Judas Iscariot

the one who betrayed him

Who was Judas Iscariot?

He was one of the Twelve. He was the son of Simon the Iscariot. Matthew 10:4; John 6:71
He handed Jesus over for thirty pieces of silver. Matthew 26:14-16

The name: “Judas” comes from Judah, which means “praised.” “Iscariot” may mean “man from Kerioth,” a town in Judea; its meaning is debated. Catholic Encyclopedia (1913), “Judas Iscariot”; Benedict XVI, general audience of October 18, 2006; NABRE note on Lc 6, 16
Also called: Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot John 13:26
Occupation: He kept the money bag for the group John 12:6; John 13:29

What the Bible says

Matthew 10:4; John 6:71

Simon the Cananean, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.

Matthew 26:14-16

¹⁴Then went one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, to the chief priests, ¹⁵And said to them: What will you give me, and I will deliver him unto you? But they appointed him thirty pieces of silver. ¹⁶And from thenceforth he sought opportunity to betray him.

Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner revision), public domain.

The path of Judas Iscariot

Before Jesus. He was the son of Simon the Iscariot. The Bible tells nothing about his life before Jesus. John 6:71; John 13:26
With Jesus. Jesus chose him as one of the Twelve. He sent him out with the others, with power to heal the sick. Matthew 10:1, 4-5
With Jesus. He kept the money bag for the group. John says he was a thief and took from what was put in it. John 12:6; John 13:29
With Jesus. He went to the chief priests and asked for money to hand Jesus over. They agreed on thirty pieces of silver. Matthew 26:14-15
With Jesus. At the Last Supper, Jesus said that one of them would hand him over. That night, Judas went out. Matthew 26:21; John 13:30
With Jesus. He came to the garden with armed men and pointed out Jesus with a kiss. Matthew 26:47-49
With Jesus. When he saw that Jesus had been condemned, he was sorry and gave back the coins. Then he hanged himself. Matthew 27:3-5
Afterward. After the Ascension, they drew lots to choose who would take Judas’ place among the Twelve. The lot fell to Matthias. Acts 1:23-26

Words of Judas Iscariot

“Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?” John 12:5

In Bethany, when Mary poured a very costly perfume on Jesus’ feet.

“What will you give me, and I will deliver him unto you?” Matthew 26:15

When he went to see the chief priests, before the Passover.

“Is it I, Rabbi?” Matthew 26:25

At the Last Supper, when Jesus said that one of them would hand him over.

“Hail, Rabbi.” Matthew 26:49

In the garden, when he arrived with the armed men. Then he kissed Jesus.

“I have sinned in betraying innocent blood.” Matthew 27:4

When he saw that Jesus had been condemned and went to give back the coins.

What they were like

When Mary of Bethany poured out a very costly perfume, Judas complained. He said it could have been sold to give the money to the poor. John 12:3-5
John explains that he did not say this because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief and stole from the money bag. John 12:6

Not to be confused with

Jude Thaddeus: They are two different apostles. Luke names both of them in the same list, and John speaks of “Judas, not the Iscariot.” Luke 6:16; John 14:22

In the Church today

In art, recognized by: The money bag From Jn 13, 29; this is how Christian art shows him

Judas Iscariot in art

What people ask

Why did Judas hand Jesus over?

The Bible does not give one single reason. It speaks of money, of his stealing from the money bag, and of Satan taking hold of him. Matthew 26:15; John 12:6; Luke 22:3; Benedict XVI, general audience of October 18, 2006

How did Judas die?

Matthew says he hanged himself. Acts tells it another way: Judas bought a field, and he died there. Matthew 27:5; Acts 1:18; NABRE note on Mt 27, 5-8

Was Judas sorry?

Matthew says that when he saw that Jesus had been condemned, he was sorry, gave back the coins and admitted that he had sinned. Matthew 27:3-4

Was Judas lost forever?

Benedict XVI said it is not for us to judge him: that belongs to God, who is “infinitely merciful and just.” Benedict XVI, general audience of October 18, 2006

Who took his place among the Twelve?

Matthias. They prayed, they drew lots, and Matthias was added to the eleven apostles. Acts 1:23-26

Daily life He kept the money bag for the group. That is why, at the Last Supper, some thought Jesus was sending him to buy something. John 13:29 He was…

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Who Judas Iscariot is connected to

Jesus · betrayed him

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