8 Surprising Facts about Judas Iscariot

Almost immediately thought of together when the crucifixion of Jesus Christ is mentioned is the scorn that both Judas Iscariot and Pontius Pilate share. They are individuals pillared together, known widely for betrayal and cowardice. The Governor, Pontius Pilate’s name carries a load that believed in the betrayed One’s innocence, but not as heavy as the load of guilt the Judaean name of Judas.

2. The Treachery of Judas

From ages prior, Judas’s treachery has been regarded as the foulest deed that was ever committed. From hellish passions to the horrors of the imagination, many have thought of this Apostle for fierce malignity and hideous ingratitude. Even children, who have heard the event of Judas read to them, shudder at the thought of his crime, making his name a byword for betrayal and treachery. There are forty verses in the New Testament referring to the betrayal of our Lord, and each verse dastardly records Judas as the culprit, the perfect traitor. 

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His given name is Judas, his second name, Iscariot, is a form of a Greek word meaning “a man of Kerioth,” the town where he was born. The name Simon Iscariot was given to his father. (John 6:71; 13:2, 26). Because there were six others named Judas, it is said that ‘Iscariot’ was attached to distinguish him from those with the same name. He was the only disciple in the Galilean band representing this district around Jerusalem. Judas was a native of Kerioth that presides in Judah (Kerioth and Nerioth no longer exist). All of the other apostles came from Galilee in the far north of Palestine (Amos 2:2, Joshua 15:25).

4. The Disciple and Apostle

Matthew 10:4, Mark 3:19, and Luke 6:16 give Scriptural references to how Judas became an apostle, but it is not told when and how he became a disciple of Jesus. Being strong-willed and conceited, Judas joined Jesus more as a patriot or political leader than as a friend, and his mind interpreted the words and deeds of Christ through the medium of his own anticipation. The other disciples found a Teacher who awoke admiration and love, but with Judas, it was different. 

As an Apostle, nothing is said of his call or where it took place. However, Judas was chosen (John 6:70). But why did Christ choose him as an apostle? What we do know is that Jesus made the choice He did (Psalm 135:6). All prophecy must be fulfilled, and no different from this Old Testament prophecy concerning every aspect of His life and mission. Jesus also spoke Scriptures foretelling the same (Psalm 41:9; John 17:12; Acts 1:20). Knowing the end from the beginning, God was able to know what Judas would do, centuries beforehand. All prophecies, then, relating to the betrayer prove the foresight of Holy Writ. 

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Because of His amazing forbearance and longsuffering, Jesus did not expose Judas as He witnessed his gradual degeneration, but left him in his own time to reveal his true character. Restrained…Jesus, on that night of betrayal, as the bread was broken and eaten with him, and the wine was drunk. He restrained against the one who had lifted up his heel against Him (Psalm 41:9). 

6. He Was the Treasurer

Judas held a position of trust and confidence as the “purse-barer” or treasurer of the apostolic band. He had the economic habits and aptitude for finance. Love of bargaining is a quality often associated with love of money. Wealthy women contributed to the maintenance of Christ and His disciples (Luke 8:3), and Judas was made treasurer and administrator of that fund. This responsibility alone showed that the other apostles had faith in his honesty and confidence, which remained unshaken up to the very night of the betrayal. 

Judas carried “the bag”, a secular position requiring a good businessman, not necessarily one who was pious. Judas took advantage of his position, and as John tells us plainly, Judas “was a thief, and had the bag, and bare (kept) what was put therein” (John 12:6). Was Judas conscience? Absolutely! Yet Jesus, the Master, knew the thought hidden from unsuspected eyes, the secret thoughts, and knew what was in man. And the constant teachings about love and money that Judas often heard? Yes, they sounded loud. 

In the feet-washing with its message on humility (John 13:1-20), Jesus made premonitory allusions to the fact that a traitor was amongst the twelve, that they were not all clean. That there was one of them who knew and would not do. “He knew who should betray him.” Even toward the last, when Jesus said, “That thou doest, do quickly” (John 13:27), which was far from being a command. 

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Judas was a traitor at heart from the outset. From petty pilfering to questioning Mary of Bethany, who anointed Jesus’ feet (John 12:1-8). While the gospels only record his wickedness, it is easy to discern his character from the text, being instigated by Satan (John 13:27). Proof of his heartless and cunning act is recorded in both Matthew and Mark. Judas agreed and watched for the fitting opportunity to sell Christ (Matthew 26:16), (Mark 14:11). Judas did not act in a moment of passion or insanity. John tells us that “Judas knew the place” (John 18:2) and used his knowledge for the purpose of handing over his Master to his enemies. 

8. Welcomed by the Priest and the Bargain Completed

The hatred the Scribes and Pharisees had for Christ made them eager for Judas to betray Jesus. The betrayal was complete in the motive of thirty-pieces of silver, not even half the amount that he argued over the ointment for the anointing of Jesus’ feet, “300 pence”, equivalent to the wages of 300 days (John 12:5). Ezekiel speaks of polluting God “for handfuls of barley and for pieces of bread” (Ezekiel 13:19). Amos describes those selling “the righteous for silver, and the poor for a pair of shoes” (Amos 2:6). Then, there are those who still sell honor and truth, barter away their souls for money, sacrifice religion and any hope of heaven for material gain. 

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