Judas Iscariot

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Judas Iscariot
Study of Judas’ Head by Nikolai Ge, early 1860s
PeriodA.D. 27–30
FamilyFather: Simon Iscariot
BirthplaceKerioth
Activity areaJewish Society
Major achievementsTreasurer among the Twelve Apostles
Betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver.

Judas Iscariot (Greek: Ἰσκαριώτης)[1] was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ and is infamous as the betrayer. The title “Iscariot” is believed to refer to his place of origin, Kerioth, a town in the southern region of Judea.[2] This designation was used to distinguish him from Judas Thaddaeus, another disciple with the same name.[3][4] Before his betrayal, Judas followed Jesus as an apostle, performed miracles, and preached the gospel.[5] He was also entrusted with managing the group’s finances.[6] However, he later betrayed Jesus, handing Him over to the Jewish religious leaders in exchange for thirty pieces of silver.[7][8] The name “Judas” originally meant “one who praises Jehovah,” but Judas Iscariot’s betrayal, it has since become synonymous with treachery.[9]

Historical Background

Around A.D. 27, Israel was under Roman rule and eagerly awaited the arrival of the Messiah, who they believed would free them from oppression. During this time, Jesus appeared in Galilee, calling His first disciples—Peter, Andrew, John, and James who were fishermen. He then gradually called the others.[10] As Jesus preached the gospel of the kingdom throughout Judea, healing the sick and casting out demons, rumors spread that the Messiah had appeared. His miraculous deeds fueled widespread speculation that He was the promised Messiah, and large crowds began to follow Him.[11][12] However, the teachers of the law and the Pharisees became concerned and began discussing how to deal with Jesus.[13]

Life of Judas Iscariot

Chosen as One of the Twelve Apostles

One day, Jesus went up on a mountain and prayed all night. At dawn, He gathered His disciples and chose twelve of them to be apostles, including Judas Iscariot.[14] These twelve were entrusted with spreading the gospel and were given the authority to cast out demons alongside Jesus.[5]

Embezzling Public Funds

Judas was appointed as the treasurer for Jesus and His disciples, responsible for managing their financial resources.[6] However, driven by greed, he began secretly stealing from the money bag for his own benefit.[15]

Rebuking Mary for Pouring Perfume

While Jesus and His disciples were at the home of Simon the Leper in Bethany, a woman named Mary poured an expensive perfume on Jesus as He was eating. Judas objected, saying, “Why wasn’t this perfume sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” (About a year’s wages) However, his words were not out of genuine concern for the poor—he was a thief who often stole from the money bag.[15] His rebuke of Mary was driven by his greed for material wealth. Jesus, understanding Mary’s true intentions, defended her, saying that her act of devotion would be remembered wherever the gospel was preached.[16]

Deciding to Betray Jesus for Thirty Pieces of Silver

The Repentance of Judas by Simó Gómez, 1874: Judas Iscariot, regretting his betrayal, returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests.

After the incident with Mary’s perfume, Judas fell under Satan’s influence.[17] He went to the chief priests and negotiated a deal to hand over Jesus in exchange for thirty pieces of silver. From that moment on, he began seeking an opportunity to betray Him.[18] This took place just before Jesus observed His final Passover with His disciples.[19]

The Betrayal at Gethsemane

The Taking of Christ by Caravaggio, 1602

During the Last Supper, Jesus declared that one of His disciples would betray Him. Judas asked, “Rabbi, is it I?”[20] and Jesus responded, “It is the one to whom I give this piece of bread,” then handed it to Judas. Jesus told him, “What you are about to do, do quickly,” and Judas immediately left.[21] Regarding Judas, Jesus also said, “It would have been better for him if he had never been born.”[22]

Before His crucifixion, Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray with His disciples. Knowing this location well, Judas led a detachment of soldiers along with officials from the chief priests and Pharisees to arrest Him.[23] As a prearranged signal, Judas identified Jesus by kissing Him. At that moment, the crowd seized Jesus. This fulfilled the biblical prophecy that the Son of Man would be handed over to be crucified.[24] Jesus was then taken away by the soldiers.[25]

Judas’ Remorse and Death

The site is believed to be Akeldama, where Judas ended his life.

After Jesus was handed over to Pilate by the chief priests and elders, Judas Iscariot was overcome with immense guilt. He returned to them, confessing, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” However, they replied indifferently, “What is that to us? That’s your responsibility.”[26] In despair, Judas threw the thirty pieces of silver into the temple and went away to hang himself. The religious leaders, deeming the money as “blood money,” used it to buy a field to bury strangers. This place became known as Akeldama (Field of Blood).[27][28] Judas was removed from the ranks of the Twelve Apostles, and Matthias was chosen to take his place.[29]

Prophecies About Judas Iscariot

Jesus, who knew all things in advance, repeatedly warned His disciples about Judas’ betrayal. Even the Old Testament, written centuries before Jesus’ time, foretold Judas’ actions.

  • Jesus’ Prophecy

After Jesus miraculously fed 5,000 people with five loaves and two fish in Galilee, the crowd wanted to make Him king. However, Jesus taught them the truth of eternal life rather than focusing on earthly food. Many, failing to understand His message, abandoned Him—leaving only the twelve disciples. At that moment, Jesus praised His disciples for staying with Him because of His words of eternal life. Yet, He also declared, “One of you is a devil.” This statement referred to Judas Iscariot.[30] Later, during the Last Passover with His disciples, Jesus once again foretold Judas’ betrayal.[20]

  • Old Testament Prophecies and Their Fulfillment
Prophecy Fulfillment
“Even my close friend, someone I trusted, one who shared my bread, has turned against me.” (Ps 41:9) On the last day of the Passover, Jesus broke a loaf of bread and gave it to Judas. (Jn 13:26)
So they paid me thirty pieces of silver. (Zec 11:12) So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver. (Mt 26:15)
May another take his place of leadership. (Ps 109:8) Matthias was appointed as an apostle in place of Judah. (Ac 1:24–26)

See also

Related videos

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  • Sermon: Express Spiritual Truths in Spiritual Words

References

  1. ↑ Strong's Greek: 2469. Ἰσκαριώτης, Bible Hub
  2. ↑ G2469 - iskariōth - Strong's Greek Lexicon, Blue Letter Bible
  3. ↑ Iscariot, Oxford Reference
  4. ↑ "John 14:22".
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Matthew 10:1".
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "John 13:29".
  7. ↑ Judas Iscariot, Britannica
  8. ↑ "Luke 22:1–6".
  9. ↑ Word Origins: The Romance Of Language, Cecil Hunt, Philosophical Library/Open Road, 2022
  10. ↑ Matthew 4:18-22
  11. ↑ Matthew 4:23-25
  12. ↑ Mark 3:7-8
  13. ↑ Luke 6:6-11
  14. ↑ Luke 6:12-16
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 "John 12:1–6".
  16. ↑ "Matthew 26:13".
  17. ↑ Luke 22:3
  18. ↑ "Matthew 26:14–16".
  19. ↑ "John 13:1–2".
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 "Matthew 26:21–25".
  21. ↑ John 13:21-30.
  22. ↑ Matthew 26:24
  23. ↑ "John 18:2–3".
  24. ↑ Matthew 26:2
  25. ↑ "Matthew 26:47–57".
  26. ↑ "Matthew 27:3-4".
  27. ↑ "Matthew 27:6–8".
  28. ↑ "Acts 1:19".
  29. ↑ "Acts 1:25–26".
  30. ↑ "John 6:70–71".
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