Judas: The Greatest Traitor In The Bible (Bible Stories Explained)

judas was born and raised in the harsh terrain where mighty king david learned to become israel's greatest shepherd according to one commentator judah or judas was the name of one of the twelve sons of jacob in the old testament in the brilliant uprising for independence and 164 bc was led by a man named judas judas iscariot got his surname from his father and it could have referred to where he grew up is scary it meant man of kirioth and aramaic acts 21 verse 38 on the other hand refers to zacarios as a radical freedom fighter

known as dagger bearer a member of a jewish sect that has no qualm about assassinating romans or anyone else collaborating with rome whether or not judas was one of these extremists his background suggests that he was looking for a messiah who would restore israel's freedom as a son of the tribe of judah raised in the heart of judea in bearing the honored name judas could there have been a more loyal jew in all of israel many people would have found jesus's choice of the twelve odd he didn't scour the temple for the brightest and best

scholars he ignored the multitudes of pharisees who devoted their entire lives to obtaining god's favor instead he chose james and john who were known as the sons of thunder he chose andrew who was shy and peter who was bold he invited the roman collaborator levi to join him and then called him matthew which means gift of god he chose cynical nathaniel and thomas both known for their doubts and questions he hand-picked working-class men who did little to hide their flaws and as far as we know all 11 of them were from galilee judas was the

only selection that would have made sense to onlookers in his day this fine strong-hearted zealot from karyoth of judea judas received the same training the same benefit of being in close proximity to the son of god and even the same authority to heal the sick and condemn satan's agents who had taken control of certain men and women he eventually won enough trust to hold and manage the group's treasury for some of them thought because judas had the bag that jesus had said unto him buy those things that we need of against the feast or that

he should give something to the poor john 13 verse 29. jesus also knew that he had a betrayer on his team then jesus said to the twelve do you also want to go away but simon peter answered him lord to whom shall we go you have the words of eternal life also we have come to believe and know that you are the christ the son of the living god jesus answered them did i not choose you the twelve and one of you is a devil he spoke of judas ascaria the son of simon for it

was he who would betray him being one of the twelve john 6 verses 67-71 the deadly double life after raising lazarus from the dead jesus and his disciples traveled to jerusalem in preparation for the jewish feast of passover and unleavened bread rather than staying in the city they decided to pay a visit to their friend lazarus and his sisters martha and mary one evening they reclined at the banquet table of a man in bethany mark calls him simon the leper and luke identifies him as a pharisee lazarus came as a guest and martha assisted in

the kitchen while jesus was eating and having a debate with simon and his pharisaical friends mary crept into the house unnoticed she carried an alabaster jar of costly perfume with her she knelt over his feet shattered the alabaster jar and navishly poured perfume on jesus's feet in a show of worship the aroma filled the room as she drenched his feet in tears and dried them with her hair bringing everything to a halt simon protested quietly now in the pharisee which had bitten him sod he spake within himself saying this man if he were a prophet

would have known who in what manner of woman this is that toucheth him for she is a sinner luke 7 verse 39 however judas objectified for another reason why was this perfume not sold for 300 denarii 300 days wages and given to poor people why was not this ointment sold for 300 pence and given to the poor this he said not that he cared for the poor but because he was a thief and had the bag and bear what was put there in john 12 verse 5 through 6. john could write of that so many

years later the thought of nearly a year's salary disappearing through the cracks on the stone floor was too much for the betrayer secret sin has a grotesque way of warping the mind and twisting one's values out of shape before long the majority of the house stood in condemnation of mary for one reason or another jesus wasn't fooled he saw the truth and quickly took command of the situation he used a parable to address simon's hypocrisy before turning to chastise the twelve for their short-sighted response to mary's spontaneous and extravagant worship immediately following the banquet perhaps

even before midnight then one of the twelve called judas iscariot went unto the chief priests and said unto them what will ye give me and i will deliver him unto you and they covenanted with him for 30 pieces of silver and from that time he sought opportunity to betray him matthew 26 verses 14-16 the betrayal is described in even more chilling terms in the gospel of luke the chief priests and scribes were looking for a way to execute jesus because they were afraid of the people and the chief priests and scribes sought how they might

kill him for they feared the people then entered satan into judas sir named iscariot being of the number of the twelve and he went his way and communed with the chief priests and captains how he might betray him unto them and they were glad and covenanted to give him money and he promised and sought opportunity to betray him unto them in the absence of multitude luke 22 verses 2 through 6 several facts are clear this was more than just the influence of evil it was personal satan chose one of the 12 disciples the passage does

not explain how this occurred or what might have caused it what matters is that the subsequent events take place because satan has his way with judas whatever the devil promises satan's entrance into one's life is destructive when satan enters a person's life he leads them in sinister directions be wary of the temptation to dismiss satan as a relic of a more superstitious era his primary weapon is deception and he would love nothing more than for everyone to believe he is merely a figment of medieval imagination or the product of hollywood hype this scaly horned monster

you see flickering across the screen is the creation of an animator's imagination not reality satan like sin plays on the senses he invented and perfected the art of disguising evil as good nobody knows for certain what judas knew at the time he became satan's tool a final offering of peace passover was quickly approaching the paschal meal signaled the start of the eight day celebration which always fell on the 14th day of the first month of the jewish lunar calendar however preparations were always started well in advance for weeks jews from all over israel in the

empire ascended to the holy city to find lodging and prepare for the year's most important meal as instructed by jesus the disciples chose a sacrificial lamb and then sought out a secluded private room on the second floor of someone's home in accordance with jewish law they began purging the room of any trace of leaven yeast two full days before passover which began at sundown on thursday this year on passover the lamb was given special significance and was sacrificed in the temple to be used as a substitute to symbolize atonement for sin the blood was drained

into a basin held by a priest who then splashed it against the base of the altar the fat and kidneys were given up for burning on the altar as part of the peace offering which symbolized god's friendship with the worshipper after the sacrifice each household representative slung the paschal lamb over his shoulder carried it home and roasted the meat for dinner in accordance with the instructions given for the first passover in egypt the disciples smeared some of the blood on the doorposts and lintel on the main entrance and prepared the other ritual meal components bitter

herbs unleavened bread and wine thursday evening just before sundown the master and his disciples arrived in their festive white tunics as they entered the room a servant should have been available to help them loosen their sandals and rinse their feet but they were alone as each disciple lay down on a cushion and propped himself on one elbow near the table the disciples chattered and laughed only jesus and his betrayer were aware that this would be their final meal together after taking his rightful place at the head of the table jesus led a ceremonial lamp to

mark the end of work in the beginning of celebration he filled the first of four ceremonial cups for the evening with wine and held it up he thanked god for his faithfulness to israel and then dedicated the evening to remembering the exodus jesus stood up removed his outer tunic and wrapped a towel around his waist as each man drained his cup and then reached for a bowl of water for the first ceremonial washing of hands he took a servant's position at one disciple's foot rinsed them clean dried them with the towel and then silently moved

to the next after retrieving the pitcher and basin from the servant station as he knelt in front of peter the brash disciple drew them away and exclaimed jesus saith to him he that is washed needeth not saved to wash his feet but is clean every wit and ye are clean but not all for he knew who should betray him therefore said he ye are not all clean so after he had washed their feet and had taken his garments and was set down again he said unto them know ye what i have done to you ye

call me master and lord and ye say well for so i am if i then your lord and master have washed your feet ye also ought to wash another's feet for i have given you an example that ye should do as i have done to you verily verily i say unto you the servant is not greater than his lord neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him if ye know these things happy are ye if ye do them i speak not of you all i know whom i have chosen but that the

scripture may be fulfilled he that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me john 13 verses 10 through 18 the disciples sat and blinked in confused silence as jesus continued to teach but after a few moments they witnessed that grief had overtaken him when jesus had thus said he was troubled in spirit and terrified and said verily verily i say unto you that one of you shall betray me john 13 21 the disciples burst into animated conversation debating the meaning of the words and speculating which of them he meant during the commotion

peter gestured to john who reclined next to jesus and mouthed simon peter motioned to his disciple and said ask him which one he means leaning back against jesus he asked him lord who is it jesus answered it is the one to whom i will give this piece of bread when i've dipped it in the dish then dipping the piece of bread he gave it to judas the son of simon iscariot john 13 26 jesus said loudly enough for everyone to hear whatever you do do it quickly the morsel made its way down the bitter disciples

throat as he rose to complete his heinous mission satan's spirit took complete command he crept out of the room and into the darkness of the night and as they were eating jesus took bread and blessed it and break it and gave it to the disciples and said take eat this is my body and he took the cup and gave thanks and gave it to them saying and drink ye all of it for this is my blood of the new testament which is shed for many for the remission of sins but i say unto you i

will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine until that day when i drink it new with you in my father's kingdom matthew 26 verses 26 through 29 the prospect of that prostitute launched the disciples into yet another debate as to who's the most qualified to fill which official post once jesus became king jesus squelched the argument with the prediction that he would be arrested tortured and executed alone simon peter protested even though all may fall away because of you i will never fall away matthew 26 33 clearly implying he loved jesus more than

any of the other disciples jesus refused to let that statement go by without a reply and the lord said simon simon behold satan hath desired to have you that he may sift you as wheat but i have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not and when thou art converted strengthened thy brethren and he said unto him lord i am ready to go with thee both into prison and to death and he said i tell thee peter the [ __ ] shall not crow this day before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me

luke 22 verses 31-34 sometime they had left the upper room and made their way to a familiar retreat a private garden called gethsemane on the mount of olives just across the kidron valley from jerusalem soon after entering the little garden jesus asked his disciples to pray for him as he sought comfort from his father he motioned for peter james and john to accompany him a little further and said then sayeth he unto them my soul is exceeding sorrowful even unto death tarry ye here and watch with me matthew 26 38 then he disappeared into the

darkness the violent kiss in another part of town a few of the more prominent religious leaders abandoned their passover dinners to meet with judas and planned jesus arrest fear of his immense popularity had previously prevented them from acting but the timing was ideal judas foresaw a situation in which jesus would be alone and unprotected by hordes of followers because it was night they were able to overwhelm the twelve and seized jesus before anyone could react the chief priests and pharisees gathered a small army of temple guards but caiaphas and the sadducees were unsatisfied to ensure

that nothing went wrong they petitioned the procurator for a squadron of roman soldiers 600 heavily armed men of war when the troops were gathered judas revealed where they would find his rabbi and proposed a plan of attack and he that betrayed him had given them a token saying whomsoever i shall kiss that same is he take him and lead him away safely mark 14 44 during this time jesus was tempted the terror of his impending ordeal grabbed him with a ferocious grip his blood flowed through the pores of his skin like sweat thoughts kept coming

to test his resolve as he walked into the darkness of gethsemane nothing compelled jesus to complete the mission nothing that is accept love for the people he had made in obedience to his father and he went a little further and fell on his face and prayed saying oh my father if it be possible let this cup pass for me nevertheless not as i will but as thou wilt matthew 26 39 but no sooner would jesus submit to the plan of the father then the temptation would cease him again no fewer than three distinct times would

he have to submit each temptation was met with the same resolve not as i will but as you will jesus periodically emerged from the dark recesses of the garden to find his disciples sleeping instead of praying then cometh he to his disciples and saith unto them sleep on now and take your rest behold the hours at hand and the son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners rise let us be going behold he is at hand that doth betray me matthew 26 verse 45-46 indeed while jesus prayed and the men dosed a small

army directed by judas surrounded the garden and closed around it like a noose judas knew the location that they stayed john 18 verse 2-3 now judas who betrayed him knew the place because jesus had often met there with his disciples so judas came to the garden guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and the pharisees they were carrying torches lanterns and weapons just then judas emerged out of the shadows alone hail rabbi he bowed to his master and began smothering jesus's hands and cheeks with nervous enthusiastic kisses incredulous jesus responded

judas are you betraying the son of man with a kiss luke 22 48 jesus replied do what you came for friend john 18 verses 4 through 9 jesus knowing all that was going to happen to him went out and asked them who is it you want jesus of nazareth they replied i am he jesus said in judas the traitor was standing there with them when jesus said i am he they drew back and fell to the ground again he asked them who is it you want jesus of nazareth they said jesus answered i told you

that i am he if you are looking for me then let these men go this happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled i have not lost one of those you gave me the captain motioned and three men moved toward jesus with a set of chains suddenly peter flung his sword high above his head lunged toward the lead soldier and brought it down hard aiming for the center of his head the blade glanced off the side of his helmet and lopped off his exposed right ear peter drew back for another lunge when

jesus shouted no more of this and he touched the man's ear and healed him luke 22 51 then said jesus unto peter put up thy sword into the sheath the cup which my father hath given me shall i not drink it john 18 verse 11. jesus tenderly reached for the injured soldier who stood clutching the side of his head and gently pulled his hand away as he repositioned the dangling mass of flesh he said to no one in particular then jesus said unto the chief priests and captains of the temple and the elders which were

come to him but ye come out as against a thief with swords and staffs when i was daily with you in the temple ye stretch forth no hands against me but this is your hour and the power of darkness luke 22 verse 52-53 once the man's ear had been restored jesus held out his arms and allowed a soldier to place irons on his wrists and ankles by the time the soldiers led jesus down the side of the mountain toward jerusalem most of the disciples had scattered and fled into the night no one was quite sure

what had happened to judas the trials of jesus before the religious leaders proved that he was condemned even before his arrest which for some reason came as a surprise to judas overcome with remorse he returned to his fellow conspirators and said saying i have sinned and that i have betrayed the innocent blood and they said what is that to us see thou to that matthew 27 verse 4 the chief priests refused to accept the 30 silver coins judas tried to restore judas rushed from the court to the sanctuary where only priests were allowed to enter

and tossed his blood money through the door with a loud thump the bag landed on the sacred places floor the traitor walked out located a lonely tree growing over a cliff and hanged himself from it that very night unable to live with his wrong doing but unwilling to repent judas just as he did in life failed to establish the crucial connection between remorse and repentance and death he had learned nothing from his years with jesus his terrible decision to take his own life rather than confess his guilt and seek forgiveness only served to confirm the

hypocritical double life he had been living for months judas died just as he had lived involved in a secret love affair with sin lessons for the judas and all of us judas iscariot will go down in history as the most heinous traitor of all time we are nevertheless naive to believe that we cannot learn from this despite all of his advantages as a close companion of jesus the promising young disciple became a satan-possessed monster and if we believe we can never become anything as heinous we have ignored scripture's warning secret sin is a ruthless murder

and those who believe they are exempt are the most vulnerable the sad story of judas reveals four contemporary principles worth considering to begin with being associated with godliness does not imply that we will become godly a priority should be to join a healthy church and cultivate relationships with spiritually mature people we require positive influences associating with mature believers on the other hand will not nurture the soul any more than sitting at a table in a restaurant will we must personally take in what jesus had offered in order to grow smart and spiritually progress we must

submit to the truth we receive from his word in order for this to happen we delude ourselves and become our own greatest adversary if we don't a quaint old english couplet says it all still as of old man by himself is priced for 30 pieces judah sold himself not christ second concealed moral corruption is more deadly than open moral corruption there is no disease that is more deadly than one that is not detected the same can be said about sin keeping our sinful nature carefully concealed keeps us from applying the remedy jesus provided through the

gift of salvation later one of his disciples wrote if we confess our sins he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us of all unrighteousness first john 1 verse 9 failure to confess and receive forgiveness forces us to cope with the deadly effects of sin in ways that are sure to cause more damage later in judas's case it completely engulfed him third satan and his minions are on the lookout for any way to operate against god unresolved sin is a perfect vessel through which the devil might attack god's people and

plants according to several passages of scripture ephesians 4 verses 25-27 wherefore putting away lying speak every man truth with his neighbor for we are members one of another be ye angry and sin not let not the sun go down upon your wrath neither give place to the devil first peter 5 verses 6 through 8 humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of god that he may exalt you in due time casting all your care upon him for he careth for you be sober be vigilant because your adversary the devil as a roaring lion walketh about

seeking whom he may devour at first the person appears to be immune but when satan has done all the damage he can do he allows the vessel to be consumed by the sin it carried fourth no grief compares to the regret of a person who realizes too late that he misunderstood jesus and rejected his love deception is satan's primary tactic which he employs to manipulate unresolved sin and selfish motivation for his own ends and when he's done using someone he mercilessly reveals the facts to expose the consequences of his or her poor decisions it's easy

to feel overwhelmed by feelings of shame humiliation regret self-condemnation and hopelessness on the other side jesus said and continues to say then said jesus to those jews which believed on him if ye continue in my word then are ye my disciples indeed and ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free john 8 verse 31-32 let me ask where are you in all of this however the strongest man in the bible was also imperfect to watch the story of samson click here