The Taking of Christ (1602) Caravaggio

Judas Iscariot was one of the hand selected Twelve Apostles (1) of Jesus Christ (2). Other than a few scattered verses, the Holy Bible (3) does not disclose much about Judas, his upbringing, where he hailed from or how he was chosen as a follower of Christ. Below is what the Bible does tell us about Judas:

JESUS APPOINTS THE TWELVE (Matthew 10:1-4, Mark 3:13-19, Luke 6:12-16)

Judas is first mentioned in the Bible when he is included as one of the Twelve Jesus gave authority to "drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness." He is also singled out as the one "who betrayed Him."

JUDAS WAS THE GROUP TREASURER (John 12:6, John 13:29)

The Gospel of John (4) tells us that Judas was in charge of the group's money and, being "a thief," he used to "help himself to what was put into it."

MANY DISCIPLES DESERT JESUS  (John 6:60-71)

In this ironically placed Gospel of John narrative, Jesus says to Peter, "Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!” (He meant Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, who, though one of the Twelve, was later to betray Him.)

JESUS ANOINTED AT BETHANY (Matthew 26:6-13, Mark 14:3-9, John 12:1-11)

Three of the four Gospels offer an account prior to the arrest of Jesus where He was present at a dinner. Matthew (5) and Mark (6) both indicate Jesus is at the home of Simon the Leper while John's Gospel says He is at the home of His friend, Lazarus. Both accounts share that Jesus was anointed with expensive perfumes/oils and that one of His followers objected to this, saying it was a waste of resources that could have better served the poor. John's Gospel identifies the complainant as Judas Iscariot.

PLOT TO ARREST & KILL JESUS (Matthew 26:10-14, Mark 14:10-11, Luke 22:1-6)

The chief priests and the elders scheme to arrest and kill (7) Jesus. For thirty pieces of silver, Judas agrees to betray Jesus. See also Exodus 21:32 and Zechariah 11:12.

LAST SUPPER (Matthew 26:17-30, Mark 14:12-26, Luke 22:7-38, John 13:1-17:26)

During the Last Supper, Jesus gathers with the Twelve. During the meal, He discloses that one of them will betray Him. In Matthew's account, Judas said, “'Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?'” Jesus answered, “You have said so.” In John's account, Judas departs the gathering early by himself. See also Psalms 41:9 and Isaiah 53:8-10.

ARREST OF JESUS (Matthew 26:47-56, Mark 14:43-52, Luke 22:47-53, John 18:1-14)

Later that evening, in the garden at Gethsemane, Jesus is praying with the remaining eleven when Judas came to the garden. He was guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons. After Judas identified Jesus to them, the officials had Jesus arrested and taken to the high priest, Caiaphas. The Six Trials of Jesus (8) ensued.

REMORSE AND DEATH OF JUDAS (Matthew 27:3-10, Acts 1:16, 18, 25)

After the arrest of Jesus, we hear no more about Judas Iscariot before we learn of his remorse over Jesus being condemned. Apparently, Judas did not think his betrayal would lead to a death sentence for Jesus and, when he found out Jesus was sentenced to die, Judas tried to return the thirty pieces of silver. He confessed his sin to the chief priests and elders, acknowledging he had "betrayed innocent blood." The religious leaders were indifferent to his dilemma and refused to take back the "blood money." Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Matthew's account discloses Judas hanged himself after departing from the temple, while the Acts account says that "he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out."

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FOOTNOTES:

(1) https://www.downriverdisciples.com/twelve-disciples

(2) https://www.downriverdisciples.com/jesus-christ

(3) https://www.downriverdisciples.com/the-good-news

(4) https://www.downriverdisciples.com/john

(5) https://www.downriverdisciples.com/matthew

(6) https://www.downriverdisciples.com/mark

(7) https://www.downriverdisciples.com/obituary-of-jesus

(8) https://www.downriverdisciples.com/six-trials-of-jesus