allowed Satan to influence and control him. Other ways to translate this are:
Satan began to control him
-or-
Satan entered the heart/mind of Judas Iscariot
-or-
Satan began to use Judas Iscariot
In some languages there is an idiom to describe this type of control. Translate the phrase in a natural way in your language.
Satan: The word Satan is the Hebrew name of the chief or leader of all the evil spirits. In Hebrew his name means “enemy.” He is the enemy of God and God’s people. Here are some ways to translate Satan:
• Use a local name or idiom that refers to the chief of all demons. For example:
the left-handed one
-or-
the barking one
• Use a descriptive phrase such as:
the chief/leader of the evil spirits
-or-
the spirit enemy of God
• Transliterate the name Satan or borrow a word from another language. If this word is not already known in your area, you may also want to add a descriptive phrase. For example:
Satanas, the ruler of demons
-or-
Shaitan
If you transliterate Satan or borrow a word from another language, be sure that it communicates the biblical meaning to people in your culture. It is important to check this in each biblical context.
Use a term that will be acceptable to churches in the area. It is suggested that you also add a footnote or glossary entry that further explains who Satan is. For example:
Satan is the leader of all the evil spirits or demons. Once he was an angel in heaven, but he rebelled against God. God expelled him from heaven, and now he tempts people on earth. Other names for him are “Beelzebul,” “the Devil,” “the Evil One,” “the Enemy,” and “the Tempter.”
Judas Iscariot: In Greek, this phrase is literally “Judas, the one called Iscariot.” People probably called Judas Iscariot because he was from the town of Kerioth. A slight variation of this name was used in 6:16. You may use the same form of the name here.
22:3b
who was one of the Twelve: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as who was one of the Twelve is more literally “who was of the number of the twelve,” as in the Revised Standard Version. The phrase indicates that Judas belonged to the group of Jesus’ twelve special disciples, whom he called “apostles” (6:16). In some languages it may be helpful to include the word “apostles” here. For example:
one of the twelve apostles (Contemporary English Version)
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