The Character and Motives of Judas Iscariot

I would like to explore the character and motives of Judas, son of Simon, the Iscariot, one of the main Twelve disciples, the betrayer Jesus.

The Person of Judas

What do we know about Judas Iscariot?

We know he is Judas, the son of Simon (Jn 6:71; 12:4; 13:2, 26). He has the epithet, Iscariot, which probably refers to a Judaean suburb. See this note from Wikipedia:

“The first of the two main etymologies, which is the one accepted by the majority, and credited to Jerome, derives Iscariot from Hebrew איש־קריות, Κ–Qrîyôth, that is "man of Kerioth", the Judean town (or, more probably, collection of small towns) of Kerioth, not otherwise related to any person or event in the New Testament, nor mentioned in any document of the period, but referred to in the book of Jeremiah. In a similar vein, קריות may be simply the plural of קריה "small city," in which case we have something like "of the suburbs", i.e. it may be the case that Judas Iscariot is nothing more specific than the Jew from the suburbs. As Aramaic was the main language of the time, and all other New Testament characters have Aramaic surnames and nicknames, this Hebrew Judaean name could have marked out Judas as different from the Galilean disciples.”

He apparently was treasurer of Jesus’ ministry (Jn 13:29). This suggests that he had some contact with those who supported Jesus’ ministry (Lazarus, Joseph of Arimathaea, Mary, Martha and others).

The gospel writers are unanimous that Judas “betrayed” Jesus (Mat 10:4; 26:25; Mar 3:19; 14:10; Lk 16:6; 22:47-48; Jn 6:71; 12:4; 18:2; Ac 1:25).

The gospel writers are unanimous that Judas went to the chief priests, scribes, elders and Pharisees in order to betray Jesus (Mat 26:4, 47; 27:3; Mar 14:10; 14:43; Jn 18:3; 18:5). We are not told that these religious leaders sought Judas out; no, we are told that Judas sought them out. Judas was not like the other disciples in that he was probably not from Galilee. To some extent he may have felt some loyalty to the Jewish religious authority in Jerusalem in a way that differed from that of the Galilean disciples.

We also know that Judas was a slanderer or false-accuser (diabolos), as Jesus Himself stated (Jn 6:70).


Recent Theories For Why Judas Betrayed Jesus

There have been recent theories that Judas’ betrayal was not an act of malicious intent but that he did so either on instructions by Jesus or in order to force Jesus’ hand into bringing the kingdom of God into existence. While this last theory is quite appealing I do not think that this or even the first theory holds any water.

First, the gospel writers are quick to assert that the other disciples were anxious to bring the kingdom into existence and fight by Jesus’ side with swords to the bitter end. If this was also the intention of Judas, why do the gospel writers not mention it?

Second, although it is true that Jesus did frequently predicted His handover to the Jewish religious leaders, there was nothing in His predictions that would suggest a victorious entrance of the kingdom of God as conceived by His disciples (Mk 9:31; 10:33; Mt 17:22; 20:18; 26:2; Lk 9:44; 18:32). Thus, even if Judas believed that he was forcing Jesus’ hand in bringing the kingdom of God into existence, he did not believe Jesus when he stated what result this betrayal would be.

Third, all the gospel writers state that Judas intentions were both malicious and greedy (Mt 26:15-16; Mk 14:11; Lk 22:4-6). John and Luke state the Satan’s influence upon Judas (Lk 22:3; Jn 13:2). Jesus Himself states of His betrayer, “better that he hadn’t been born” (Mt 26:24; Mk 14:21).

Fourth, Judas repented from the evil which he had done:

“Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders.” (Mat 27:3)

If Judas hand done the correct thing then why would he had the need to repent, return the money and then commit suicide? Of course how he actually died (hanged, Mt 27:5 or headlong, Ac 1:18) and who purchased the potter’s field (chief priests, Mat 27:6 or Judas, Ac 1:18) is a matter of some debate.


My Theory For Why Judas Betrayed Jesus

I submit that Judas’ reason was greed and greed alone.

Again, we know that Judas was the treasurer (Jn 13:29). We know that he was a thief (Jn 12:6). We know that it was the actions of the woman who anointed Jesus with expensive oil that was the final straw for Judas (Mk 14:10; Jn 12:4-6). We know that Judas himself asked how much he could get for turning Jesus over to the religious leaders (Mt 26:15-16; Mk 14:11; Lk 22:4-6).

When Judas does repent of his sins he noticeably returns the money he received for the betrayal:

“Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that. And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.” (Mt 27:3-5)

Though this seems to be an insignificant reason to betray the Son of God, it is the only reason given in Scripture. Furthermore, too many people ignore and reject Christ for a lot less that what Judas received.


Judas Was Not Damned

I think the Scriptural evidence does not necessarily support the idea that Judas was damned for his betrayal of Jesus.

First, Judas was a servant, disciple and apostle of Jesus.

Second, Judas received the same authority and instruction as the other disciples (Mt 10:1-42; Mk 6:7-11; Lk 9:1-12).

Third, Judas also received the same promise as the other disciples:

“And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” (Mt 19:28)

Finally, while Judas’ was neither a good person with good motives for what he did, when confronted with the truth of the matter, he did repent (Mt 27:3-5).

Thus, I submit that it is possible that Judas will be saved and spared damnation.