Lesson #17 - The Apostle Judas Iscariot (Pt B - cont)

Terry Siverd
12/11/19 - Wed Bible Study

LESSON #17 – THE APOSTLE JUDAS ISCARIOT (ptB)   

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS CONTINUED

3) Was Judas predestined to betray Jesus? 

i.e., Did he have a choice in the matter?

~ Did not the Scriptures prophesy that one would betray Jesus?

cf. Zech.11:12-13  and  Ps.69:35 & 109:8

Acts 1:16 states, the Scriptures had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit foretold by the mouth of David concerning Judas...

Lk.22:22 declares, Indeed, the Son of Man is going as it has been determined; but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed.

In Mt.26:56, Jesus says regarding the events leading up to and including His impending crucifixion - -

all of this has taken place that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.

In Jn.18:11, Jesus made it clear, the cup which the Father has given Me, shall I not drink it?

On Pentecost Peter said of Jesus, This Man, delivered up to you by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God,

you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death (Acts 2:23).

~ There is a difference between foreknowledge and fore-ordination.

Almighty God is omniscient - - He sees all from the beginning to the end.

Could not God know the way that Judas would take (on his own accord) without making him travel that pathway?

4) Why did Jesus choose Judas in the first place?

~ Even though Jesus was God in the flesh, did His equality with God (Philp.2:6), did He always choose to know all things?

This is a mind-blowing question that we could ponder for all of days and still not fully grasp.

~ Jesus chose Judas (as He did all of the apostles).  cf. Jn.6:70

Did He know from the very beginning that He (one of the twelve) would fail and betray Him?

Jesus knew the Scriptures - - Jesus is The Word become flesh (Jn.1:1).

Did Jesus ascertain along the way the Judas was the betrayer?  cf.Mt.26:20-25;  Mk.14:20  and  Jn.13:27

5) How did Judas die?

~ Did he hang himself?  Yes, according to Mt.27:5.

~ Did he fall headlong, bursting his bowels?  Yes, according to Acts 1:18

~ It is not either/or but both - - he hung himself and fell to his death.

6) Did Judas have regret and remorse over his betrayal of Jesus?

~ Mt.27:3 clearly records:  When Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that He had been condemned, he felt REMORSE

and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, 'I have betrayed innocent blood'.

~ Could he be forgiven for what he did?

While Mt.27:3 clearly indicates that Judas was not insane.  In taking his own life had Satan driven

Judas to the point where became so disappointed in himself that he did not want to live any longer?

~ Jesus seemed to sense his utter despondency in saying, It would be good for that man if he had not been born (Mt.26:64).

Is this necessarily a verdict on his eternal state?

Does the term “son of perdition” (Jn.17:12) imply or demand that his soul eternally damned?

On this we must lean on the words of Scripture.  In the words of Abraham (Gen.18:25b) - -

Shall not the Judge of all the earth deal justly?

cf. Lamentations 3:22-23