Bible Encyclopedia: Judas

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International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

JUDAS

joo'-das (Ioudas; Greek form of Hebrew "Judah"):

(1) A Levite mentioned in 1 Esdras 9:23 = JUDAH (3).

(2) Judas Maccabeus, 3rd son of Mattathias (1 Maccabees 2:4).

See MACCABEES.

(3) Judas, son of Chalphi, a Jewish officer who supported Jonathan bravely at the battle of Hazor (1 Maccabees 11:70; Ant, XIII, v, 7).

(4) A person of good position in Jerusalem at the time of the mission to Aristobulus (2 Maccabees 1:10); he has been identified with Judas Maccabeus and also with an Essene prophet (Ant., XIII, xi, 2; BJ, III, 5).

(5) Son of Simon the Maccabee, and brother of John Hyrcanus (1 Maccabees 16:2). He was wounded in the battle which he fought along with his brother against Cendebeus (1 Maccabees 16:1;; Ant, XIII, vii, 3), and was murdered by Ptolemy the usurper, his brother-in-law, at Dok (1 Maccabees 16:11;).

J. Hutchinson

JUDAS BARSABBAS

bar-sab-'as (Ioudas Barsabbas): Judas was, with Silas, a delegate from the church in Jerusalem to the GentileChristians of Antioch, Syria and Cilicia. They were appointed to convey the letter containing the decision of "the apostles and the elders, with the whole church" regarding the attitude to be taken by GentileChristians toward the Mosaic law, and also to explain "the same things by word of mouth." They accompanied Paul and Barnabas to Antioch, and, "being themselves also prophets," i.e. preachers, they not only handed over the epistle but stayed some time in the city preaching and teaching. They seem to have gone no farther than Antioch, for "they were dismissed in peace from the brethren unto those that had sent them forth," and it was Paul and Silas who some time afterward strengthened the churches in Syria and Cilicia (Acts 15:40, 41).

According to Acts 15:34 the King James Version, Judas returned to Jerusalem without Silas, who remained at Antioch and afterward became Paul's companion (Acts 15:40). The oldest manuscripts, however, omit Acts 15:34, and it is therefore omitted from the Revised Version (British and American). It was probably a marginal note to explain Acts 15:40, and in time it crept into the text. Judas and Silas are called "chief men among the brethren" (15:22), probably elders, and "prophets" (15:32).

Barsabbas being a patronymic, Judas was probably the brother of Joseph Barsabbas. He cannot be identified with any other Judas, e.g. "Judas not Iscariot" (John 14:22). We hear no more of Judas after his return to Jerusalem (Acts 15:22).

S. F. Hunter

JUDAS ISCARIOT

is-kar'-i-ot (Ioudas Iskariotes, i.e. 'ish qeriyoth, "Judas, man of Kerioth"): One of the twelve apostles and the betrayer of Jesus; for etymology, etc., see JUDAS.

I. Life.

Judas was, as his second name indicates, a native of Kerioth or Karioth. The exact locality of Kerioth (compare Joshua 15:25) is doubtful, but it lay probably to the South of Judea, being identified with the ruins of el Karjetein (compare A. Plummer, article "Judas Iscariot" in HDB).

1. Name and Early History:

He was the son of Simon (John 13:2) or Simon Iscariot (John 6:71; John 13:26), the meaning of Iscariot explaining why it was applied to his father also. The first Scriptural reference to Judas is his election to the apostleship (compare Matthew 10:4 Mark 3:19 Luke 6:16). He may have been present at the preaching of John the Baptist at Bethany beyond Jordan (compare John 1:28), but more probably he first met Jesus during the return of the latter through Judea with His followers (compare John 3:22). According to the Gospel of the Twelve Apostles (see SIMON THE CANAANITE), Judas was among those who received the call at the Sea of Tiberias (compare Matthew 4:18-22).

2. Before the Betrayal:

For any definite allusion to Judas during the interval lying between his call and the events immediately preceding the betrayal, we are indebted to John alone. These allusions are made with the manifest purpose of showing forth the nefarious character of Judas from the beginning; and in their sequence there is a gradual development and growing clearness in the manner in which Jesus makes prophecy regarding his future betrayer. Thus, after the discourse on the Bread of Life in the synagogue of Capernaum (John 6:26-59), when many of the disciples deserted Jesus (John 6:66) and Peter protested the allegiance of the apostles (John 6:69), Jesus answered, "Did not I choose you the twelve, and one of you is a devil" (John 6:70). Then follows John's commentary, "Now he spake of Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve" (John 6:71), implying that Judas was already known to Jesus as being in spirit one of those who "went back, arid walked no more with him" (John 6:66). But the situation, however disquieting it must have been to the ambitious designs which probably actuated Judas in his acceptance of the apostleship (compare below), was not sufficiently critical to call for immediate desertion on his part. Instead, he lulled his fears of exposure by the fact that he was not mentioned by name, and continued ostensibly one of the faithful. Personal motives of a sordid nature had also influence in causing him to remain. Appointed keeper of the purse, he disregarded the warnings of Jesus concerning greed and hypocrisy (compare Matthew 6:20 Luke 12:1-3) and appropriated the funds to his own use. As a cloak to his avarice, he pretended to be zealous in their administration, and therefore, at the anointing of Jesus' feet by Mary, he asked "Why was not this ointment sold for 300 shillings, and given to the poor? Now this he said, not because he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and having the bag took away what was put therein" (John 12:5, 6; compare also Matthew 26:7-13 Mark 14:3-8).

3. The Betrayal:

Yet, although by this craftiness Judas concealed for a time his true nature from the rest of the disciples, and fomented any discontent that might arise among them (compare Mark 14:4), he now felt that his present source of income could not long remain secure. The pregnant words of his Master regarding the day of his burial (compare Matthew 26:12 Mark 14:8 John 12:7) revealed to His betrayer that Jesus already knew well the evil powers that were at work against Him; and it is significant that, according to Matthew and Mk, who alone of the synoptists mention the anointing, Judas departed immediately afterward and made his compact with the chief priests (compare Matthew 26:14, 15 Mark 14:10, 11; compare also Luke 22:3-6). But his absence was only temporary. He was present at the washing of the disciples' feet, there to be differentiated once more by Jesus from the rest of the Twelve (compare "Ye are clean, but not all" and "He that eateth my bread lifted up his heel against me," John 13:10, 18), but again without being named. It seemed as if Jesus wished to give Judas every opportunity, even at this late hour, of repenting and making his confession. For the last time, when they had sat down to eat, Jesus appealed him thus with the words, "One of you shall betray me" (Matthew 26:21 Mark 14:18 Luke 22:21 John 13:21). And at the end, in answer to the anxious queries of His disciples, "Is it I?" He indicated his betrayer, not by name, but by a sign: "He it is, for whom I shall dip the sop, and give it him" (John 13:26). Immediately upon its reception, Judas left the supper room; the opportunity which he sought for was come (compare John 13:30 Matthew 26:16). There is some doubt as to whether he actually received the eucharistic bread and wine previous to his departure or not, but most modern commentators hold that he did not. On his departure, Judas made his way to the high priests and their followers, and coming upon Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, he betrayed his Master with a kiss (Matthew 26:47-50 Mark 14:43, 44 Luke 22:47 John 18:2-5).

4. His Death:

After the betrayal, Mk, Luke and John are silent as regards Judas, and the accounts given in Matthew and Acts of his remorse and death vary in detail. According to Matthew, the actual condemnation of Jesus awakened Judas' sense of guilt, and becoming still more despondent at his repulse by the chief priests and elders, "he cast down the pieces of silver into the sanctuary, and departed; and he went away and hanged himself." With the money the chief priests purchased the potter's field, afterward called "the field of blood," and in this way was fulfilled the prophecy of Zechariah (11:12-14) ascribed by Matthew to Jeremiah (Matthew 27:3-10). The account given in Acts 1:16-20 is much shorter. It mentions neither Judas' repentance nor the chief priests, but simply states that Judas "obtained a field with the reward of his iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out" (1:18). The author of Acts finds in this the fulfillment of the prophecy in Psalm 69:25. The Vulgate (Jerome's Latin Bible, 390-405 A.D.) rendering, "When he had hanged himself, he burst asunder," suggests a means of reconciling the two accounts.

According to a legendary account mentioned by Papias, the death of Judas was due to elephantiasis (compare Hennecke, Neutestamentliche Apokryphen, 5). A so-called "Gospel of Judas" was in use among the Gnostic sect of the Cainites.

II. Character and Theories.

1. Joined the Apostles to Betray Jesus:

Much discussion and controversy have centered, not only around the discrepancies of the Gospel narratives of Judas, but also around his character and the problems connected with it. That the betrayer of Jesus should also be one of the chosen Twelve has given opportunity for the attacks of the foes of Christianity from the earliest times (compare Orig., Con. Cel., ii.12); and the difficulty of finding any proper solution has proved so great that some have been induced to regard Judas as merely a personification of the spirit of Judaism. The acceptance of this view would, however, invalidate the historical value of much of the Scriptural writings. Other theories are put forward in explanation, namely, that Judas joined the apostolic band with the definite intention of betraying Jesus. The aim of this intention has again received two different interpretations, both of which seek to elevate the character of Judas and to free him from the charge of sordid motives and cowardly treachery. According to one, Judas was a strong patriot, who saw in Jesus the foe of his race and its ancient creed, and therefore betrayed Him in the interests of his country. This view is, however, irreconcilable with the rejection of Judas by the chief priests (compare Matthew 27:3-10). According to the other, Judas regarded himself as a true servant of Christianity, who assumed the role of traitor to precipitate the action of the Messiah and induce Him to manifest His miraculous powers by calling down the angels of God from heaven to help Him (compare Matthew 26:53). His suicide was further due to his disappointment at the failure of Jesus to fulfill his expectations. This theory found favor in ancient times with the Cainites (compare above), and in modern days with De Quincey and Bishop Whately. But the terms and manner of denunciation employed by Jesus in regard to Judas (compare also John 17:12) render this view also untenable.

2. Foreordained to Be a Traitor:

Another view is that Judas was foreordained to be the traitor: that Jesus was conscious from the first that He was to suffer death on the cross, and chose Judas because He knew that he should betray Him and thus fulfill the Divine decrees (compare Matthew 26:54). Those holding this view base their arguments on the omniscience of Jesus implied in John 2:24, Jesus "knew all men"; John 6:64, "Jesus knew from the beginning who should betray him," and John 18:4, "knowing all the things that were coming upon him." Yet to take those texts literally would mean too rigid application of the doctrine of predestination. It would treat Judas as a mere instrument, as a means and not an end in the hands of a higher power: it would render meaningless the appeals and reproaches made to him by Jesus and deny any real existence of that personal responsibility and sense of guilt which it was our Lord's very purpose to awaken and stimulate in the hearts of His hearers. John himself wrote after the event, but in the words of our Lord there was, as we have seen, a growing clearness in the manner in which He foretold His betrayal. The omniscience of Jesus was greater than that of a mere clairvoyant who claimed to foretell the exact course of future events. It was the omniscience of one who knew on the one hand the ways of His Eternal Father among men, and who, on the other, penetrated into the deepest recesses of human character and beheld there all its secret feelings and motives and tendencies.

3. Betrayal the Result of Gradual Development:

Although a full discussion of the character of Judas would of necessity involve those ultimate problems of Free Will and Original Sin (Westcott) which no theology can adequately solve, theory which regards the betrayal as the result of a gradual development within the soul of Judas seems the most practical. It is significant that Judas alone among the disciples was of southern extraction; and the differences in temperament and social outlook, together with the petty prejudices to which these generally give rise, may explain in part, though they do not justify, his after treachery-that lack of inner sympathy which existed between Judas and the rest of the apostles. He undoubtedly possessed certain business ability, and was therefore appointed keeper of the purse. But his heart could not have been clean, even from the first, as he administered even his primary charge dishonestly. The cancer of this greed spread from the material to the spiritual. To none of the disciples did the fading of the dream of an earthly kingdom of pomp and glory bring greater disappointment than to Judas. The cords of love by which Jesus gradually drew the hearts of the other disciples to Himself, the teaching by which He uplifted their souls above all earthly things, were as chafing bonds to the selfishness of Judas. And from his fettered greed and disappointed ambition sprang jealousy and spite and hatred. It was the hatred, not of a strong, but of an essentially weak man. Instead of making an open breach with his Lord, he remained ostensibly one of His followers: and this continued contact with a goodness to which he would not yield (compare Swete on Mark 14:10), and his brooding over the rebukes of his Master, gave ready entrance for "Satan into his soul." But if he "knew the good and did not do it" (compare John 13:17), so also he was weak in the carrying out of his nefarious designs. It was this hesitancy, rather than a fiendish cunning, which induced him to remain till the last moment in the supper room, and which prompted the remark of Jesus "What thou doest, do quickly" (John 13:27). Of piece with this weak-mindedness was his attempt to cast the blame upon the chief priests and elders (compare Matthew 27:3, 4). He sought to set himself right, not with the innocent Jesus whom he had betrayed, but with the accomplices in his crime; and because that world which his selfishness had made his god failed him at the last, he went and hanged himself. It was the tragic end of one who espoused a great cause in the spirit of speculation and selfish ambition, and who weighed not the dread consequences to which those impure motives might lead him (compare also Bruce, Training of the Twelve; Latham, Pastor Pastorum; Stalker, Trial and Death of Jesus Christ).

C. M. Kerr

JUDAS ISCARIOT, GOSPEL OF

A "Gospel of Judas" is mentioned by Irenaeus (Adv. Haer., i.31), Epiphanius (Haer., xxxviii.1), Theodoret, etc., as current in the Gnostic sect of the Cainites, to whom Judas was a hero. It must have been in existence in the 2nd century, but no quotation is given from it (see Baring-Gould, Lost and Hostile Gospels, III, chapter v).

JUDAS OF GALILEE

(ho Galilaios): Mentioned in Acts 5:37 as the leader of an insurrection occasioned by the census of Quirinius in 7 A.D. (see QUIRINIUS). He, and those who obeyed him, it is said, perished in that revolt. Josephus also repeatedly mentions Judas by this same name, "the Galilean," and speaks of his revolt (Ant., XVIII, i, 6; XX, v, 2; BJ, II, viii, 1; xviii, 8; VII, viii, 1), but in Ant, XVIII, i, names him a Gaulonite, of the city of Gamala. As Gamala was in Gaulonitis, not far from the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee, it may be regarded as belonging to that province. The party of Judas seems to have been identified with the Zealots.

James Oar

JUDAS OF JAMES

(Ioudas Iakobou): One of the twelve apostles (Luke 6:16 Acts 1:13; for etymology, etc., see JUDAS). the King James Version has the reading "brother of James," and the Revised Version (British and American) reads "son of James." The latter is to be preferred. In John 14:22 he is described as "Judas (not Iscariot)." The name corresponds with the "Thaddaeus" or "Lebbaeus whose surname was Thaddaeus" of Matthew 10:3 the King James Version and Mark 3:18 (compare THADDAEUS). The identification of Thaddaeus with Judas is generally accepted, though Ewald and others hold that they were different persons, that Thaddeus died during Christ's lifetime, and that Judas was chosen in his place (compare Bruce, Training of the Twelve, 34). If the Revised Version (British and American) is accepted as the correct rendering of Luke 6:16 and Acts 1:13, this Judas cannot be identified either with the Juda (Mark 6:3 the King James Version), Judas (Mark 6:3 the Revised Version (British and American)), or Judas (Matthew 13:55), the brother of Jesus; or with the Judas (Jude 1:1 the Revised Version margin) or Jude (Jude 1:1 the King James Version), the brother of James, whether these two latter Judases are to be regarded as the same or not. The only incident recorded of Judas of James is in John 14:22, where during Christ's address to the disciples after the last supper he put the question, "Lord, what is come to pass that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?"

C. M. Kerr

JUDAS, JUDA

(1) The name of an ancestor of Jesus (Luke 3:30). In the King James Version it occurs also in Luke 3:26, but the Revised Version (British and American) has "Joda" (Westcott-Hort, Ioda).

(2) Judas Iscariot (see separate article).

(3) One of the brothers of Jesus (Matthew 13:55 Mark 6:3).

See JUDE.

(4) An apostle, "not Iscariot" (John 14:22). He is generally identified with Lebbaeus (Matthew 10:3) and Thaddeus (Mark 3:18). See LEBBAEUS; THADDAEUS. He is called JUDAS OF JAMES (which see) (Luke 6:16 Acts 1:13), which means "the son of James" not (the King James Version) "the brother of James."

(5) A Galilean who stirred up rebellion "in the days of the enrollment" (Acts 5:37).

See JUDAS OF GALILEE.

(6) One with whom Paul lodged in Damascus, whose house was in "the street which is called Straight" (Acts 9:11). Nothing further is known of him. A house is pointed out as his, in a lane off the Straight Street.

(7) Judas Barsabbas (Acts 15:22, 27, 32; see separate article).

S. F. Hunter

JUDAS, NOT ISCARIOT

(Ioudas ouch ho Iskariotes): One of the Twelve Apostles (John 14:22).

See JUDAS OF JAMES; LEBBAEUS; THADDAEUS.

JUDAS MACCABAEUS

See MACCABAEUS.

JUDAS OF DAMASCUS

See JUDAS, (6).

JUDAS, THE LORD'S BROTHER

See JUDE.

Greek

2455. Ioudas -- Judah, Judas, the name of several Israelites, also ...
... 2454, 2455. Ioudas. 2456 . Judah, Judas, the name of several Israelites, also
one of the twelve tribes of Isr., also the Southern kingdom. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2455.htm - 6k

2469. Iskariotes -- Iscariot, surname of Judas and his father
... Iscariot, surname of Judas and his father. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: Iskariotes Phonetic Spelling: (is-kar-ee-o'-tace) Short Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2469.htm - 6k

2448. Iouda -- Judah.
... Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: Iouda Phonetic Spelling:
(ee-oo-dah') Short Definition: Judah, Judas, Jude Definition: Judah, Judas, Jude. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2448.htm - 6k

923. Barsabbas -- "son of Sabba," Barsabbas, the surname of two ...
... Transliteration: Barsabbas Phonetic Spelling: (bar-sab-as') Short Definition: Barsabbas
Definition: Barsabbas, son of Sabbas, a surname of Joseph and Judas. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/923.htm - 6k

2459. Ioustos -- Justus, the name of three Christians
... Spelling: (ee-ooce'-tos) Short Definition: Justus Definition: Justus, (a) a surname
of Joseph Barsabbas, one of the two nominated to fill Judas' place as ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2459.htm - 6k

Library

And Judas Iscariot
And Judas Iscariot. <. And Judas Iscariot J. Wilbur Chapman. Produced by Al
Haines Table of Contents. Title Page. INTRODUCTION. AND JUDAS ISCARIOT. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chapman/and judas iscariot/

Judas Exposed.
... Chapter XIII. Judas Exposed. ... Already Judas had been to the chief priests and agreed,
for a certain sum of money, to betray the retreat of Jesus at night. ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/judas exposed.htm

Judas, the Traitor.
... COLLECTION OF TESTIMONIES OF UNBELIEVERS. JUDAS, THE TRAITOR. MATT.
XXVII.3, 4. "Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw ...
//christianbookshelf.org/schaff/the person of christ/judas the traitor.htm

Judas.
... VII. JUDAS. ... So when He had dipped the sop, He taketh and giveth it to Judas, the
son of Simon Iscariot. And after the sop, then entered Satan into him. ...
/.../dods/the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol ii/vii judas.htm

The Dismissal of Judas
... THE DISMISSAL OF JUDAS. '... Then said Jesus unto Judas, That thou doest,
do quickly.'"John 13:27. When our Lord gave the morsel ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/the dismissal of judas.htm

The Epistle of Judas
The General Epistles: James, Peter, and Judas. <. ... THE EPISTLE OF
JUDAS THE EPISTLE OF JUDAS. The address or salutation ...
/.../moffat/the general epistles james peter and judas/the epistle of judas.htm

The General Epistles: James, Peter, and Judas
The General Epistles: James, Peter, and Judas. <. The General Epistles: James,
Peter, and Judas James Moffat, DD. Table of Contents. Title Page. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moffat/the general epistles james peter and judas/

Judas
... The DESIRE of AGES Chapter 76 Judas. The history of Judas presents the
sad ending of a life that might have been honored of God. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 76 judas.htm

The Apostle Judas
... Strong Meat for Hungry Souls: The Gospel of St. Mark CHAPTER 3:19 THE APOSTLE JUDAS.
"And Judas Iscariot, which also betrayed Him." Mark 3:19 (RV) ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 3 19 the apostle judas.htm

The Antichrist Will be Judas Reincarnated
... The Antichrist Will Be Judas Reincarnated. ... The relation of Antichrist to Israel
will be precisely the same as that of Judas to Christ of old. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/iii the antichrist will be.htm

Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary

Judas

Jude, same as Judah

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Judas

the Greek form of the Hebrew name Judah, occurring in the LXX, and the New Testament.

The patriarch Judah. (Matthew 1:2,3)
A man residing at Damascus, in "the street which is called Straight," in whose house Saul of Tarsus lodged after his miraculous conversion. (Acts 9:11)

ATS Bible Dictionary

Judas

1.ISCARIOT, that is, man of Carioth or Kerioth, a city of Judah, Joshua 15:25. Being one of the twelve apostles of our Lord, Judas seems to have possessed the full confidence of his fellow apostles, and was entrusted by them with all the presents which were made them, and all their means of subsistence; and when the twelve were sent out to preach and to work miracles, Judas appears to have been among them, and to have received the same powers. He was accustomed, however, even at this time, to appropriate part of their common stock to his own use, John 12:6; and at length sealed his infamy by betraying his Lord to the Jews for money. For the paltry sum of about 15, he engaged with the Jewish Sanhedrin to guide them to a place where they could seize him by night without danger of a tumult. But when he learned the result, a terrible remorse took possession of him; not succeeding in undoing his fatal work with the priests, he cast down before them the price of blood, crossed the gloomy valley of Hinnom, and hung himself, Matthew 27:3-10. Luke, in Acts 1:18, adds that he fell headlong and burst asunder, probably by the breaking of the rope or branch. The steep hillside south of the valley of Hinnom might well be the scene of such a twofold death. See ACELDAMA.

The remorseful confession of Judas was a signal testimony to the spotless innocence of Christ, Matthew 27:4; and his awful end is a solemn warning against avarice, hypocrisy, and all unfaithfulness, Matthew 26:34 John 17:12 Acts 1:25.

2. One of the apostles, called also Jude, Lebbeus, and Thaddeus, Matthew 10:3 Mark 3:18 Jude 1:1, the son of Alpheus and Mary, and brother of James the LESS. See James 2 and 3. He was the author of the epistle which bears his name, Mark 6:3 Luke 6:16 Acts 1:13.

3. The brother of our Lord, Matthew 27:56. Supposed by many to have been only a cousin, and the same as Judas 2. The apostle. But his "brethren" did not believe in him until near the close of his ministry. See James 3 4. A Christian teacher, called also Barsabas, sent from Jerusalem to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, Acts 15:22,27,32.

5. Surnamed "the Galilean," called also, by Josephus, the Gaulonite. He was born at Gamala, a city of Gaulonitis near the southeastern shore of the lake of Tiberias. In company with one Sadoc, he attempted to excite a sedition among the Jews, but was destroyed by Quirinus, or Cyrenius, at that time governor of Syria and Judea, Acts 5:37.

6. A Jew at Damascus, with whom Paul lodged, Acts 9:11.

Easton's Bible Dictionary

The Graecized form of Judah.

(1.) The patriarch (Matthew 1:2, 3).

(2.) Son of Simon (John 6:71; 13:2, 26), surnamed Iscariot, i.e., a man of Kerioth (Joshua 15:25). His name is uniformly the last in the list of the apostles, as given in the synoptic (i.e., the first three) Gospels. The evil of his nature probably gradually unfolded itself till "Satan entered into him" (John 13:27), and he betrayed our Lord (18:3). Afterwards he owned his sin with "an exceeding bitter cry," and cast the money he had received as the wages of his iniquity down on the floor of the sanctuary, and "departed and went and hanged himself" (Matthew 27:5). He perished in his guilt, and "went unto his own place" (Acts 1:25). The statement in Acts 1:18 that he "fell headlong and burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out," is in no way contrary to that in Matthew 27:5. The sucide first hanged himself, perhaps over the valley of Hinnom, "and the rope giving way, or the branch to which he hung breaking, he fell down headlong on his face, and was crushed and mangled on the rocky pavement below."

Why such a man was chosen to be an apostle we know not, but it is written that "Jesus knew from the beginning who should betray him" (John 6:64). Nor can any answer be satisfactorily given to the question as to the motives that led Judas to betray his Master. "Of the motives that have been assigned we need not care to fix on any one as that which simply led him on. Crime is, for the most part, the result of a hundred motives rushing with bewildering fury through the mind of the criminal."

(3.) A Jew of Damascus (Acts 9:11), to whose house Ananias was sent. The street called "Straight" in which it was situated is identified with the modern "street of bazaars," where is still pointed out the so-called "house of Judas."

(4.) A Christian teacher, surnamed Barsabas. He was sent from Jerusalem to Antioch along with Paul and Barnabas with the decision of the council (Acts 15:22, 27, 32). He was a "prophet" and a "chief man among the brethren."

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

1. (n.) The disciple who betrayed Christ. Hence: A treacherous person; one who betrays under the semblance of friendship.

2. (a.) Treacherous; betraying.

Thesaurus

Judas (42 Occurrences)
... Nor can any answer be satisfactorily given to the question as to the motives that
led Judas to betray his Master. ... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. JUDAS. ...
/j/judas.htm - 45k

Barnabas-judas (1 Occurrence)
Barnabas-judas. Bar-nabas, Barnabas-judas. Barnabas's .
Multi-Version Concordance Barnabas-judas (1 Occurrence). Acts ...
/b/barnabas-judas.htm - 6k

Iscariote (11 Occurrences)
... Matthew 10:4 Simon the Cananaean, and Judas the Iscariote, who also delivered him
up. (DBY). ... Mark 3:19 and Judas Iscariote, who also delivered him up. ...
/i/iscariote.htm - 9k

Nicanor (1 Occurrence)
... Soter. After the defeat of Seron by Judas, Epiphanes entrusted his chancellor
Lysias with the reduction of Judea (1 Maccabees 3:34;). ...
/n/nicanor.htm - 14k

Barsabbas (2 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia BARSABAS; BARSABBAS. bar'-sa-bas, bar-sab'-as.
See JOSEPH BARSABBAS; JUDAS BARSABBAS. JOSEPH BARSABBAS. ... CM Kerr. JUDAS BARSABBAS ...
/b/barsabbas.htm - 11k

Thaddaeus (2 Occurrences)
... Breast, the name of one of the apostles (Mark 3:18), called "Lebbaeus" in Matthew
10:3, and in Luke 6:16, "Judas the brother of James;" while John (14:22 ...
/t/thaddaeus.htm - 11k

Jude (4 Occurrences)
...Judas. Among the apostles there were two who bore this name, (1) Judas (Jude 1:1;
Matthew 13:55; John 14:22; Int. ... See. JUDAS OF JAMES and following article. ...
/j/jude.htm - 40k

Betrayed (31 Occurrences)
... Betrayed (31 Occurrences). Matthew 10:4 Simon the Canaanite; and Judas Iscariot,
who also betrayed him. ... Mark 3:19 and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him. ...
/b/betrayed.htm - 15k

Betray (29 Occurrences)
... The Revisers' idea was perhaps to retain "betray" only in direct references
to Judas' act, but they have not strictly followed that rule. ...
/b/betray.htm - 17k

Juda (11 Occurrences)
... JUDA. joo'-da: Luke 1:39 the King James Version, see JUTTAH; Luke 3:26, see JODA;
3:30, see JUDAS. JUDAS, JUDA. ... (2) Judas Iscariot (see separate article). ...
/j/juda.htm - 12k

Bible Concordance

Judas (42 Occurrences)

Matthew 1:2 Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren;
(KJV)

Matthew 1:3 And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram;
(KJV)

Matthew 10:4 Simon the Canaanite; and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Matthew 13:55 Isn't this the carpenter's son? Isn't his mother called Mary, and his brothers, James, Joses, Simon, and Judas?
(WEB KJV ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Matthew 26:14 Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests,
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Matthew 26:25 Judas, who betrayed him, answered, "It isn't me, is it, Rabbi?" He said to him, "You said it."
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Matthew 26:47 While he was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and clubs, from the chief priest and elders of the people.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Matthew 26:49 Immediately he came to Jesus, and said, "Hail, Rabbi!" and kissed him.
(See NAS NIV)

Matthew 27:3 Then Judas, who betrayed him, when he saw that Jesus was condemned, felt remorse, and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Mark 3:19 and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him. He came into a house.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Mark 6:3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and brother of James, and Joses, and Judas, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended in him.
(ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Mark 14:10 Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went away to the chief priests, that he might deliver him to them.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Mark 14:43 Immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, came-and with him a multitude with swords and clubs, from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Mark 14:45 When he had come, immediately he came to him, and said, "Rabbi! Rabbi!" and kissed him.
(See NAS NIV)

Luke 3:30 the 'son' of Symeon, the 'son' of Judas, the 'son' of Joseph, the 'son' of Jonam, the 'son' of Eliakim,
(ASV BBE)

Luke 6:16 Judas the son of James; and Judas Iscariot, who also became a traitor.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Luke 22:3 Satan entered into Judas, who was surnamed Iscariot, who was numbered with the twelve.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Luke 22:47 While he was still speaking, behold, a multitude, and he who was called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He came near to Jesus to kiss him.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Luke 22:48 But Jesus said to him, "Judas, do you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?"
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

John 6:71 Now he spoke of Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, for it was he who would betray him, being one of the twelve.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

John 12:4 Then Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, one of his disciples, who would betray him, said,
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

John 13:2 During supper, the devil having already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him,
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

John 13:26 Jesus therefore answered, "It is he to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it." So when he had dipped the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

John 13:27 Then, after Judas had received the piece of bread, Satan entered into him. "Lose no time about it," said Jesus to him.
(WEY BBE NIV)

John 13:29 For some thought, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus said to him, "Buy what things we need for the feast," or that he should give something to the poor.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

John 13:30 So Judas took the piece of bread and immediately went out. And it was night.
(WEY BBE NIV)

John 14:22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, "Lord, what has happened that you are about to reveal yourself to us, and not to the world?"
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

John 18:2 Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, for Jesus often met there with his disciples.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

John 18:3 Judas then, having taken a detachment of soldiers and officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

John 18:5 They answered him, "Jesus of Nazareth." Jesus said to them, "I am he." Judas also, who betrayed him, was standing with them.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Acts 1:13 When they had come in, they went up into the upper room, where they were staying; that is Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Acts 1:16 "Brothers, it was necessary that this Scripture should be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who was guide to those who took Jesus.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Acts 1:17 For Judas was reckoned as one of our number, and a share in this ministry was allotted to him."
(WEY)

Acts 1:18 Now this man obtained a field with the reward for his wickedness, and falling headlong, his body burst open, and all his intestines gushed out.
(See NIV)

Acts 1:25 to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas fell away, that he might go to his own place."
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Acts 5:37 After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the enrollment, and drew away some people after him. He also perished, and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered abroad.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Acts 9:11 And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,
(KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Acts 15:22 Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole assembly, to choose men out of their company, and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas: Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, chief men among the brothers.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Acts 15:27 We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who themselves will also tell you the same things by word of mouth.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Acts 15:32 Judas and Silas, also being prophets themselves, encouraged the brothers with many words, and strengthened them.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Corinthians 11:23 For it was handed down to me from the Lord, as I gave it to you, that the Lord Jesus, on the night when Judas was false to him, took bread,
(BBE)

Jude 1:1 Judas, of Jesus Christ a servant, and brother of James, to those sanctified in God the Father, and in Jesus Christ kept -- called,
(YLT RSV)

Subtopics

Judas

Judas (Jude): A Disciple Who Hosted Paul

Judas (Jude): An Apostle, Probably Identical With Lebbaeus, or Thaddaeus

Judas (Jude): of Galilee, Who Stirred up a Sedition Among the Jews Soon After the Birth of Jesus

Judas (Jude): One of the Physical Half-Brothers of Jesus

Judas (Jude): Surnamed "Barsabas": A Christian Sent to Antioch of Syria With Paul and Barnabas

Judas (Jude): Surnamed "Iscariot" by his Bargaining to Betray Jesus for a Sum of Money

Judas (Jude): Surnamed "Iscariot" by his Protest Against the Breaking of the Container of Ointment

Judas (Jude): Surnamed "Iscariot": Betrays the Lord Jesus

Judas (Jude): Surnamed "Iscariot": Chosen As an Apostle