The Betrayal of Judas

One of the most infamous acts in history: Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve apostles, betrayed Jesus to the religious authorities for thirty pieces of silver, leading directly to Jesus’s arrest, trial, crucifixion, and death.

The Conspiracy

According to the Gospels, Satan entered Judas Iscariot, prompting him to approach the chief priests and offer to hand Jesus over to them. They agreed to pay him thirty pieces of silver—the price of a slave—in exchange for his betrayal.

The exact motivation remains debated:

• Greed - The most commonly cited reason, supported by John’s account of Judas’s dishonesty as treasurer
• Disillusionment - Disappointment that Jesus was not establishing an earthly kingdom
• Political calculation - Attempting to force Jesus’s hand to declare himself Messiah
• Satanic influence - The Gospels explicitly mention Satan’s role

From that moment, Judas looked for an opportunity to betray Jesus away from the crowds.

The Last Supper

At the Passover meal (the Last Supper), Jesus announced that one of the Twelve would betray him. The disciples were troubled and asked, “Surely not I, Lord?”

Jesus identified the betrayer: “It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” He gave it to Judas Iscariot.

The Gospel of John records that after Judas received the bread, Satan entered him, and Jesus said, “What you are about to do, do quickly.” Judas left immediately, going out into the night.

The Garden of Gethsemane

After the supper, Jesus and the remaining disciples went to the Garden of Gethsemane, a place they frequently visited. Judas knew where to find them.

He arrived leading a large crowd armed with swords and clubs—sent by the chief priests, elders, and scribes. To identify Jesus in the darkness, Judas had arranged a signal: “The one I kiss is the man.”

The Kiss of Betrayal

Judas approached Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him. This act of intimacy and respect—a greeting between teacher and student—became the instrument of betrayal.

Jesus responded, “Friend, do what you came for” (Matthew) or “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” (Luke).

The armed men seized Jesus. Peter drew a sword and cut off the ear of the high priest’s servant, but Jesus rebuked him and healed the servant. Jesus then allowed himself to be arrested, and all the disciples fled.

Judas’s Remorse and Death

When Judas saw that Jesus was condemned to death, he was seized with remorse. He returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, “I have sinned, for I have betrayed innocent blood.”

They replied coldly, “What is that to us? That’s your responsibility.”

The Gospel of Matthew records that Judas threw the money into the temple and went away and hanged himself. The priests used the blood money to buy the potter’s field as a burial place for foreigners—it became known as the “Field of Blood” (Akeldama).

The Book of Acts provides an additional detail: Judas fell headlong in the field, and his body burst open.

Theological Significance

The betrayal of Judas raises profound theological questions:

Divine Sovereignty and Human Responsibility

• Jesus repeatedly predicted his betrayal, suggesting it was part of God’s plan
• Yet Judas remained morally responsible for his choice
• This paradox illustrates the tension between divine foreknowledge and human free will

The Mystery of Evil

• How could one of the Twelve, who walked with Jesus and witnessed his miracles, betray him?
• The role of Satan in the story emphasizes the spiritual battle underlying physical events
• Judas becomes the archetype of apostasy—falling away after close proximity to truth

The Price of Redemption

• Thirty pieces of silver was the compensation for a slave killed by an ox (Exodus 21:32)
• The prophet Zechariah was paid thirty pieces of silver, which he threw to the potter (Zechariah 11:12-13)
• The Gospel of Matthew sees this as prophetic fulfillment, showing the Messiah valued as a mere slave

Forgiveness and Despair

• Unlike Peter, who denied Jesus but repented and was restored, Judas despaired
• Some theologians contrast Peter’s godly sorrow leading to life with Judas’s worldly sorrow leading to death
• The question of whether Judas could have been forgiven remains debated

In Christian Tradition

Judas Iscariot has become synonymous with betrayal:

• His name is rarely used in Christian naming traditions
• The “Judas kiss” symbolizes false friendship and treachery
• Medieval art often depicts Judas with a yellow robe (color of deceit) or clutching a money bag
• Some traditions hold that Judas’s face became disfigured or that he was unable to hang himself high enough to die immediately

Yet some modern theologians have attempted to rehabilitate Judas:

• Questioning whether he acted out of misguided motives rather than pure evil
• Suggesting he was fulfilling a necessary role in salvation history
• The apocryphal “Gospel of Judas” (Gnostic text) portrays him as Jesus’s most faithful disciple

Historical Questions

While the betrayal is attested in all four Gospels and Acts:

• The details differ slightly between accounts (method of death, use of the money)
• The exact location of the potter’s field is uncertain
• Some scholars question whether the thirty pieces of silver is historical or symbolic

Legacy

The betrayal of Judas remains one of the most studied and depicted events in Western culture:

• Dante places Judas in the lowest circle of Hell, in Satan’s mouth
• Artists from Giotto to Caravaggio have painted the kiss of betrayal
• The story raises enduring questions about loyalty, greed, destiny, and redemption
• Judas serves as a warning in Christian teaching about the dangers of unbelief, even among the religious

Despite being one of the original Twelve chosen by Jesus, Judas Iscariot is remembered not for discipleship but for the betrayal that brought about the crucifixion—the very act that Christians believe brought salvation to the world.