Judas Iscariot
The man who betrayed Jesus.
Matt.10:2-4
Of all the characters who march across the stage of Bible history, there is none so tragic nor so despicable as that of Judas Iscariot
Judas background.
His last name meant “a man of Kerioth.” This is significant because all of the other Apostles were from Galilee in the north, whereas he was from the south.
We know nothing of Judas prior to his call by Jesus. However to have been called as an apostle implies that he had previously declared himself a disciple. In any case it is probable Judas was among those who received the call to apostleship - Mark 3:13-19. Jesus, being able to read the hearts of Men (John 2: 25) selected His apostles with care. Judas probably had talents and gifts comparable to the other eleven and due to that supposed fact, his call was not a matter of surprise to them, nor did they think it strange.
The life of Judas serves as a warning about the dangers of wasted opportunities, hardness of heart, wicked lusts, and spiritual carelessness. Judas played his part so well that no one but Jesus Himself knew that Judas was a fraud. He was a false follower and no one ever noticed!
Why did Jesus choose Judas? Did Jesus know about him?
A. Jesus never did anything by accident. Jesus chose him on purpose, knowing what would happen all the while. Judas did not trick Jesus. John 13:21-27 shows that Jesus knew all about Judas.
B. To fulfill scripture’s prophecy
1. Psalms 41:9 Scripture says that the Messiah will be betrayed
2. Zechariah 11:12&13 Scripture says that it will be for 30 pieces of silver
C. To prove his Deity - John 13: 18-19 “if it happens the way scripture says, I am the Messiah”
D. He chose him to show that the church can overcome tragedy and divisiveness. John 16:32-33 “Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. These things I have spoken to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world”
What is clear in Scriptures is that Judas really chose what he did and he bears responsibility for his choice. Judas had the same exact stimulus as all the other 11. He could easily have turned out like Peter or James or John or Thomas. He saw the same things. There is one secret flaw in his life. The gospel writers racked their brains trying to explain Judas’ action. The only reason they could come up with, the only motivation they discover in his life, was his motive of money. Judas did these things because of money. He had greed as a motivation in his life and it is really spelled out by the gospel of John. John 12:6 for instance tells a story of how Mary, the sister of Lazarus, anointed Jesus’ feet with perfume, and Judas, stands up and rebukes her. Jesus tells him to quiet down and John tells why Judas objected. It says this in John 12:6: "Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor." (Also we find this story in Matt. 26:6-13; Mark 14:3-9 and Luke 7:37-39. )
"He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it."
It is interesting all four gospels point to this very event as the breaking point where Judas finally decided to betray Jesus. I n this story Jesus talks about his burial. Earlier Jesus talked about dying. They thought he meant metaphorically. Jesus used this word burial here, a very concrete idea. And probably this was the turning point in the life of Judas. Money was too important in Judas' life, and in pursuing it, he fell prey to it.
In His prayer recorded in John 17, Jesus prayed:
" While I was with them, I was protecting them and kept them safe by that name that You have given Me. None has been lost , except the son of perdition, so that the Scripture may be fulfilled." John 17:12
" ... and not one of them is lost , except the son of perdition..." That's quite a title given to Judas Iscariot. In 2 Thess. 2:3 we read that the same title is given to the Anti-Christ; he is also called the son of perdition.
Scripture is clear that God knows the future (Matthew 6:8; Psalm 139:1-4) and has total sovereign control over all things (Colossians 1:16-17; Daniel 4:35). The Bible also says that we must choose God or be eternally separated from Him. We are held responsible for our actions (Romans 3:19; 6:23; 9:19-21). How these facts work together is impossible for a finite mind to comprehend (Romans 11:33-36).
The fact that Satan "put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot . . . to betray" John 13:2; Luke 22:3 - does not alleviate Judas from moral responsibility for the treachery of his deed. We come across similar language in Acts 5 in the incident involving Ananias and his wife Sapphira. They had earlier pledged to give to the early church a percentage of the proceeds from the sale of their property. But then they held it back. We read in Acts 5:3-5
"But Peter said, 'Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.' When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it" .
The involvement of Satan in the sin of Ananias did not relieve Ananias of his responsibility for the deed. That he was regarded by God as fully responsible and morally accountable for the sin he committed is seen in the fact that he fell down dead. God disciplined Ananias, and later his wife Sapphira. Nowhere do we read that either of them was exonerated simply because "Satan filled" their heart to lie to the Spirit. Evidently they could have chosen to resist Satan's prompting, but they didn't. They were entirely complicit with his activity.
The same may be said of Judas in John 13. Satan "put it into the heart of Judas" to betray Jesus but Judas himself is held morally accountable for his treachery. So what is the relationship between the will of Judas and the prompting of Satan? I can assure you that Satan did not move on the heart of an innocent man who would otherwise have done what was right. We know that Judas was a thief (see John 12:6). He had carefully hidden his real motives from the other 11 disciples. Jesus knew from the beginning that Judas was a wicked man whose heart was already filled with treachery. Satan's role is real and the timing was his to determine, but Judas will not be able to stand at the judgment throne of God and insist on his innocence by saying: "Wait a minute, God! The Devil made me do it.
Remember that Satan can only inhabit a man, when the man is receptive to him. The background of Judas may have played a great part in the acceptance of Satan into His heart.
Covetousness could also have played a large part in the deception, for Judas the money keeper, found that to be the money keeper of a few disciples was far short of being the treasurer of a great kingdom that he thought Jesus was to set up in Jerusalem.
The devil planted the seed for the soil of the heart of Judas was ready. The devil has no power except where there is preparation for him. The covetous disposition of Judas had prepared the way.
Jesus was not surprised by the treachery and betrayal of Judas Iscariot. He knew what Judas would do even before he called him to be one of the twelve.
We read this in John 13:11, 18-19 .
"For he [Jesus] knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, 'Not all of you are clean'" (v. 11).
"I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture will be fulfilled, 'He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.' I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he" (John 13:18-19).
We also know that Jesus was well aware of Judas's intentions because of what we read in John 13:27 - "Jesus said to him [Judas], 'What you are going to do, do quickly.'" This isn't the first time in John's gospel that we read about how Jesus knew from the beginning that Judas would betray him.
"Jesus answered them, 'Did I not choose you, the Twelve? And yet one of you is a devil.' He spoke of Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, for he, one of the Twelve, was going to betray him" (John 6:71).
When John writes about Judas, he referred to him as
(a) a thief - John 12:6;
(b) betrayer -John 18:2, 5;
(c) possessed by the devil - John 13:27; or
(d) the son of perdition – someone lost in hell -John 17:12.
John’s gospel was written fifty plus years after Christ’s death and resurrection and it seems as if he could not find enough words to describe Judas as an evil person.
I would like to take some time and explore Judas’ life and consider a few thoughts about false disciples like Judas.
I. Judas as a false disciple.
A. He was recognized with the others. Matthew 10:2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; 3 Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James … Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.
Judas was numbered with the other disciples. He had traveled with them… talked with them … lived with them! People recognized him as one of Christ’s followers.
B. He was familiar with the routine - John 18:1 After Jesus had said these things, He went out with His disciples across the Kidron Valley, where there was a garden, and He and His disciples went into it. Judas, who betrayed Him, also knew the place, because Jesus often met there with His disciples. So Judas took a * company of soldiers and some temple police from the chief priests and the Pharisees and came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons.
When it came time to betray Christ, Judas knew exactly where to find Him! Judas had been with Jesus and the others in this place several times before. He knew where to go!
C. He Know The Plan - Mark 3:14 And he appointed twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach,
Judas was “appointed ” by Jesus. This word has the idea of training. Jesus took the twelve and made them ready for the mission He was about to send them to accomplish. Judas witnessed the character and compassion of Christ. He heard Jesus’ words and saw His works. Judas hardened his heart against every attempt of the Lord to reach him. Imagine the miracles that Judas witnessed, consider the sermons that he heard from Jesus, think of all of those intimate conversations that Christ had with His disciples....Judas knew the plan of salvation, Judas was present with the Messiah for over 3 years!!!
None of these things matter if you have never surrendered to Christ! This is not about knowledge it is about a relationship!
D. He also “appeared” to be concerned about the ministry - John 12:4 -6 Then one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot (who was about to betray Him), said, “Why wasn’t this fragrant oil sold for 300 denarii and given to the poor? ” He didn’t say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief. He was in charge of the money-bag and would steal part of what was put in it.
Maybe not the most spiritual of comments but notice that Judas used the ministry for his own ends. Judas looked and played the part well! Eventually his true colors were revealed. He deceived everyone except Jesus. And in the end everyone came to know of the deception.
There is one additional point that I want to share with you. The book of Acts records a statement that Peter made when he stood before the one hundred and twenty that was gathered in the upper room. He said “Brethren, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit foretold by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. For he was counted among us and received his share in this ministry.” (Acts 1:16-17) Peter testified that Judas was one of them and that he had received his full share of the ministry. In other words, whatever Jesus had the disciples doing, Judas was right there with them. Judas cast out devils and healed the sick, performed other miracles also ministered to the poor, the homeless and the hungry.
In the calling of the twelve disciples here is how it is described.
In Matthew 10:1-5. And He sent them out to minister.
He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.
He was sent out again with the 72. - Luke 10:1-2. Judas went around preaching the good news, driving out the demons, healing diseases and sickness. That is amazing to me! I can’t imagine Judas prayed and lay hands on people and they are getting well. He is driving out the demons and preaching the gospel . On the outside he was an effective disciple. I am sure there were people who would have testified how Judas touched their lives for Christ. But only Jesus knew that he was a fraud.
Did Judas go to heaven or hell?
A. Jesus answers this statement in John 17:12 “none of them is lost except the son of perdition."
B. Acts 1:25 Peter states that Judas “went to his own place” after death.
Judas gave up hope
Judas did not seek forgiveness from God. Even when guilt had overcome Judas, he showed remorse to the wrong people - the priests and officials. An apology to Christ probably would’ve saved his soul. (Matt 27:3&4) He had only remorse not repentance. 2 Corinthians 13 :5 “Examine yourself to see if you are in the faith.”
Judas is a good example of what Jesus said in Matt. 7: 21-23 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord! ’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of My Father in heaven. On that day many will say to Me, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in Your name, drive out demons in Your name, and do many miracles in Your name? ’ Then I will announce to them, ‘I never knew you! Depart from Me, you lawbreakers!’
Think of Judas and the warning he presents for us. It is a call for all of us to be careful about being complacent in our walk with God. He was so close to Jesus but he was lost.
