Judas Iscariot
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From the Bible itself, not a lot is known about Judas Iscariot.
We know that he was a thief (John 12:6).
We know he was "a devil" (John 6:70).
We know...
...he approached the chief priests and officers of the temple guard to conspire against
Jesus (Matt. 26:14) and that he "discussed with them how he might betray Jesus." (Luke
22:4)
...that "from then on Judas on watched for an opportunity to hand him over." (Matt. 26:16).
... he was at the last supper because Jesus made it known that Judas would betray Him
(Matt. 26:25, John 13:26).
...that before the meal, Jesus washed the feet of the one who betrayed Him, knowing that
He would soon be betrayed by those same feet. (John 13:5).
...that as soon as Judas had taken the bread that Jesus dipped, he slipped out to work out
the arrangements with the chief priests. (John 13:26,30).
... that when the time came for Jesus to be turned over to the priests, it was Judas that
led the way. (Luke 22:47 and John 18:2,3). John 18:5 states that Judas was standing there
with the priests when they approached Jesus to arrest him. He didn't try to blend in with
his disciple buddies or slip into the shadows. He openly stood there with those who had
purchased his services.
...he betrayed Jesus with a kiss (Mark 14:45 and Luke 22:48).
We know that Judas collected thirty pieces of silver for his "work". (Matt. 26:15)
Finally, we know that once Jesus had been arrested, Judas was "seized with remorse"
and returned the money to the priests (Matt. 27:3) then went out and hanged himself
(Matt. 27:5).
There are a few different theories about why Judas may have betrayed Jesus. There's the
idea that Judas was trying to push Jesus into taking His rightful place as King,
presumably so that Judas could spend the rest of his days in luxury and ease as one of
the King's chosen. There's the idea that Judas was simply greedy and wanted whatever
money he could get for turning Jesus over to the priests. And of course, there's the new
idea floating around in the media these days, that Judas was actually doing Jesus a favor
by turning Him in because the two of them were best buddies and Judas was the only one
that truly understood why Jesus was here. The so-called "lost gospel of Judas".
It's interesting to remember that Judas didn't choose to hang out with Jesus. Jesus
chose to hang out with Judas. Jesus is the one who chose the disciples. None of them,
not a single one, applied for the position. And it's interesting to note that Jesus chose
Judas knowing that Judas would betray Him. In fact, perhaps that's the very reason
Judas was chosen! The other eleven were chosen to spread the gospel. Judas was
chosen to betray Jesus...to fulfill the ancient prophecies leading to the crucifixion, which
in turn, provided a way to salvation for mankind.
We know that he was a thief (John 12:6).
We know he was "a devil" (John 6:70).
We know...
...he approached the chief priests and officers of the temple guard to conspire against
Jesus (Matt. 26:14) and that he "discussed with them how he might betray Jesus." (Luke
22:4)
...that "from then on Judas on watched for an opportunity to hand him over." (Matt. 26:16).
... he was at the last supper because Jesus made it known that Judas would betray Him
(Matt. 26:25, John 13:26).
...that before the meal, Jesus washed the feet of the one who betrayed Him, knowing that
He would soon be betrayed by those same feet. (John 13:5).
...that as soon as Judas had taken the bread that Jesus dipped, he slipped out to work out
the arrangements with the chief priests. (John 13:26,30).
... that when the time came for Jesus to be turned over to the priests, it was Judas that
led the way. (Luke 22:47 and John 18:2,3). John 18:5 states that Judas was standing there
with the priests when they approached Jesus to arrest him. He didn't try to blend in with
his disciple buddies or slip into the shadows. He openly stood there with those who had
purchased his services.
...he betrayed Jesus with a kiss (Mark 14:45 and Luke 22:48).
We know that Judas collected thirty pieces of silver for his "work". (Matt. 26:15)
Finally, we know that once Jesus had been arrested, Judas was "seized with remorse"
and returned the money to the priests (Matt. 27:3) then went out and hanged himself
(Matt. 27:5).
There are a few different theories about why Judas may have betrayed Jesus. There's the
idea that Judas was trying to push Jesus into taking His rightful place as King,
presumably so that Judas could spend the rest of his days in luxury and ease as one of
the King's chosen. There's the idea that Judas was simply greedy and wanted whatever
money he could get for turning Jesus over to the priests. And of course, there's the new
idea floating around in the media these days, that Judas was actually doing Jesus a favor
by turning Him in because the two of them were best buddies and Judas was the only one
that truly understood why Jesus was here. The so-called "lost gospel of Judas".
It's interesting to remember that Judas didn't choose to hang out with Jesus. Jesus
chose to hang out with Judas. Jesus is the one who chose the disciples. None of them,
not a single one, applied for the position. And it's interesting to note that Jesus chose
Judas knowing that Judas would betray Him. In fact, perhaps that's the very reason
Judas was chosen! The other eleven were chosen to spread the gospel. Judas was
chosen to betray Jesus...to fulfill the ancient prophecies leading to the crucifixion, which
in turn, provided a way to salvation for mankind.
Then Jesus replied, "Have I not chosen you, the Twelve?
Yet one of you is a devil!" (John 6:70)
Yet one of you is a devil!" (John 6:70)
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