#402 - Kyle Thompson // Talking Past Judas - The Daily Blade: Joby Martin & Kyle Thompson

Summary4 min read

The Daily Blade: Joby Martin & Kyle Thompson
Episode #402 — Kyle Thompson // Talking Past Judas
Released: July 16, 2026

Episode Overview

In this short-form devotional segment, Kyle Thompson delves into the narrative of Jesus’ betrayal in the upper room (John 13), exploring how the sovereignty of God is displayed even in the darkest act of treachery — Judas Iscariot’s decision to betray Christ. Thompson offers a fresh and profound perspective on the spiritual dynamics at play, focusing on Christ's authority over Satan and the ultimate fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan, even through acts of evil.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Context: Sovereignty of God in Scripture

The hosts recap the week’s theme of God's sovereignty, with earlier episodes centering on figures like King Saul, Lucifer, and Job.
Key Insight: "In all these situations, we see the great deceiver operating within God's decrees and control. So Satan is never operating on his own authority." (Kyle Thompson, 00:53)

2. Setting the Stage: The Last Supper (John 13)

The upper room scene: Jesus washes the disciples’ feet, including Judas, exemplifying humility and divine foreknowledge.
Jesus quotes Psalm 41:9 ("He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me"), connecting the betrayal to ancient prophecy and Genesis 3:15.

3. The Dramatic Moment: Identifying the Betrayer (~02:00–03:50)

Jesus reveals his awareness of the impending betrayal:
- “Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” (John 13:21)
The disciples respond in confusion and disbelief, underscoring the shocking nature of betrayal by someone in their intimate circle.

4. A Deeper Reading: Jesus Speaks Past Judas (03:50–04:40)

Thompson encourages listeners to reread John 13:27 with fresh eyes:
- “After he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, ‘What you are going to do, do quickly.’”
Key Insight:
- “No, Jesus isn’t talking to Judas. He’s talking past Judas. Jesus, the Messiah…the serpent crusher, the dragon slayer, is talking directly to Satan when he says, ‘What you are going to do, do quickly.’” (Kyle Thompson, 04:09)
A powerful reflection: Jesus grants permission to Satan for the betrayal, showing the Son’s sovereign command even over his own suffering.

5. The Aftermath: Tragedy and Triumph

The narrative continues swiftly from betrayal to Gethsemane, Jesus’s arrest, sham trials, Peter’s denial, and the crowd’s calls for crucifixion.
The crucifixion is described in vivid terms, highlighting both the horror and Satan’s apparent victory:
- “It was at this point that Satan had to have thought, checkmate. I played the game and I won.” (Kyle Thompson, 05:03)

6. Final Reflection: Why Does God Allow Evil? (05:05–05:23)

Thompson circles back to a critical theological question: Why permit such evil?
- “God allows Satan to make war against his saints because it’s all part of God’s plan. God had a leash on the dragon the whole time.” (Kyle Thompson, 05:20)
Listeners are reminded that evil operates within limits determined by God, and nothing thwarts His ultimate purposes.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

“Satan is never operating on his own authority.”
— Kyle Thompson, 00:53
“Jesus, the Messiah, the son of God, the Alpha and the Omega, the serpent crusher, the dragon slayer is talking directly to Satan when he says, ‘What you are going to do, do quickly.’”
— Kyle Thompson, 04:09
“God had a leash on the dragon the whole time.”
— Kyle Thompson, 05:20

Important Segment Timestamps

00:20 — Introduction to the week’s theme: God’s sovereignty
01:10 — Jesus washes the feet of all disciples, including Judas
02:00 — Jesus quotes prophecy and identifies the upcoming betrayal
03:50 — Thompson’s insight: Jesus speaks to Satan “past Judas”
04:50 — Recap of the arrest, trial, and crucifixion
05:05 — Reflection on the purpose of Satan’s permitted actions

Episode Tone and Style

True to The Daily Blade’s devotional format, the episode blends scriptural exegesis with a passionate, masculine encouragement for Christian men, aiming to equip them for spiritual battle. Thompson’s tone is urgent, reflective, and pastoral, focusing not only on the biblical narrative but also on the implications for everyday faith.

Summary Takeaway

Listeners are challenged to see that, even in the darkest moments of betrayal and apparent defeat, Jesus is in complete control — speaking past ordinary circumstances to the greater spiritual reality. God’s sovereignty stands unchallenged, and what looks like checkmate for Satan ultimately serves the victory of God’s redemptive plan.

For further connection and future events, listeners are reminded to check the episode description for more resources and opportunities.

Loading summary

Transcript3 lines

[00:01]
A
Welcome to the Daily Blade. The word of God is described as the sword of the spirit, the primary spiritual weapon in the Christian's armor against the forces of evil. Your hosts are Joby Martin and Kyle Thompson. And they stand ready to equip men for the fight. Let's sharpen up.
[00:21]
B
Man dips a piece of bread into a dish. He hands it across the table to someone he had considered to be a friend. In that exact moment, something takes over that friend's body. And the work of betrayal begins. So this week on the Daily Blade, we have been focusing on the sovereignty of God. We've looked at the torment of King Saul, Lucifer's fall, the Garden of Eden, original sin, the torture of Job. And in all these situations, we see the great deceiver operating within God's decrees and control. So Satan is never operating on his own authority. And today we're going to look at Satan, really taken his best shot yet. He's going to try and take out the Son of God by turning one of the men in Jesus's inner circle on Jesus. So we're going to be in John 13. We're in the upper room, and we are at the Last Supper. Jesus already knows that his hour has come. He gets up from the table and lowers himself to wash the disgusting feet of the disciples. He's even going to wash the feet of the man who's about to betray him. And after he gets done with the foot washing, Jesus quotes Psalm 41:9 to his disciples. He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me. Now that is some interesting phraseology that calls back to Genesis 3:15. And here's the thing, only one of them knows who Jesus is talking about. Judas Iscariot. And then we see this in John 13:21, Jesus was troubled in his spirit and testified. Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me. The disciples look at each other confused. The disciple closest to Jesus leans in and asks, who? Jesus answers, it is he whom I will give this morsel of bread when I have dipped it. So then Jesus dips it and he hands it to Judas. So that gets us through John 13:26. But before I read verse 27, I'm just telling you, buckle up because I've read this verse many times. I'm sure you have as well. I've read it many times in my life and I missed something enormous that whole time. It's just mind blowing. So verse 27 then, after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, what you are going to do, do quickly. So there's some drama here. So we've seen this scene depicted many times before in films and TV shows. So you've seen it, you know, in the Passion of the Christ. You've seen it most recently and most expertly done by the chosen. The drama seems to be that Jesus is directly revealing to Judas that he knows what he is about to do. Jesus is essentially telling Judas, okay, buddy, get on with it. But I don't think that's what's happening here at all. So look closer with me. Read it again. So verse 27. Then, after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Judas, Jesus said to him what you were going to do, do quickly. No, Jesus isn't talking to Judas. He's talking past Judas. Jesus, the Messiah, the son of God, the Alpha and the Omega, the serpent crusher, the dragon slayer is talking directly to Satan when he says, what you are going to do, do quickly. Jesus, part of the Godhead is literally giving permission to Satan to kill him. So Judas gets up, he leaves the table. From that moment forward, all the steps are leading to a Golgotha. We see Jesus betrayed in Gethsemane with a kiss. We see Jesus arrested. We see him have a sham trial before the high priest. We see him have a sham trial before Pontius Pilate. We see Peter's denial. We see the same crowd that had earlier welcomed him into Jerusalem with shouts of hosanna start to scream out and demand his crucifixion. And here's the thing that you all need to keep in mind. Satan thought he had finally landed the kill shot that he had been chasing from the beginning. He had manipulated Jesus's own apostle and the Jewish elites and the Romans and the citizens of Jerusalem to ensure that Jesus would die on a cross. That's exactly what happened. Nails were hammered through both of Jesus's hands and feet. They stood his cross up in between the crosses of two murdering criminals. It was on that cross where Jesus eventually gave up his spirit and died. And after they confirmed that Jesus had indeed died, he was placed in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea. And a stone was rolled over the face of the tomb. And it was at this point that Satan had to have thought, checkmate. I played the game and I won. But we actually need to go back to a question that I posed earlier this week. Why would God allow Satan to make war and against his saints? Now, I already said that it's because it's all part of God's plan. But I need to add to it a little bit. God allows Satan to make war against his saints because it's all part of God's plan. A God had a leash on the dragon the whole time.
[05:25]
A
Thank you for listening to today's episode. Before you go, if you want to help, equip other men for the fight, share this podcast around and leave us a five star rating and review. Stay sharp.