Who was Judas Iscariot?

Judas Iscariot is one of the most infamous figures in the Bible. He is best known as the disciple who betrayed Jesus Christ for thirty pieces of silver, leading to Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion. His life is a tragic example of how greed, hypocrisy, and spiritual failure can lead to destruction.This article will explore his life, his role as one of Jesus’ disciples, his betrayal, his remorse, and his ultimate fate.

Who Was Judas Iscariot?

Judas Iscariot was one of the twelve apostles chosen by Jesus. His name appears in all four Gospel accounts and the book of Acts, often with the distinction “who also became a traitor” (Luke 6:16).

• Matthew 10:4 (NKJV) – “Simon the Cananite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him.”
• Mark 3:19 (NKJV) – “And Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him. And they went into a house.”

His surname, Iscariot, likely refers to his place of origin—Kerioth, a town in Judah (Joshua 15:25). If this is correct, Judas was the only non-Galilean disciple.

His Calling as a Disciple

Judas was personally chosen by Jesus to be one of His twelve disciples. Like the others, he witnessed Christ’s miracles, teachings, and acts of compassion.

• Luke 6:12-16 (NKJV) – “Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray and continued all night in prayer to God. And when it was day, He called His disciples to Himself; and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles.”

At first, Judas was trusted enough to be appointed the treasurer of the group.

• John 12:6 (NKJV) – “This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it.”

Though he followed Jesus, Judas never had true faith.

• John 6:64 (NKJV) – “But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him.”

The Greed and Hypocrisy

Judas’ heart was not devoted to Christ. Instead, he was motivated by greed, selfishness, and hypocrisy.

A Thief at Heart

Judas, as the group’s treasurer, stole money for himself.

• John 12:4-6 (NKJV) – “Then one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, who would betray Him, said, ‘Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?’ This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it.”

This event showed that Judas valued money more than Christ, a key factor in his eventual betrayal.

Betraying Jesus for Money

Judas’ love of money led him to sell Jesus to the religious leaders for thirty pieces of silver—the price of a slave in the Old Testament (Exodus 21:32).

• Matthew 26:14-16 (NKJV) – “Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, ‘What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him to you?’ And they counted out to him thirty pieces of silver. So from that time he sought opportunity to betray Him.”

Judas’ betrayal was prophesied in the Old Testament.

• Zechariah 11:12-13 (NKJV) – “Then I said to them, ‘If it is agreeable to you, give me my wages; and if not, refrain.’ So they weighed out for my wages thirty pieces of silver.”

Judas’ love of wealth over righteousness blinded him to Jesus’ true mission.

The Betrayal of Jesus

His Role in the Arrest of Jesus

Judas led a group of soldiers and religious leaders to arrest Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane.

• Luke 22:47-48 (NKJV) – “And while He was still speaking, behold, a multitude; and he who was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them and drew near to Jesus to kiss Him. But Jesus said to him, ‘Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?'”

The kiss, which was supposed to be a sign of affection, became the signal for betrayal.

• Matthew 26:48-49 (NKJV) – “Now His betrayer had given them a sign, saying, ‘Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him.’ Immediately he went up to Jesus and said, ‘Greetings, Rabbi!’ and kissed Him.”

Even though Jesus knew what Judas was doing, He still called him “Friend”—showing Jesus’ mercy and love even toward His betrayer.

• Matthew 26:50 (NKJV) – “But Jesus said to him, ‘Friend, why have you come?’ Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and took Him.”

The Remorse and Death

His Regret and Attempt to Return the Money

After realizing the weight of his actions, Judas was filled with remorse.

• Matthew 27:3-4 (NKJV) – “Then Judas, His betrayer, seeing that He had been condemned, was remorseful and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, ‘I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.’ And they said, ‘What is that to us? You see to it!'”

However, his remorse was not true repentance. Instead of seeking forgiveness from God, he sought relief through his own actions.

Tragic End

Judas threw the silver into the temple and went to hang himself.

• Matthew 27:5 (NKJV) – “Then he threw down the pieces of silver in the temple and departed, and went and hanged himself.”

The money he returned was used to buy a field for burying strangers, fulfilling another Old Testament prophecy.

• Matthew 27:7-8 (NKJV) – “And they consulted together and bought with them the potter’s field, to bury strangers in. Therefore that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day.”

Judas died a violent death.

• Acts 1:18 (NKJV) – “Now this man purchased a field with the wages of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his entrails gushed out.”

This gruesome death is a picture of his spiritual corruption and destruction.

Legacy

A Warning Against Hypocrisy and Greed

Judas’ life warns against outward faith without inner devotion. He followed Jesus outwardly but never truly believed.

• John 12:6 (NKJV) – “This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief.”

Jesus warned that not everyone who follows Him is truly saved.

• Matthew 7:21-23 (NKJV) – “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.”

The Tragic End of Betrayal

Judas’ life also teaches that sin leads to spiritual destruction.

• John 17:12 (NKJV) – “None of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.”

Instead of repenting, Judas chose despair and suicide.

Conclusion

Judas Iscariot’s story is a powerful warning about greed, hypocrisy, and rejecting Jesus. He was close to Jesus physically but far from Him spiritually. His tragic end serves as a reminder that faith must be genuine, and no amount of outward appearance can replace true love and obedience to Christ.