The story of Judas Iscariot is a significant and tragic one in the New Testament of the Bible. Judas was one of the twelve disciples chosen by Jesus to accompany Him during His ministry. However, his actions ultimately led to Jesus' arrest, trial, and crucifixion.
Here is a summary of the key events related to Judas Iscariot in the Bible:
Selection as a Disciple:
Judas was chosen by Jesus to be one of His twelve apostles, signifying his close association with Jesus during His ministry on Earth (Matthew 10:1-4).
Betrayal of Jesus:
As Jesus' ministry continued, Judas became increasingly disillusioned and discontented, possibly due to his misunderstandings about Jesus' mission and his desire for personal gain. The turning point came when Judas agreed to betray Jesus to the chief priests for thirty pieces of silver (Matthew 26:14-16).
The Last Supper:
On the night before His crucifixion, Jesus celebrated the Passover meal with His disciples, including Judas. During this Last Supper, Jesus revealed that one of them would betray Him (Matthew 26:20-25). Judas asked if it was him, and Jesus affirmed that he was the one.
The Betrayal in Gethsemane:
After the Last Supper, Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. Judas led a group of soldiers and religious leaders to arrest Jesus, identifying Him with a kiss as a sign of betrayal (Matthew 26:47-50).
Remorse and Death:
After Jesus was arrested and sentenced to death, Judas felt remorse for his actions. He returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, confessing, "I have sinned by betraying innocent blood" (Matthew 27:3-4). However, the religious leaders callously refused to take the money back and claimed it couldn't be used in the temple treasury.
Overwhelmed with guilt and despair, Judas went out and hanged himself (Matthew 27:5). The religious leaders decided to use the money to buy a field known as the "Field of Blood," which became a place associated with Judas's infamy (Matthew 27:6-8).
The account of Judas' death differs slightly in the Book of Acts. According to Acts 1:18-19, instead of hanging himself, Judas fell headlong in the field, and his body burst open, leading to his death.
The story of Judas Iscariot serves as a cautionary tale of the consequences of greed, betrayal, and the importance of understanding and embracing the true message and teachings of Jesus. His actions played a pivotal role in the fulfillment of prophecy and the eventual crucifixion of Jesus, leading to His resurrection and the establishment of Christianity.
