What is the interpretation of the word ' quickly' as used by Jesus in Jn 13:26-27?

Question

We read in Jn 13: 26-27 (NIV):

Then he took a piece of bread, dipped it, and gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot.After he had taken the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus told him, “Do quickly what you are going to do "

One is intrigued by the use of 'quickly' by Jesus. Is it possible that Judas' conscience was pendulating between right and wrong of his decision to betray Jesus ? Or, was Jesus hinting to Judas that the Jewish leaders were impatiently waiting for him at the designated place? Or, did the word have yet another deeper meaning ? What is the interpretation of the word ' quickly' as used by Jesus ?

Answer 1

This statement by Jesus clearly indicates two things: ^[1]

1. That Jesus knew what Judas was about to do.

2. That Jesus authorized Judas to do this.

---

Jesus’ words to Judas: The Greek text implies an even greater immediacy with the phrase “more quickly.” So, we see that Judas’ resolve to betray Jesus is irrevocable, and his decision is as consequential as the act itself.

1. Jesus’ use of ‘quickly’ was a recognition of the inevitable. It implies that since Judas’ heart was set on betrayal, and all attempts at dissuasion had failed, he should proceed with his plan without delay

Jesus is not merely instructing Judas to be swift; He is acknowledging the depth of Judas’ determination. The phrase “every effort to win thee has failed” is a quite tragic recognition that Judas is beyond persuasion or redemption at this point. The statement “A fixed resolve is nothing less than the deed itself” is particularly poignant, indicating that in the spiritual and moral sense, the commitment to an action is tantamount to the action being carried out.

According to Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers:

That thou doest, do quickly.—The Greek is exactly, more quickly. “Carry out your plans even more quickly than you have proposed. Do the fatal deed at once. It is resolved, and every effort to win thee has failed. A fixed resolve is nothing less than the deed itself.”

---

Jesus spoke of His ‘hour’ not yet having come (John 2:4; 7:30; 8:20) and later, of the hour arriving (John 12:23).

2. Jesus’ use of ‘quickly’ was a recognition of the divine timetable. Jesus was acutely aware of the unfolding of events as part of a divine plan and that His statement to Judas was another instance of this awareness.
3. Jesus’ use of ‘quickly’ was a akin to saying, “let’s get this over with.” The following quote implies that Jesus’ words could be interpreted as an expression of resolve to face the impending events.

The Greek phrasing Jesus uses in His statement to Judas / Satan is similar to the English phrase "hurry up." That might be another allusion to Jesus operating according to God's divine timetable (John 2:4; 7:30; 8:20; 12:23). Or, it might be Jesus implying something to the effect of "let's get this over with" (Luke 12:50; Matthew 26:36–39). (bibleref)

---

Jesus’ teachings and actions throughout the Gospels consistently demonstrate compassion and concern for the well-being of others, even those who oppose him. For instance, Jesus prays for the forgiveness of those crucifying him (Luke 23:34), and he shows concern for his mother’s care even as he is dying (John 19:26-27).

4. I would suggest that Jesus’ directive for Judas to act quickly was also an act of mercy. A merciful act to shorten the duration of Judas’ inner turmoil, as he was caught between his loyalty to Jesus and his plan to betray Him.

Answer 2

The Lord says to Judas to do what he, Judas, intended to do. But Judas intended to commit a sin of a treason of a cosmic scale. So, does the Lord in whom there is not and cannot be even a dot of sin and who got Incarnated in order to abolish sin cause Judas to sin? Absurd and blasphemous to entertain such a theory even for a second!

This excluded, then what remains?

Here’s what:

The Lord many times warned Judas not to betray Him (cf. John 6:70), even the final warning was to dip the bread in wine and to give it to Judas as a sign of loving him and even giving by this gesture a preference to him, the preference conditioned not by Judas’ merits, but by Lord’s caring for him and Lord’s trial and intent to rescue him from his treacherous intent. However, when Judas indulged in ingratitude and in abusing his free will to such an extent that even this did not help him, then the Lord told him the divinely optimal thing possible in this vile and miserable condition of his: not to linger in the sin that completely overcame him at this moment, but, since it was already unstoppable for Judas, then linger in it as shortly as possible and abandon it immediately after committing, and coming back again to Him in repentance, assuring him that He loved him so much that He was ready to forgive him this sin immediately after its fulfillment, on a necessary condition of repentance. Unfortunately, Judas did not obey Lord’s command, and after the treason committed even a greater sin of falling into a despair and giving not a chance to God to forgive and embrace him back, as He did in case of Peter, who also betrayed Him.

We are also like Judas: sometimes a sinful passion overpowers us so, that we understand that it is already impossible for us not to follow it, and like Judas, we hear a loud voice of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: “do it quickly”, that is to say, linger not in this sinful passion that you made irresistible through your flirting with it, don’t despair after having committed it, but immediately run back to Me in repentance and I will lovingly embrace you as father embraces a prodigal son”.