Who Was Judas Iscariot?
Who Was Judas Iscariot? Judas Iscariot was the apostle who betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver, fulfilling prophecy and becoming history's most infamous traitor.
Key verse: Matthew 26:14-15 (KJV)
Judas Iscariot was the apostle who betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver, fulfilling prophecy and becoming history's most infamous traitor.
Judas Iscariot was the apostle who betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver, fulfilling prophecy and becoming history's most infamous traitor.
"Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver." — Matthew 26:14-15 (KJV)
Meaning
Plain-language explanation
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The Biblical Answer
Judas was one of the twelve apostles and served as the group's treasurer, though John notes he was a thief who stole from the money bag (John 12:6). His motives for betrayal are debated—greed, disillusionment with Jesus' non-political kingdom, or Satanic influence (Luke 22:3). He betrayed Jesus with a kiss in Gethsemane for thirty pieces of silver, fulfilling Zechariah 11:12-13. When he saw Jesus condemned, he was seized with remorse, returned the money, and hanged himself (Matthew 27:3-5). Jesus called him 'the son of perdition' (John 17:12) and said it would have been better for that man had he not been born (Mark 14:21). Judas' story warns that proximity to Jesus does not equal genuine faith, and that unchecked sin leads to destruction.
Key Scripture References
"Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver."
"And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly."
"Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver... and went and hanged himself."
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Related Questions
Who Were the Twelve Apostles?
The twelve apostles were the men Jesus chose as His closest followers and commissioned to spread the gospel: Peter, Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot (later replaced by Matthias).
Why Did Jesus Have to Die on the Cross?
Jesus died as a substitutionary sacrifice to pay the penalty for human sin and reconcile humanity to God.
Who Was Melchizedek in the Bible?
Melchizedek was a mysterious king of Salem and priest of the Most High God who blessed Abraham and received tithes from him.
Who Was Abraham in the Bible?
Abraham was the father of the Jewish nation, called by God from Ur of the Chaldees, and known as the 'father of faith.'
Who Was Moses?
Moses was the great deliverer and lawgiver of Israel who led the Exodus from Egypt and received the Ten Commandments from God.
Deep Dive Commentary
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Read Matthew on day 284 of the chronological Bible reading planKeep the verses to hand
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