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What can you tell us of Judas?


Introduction. Judas was a common Jewish name (Greek from the Hebrew Judah). There are a number of men named Judas in the Bible (Luke 3: 30; Matt. 13: 55; Acts 1: 13; Acts 5: 37; Acts 9: 11). Our question, I believe, concerns Judas Iscariot.

Judas Iscariot. This Judas was the son of Simon Iscariot (John 13: 26). Iscariot appears to have reference to a place called Kerioth. Hence, Judas or his father was probably from Kerioth. Judas Iscariot was an apostle (Matt. 10: 1-4). Judas is always mentioned last in the naming of the twelve apostles (Matt. 10: 4; Mk. 3: 19; Luke 6: 16). Judas is often identified as "...Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him" (Matt. 10: 4).

Judas Iscariot, the man. The synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) do not reveal a lot concerning the man Judas. John contains the most information. This Judas was "a devil" (John 6: 70) and a thief (John 12: 6). He was characterized by greed (Matt. 26: 14, 15, cf. John 12: 6). Judas had evil tendencies, but at the last passover Judas seems to have completely yielded to Satan (John 13: 2-27, 30).

Judas' betrayal and his destiny. It was prophesied that one would betray the Lord (Ps. 41: 9, 69: 25, 109: 8). Peter applied the prophecy to Judas Iscariot (Acts 1: 20). The betrayal is very sad and constitutes one of the most infamous events in our history (Matt. 26: 47-50). The love of money was named as motivation for Judas' betrayal (Matt. 26: 14). Judas "repented himself," but his repentance seemed only to have been regret because he hanged himself (Matt. 27: 3, 5). Hence, Judas Iscariot has come to symbolize betrayal and self-destruction. Christians who fall away are said to "crucify the Son of God afresh and put Him to open shame" (Heb. 6: 4-6). After Judas betrayed Jesus and assisted in His crucifixion, the name Judas was shunned and viewed as reprehensible.

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