He listened more and more eagerly to the criminal suggestions of his corrupt heart, and he had done nothing during the last few days but go backwards and forwards in order to induce the chief priests to come to some agreement.

But they were unwilling to act at once, and treated him with contempt.

They said that sufficient time would not intervene before the festival day, and that there would be a tumult among the people.

The Sanhedrin alone listened to his proposals with some degree of attention.

After Judas had sacrilegiously received the Blessed Sacrament, Satan took entire possession of him, and he went off at once to complete his crime.