Lives of Scripture

Judas Iscariot, son of Simon Iscariot, was one of the twelve apostles and served as treasurer for Jesus' band of disciples, keeping the money box -- from which John says he used to steal (John 12:6). At Bethany, Judas objected to Mary's costly anointing of Jesus as wasteful, ostensibly for the poor but really, John notes, out of greed (12:4-6). Shortly after, Judas went to the chief priests and struck a deal to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver, then sought an opportunity to hand Him over (Matthew 26:14-16). At the Last Supper Jesus identified him as the betrayer, and Judas left into the night (John 13:21-30). In Gethsemane, Judas led an armed crowd to Jesus and identified Him with a kiss -- a gesture of intimacy turned into a signal for arrest (Matthew 26:47-49). Scripture attributes his act to both human choice and satanic influence: "Satan entered into Judas" (Luke 22:3), yet Judas is fully responsible, and Jesus calls him "the son of perdition" (John 17:12). Seeing Jesus condemned, Judas was seized with remorse, returned the silver to the priests declaring "I have sinned by betraying innocent blood," and then hanged himself (Matthew 27:3-5); Acts adds that his body later fell and burst open in the field purchased with the money (Acts 1:18-19). His place among the Twelve was filled by casting lots (Acts 1:23-26). Judas's story stands as Scripture's starkest picture of proximity to Christ without saving faith.