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Lesson #16 - The Apostle Judas Iscariot (Pt A)
Series: The Fourteen ApostlesLESSON #16 – THE APOSTLE JUDAS ISCARIOT (ptA)
¡ There are several other men mentioned in the New Testament bearing the name Judas.
Judas (aka Jude) was a brother to Jesus (Mt.13:55 & Jude 1) …
Judas of James was another one of Twelve (aka Thaddaus Lebbaeus). cf. Lk.6:16 & Acts 1:13 with Mt.10:2 and Mk.3:18) ... Judas Barsabbas (Acts 1:23) … Judas the Galilean (Acts 5:37) … and Judas of Damascus (Acts 9:11).
During the inter-testamental time period, Judas Maccabaeus had become a Jewish hero of sorts.
¡ The synoptic gospel’s refer to Judas in the following ways.
In Matthew's list of the apostles, the twelfth is, Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed Him (Mt.10:4)
Mark's list also has him last and reads, Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him (Mk.3:19).
Luke also places him last saying, Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor (Lk.6:16).
WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT JUDAS ISCARIOT?
~ As a derivative of Judah, the name Judas means “praised”.
How sad that he who began life with such a wonderful name came to be both pitied and despised.
~ He is frequently spoken of as, Judas Iscariot.
A few see this word, Iscariot, as a Greek form of the Latin word “sicarius” (dagger-bearer). i.e., assassin / Acts 21:38).
It is more likely that it is a reference to his “roots”. i.e., that he was Ish Kerioth - - (Josh.15:25 and Amos 2:2).
Judas' father was also known as Simon Iscariot (Jn.6:71 and 13:26).
If indeed he was from Kerioth, that would make Judas the only one of the Twelve who was not a Galilean.
His non-Galilean status may have translated into a source of tension with the other eleven.
~ Judas was chosen by Jesus to be one of the twelve apostles (Jn.6:71). He must have had the potential for good.
Early on he was trusted by his peers - - he served as the apostolic treasurer or “the keeper of the purse” (Jn.13:29).
Acts 1:17 notes, he was counted among us, and received his portion in this ministry.
At the Passover meal, John likely sat on the right hand of Jesus. If so, that would mean that Judas sat on the Lord's left
(one who dips with me in the bowl / Mk.14:20) - - a place typically given to the guest of honor (Jn.13:18-30).
~ In retrospect (with hindsight) Judas is described in several ways in Scripture:
a betrayer … a traitor … a devil (Jn.6:70 with Jn.13:2 & Lk.22:3) … a thief (Jn.12:6) … a son of perdition (Jn.17:12).
Judas Iscariot went to the chief priests, and said, 'What are you willing to give me to deliver Him up to you?'
And they weighed out to him thirty pieces of silver. And from then on
he began looking for a good opportunity to betray Him. cf. Mt.26:15 with Mk.14:10
~ The saddest words about Judas were spoken by Jesus - - It would be good for that man if he had not been born (Mt.26:24).
~ The New Testament describes Judas' death (by suicide).
He went out and hung himself (Mt.27:5).
Acts 1:18 implies that he fell to his death. In attempting to hang himself, perhaps a tree limb broke
due to the weight, which then caused him to plunge headlong to his death by bursting his innards.
ASSIGNMENT
Give thought in advance to the following questions which we will discuss next week.
Why did Judas betray Jesus and how did the betrayal unfold?
Was Judas predestined to betray Jesus and, if so, did he have a choice in the matter?
Was Judas' “fall from grace” a sudden plummet or a gradual descent?
Did Jesus know Judas' intention from the beginning and, if so, why did He choose Judas in the first place?
Did Judas experience regret and remorse over this betrayal and could he ever be forgiven?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS ABOUT JUDAS
Why did Judas betray Jesus?
How did this betrayal transpire?
Mt.26:14-25 & 27:3; Mt:14:10-21 & 43f; Lk.22:3-48 (note vs.21); Jn.6:70-71;
Was Judas predestined to betray Jesus?
Cf. Lk.22:22; Jn.18:11; Acts 1:16 & 20 and 2:23
i.e., Did he have a choice in the matter?
Was Judas' fall from grace a sudden plummet or a gradual descent?
cf. Jn.12:1-6; 13:2 & 10-11, 21-30; 18:2-3
Why did Jesus choose Judas in the first place?
Did Jesus know of his betrayal from the beginning?
Did Judas have regret and remorse over his betrayal of Jesus?
Could he be forgiven for what he did? Was he forgiven by God?
