Judas Ἰούδας
The apostle who betrayed Jesus
Who is Judas in the Bible?
Judas Iscariot was one of the twelve apostles chosen by Jesus Christ, remembered primarily for his betrayal that led to Jesus' arrest and crucifixion. Serving as the group's treasurer, Judas was identified as a thief who stole from their common purse (John 12:4-6). During the Last Supper, Jesus predicted His betrayal, and when Jesus handed Judas a piece of bread, He revealed that Judas was the one who would betray Him (John 13:26-27). Judas then went out into the night to arrange Jesus' arrest for thirty pieces of silver (Matthew 26:14-25). His betrayal stands as one of the Bible's most significant acts of treachery, serving as a powerful reminder of human weakness and the consequences of rejecting 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 betrayed Jesus."
Study Matthew → - Matthew 26:14
"Then one of the Twelve, the one called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests"
Study Matthew → - Matthew 26:25
"Then Judas, who would betray Him, said, “Surely not I, Rabbi?” Jesus answered, “You have said it yourself.”"
Study Matthew → - Matthew 26:47
"While Jesus was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived, accompanied by a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and elders of the people."
Study Matthew → - Matthew 27:3
"When Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was filled with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders."
Study Matthew →
Mark 3 verses
- Mark 3:19
"and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus."
Study Mark → - Mark 14:10
"Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them."
Study Mark → - Mark 14:43
"While Jesus was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived, accompanied by a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, scribes, and elders."
Study Mark →
Luke 4 verses
- Luke 6:16
"Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor."
Study Luke → - Luke 22:3
"Then Satan entered Judas Iscariot, who was one of the Twelve."
Study Luke → - Luke 22:47
"While He was still speaking, a crowd arrived, led by the man called Judas, one of the Twelve. He approached Jesus to kiss Him."
Study Luke → - Luke 22:48
"But Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”"
Study Luke →
John 5 verses
- John 6:71
"He was speaking about Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. For although Judas was one of the Twelve, he was later to betray Jesus."
Study John → - John 12:4
"But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was going to betray Him, asked,"
Study John → - John 13:2
"The evening meal was underway, and the devil had already put into the heart of Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus."
Study John → - John 13:26
"Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I give this morsel after I have dipped it.” Then He dipped the morsel and gave it to Judas son of Simon Iscariot."
Study John → - John 13:29
"Since Judas kept the money bag, some thought that Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the feast, or to give something to the poor."
Study John →
Acts 2 verses
- Acts 1:16
"“Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled that the Holy Spirit foretold through the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide for those who arrested Jesus."
Study Acts → - Acts 1:25
"to take up this ministry and apostleship, which Judas abandoned to go to his rightful place.”"
Study Acts →
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Named | Greek | Ἰούδας | Ioúdas | Judas (i.e. Jehudah), the name of ten Israelites; also of the posterity of one of them and its region |
| Named | Greek | Ἰσκαριώτης, Ἰσκαριώθ | Iskariṓtēs | inhabitant of Kerioth; Iscariotes (i.e. Keriothite), an epithet of Judas the traitor |