Meeting Judas
There were twelve original apostles. Many can name Peter, James, and John without much trouble. But after those three, the names blur for many—except for Judas. His name is unforgettable, and not in a good way. Calling someone a “Judas” today is an insult everyone understands.
So, who was Judas Iscariot, the man whose name became a byword for betrayal?
Judas was one of the twelve apostles handpicked by Jesus. Matthew, Mark, and Luke all include him on their lists, but interestingly, they always place him last, almost as if they hesitated to write his name.
Let’s begin with his name. “Judas” comes from the Hebrew name Judah, a name that once carried honor. But Judas tarnished it forever. His last name, Iscariot, likely refers to his hometown of Kerioth, a village in Judea.
Judas wasn’t a passive member of the group. In fact, he held an important role: treasurer of the disciples. He managed the ministry’s money bag, which reflected a degree of trust. Yet, John’s Gospel reveals a darker truth—Judas was a thief who would help himself to the funds (John 12:6).
When Judas betrayed Jesus, it was for 30 pieces of silver. This payment carries significant meaning in Scripture. It was the price of a common slave. Exodus 21:32 reveals that 30 pieces of silver was the compensation owed if a slave was killed by an ox. After Judas returned the silver to the chief priests, they refused to take it back, declaring it blood money. (Matthew 27:3–6).
Judas sealed his betrayal with a kiss—a customary greeting in that time and still practiced in some cultures today.
After Jesus’ arrest, Judas was consumed by remorse. In his despair, he ended his own life by hanging himself. Judas’s story is a sobering one. It reminds us of the dangers of misplaced priorities, the weight of unrepentant sin, and the eternal consequences of our choices.
I’m Lonnie Davis and these are thoughts worth thinking.