Judas Iscariot Betrays the Way, the Truth and the Life

Judas Betrays the Way, the Truth and the Life

What we know about Judas is almost entirely from the Scriptures:  we know he is mentioned in the list of apostles,  called by Jesus, usually paired with Simon:

       Matt 10:4  Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.

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Matt 13:55 Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his

        brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon,and Judas?

We also know that Judas was from Kerioth, from his surname “Iscariot’, meaning a man,

(Ish)  from Kerioth, a town about 10 miles south of Hebron, which Wikipedia notes as associated with the modern ruins of ‘el-Kureitein’, a town or village which was decimated in a 1967 bombing.   Judas (Judah) was the son of Simon, but as mentioned in the previous study, whether or   not it was Simon the Leper, or Simon Zelotes or whether the two are related cannot be perfectly determined, although it has generally been held by tradition that Judas was a Zealot.  At least one substantial resource, a dissertation in German, “Die Zeloten”, is cited by Schwartz (1992) as suggesting that his last name rather than come from the traditionally mentioned Kerioth, might have come from the term ‘Sicarius’, the rubric of a group of zealots, or nationalists. 1

The nationalist movement in ancient Israel during the Roman occupation is not often given much attention in Bible studies, but included such incidents as a visit to Rome to Caligula to plead for religious rights (civil during the meeting, but met with violent retaliation) , and the burning alive of 70 protestors who tore the Roman eagle insignia off the Temple.   The Roman occupation of Palestine did not occur without opposition: there was no bloodless coup.  Long before Masada, before the birth of Jesus, the Roman outpost had already been established, and crosses filed with Jewish rebels lined the paths into Jerusalem.   Crucifixion was a Roman form of death, not a Jewish form of death.  [See Psalm 22 notes]  The Romans were brutal, arrogant, and had no concern whatsover for Jewish sensibilities and worship.   Examples of this are seen throughout the gospels such as in the  capricious concerns of Pilate regarding Jesus (e.g. Mt 27),  the mocking and scourging of Jesus, and the crucifixion,  but it should also be noted that the compromised leaders of the day such as the Herodians, were hardly less cruel providing the slaughter of the innocents in search of the infant savior, and invoking such fear that the holy family fled to Egypt until the death of the elder Herod,  (Matt 2:19) but even after his death under the rule of Archelaus, Joseph still had trepidations about the return (Matthew 2:22).  It was in this environment that the Zealots arose,  not only in defense of national Israel, but in defense of the faith as well.   

First Century Judaism and the Problems of the Times

The first years we designate as a.d. or anno domini,  were tubulent years, due to the nature of changes which had occurred in Israel.   Contrary to popular thought, the sect of the Pharisees had not always been a negative influence: after the Maccabean revolution,  the sect of Pharisees actually arose to restore Judaism to its roots, to return to a true form of Temple worship and adherence to the Word of God.  Over a few hundred years, though, they had degenerated into legalists, in Jesus’ words, “straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel.”  They were of little aid in resisting Rome, since by the time of the Messiah, they were more often in collusion than in opposition. (e.g. “We have no King but Ceasar”)   Enter also the Hasmonean Dynasty which had fallen to Rome in 63 BC, though the household was still around, which compromised with Rome, so that by the time of Messiah, the rule was Roman, and offices in the Temple were far from Torah observant, and the Levitical priesthood and office of High Priest had fallen to positions ‘purchased’ from Roman,  the purchase price exacted from an exorbitant temple tax.  2 Caiphas and his father-in-law were not levitical.

By the beginning of the first century then, Israel was inhabited by a mix of Jews and Gentiles in the northern regions where the ten tribes had settled since Jeroboam, in Hazor, Galilee and above, and toward Jerusalem (though also throughout Israel) were the occupying Romans, the Pharisees, Sadducees, Zealots, Herodians, and often persons from as many as 16 nations during Jewish feasts conducting commerce. [The 16 nations mentioned are named in Acts, as present on the day of Pentecost].  Rome ruled with an iron fist, though, and most succumbed,  though the Romans were hated by many for their murderous treatment of the Jews.

Paul Maier in an historical novel about the time, adds some intrigue in that Pilate may have been appointed as a merciful appointment rather than stay in Rome and receive a death sentence for being among the friends and cohorts of those who had plotted an assasination of Ceasar,  since Palestine was an outpost and seen as somewhat of a punishment or sign of disfavor. One can easily see his reluctance to follow anything other than the strictest Roman law and policy, including entertaining the idea of a King seen as an insurrectionist arising out of ‘nowhere’ (Nazareth).  The Zealots, watching death after death in slaughters and crucifixions, watching injustice after injustice, believed that Israel should rise in resistance to Rome,  They, like the faithful of Israel were also watching for a Messiah, a King, long promised who would lead them to a literal victory in an earthly battle over Rome, restoring Israel to the Jews.   It appears that two of the disciples were of that background, Simon Zelotes, or Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot. 

Judas the Treasurer

While we know little of Judas, we do know that he travelled with Jesus from the earliest days, and that he handled the money for Jesus and the disciples, and that he was focused on ‘earthly things’.   Before the Last Supper, and the prophecy that Judas would betray him,  Judas, following the anointing by the woman with the alabaster jar, Judas, incensed no doubt that the ointment was not sold and added to the treasury, has become disillusioned with Jesus.   Judas the Zealot expected talk of revolution, but instead he was taught of the reign of the Kingdom of Heaven in the life of Israel.  Judas expected a conquering king, raising troops and empathy, but instead listened as Jesus prophesied his suffering, death and resurrection, of which the disciples do not show a great comprehension before Pentecost.   Disappointed, feeling Jesus was somehow making ‘foolish’ decisions about money,  Judas slips from the great standing of an apostle, having seen the healings, the power over winds, waves, demons, and having listened to a depth of teaching never before heard in Israel,  and decides that perhaps Yshua may be a danger to the Jewish people, and seeks a betraying covenant with the religious leaders:

14 Then one of the Twelve--the one called Judas Iscariot--went to the chief priests 15 and asked, "What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?" So they counted out for him thirty silver coins. 16 From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over

Even here, though, one sees a motive of selfishness and avarice,  as his first request of the Chief priests is ‘how much’ will be paid for the betrayal:  he was more interested in the price of the spikenard than of the anointing of Christ, and he was more interested in the prize money for betraying the Lord, than even the reason for the betrayal.  He is willing to hand over the Lord: Jesus has been hard to track down from the Temple in Jerusalem, travelling the circuit around the nation, but now the chief priests, collaborators with Rome, have inside information:  they will be able to take Jesus in arrest based upon the information of the insider, Judas.   Unperturbed in his plot to betray his friend, with his eyes on the thirty silver coins, Judas ventures to the Last Passover supper he will spend with his friend and teacher, Yshua.   Even then, seeing the work of God in the arrangement for the Supper, he listens intently as the Messiah of Israel tells those gathered around the table, that one of them will betray him:

21 And as they did eat , he said , Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. 22 And they were exceeding sorrowful , and began everyone of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I? 23 And he answered and said , He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me. 24 The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed ! it had been good for that man if he had not been born

Jesus first tells his disciples it will be one of them.  Each questions whether it could possibly be them: they have maintained their love for him even through the most difficult teachings, two of them having seen Jesus glorified in the transfiguration.  They recognize though their own weaknesses and frailty, and say to him, “Lord, is it I?”.    Jesus though as prophet tells that it is one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with him,  and then pronounces the forthcoming judgment on the one so near as a friend, and so hard hearted that he would betray the Son of God, the Son of Man, reminding them even once more of his imminent demise,  but no doubt purposely failing to spell out the wretched details of the end of the accuser:

“it had been good for that man if he hadnot been born.”

The evening not yet over, Judas is about to make his nonchalant exit:  but Yshua will not let him leave so easily:

Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said , Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said .

It is noted before the Supper when Judas leaves Simon’s house to betray Jesus, that ‘Satan entered into Judas’:  this was not merely an act of man against man, or even of man against the Savior, but a divine battle.   Judas leaves to betray Jesus, and the disciples depart for the evening to the Garden.

The agony of the Garden for the moment is parenthetical: after the prayer of surrender in the Garden, with the Jewish disciples unable to withstand the slumber that falls on them,  the ultimate betrayal of the kiss, alerting the guard Judas has brought with them occurs but not before one more prophecy of the impending duplicity:

behold , the hour is at hand , and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise , let us be going : behold , he is at hand that doth betray me.

Judas brings the temple guard against people who have done him no harm, and against the good Shepherd of Israel, believing he is doing Israel a favor, he commits treachery against both the Lord and the nation.

47 And while he yet spake , lo , Judas, one of the twelve, came , and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people. 48 Now he that betrayed him gave them assign, saying , Whomsoever I shall kiss , that same is he: hold him fast . 49 And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said , Hail , master; and kissed him. 50 And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come ? Then came they , and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.   

It is fascinating to note that in the history of mankind, the most non-violent leaders are met with the most violence:  it is irony of the first order to send ‘swords and staves’ and armed guards to arrest the one who healed a centurion’s servant.  Yet they come with Judas: he finally has his much desired army, not to resist Rome, but to resist Christ, the Messiah.  Even to the end he attempts to deceive Jesus,  acting as though he is merely encountering a friend, with a holy kiss, and ‘Hail, Master’, though he has forsaken his master for another.  Jesus, knowing why he is there, nonetheless queries him about his presence, and at that moment, Jesus is arrested.

In another Gospel though, there is more information as the betrayal unfolds:

Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth , and said unto them, Whom seek ye ? 5 They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them. 6 As soon then as he had said unto them , I am he, they went backward , and fell to the ground. 7 Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye ? And they said , Jesus of Nazareth. 8 Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way

As the soldiers confront Jesus,  he asks whom they seek, and they say ‘Jesus of Nazareth’.  Jesus says,

“I am he”.  He actually, in the Greek says “I Am”,  but the he is italicized since the English requires the direct object,  but Jesus says “I Am”, and a curious thing happens:  “they went backward and fell to the ground.”.  Despite the cruel trespass of Judas, the King of Israel is still in charge,  and the pronouncement of his name sends his subjects rolling backwards.  He does this to make clear to Israel that the sacrifice they are about to call for,  is a willing one,  which love for Israel demands.  There is power in the name above all names.   A healing of the servants ear,  the abandonment of the disciples, and Jesus is arrested, but the judgment against Judas is almost immediately put in place:

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, 4 Saying , I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said ,What is that to us? see thou to that. 5 And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed , and went and hanged himself .

Immediately Judas notes the magnitude of his sin and he must have sensed the great judgment awaiting for the one who would be called the son of perdition.  Lost for all time, he repents, but the betrayal of the Holy One of Israel to the point of having him arrested as a common criminal and insurrectionist (which Judas was), results in a blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, as by the betrayal he is claiming that the works of God are the works of Satan.  He casts down the money, finally comprehending why it is the root of all evil, and goes to hang himself, falling from the rope, his bowels gushing out.  Dante’s Inferno places Judas at the right hand of satan in the lowest level of Hell,  the just higher level reserved for the treacherous and those who betrayed guests and those entrusted to them.    The lights of flamed torches though,  with swords and staves in the Garden, mark the beginning of the Battle back at Eden’s doors, about to be fought.

Till next time. ekbest