Who Was Judas Iscariot — In Biblical Context
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)
The Biblical Context
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.
Where It Sits in Scripture
The core passage for this question, Matthew 26:14-15, sits inside Matthew 26. To grasp the full meaning, read the surrounding paragraph — the verses before set up the thought, the verses after carry it forward.
"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."
Supporting Passages
"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."
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