Background and Identity
Judas Iscariot was one of the twelve apostles chosen by Jesus. His surname, "Iscariot," may indicate that he was from Kerioth, a town in Judea, making him the only disciple who was not a Galilean.
His Role as a Disciple
Judas was entrusted with managing the group's finances, acting as the treasurer for Jesus and His followers (John 12:6). However, the Bible reveals that he was dishonest and would steal from the money bag. Despite witnessing Jesus' miracles and hearing His teachings firsthand, Judas' heart was not truly devoted to Christ.
The Betrayal of Jesus
Judas' most infamous act was betraying Jesus for 30 pieces of silver, as prophesied in Zechariah 11:12-13. He conspired with the chief priests, agreeing to hand Jesus over in exchange for money (Matthew 26:14-16).
On the night of Jesus’ arrest, Judas led the soldiers to the Garden of Gethsemane and identified Jesus with a kiss, a symbol of friendship turned into a sign of betrayal (Luke 22:47-48).
His Remorse and Tragic End
After realizing the gravity of his actions, Judas was overwhelmed with guilt. He returned the silver to the priests, declaring, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood” (Matthew 27:4). However, instead of seeking true repentance, he fell into despair and hanged himself (Matthew 27:5).
Was Judas' Betrayal Foretold?
Jesus knew Judas would betray Him, as seen in John 6:70-71, where He calls him "a devil." The betrayal was foretold in Psalm 41:9, which speaks of a close friend turning against the Messiah. However, Judas was still responsible for his own actions, as Jesus said, “Woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for him if he had not been born” (Mark 14:21).
Judas' Legacy
Judas Iscariot stands as a warning against greed, hypocrisy, and unrepentant sin. His story reminds us that proximity to Jesus does not equal true faith—what matters is the heart’s devotion to Christ.