Why didnt the disciples know that Judas was the betrayer?

In certain instances God "blinds" so to speak the minds (or understanding) of people so a greater purpose can be served. If they had known and understood what Jesus said when he told them that the one whom he gave the bread to after he dipped it was the one who was going to betray him then they would have stopped Judas and Jesus would have never died on the cross and the prophecy that said that Judas would betray him would not have been fulfilled and we would all be lost, spiritually and condemned to go to hell.

Judas Betrayer

Jesus knew. That was enough.

But think back in history. It had been prophesied for centuries that this would happen. The prophesy HAD to be fulfilled or declared a lie.

Jesus didnt want to die on the cross.. He knew what terrible pain would be involved, and even even asked God, in his last prayers, "If it be thy will, take this "cup" from me"

But it didnt happen.

Now, was Judas appointed and sent by God to be an element of this fulfillment OR

was he a lowly character who sold out the Savior for a few pieces of silver.

There are serious questions here. Dont just repeat what you heard someone preach. Think about this.

Might Judas have been a part of the overall plan, or was he only a dupe to

Godlessness?

Yes Jesus did foretell at the table that someone among the twelve disciples would betray him. If you notice reading that Scripture Christ never gave a name as to who would betray him. Jesus knew exactly who his betrayer was. The twelve disciples didn't know who among him would do such thing.

Soon it was revealed to the 11 disciples who among them had betrayed Christ. It was Judas. The Scriptures state Satan had entered into Judas Iscariot.

" But Satan entered into Judas, the one called Is·car′i·ot, who was numbered among the twelve."-Luke 22:3

The twelve disciples were all imperfect human beings just like us. They did not know who Christ betrayer was. So it was nothing they could do until they found out. And after Judas Iscariot committed suicide and Christ Jesus died for us, the 11 disciples continue to preach the good news.

It appears the disciples had no clue, but Jesus knew all along -

Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus said to him, "What you do, do quickly." But no one at the table knew for what reason He said this to him. For some thought, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus had said to him, "Buy those things we need for the feast," or that he should give something to the poor. (John 13:27-29)

Jesus answered them, "Did I not choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?" (John 6:70)

it was God's will for him to be betrayed, just as the tribe of dan handed over samson to philistia. Jesus was Lord in their eyes, if anyone could have and would have stopped judas, it would have been the One who just pointed him out. why didn't Jesus stop him? because He knew the scripture. instead, He gives him an out, one last shot to fish or cut bait.

It's fiction - write another chapter for yourself where the disciples beat Judas up and they all live happily everafter!

from what I remember from sunday school, jesus only said that "one of you will betray me tomorrow" or something, and withheld their name - which makes no sense because if he was trying to hide from the romans he would have just turned himself in *and* asked judas to help him do it

Jesus didn't do anything so why should they.

if they stopped him god wouldn't have a reason to burn him