Judas Iscariot

Judas Iscariot (died April AD 29–33, Hebrew יהודה איש־קריות Yəhûḏāh ʾΚ-qəriyyôṯ) was, according to the New Testament, one of the twelve original apostles of Jesus, and the one who ultimately betrayed him.

Traditional Christian views

Judas is mentioned only in the gospels and at the beginning of Acts. According to the account given in the gospels, he carried the disciples' money box and betrayed Jesus for a bribe of "thirty pieces of silver" by identifying him with a kiss—the "kiss of Judas"— to arresting Roman soldiers. The "pieces of silver" were most likely intended to be understood as silver Tyrian shekels.

Related Topics:
Gospel - Acts - Money - Silver - Roman - Soldier - Tyrian - Shekels - Temple of Jerusalem

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, should not be confused with Jude Thomas (or with Jude Thaddeus/Saint Jude), who was also one of the twelve apostles and a brother of James the Less.

Related Topics:
Jude Thomas - Jude Thaddeus/Saint Jude - James the Less

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

After Jesus' arrest by the Roman authorities (but before his execution), the guilt-ridden Judas returned the bribe to the priests and committed suicide. The Gospel of Matthew says he hanged himself; the Acts of the Apostles (1:18), however, says that he "purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out". This field is called Akeldama or "Field Of Blood." Acts 1 goes on to describe how his place among the apostles was filled by Saint Matthias.

Related Topics:
Priest - Suicide - Gospel of Matthew - Acts of the Apostles - Bowel - Akeldama - Apostle - Saint Matthias

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The act of Judas has been much discussed in context of free will; the mainstream position has been that although Jesus, being divine, knew that Judas would betray him, Judas was still acting in free will and was culpable for his actions. Jesus himself condemned his betrayer heavily in Matthew 26:

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

:When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve. And while they were eating, he said, "I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

:They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, "Surely not I, Lord?"

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

:Jesus replied, "The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~