What Do We Know About Judas Iscariot?

He was one of the twelve apostles, but, compared to the others, his path would be a much less virtuous one, making him one of the most hated people in biblical history. 

The name itself is layered with multiple possible meanings. The surname "Iscariot" is often believed to refer to a place—perhaps Kerioth, a town in Judea—suggesting that he would have been known as Judas of Kerioth, the only non-Galilean among the twelve apostles. This would have set him apart socially and geographically. 

Others believe "Iscariot" may derive from the Latin "sicarius" (dagger-man), linking him to the Sicarii, a group of radical Jewish zealots. Yet there's no direct evidence of Judas being involved in any violent movement. 

Still others suggest it stems from the Aramaic word for "false one" or is connected to a leather money bag, referencing his role as treasurer among the disciples (John 12:6). None of these interpretations can be definitively proven, and each reveals the desire to find deeper symbolism in his very identity.

In a time when names like Judah (and Judas) were extremely common, distinguishing this character from others was important. The Gospels sometimes contrast Judas Iscariot with another apostle named Judas (son of James), highlighting Iscariot’s role as the traitor. 

Judas was not a villain from the outset. He was chosen by Jesus after a night of prayer (Luke 6:12-16), and, like the other apostles, he was given power to heal and drive out demons (Matthew 10:1-4). He was entrusted with the group's finances, a position of responsibility. Yet John hints at his duplicity early, noting that Judas was a thief (John 12:6).

Ultimately, what we know about Judas Iscariot is filtered through layers of textual ambiguity and cultural projection. He was likely a Judean outsider among Galileans, entrusted with power but plagued by inner conflict. His betrayal set in motion the crucifixion (and resurrection) of Jesus.

Why Did Judas Betray Jesus?

Speculation about Judas' motives has been extensive. 

Was it greed that drove him, as Matthew 26:15 might imply ("What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him to you?")? Yet 30 pieces of silver was a modest sum—roughly the price of a slave (Exodus 21:32). 

Or was it disillusionment with Jesus' refusal to become a political messiah, as some scholars propose? When Jesus spoke of suffering and death, Judas may have felt disillusioned and tried to force Jesus' hand into action.

The Gospels also point to a spiritual dimension—"Then Satan entered Judas, surnamed Iscariot, who was numbered among the twelve" (Luke 22:3). But even here, the role of divine foreknowledge complicates things. Jesus knew Judas would betray him and even alluded to it during the Last Supper (John 13:21-27). 

In John 17:12, Jesus calls him the "son of perdition," a term suggesting destined destruction. And in John 13:18 (NKJV), He quotes Psalm 41:9, "He who eats bread with Me has lifted up his heel against Me".

The Humanity of the Apostle Judas

Judas is often painted in stark, unforgiving tones: the traitor, the villain, the embodiment of evil. But the Gospel narratives, and centuries of theological reflection, hint at a far more complex and even tragic figure. 

He was chosen by Jesus after a night of prayer (Luke 6:12–16), a man who walked with the Messiah, heard His teachings, and witnessed miracles. He was entrusted with the group's finances (John 12:6), a position that implied trust and competence.

The Gospels, particularly John, do hint at Judas' inner decay. We're told he was a thief (John 12:6), and in Luke 22:3, Satan is said to have entered him. But even this raises questions. 

Did Judas begin as a sincere follower who succumbed to temptation, disappointment, or fear? Was his betrayal born of cold calculation, or did he believe, as some scholars argue, that forcing Jesus into confrontation would finally usher in the kingdom he expected?

What sets Judas apart most profoundly is not the betrayal itself (Peter denied Jesus three times), but how he responded afterward. Overcome with remorse, he returned the money and confessed his sin to the very authorities who had paid him. And then he hanged himself (Matthew 27:3–5). Unlike Peter, Judas the apostle did not seek reconciliation. He removed himself from the story just as redemption was unfolding.

In this, Judas becomes a mirror for our own struggles with guilt, shame, and alienation. His humanity—flawed, anguished, and ultimately isolated—offers a sobering picture. He is not just a warning but a question mark: What do we do when we fall? Do we run toward grace like Peter, or away from it like Judas?

How Does Judas Fit Into God’s Plan?

This is where the story becomes theologically rich. Judas’ betrayal was foretold:

• Zechariah 11:12-13 predicts the betrayal amount (30 silver pieces).
• Psalm 41:9 anticipates the betrayal by a close friend.
• Jesus Himself predicts the betrayal multiple times (John 13:21, Matthew 26:21).

And yet, Judas had agency. Jesus says in Matthew 26:24 (NKJV): "The Son of Man indeed goes just as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed!"

This duality—God's sovereignty and human responsibility—is a mystery at the heart of Christian theology. Judas fulfills prophecy, but he's not exonerated.

What Happened to Judas?

The question of what became of Judas after the betrayal has never really stopped troubling people. The Gospels give us pieces of the story, but they don’t spell out the ending. In Matthew, he’s filled with regret, returns the silver, and takes his own life. 

In Acts, the account is rougher: his body ends up in a field, broken and exposed. Two versions, both grim, but the bigger question has always been: what happened to him after that?

Many Christians over the centuries have believed Judas was condemned. Jesus calls him “the son of perdition” in John’s Gospel, which has often been read as final. That view shows up early in Church tradition and took on a vivid shape in works like Dante’s Inferno, where Judas is frozen in the lowest part of hell.

But not everyone reads his story that way. Some have pointed out that Judas showed real remorse. He didn’t run off and celebrate what he’d done. Instead he confessed it to the priests and tried to undo it. He just didn’t go to Jesus. If he had waited a few days, if he had seen the Resurrection, would things have been different? Peter failed too, in a huge way, and he was restored. It’s hard not to wonder.

The Catholic Church doesn’t claim to know for sure. Its teaching leaves space for mystery. Suicide is serious, yes, but God’s mercy doesn’t follow our categories. The Catechism says we can’t know the eternal fate of any individual. That includes Judas.

So in the end, the story doesn’t give us a final answer. Maybe that’s the point. Maybe Judas is less of a statement and more of a question. About remorse. About despair. About grace. It’s a hard story, but not a hopeless one.

Judas and Jesus: A Complicated Relationship

The relationship between Judas and Jesus isn’t simple. Judas wasn’t on the outside looking in, but one of the twelve. He walked with Jesus, saw the healings, heard the parables, and was trusted with responsibility. According to Matthew, he was even sent out with the others to preach and heal.

They shared meals. Judas was there at the Last Supper, sitting close enough for Jesus to hand him bread. When Jesus said one of them would betray Him, He didn’t point fingers. Judas had a moment to pause, to reconsider. When he asked, “Is it me?” Jesus simply said, “You have said so.” It wasn’t a trap. It was a door still open.

John’s Gospel includes a small but powerful detail: Jesus hands Judas a piece of dipped bread, a gesture of friendship in their culture. A quiet offer of closeness. Their last moment comes in Gethsemane. Judas arrives with armed men, walks up to Jesus, and kisses Him. 

Jesus responds, “Friend, why have you come?” It’s a painful line. He doesn’t call him enemy. He doesn’t resist. He names the relationship they had, even in that moment of betrayal.

There’s something deeply human in all this. Judas had seen everything, heard everything, and still turned away. That’s part of what makes his story so hard to shake. He was close, and somehow, that wasn’t enough.

Parallels in Church History and Today

Judas' story in the Bible reminds us that betrayal often comes from within:

• Church scandals;
• False teachers;
• Christians who compromise truth.

But it also reminds us that God uses brokenness for redemption. Without Judas, there would be no cross. Without the cross, no resurrection.

Lessons for Believers Today

1. Stay Watchful: Even the closest to Jesus can fall (1 Corinthians 10:12).
2. Guard the Heart: Sin often starts small—a little dishonesty, a little bitterness.
3. Embrace Accountability: Judas isolated himself. Peter returned to the community.
4. Trust God’s Plan: What man meant for evil, God used for good (Genesis 50:20).

If you’re wrestling with regret, betrayal, or guilt, the Bible offers hope. Bible Chat App can help you explore more about Jesus, Judas, and forgiveness. It’s a place where your questions can meet Scripture.

Conclusion

Who betrayed Jesus Christ? Judas Iscariot. But his story is more than an answer to a trivia question. It's a mirror for our own hearts and a reminder of God’s redemptive power. His role, painful as it was, fulfilled prophecy and paved the way for the greatest act of love the world has ever known.

According to Peter Stanford’s Judas: The Troubling History of the Renegade Apostle, Judas' identity and legacy were shaped as much by history and politics as by Scripture. The scarcity of concrete information in the Gospels (no description of his appearance, voice, or upbringing) suggests that Judas was turned into a symbol of betrayal rather than preserved as a fully developed person. 

Over time, that symbol was stained by artistic and doctrinal embellishments: from Dante placing him in the deepest circle of hell to later scholars asking if he might have been a tragic instrument of God’s will.

Whether as villain, victim, or instrument, Judas’ identity continues to provoke reflection on the nature of free will, evil, and divine purpose.

References

• The Holy Bible, New King James Version (NKJV)
• Catechism of the Catholic Church, https://www.catholiccrossreference.online/catechism/#!/search/2283 
• GotQuestions.org, "Why did Judas betray Jesus?" 
• MacArthur, John. The MacArthur Bible Commentary
• Stanford, Peter. Judas: The Troubling History of the Renegade Apostle

Image Sources: Midjourney.com