Judas Iscariot

Judas Iscariot was one of the twelve disciples chosen by Jesus. His surname likely indicates he was from Kerioth, making him possibly the only non-Galilean among the twelve. Jesus appointed him treasurer of the group's common purse.

John's Gospel reveals Judas's character early: when Mary anointed Jesus with expensive perfume, Judas objected that it should have been sold and given to the poor—"not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein." His piety masked greed.

After this incident, Judas approached the chief priests to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver—the price of a slave. During the Last Supper, Jesus identified Judas as His betrayer: "What thou doest, do quickly." Satan entered Judas, and he went out into the night.

In Gethsemane, Judas led the arresting party and identified Jesus with a kiss—a mark of friendship perverted into treachery. When Jesus was condemned, Judas was seized with remorse. He returned the silver, confessing, "I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood." The priests dismissed him contemptuously. Judas threw the money into the temple and hanged himself. His name became synonymous with treachery.