Judas Iscariot (Mark 3:13–19; Matthew 10:1–4; Luke 6:13–16; John 6:66–71; John 12:1–8; Matthew 26:14–16; Mark 14:10–11; Luke 22:3–6; Matthew 26:20–25; John 13:21–30; Matthew 26:47–50; Luke 22:47–48; John 18:2–5; Matthew 27:3–10; Acts 1:15–26)

One of the Twelve, Who Betrayed Him

One of the twelve, who kept the bag, went to the chief priests and agreed to deliver Jesus to them, brought a multitude to take him with a kiss, and afterwards died; the Gospel of Matthew and the book of Acts give two accounts of his death.

Judas Iscariot is named last in each list of the twelve, “Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him” (Mark 3:19); the list in Matthew 10:2–4 ends with the same words. Jesus said of him, “Did not I choose you the twelve, and one of you is a devil?” (John 6:70), and the Gospel adds, “Now he spake of Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve” (John 6:71).

When Mary anointed Jesus' feet at Bethany, Judas asked why the ointment was not sold and given to the poor; the Gospel of John says that “he was a thief, and having the bag took away what was put therein” (John 12:6). Later “one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, and said, What are ye willing to give me, and I will deliver him unto you?” (Matthew 26:14–15), and “they weighed unto him thirty pieces of silver” (Matthew 26:15).

He came to Jesus with a multitude with swords and staves and said, “Hail, Rabbi” (Matthew 26:49) and kissed him (Matthew 26:49). Two accounts of what followed are written down. In the Gospel of Matthew he “repented himself” (Matthew 27:3), brought back the silver, and “went away and hanged himself” (Matthew 27:5). In Acts, in a note set within Peter’s speech, “this man obtained a field with the reward of his iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst” (Acts 1:18). The accounts are set down here as written, and the text does not join them; Christians have read them together in different ways.

Strengths

• Acknowledged his sin

Weaknesses

• Taking from the bag
• Betraying for money

Themes

• Betrayal
• Money
• Remorse
• Fulfillment of Scripture
• A place filled

Named among the twelve (Mark 3:13–19; Matthew 10:1–4; Luke 6:13–16)

Jesus appoints twelve; Judas Iscariot is named last in each list, as he who betrayed or became a traitor.

One of you is a devil (John 6:66–71)

After many disciples go back, Jesus speaks of the twelve he chose and says one of them is a devil; the Gospel names Judas.

The ointment at Bethany (John 12:1–8)

Judas asks why Mary's ointment was not sold for three hundred shillings and given to the poor; Jesus answers him.

The ointment at Bethany

“Mary therefore took a pound of ointment of pure nard, very precious, and anointed the feet of Jesus” (John 12:3). “But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples, that should betray him, saith, Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred shillings, and given to the poor?” (John 12:4–5).

The Gospel of John then says, “Now this he said, not because he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and having the bag took away what was put therein” (John 12:6). Jesus replied, “Suffer her to keep it against the day of my burying” (John 12:7).

He agrees to deliver Jesus (Matthew 26:14–16; Mark 14:10–11; Luke 22:3–6)

Judas goes to the chief priests, who weigh out thirty pieces of silver, and from then on he seeks opportunity.

At table with the twelve (Matthew 26:20–25; John 13:21–30)

Jesus says one of them will betray him; Judas asks, Is it I, Rabbi? and after the sop goes out.

Judas comes with the multitude (Matthew 26:47–50; Luke 22:47–48; John 18:2–5)

Judas, who knew the place, comes with a band, officers and a multitude, and kisses Jesus; they lay hands on him.

The account in Matthew: he repents and hangs himself (Matthew 27:3–10)

Seeing that Jesus is condemned, Judas repents, brings back the silver, casts it into the sanctuary, and hangs himself; the priests buy the potter's field.

The account in the Gospel of Matthew

“Then Judas, who betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, I have sinned in that I betrayed innocent blood” (Matthew 27:3–4). “And he cast down the pieces of silver into the sanctuary, and departed; and he went away and hanged himself” (Matthew 27:5).

The chief priests “took counsel, and bought with them the potter’s field, to bury strangers in” (Matthew 27:7), and “that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day” (Matthew 27:8).

The account in Acts: his place is filled (Acts 1:15–26)

Peter tells the brethren that the scripture concerning Judas had to be fulfilled; a note tells how he obtained a field and fell; Matthias is numbered with the eleven apostles.

The account in Acts

Peter stood up among about a hundred and twenty and said that it was needful that the scripture should be fulfilled, “concerning Judas, who was guide to them that took Jesus” (Acts 1:16). “For he was numbered among us, and received his portion in this ministry” (Acts 1:17).

A note set within the speech says, “this man obtained a field with the reward of his iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out” (Acts 1:18). “insomuch that in their language that field was called Akeldama, that is, The field of blood” (Acts 1:19).

The two accounts agree that the field was called the field of blood (Matthew 27:8; Acts 1:19); they differ on who is said to have obtained it and describe his death differently; the text does not say how the two accounts relate.

The company prayed that the Lord would show the one chosen “to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas fell away, that he might go to his own place” (Acts 1:25). “And they gave lots for them; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles” (Acts 1:26).

Jesus (John 6:70–71; Matthew 26:47–50)

Chose him among the twelve, said one of them was a devil, and was betrayed by him.

The other eleven (Matthew 26:20–22; John 13:28–29)

Fellow-disciples at table with him; some thought he went out to buy for the feast or give to the poor.

The chief priests and elders (Matthew 26:14–15; Matthew 27:3–4)

Weighed him thirty pieces of silver; when he brought the silver back they answered, See thou to it.

Peter (Acts 1:15–20)

Fellow-disciple; in Acts he spoke before the brethren concerning Judas.

Major sections

• Matthew 26:14–16
• Matthew 26:47–50
• Matthew 27:3–10
• John 12:1–8
• John 13:21–30
• Acts 1:15–26

More illuminations · Harbinger's Lamp