Apostle, Betrayer of Christ
d. c. 30 AD · New Testament
The apostle who betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver, then hanged himself in remorse — his name has become synonymous with betrayal across two millennia.
Judas Iscariot was one of Jesus's twelve apostles, called by Christ himself and given apostolic authority. The name 'Iscariot' likely means 'man of Kerioth' — a town in southern Judah, making Judas the only non-Galilean apostle. He served as the group's treasurer (John 12:6, 13:29). John notes he was a thief who stole from the bag. At the dinner in Bethany when Mary anointed Jesus's feet with costly ointment, Judas objected — not from concern for the poor but to steal from the bag. The betrayal was set at the Last Supper. After receiving the sop from Jesus's hand, 'Satan entered into him' (John 13:27). He had negotiated with the chief priests for 30 pieces of silver (Matthew 26:14-16) — the Mosaic price for a slave (Exodus 21:32). In Gethsemane, Judas approached Jesus with an armed band. The pre-arranged signal: a kiss. After Jesus was condemned, Judas was struck with remorse. Matthew 27:3-5 — 'when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver... I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood... And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.' Unlike Peter, who also betrayed Christ but found forgiveness, Judas's remorse turned to despair. Jesus's words at the Last Supper apply: 'Woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed!' (Matthew 26:24).
Given apostolic authority
Wanted to steal from the bag
30 pieces of silver
Satan entered him; left into the night
In the garden of Gethsemane
Threw the silver into the temple; hanged himself
Judas's significance is sobering. (1) Proximity is not safety. Judas walked with Jesus for three years yet betrayed him. (2) The contrast with Peter. Both betrayed Christ. Peter wept and was restored; Judas despaired and died. The difference was the direction of remorse. (3) Fulfillment of prophecy. His betrayal fulfilled Psalm 41:9 and Zechariah 11:12-13 — God's redemptive plan without removing personal responsibility. (4) The warning of love of money. 1 Timothy 6:10 was illustrated in Judas's choice.
“Hail, master.”— Matthew 26:49 — the betrayal kiss
“I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood.”— Matthew 27:4
Judas Iscariot was one of Jesus's twelve apostles, the group's treasurer, and the apostle who betrayed Jesus to the religious authorities for 30 pieces of silver. He identified Jesus with a kiss in the garden of Gethsemane. After Jesus's condemnation, Judas was struck with remorse, returned the silver, and hanged himself.
The Gospels give multiple factors. (1) Money — Matthew 26:14-16. John 12:6 says Judas was already stealing. (2) Satanic influence — Luke 22:3 and John 13:27 record that Satan entered Judas. (3) Some scholars suggest Judas was disillusioned by Jesus's peaceful approach. The Bible does not endorse one motive; Judas's choice was both his own responsibility and part of God's redemptive plan.
Two accounts. Matthew 27:5 records he 'went and hanged himself.' Acts 1:18 adds: 'falling headlong, he burst asunder.' Traditional harmonization: Judas hanged himself; the rope or branch eventually broke. Both accounts agree on the central fact: he died by suicide after the betrayal.
Both betrayed Christ. Peter denied him three times. Both felt remorse. The difference: Peter wept but turned back to Christ, who restored him (John 21:15-17). Judas's remorse turned to despair — he hanged himself rather than seeking forgiveness. 2 Corinthians 7:10 — 'godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation... but the sorrow of the world worketh death.'