Judas Iscariot is one of the most well-known figures in the Bible, but not for the right reasons. His betrayal of Jesus has left many wondering why someone so close to Jesus would make such a devastating choice. What can we learn from Judas’ story, and what does the Bible really say about his actions and his ultimate fate?
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What Does The Bible Say About Judas Iscariot
Matthew 26:14-15
“Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests and asked, ‘What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?’ So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver.”
This verse reveals the betrayal of Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus’ disciples. His actions were driven by greed as he made a deal with the chief priests to hand Jesus over to them in exchange for thirty pieces of silver.
Matthew 26:21-23
“And while they were eating, he said, ‘Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.’ They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, ‘Surely you don’t mean me, Lord?’ Jesus replied, ‘The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me.’
In this passage, Jesus predicts His betrayal, causing sadness and confusion among the disciples. When asked who the betrayer might be, Jesus indicates that it is the one who shares the intimate act of eating from the same bowl with Him.
Matthew 26:24
“The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.”
Jesus pronounces a severe judgment upon Judas, affirming that it would have been better for him to never have been born because of his betrayal. This verse highlights the gravity of Judas’ actions and the consequences he would face.
Matthew 26:25
“Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, ‘Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?’ Jesus answered, ‘You have said so.'”
Judas, although aware of his intention to betray Jesus, feigns ignorance and asks if he is the one Jesus is referring to. Jesus confirms that Judas is indeed the betrayer, further exposing his deceit.
Matthew 27:3-4
“When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. ‘I have sinned,’ he said, ‘for I have betrayed innocent blood.'”
After witnessing the consequences of his betrayal, Judas experiences deep remorse. He confesses his sin to the religious leaders and returns the thirty pieces of silver. This verse illustrates his recognition of the innocence of Jesus and the weight of his guilty conscience.
Matthew 27:5
“So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.”
Overwhelmed by guilt and despair, Judas takes his own life. This tragic end demonstrates the devastating consequences of his betrayal and the immense remorse he experienced.
Acts 1:18-19
“With the payment he received for his wickedness, Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out. Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this, so they called that field in their language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.”
This passage recounts the aftermath of Judas’ death. The gruesome details of his demise and the purchase of a field with the money he received for betraying Jesus serve as a reminder of his treachery.
John 13:21-30
“After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, ‘Very truly I tell you, one of you is going to betray me.’ His disciples stared at one another, at a loss to know which of them he meant. . . . Then Jesus told him, “What you are about to do, do quickly.” . . . As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him.”
In this narrative, Jesus reveals to His disciples that one of them will betray Him. The disciples are perplexed, unsure of who the betrayer could be. Jesus, aware of Judas’ intentions, urges him to act quickly. Thus, Judas becomes overtaken by Satan’s influence as he prepares to carry out his betrayal.
John 13:26-27
“Jesus answered, ‘It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.’ Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. . . .’
This verse highlights the moment when Jesus identifies Judas as the betrayer by offering him the dipped bread. It is at this point that Satan fully enters Judas, sealing his commitment to carry out the act of betrayal.
John 13:30
“As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night.”
After receiving the bread, Judas leaves the gathering. The mention that “it was night” adds a symbolic touch, representing the darkness that has entered into Judas’ heart and the path he has chosen to walk.
John 18:2-5
“Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place because Jesus had often met there with his disciples. So Judas came to the garden, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns, and weapons. Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, ‘Who is it you want?’ ‘Jesus of Nazareth,’ they replied. ‘I am he,’ Jesus said.”
As the scene unfolds, Judas leads a group of soldiers and religious officials to the garden where Jesus frequently prayed. Jesus, fully aware of what will occur, boldly confronts them, identifying Himself as the one they seek.
John 18:7-8
“Again he asked them, ‘Who is it you want?’ ‘Jesus of Nazareth,’ they said. Jesus answered, ‘I told you that I am he. If you are looking for me, then let these men go.'”
In this verse, Jesus reiterates His identity to ensure they understand who He is. Additionally, He displays His care and concern for His disciples, requesting that the soldiers release them while willingly submitting Himself to their custody.
John 18:10-11
“Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.) Jesus commanded Peter, ‘Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?'”
When confronted with the arrest of Jesus, Peter impulsively resorts to violence and strikes the high priest’s servant, severing his ear. Jesus quickly intervenes, demonstrating His commitment to fulfilling the Father’s will and rejecting the use of force for self-defense.
Matthew 27:3
“When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders.”
The consequences of Judas’ betrayal weigh heavily on him as he witnesses Jesus being condemned. Filled with remorse, he seeks to repent by returning the thirty pieces of silver to those responsible for Jesus’ arrest.
Matthew 27:9-10
“Then what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: ‘They took the thirty pieces of silver, the price set on him by the people of Israel, and they used them to buy the potter’s field, as the Lord commanded me.'”
In fulfilling prophecy, the chief priests use the returned silver to purchase a potter’s field, as foretold by the prophet Jeremiah. This incident underscores God’s sovereignty and how even the betrayal of Judas was ultimately part of God’s divine plan.
Acts 1:16-17
“Brothers and sisters, the Scripture had to be fulfilled in which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through David concerning Judas, who served as a guide for those who arrested Jesus. He was one of our number and shared in our ministry.”
The apostle Peter addresses the disciples, emphasizing that even Judas’ betrayal was anticipated in Scripture. Judas had been part of their inner circle and actively involved in their ministry, which adds to the depth of the betrayal they experienced.
Acts 1:20
“‘For,’ said Peter, ‘it is written in the Book of Psalms: ‘May his place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in it,’ and, ‘May another take his place of leadership.'”
Peter quotes from the Psalms, recognizing the prophetic words that spell out Judas’ fate and the need to fill the void left by his treachery. This verse sets the stage for the selection of Matthias to replace Judas as one of the twelve apostles.
Luke 22:47-48
“While he was still speaking, a crowd came up, and the man who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him, but Jesus asked him, ‘Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?'”
Judas carries out his act of betrayal by approaching Jesus with a kiss—an act of friendship and intimacy. Jesus confronts him, underscoring the irony and hypocrisy of using a gesture of affection to betray Him.
Luke 22:3-4
“Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus.”
This verse reveals the driving force behind Judas’ betrayal—a Satanic influence that entered him. He conspires with the chief priests, strategizing on the most effective way to betray Jesus into their hands.
Luke 22:5
“They were delighted and agreed to give him money.”
After Judas presents his plan to the chief priests, they are pleased with the opportunity to apprehend Jesus discreetly and agree to reward Judas financially for his betrayal.
Luke 22:47-48
“While he was still speaking, a crowd came up, and the man who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him, but Jesus asked him, ‘Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?'”
Judas carries out his act of betrayal by approaching Jesus with a kiss—an act of friendship and intimacy. Jesus confronts him, underscoring the irony and hypocrisy of using a gesture of affection to betray Him.
Acts 1:16-17
“Brothers and sisters, the Scripture had to be fulfilled in which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through David concerning Judas, who served as a guide for those who arrested Jesus. He was one of our number and shared in our ministry.”
The apostle Peter addresses the disciples, emphasizing that even Judas’ betrayal was anticipated in Scripture. Judas had been part of their inner circle and actively involved in their ministry, which adds to the depth of the betrayal they experienced.
Acts 1:20
“‘For,’ said Peter, ‘it is written in the Book of Psalms: ‘May his place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in it,’ and, ‘May another take his place of leadership.'”
Peter quotes from the Psalms, recognizing the prophetic words that spell out Judas’ fate and the need to fill the void left by his treachery. This verse sets the stage for the selection of Matthias to replace Judas as one of the twelve apostles.
The story of Judas Iscariot serves as a striking example of betrayal and its consequences. Judas, one of Jesus’ chosen twelve disciples, allowed greed and darkness to corrupt his heart, leading him to betray Jesus. His actions were not hidden from Jesus, who repeatedly foretold His impending betrayal. When the crucial moment came, Judas identified Jesus with a kiss, a symbol of friendship twisted into an act of treachery.
The remorse that consumed Judas after witnessing Jesus’ condemnation highlights the weight of his guilt and the realization of his sinful act. He attempted to return the blood money but found no relief. Consumed by despair, Judas took his own life, accentuating the depths of his remorse and the tragic consequences of his actions.
However, even in Judas’ betrayal, we find the threads of prophecy being fulfilled. Scripture had foretold of the one who would betray Jesus, and Judas played a role in the divine plan, albeit one tainted by his own evil desires. The selection of Matthias to replace Judas among the twelve apostles demonstrates the need to fill the void left by his betrayal and emphasizes the importance of faithful discipleship.
The story of Judas is a reminder of the vulnerabilities of the human heart and the importance of guarding against the allure of sin and greed. It prompts us to examine our own motives and actions, urging us to cultivate loyalty, integrity, and devotion in our relationship with Christ. May we learn from Judas’ tragic downfall and strive to live as faithful followers of Jesus, seeking His forgiveness, grace, and guidance in all aspects of our lives.