Ref: Mt 10:4, 26:14,25,47, 27:3 Mk 3:19, 14:10,43, Lk 6:16, 22:3,47-48, Jn 6:71, 12:4, 13:2,26,29, 17:12, 18:2-5, Acts 1:16-25
Judas Iscariot son of Simon (or in Hebrew: Yehudah Ish Qiriyot ben Simeon) is famously known as the disciple who betrayed Jesus. The origin of the word Iscariot is much debated but a possible option is that it simply means a man from Kerioth (IYSH-QiRiYOT). Kerioth was a town in southern Judea and would make Judas possibly the only one of the twelve not from Galilee. Other than being listed with the twelve he only features prominently in the week leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion.
Judas is first mentioned when Jesus appoints the 12 disciples although it is unclear when he first began to follow Jesus. In the three lists of the twelve that appear in the synoptics, he is always listed in position number 12 with the description “who also betrayed him” or as Luke puts it “who also became a traitor”. The day after the feeding of the 5,000 Jesus is speaking to the 12 after many had turned away. Jesus said that though he chose the 12 one of them was a devil. He said this of Judas as he knew Judas who would betray him (John 6:66-71). Jesus had chosen Judas to follow him even though he knew he would one day betray him.
On the sabbath before Jesus’ final Passover, there was a feast held for Jesus at Bethany, in the house of Martha, Mary and Lazarus. Mary then anointed Jesus with very costly oil of spikenard. Judas upon seeing this complained, asking why the oil wasn’t sold for 300 denarii and given to the poor. Judas didn’t in fact care for the poor, but was rather annoyed at missing an opportunity. Judas was responsible for the money box and was also a thief taking the money for himself from time to time. Jesus rebuked him for rebuking Mary, for the poor they would always have but him they would not (John 12:1-8).
Following the anointing at Bethany we’re told that Satan entered Judas and that he went to the chief priests and asked what they would give him if he delivered Jesus to them. The chief priests then gave him 30 pieces of silver inadvertently fulfilling the prophecy of Zechariah 11:12. Judas then looked for the opportune time to betray Jesus (Matthew 26:14-16, Mark 14:10-11, Luke 22:3-6).
At the last supper Jesus washed the disciples feet and this included Judas. Later Jesus announced to the disciples that one of them would betray him. Jesus declared that the son of man would go as it had been written, but woe to the man who betrays him, for it would have been better if he hadn’t been born. Moreover Jesus said that it was he who dipped with him in the dish. Like the other disciples Judas asked “Rabbi is it I?” to which Jesus responded “You have said it”. The rest of the disciples were perplexed and Simon motioned to John (who was leaning upon Jesus) that he should ask him who would do the betrayal. So John asked and Jesus answered: "it is he whom I shall give a piece of bread when I have dipped it". Jesus then dipped the bread and gave it to Judas. Satan then entered Judas and Jesus said to him “what you do, do quickly”. Judas then went out immediately. The other disciples knowing that he had the money box, speculated that he went to either buy things for the feast or to give money to the poor. (Matthew 26:20-26, Mark 14:18-21, Luke 22:21-23, John 13:18-30). After Judas leaves, Jesus later, whilst praying to the Father, says he has lost none of those he had given him, except the son of perdition, that scripture might be fulfilled (John 17:12). This is a reference to Judas Iscariot who was in the process of betraying him.
When Jesus was in Gethsemane, Judas came with an armed mob, sent by the chief priests, scribes and the elders. Judas knew where Jesus would be, for the disciples had often been with him there, so he led them right to Jesus. Now Judas had told them that the one he would kiss was the one to be seized. In Mark’s account he says to the soldiers to seize him and lead him away safely. Walking up to Jesus he said “Greetings Rabbi” and kissed him. To which Jesus responded “friend why have you come? Judas are you betraying the son of Man with a kiss?” Jesus then walked towards them and said who are you seeking to which they replied Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus answered “I am” and they drew back and fell to the ground. Again Jesus said to them who are you seeking and again they answered Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus repeated that it was him and asked that they would let his disciples go free. Peter then seeing what was about to happen drew his sword and attacked. He cut of the ear of Malchus the servant of the high priest. Jesus restrained Peter and healed Malchus. He then rebuked the mob for coming to get him with swords and clubs as if her was a robber. He had been with them daily in the temple teaching and yet they did not arrest him. However Jesus knew this was how it had to be. With that the mob laid hands on him, arrested him and took him into Jerusalem to the High Priest. (Mt 26:47-56, Mk 14:43-50, Luke 22:47-52, John 18:1-12)
By the time Jesus had been delivered to Pilate Judas was filled with remorse. He tried to give the money back to the chief priests saying “I have sinned and by betraying innocent blood”. Their response was in effect what has this got to do with us. Judas threw the silver in the temple and went off to hang himself. Having hung himself he burst open in the middle with his entrails gushing out. The priests took the blood money and purchased a field belonging to the potter, as a place to bury strangers in. The field from that point was known as Akel Dama or the field of blood. Judas would later have his place amongst the twelve filled by Mathias (Matthew 27:3-10, Acts 1:15-26).
What we learn from Judas was that he was selfish and exploitative. His reasons for following Jesus are unclear but he used it as an opportunity for person gain. He was a thief taking from the money box that he had been entrusted with. Having lost out on access to 300 denarii, he sold out his rabbi for 30 pieces of silver. Interestingly when giving instruction for the soldiers to seize Jesus, he asks that they would lead him away safely (Mark 14:44). This shows that he did not want Jesus to be harmed and likely deluded himself as to what would happen to Jesus. When the full horror of what Judas had done dawned on him he was filled with regret, however this didn’t lead to sincere repentance. Out of his guilt he rendered judgement on himself and committed suicide.