An Ordinary Hypocrite Names Judas Iscariot

Where Did Judas Come From?

The name “Iscariot” is a reference to the town of Kerioth, which is not in Galilee. It was north of Beersheba in Judea. Judas seems to be the only disciple who didn’t grow up in Galilee.

Judas is always listed last in the listing of disciples. In fact, if the order of disciples is significant and shows us the level of intimacy each disciple had with Christ, it makes sense why Judas is last on the list, because he never truly walked with the Lord.

What About His Nicknames?

Judas is called a devil in John 6:70. He is called the son of perdition or destruction, which means “eternal damnation or punishment” in John 17:12. It is said of Judas that is would better that he had never been born in Matthew 26:24 and Mark 14:21. These are not descriptions given to any other man – other than the antichrist.

Was Judas ever given the opportunity to be saved? Did God offer him repentance or did God doom him to betrayal and curse him to hell? Well, every person starts off his life as a son headed towards destruction – just like Judas.

Judas chose to meet with the religious leaders to negotiate a price to give over Jesus. Judas chose to sell himself out for 30 pieces of silver. Judas chose to betray Christ.  Judas chose to not respond in repentance to his betrayal but hang himself in utter despondency. Judas knew he was responsible. Not once did he say, “The devil made me do it.” He confessed in Matthew 27:4, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.”

Where or When Did Judas “Go Wrong”?

In John 12, Judas “shows his true colors” in response to a beautiful act of service from Mary towards Jesus. Jesus had returned to Bethany for the first time since raising Lazarus from the dead. At dinner, Mary took 1 pound of perfume (about $10,000 worth by today’s standards) to wash the feet of Jesus!

Judas thought she was wasting money. He couldn’t understand why Mary chose to serve this way, because he didn’t have the same spirit as her.

Remember that Judas was the treasurer for the disciples. He kept the money given or donated to them for benevolence, ministry, etc. When they wanted to purchase food or give to the poor they would come to Judas.

But, Judas loved money so much he not only complained about Mary’s apparent waste of perfume, but John tells us outright he was stealing from the very moneybag of the disciples.

Judas was full of greed.  Judas was laying up treasures on earth where moth and rust destroy (Matthew 6:19). Judas was trying to gain the whole world, but he would lose his soul (Matthew 16:26). Judas was trying to serve God and money – 2 masters (Matthew 6:24).

This love of money would eventually take his life. His love of money did not cause him to lose faith; but his love of money kept him from ever believing.

How Did Judas Betray Christ?

In John 13, Satan entered the heart of Judas. Judas was not demon-possessed, but Satan-possessed! He could have been a faithful apostle, but instead became a Satanic betrayer.

He agreed to turn over Jesus for 30 pieces of silver, which was the price of an injured or mangled slave (Exodus 21:32). The modern-day equivalent would be between $17-20. Judas probably would have wanted more as a greedy man, but, sadly, he settled for whatever they would give him.

Why would Judas do this? Why the dissatisfaction with Jesus’ Gospel? Why not see the prophesies fulfilled in the works and teachings of Jesus and repent? Was Judas simply motivated by the “almighty shekel” and would do anything for the accumulation of wealth? Was Judas frustrated with the high calling Jesus made on the lives of His followers? Was Judas looking for a political Redeemer to deliver from Rome – not their sins?

It was all these reasons. He was politically and spiritually disillusioned. In short, Judas was a hypocrite that finally decided to take his mask off and show the world how much he wanted to serve his own agenda.

How Did Judas Die?

Judas hung himself near, or over, a cliff and when the rope broke, he fell to the bottom and severely maimed himself and bled out.

Never did Judas repent. Never did Judas seek forgiveness from Christ. Never did Judas reconcile with the other 11 disciples. At best, Judas exhibited remorse for his sin but no repentance. And Judas never got to enjoy his 30 pieces of silver.