Judas Ἰούδας
The apostle who betrayed Jesus
Biography
Judas Iscariot was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ, known for his betrayal of Jesus, which led to His arrest and crucifixion. He is consistently identified as "Judas Iscariot" or "Judas, the one who betrayed Him" throughout the Gospels (Mat.10.4; 26.14; Mrk.3.19; Luk.6.16; Jhn.6.71).
Judas is first mentioned in the lists of the twelve apostles (Mat.10.4; Mrk.3.19; Luk.6.16). He served as the treasurer for the group, but he was also described as a thief who would take money from the common purse (Jhn.12.4-6).
During the Last Supper, Jesus predicted that one of His disciples would betray Him (Mat.26.21; Mrk.14.18; Luk.22.21; Jhn.13.21). Judas was identified as the betrayer when Jesus handed him a piece of bread (Jhn.13.26-27). After this, Judas left to carry out his plan (Jhn.13.30).
Judas approached the chief priests and offered to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver (Mat.26.14-16; Mrk.14.10-11; Luk.22.3-6). He then led a group of armed men to the Garden of Gethsemane, where he identified Jesus with a kiss, leading to His arrest (Mat.26.47-50; Mrk.14.43-46; Luk.22.47-48; Jhn.18.2-5).
After Jesus' condemnation, Judas, filled with remorse, tried to return the money to the chief priests and elders, but they refused to accept it. He then threw the money into the temple and went out and hanged himself (Mat.27.3-5). The chief priests used the money to buy a potter's field, which became known as the Field of Blood (Mat.27.6-10; Act.1.18-19).
The apostles later recognized Judas' betrayal as a fulfillment of prophecy (Act.1.16) and chose Matthias to replace him among the twelve (Act.1.23-26).
Judas' betrayal of Jesus played a crucial role in the events leading to Jesus' crucifixion and the ultimate fulfillment of God's plan of salvation. His actions serve as a tragic example of the consequences of greed, deceit, and turning away from God.
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In Scripture
5 biblical books ; 5 with study contentMatthew 5 verses
- Matthew 10:4
"Simon the Zealot; and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him."
Study Matthew → - Matthew 26:14
"Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests,"
Study Matthew → - Matthew 26:25
"Judas, who betrayed him, answered, “It isn’t me, is it, Rabbi?” He said to him, “You said it.”"
Study Matthew → - Matthew 26:47
"While he was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and elders of the people."
Study Matthew → - Matthew 27:3
"Then Judas, who betrayed him, when he saw that Jesus was condemned, felt remorse, and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,"
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Mark 3 verses
- Mark 3:19
"and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him. Then he came into a house."
Study Mark → - Mark 14:10
"Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went away to the chief priests, that he might deliver him to them."
Study Mark → - Mark 14:43
"Immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, came—and with him a multitude with swords and clubs, from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders."
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Luke 4 verses
- Luke 6:16
"Judas the son of James; and Judas Iscariot, who also became a traitor."
Study Luke → - Luke 22:3
"Satan entered into Judas, who was also called Iscariot, who was counted with the twelve."
Study Luke → - Luke 22:47
"While he was still speaking, behold, a multitude, and he who was called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He came near to Jesus to kiss him."
Study Luke → - Luke 22:48
"But Jesus said to him, “Judas, do you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?”"
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John 5 verses
- John 6:71
"Now he spoke of Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, for it was he who would betray him, being one of the twelve."
Study John → - John 12:4
"Then Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, one of his disciples, who would betray him, said,"
Study John → - John 13:2
"During supper, the devil having already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him,"
Study John → - John 13:26
"Jesus therefore answered, “It is he to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it.” So when he had dipped the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot."
Study John → - John 13:29
"For some thought, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus said to him, “Buy what things we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor."
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Acts 2 verses
- Acts 1:16
"“Brothers, it was necessary that this Scripture should be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who was guide to those who took Jesus."
Study Acts → - Acts 1:25
"to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas fell away, that he might go to his own place.”"
Study Acts →
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Strong's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Named | Greek | Ἰούδας | G2455H |
| Named | Greek | Ἰσκαριώτης, Ἰσκαριώθ | G2469 |