Who Betrayed Jesus? The Complete Story of Judas Iscariot

Quick Answer: Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus' twelve disciples, betrayed Jesus to the Jewish religious leaders for 30 pieces of silver, leading to Jesus' arrest, trial, and crucifixion.

This is one of the most infamous acts in human history. Let's explore the Biblical account, Judas' motives, and the sobering lessons from this tragedy.

The Biblical Account

Judas Iscariot: One of the Twelve

Mark 3:19 - *"...and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him."*

Key Facts:

Yet he betrayed Jesus.

The Betrayal Price: 30 Silver Coins

Matthew 26:14-16 - *"Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests and asked, 'What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?' So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver. From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over."*

30 pieces of silver = roughly 4 months' wages for a laborer (about $5,000-$10,000 today)

Not a fortune—but the price of betraying God.

Prophesied 500 Years Earlier

Zechariah 11:12-13 - *"I told them, 'If you think it best, give me my pay; but if not, keep it.' So they paid me thirty pieces of silver. And the Lord said to me, 'Throw it to the potter'—the handsome price at which they valued me!"*

Written ~500 BC, fulfilled perfectly in ~30 AD.

The Night of Betrayal

The Last Supper

Matthew 26:20-25 - Jesus predicts His betrayal:

One of you will betray me... The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me.

Judas asked: "Surely you don't mean me, Rabbi?"

Jesus answered: "You have said so."

Jesus knew—yet still gave Judas chance to repent.

The Garden of Gethsemane

Matthew 26:47-50 - *"While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: 'The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.' Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, 'Greetings, Rabbi!' and kissed him. Jesus replied, 'Do what you came for, friend.'"*

The kiss = traditional greeting, but used here as a signal for arrest

Jesus called Judas "friend" even in betrayal—showing grace to the end.

Why Did Judas Betray Jesus?

Theory 1: Greed (Most Obvious)

John 12:4-6 - *"But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, 'Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year's wages.' He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it."*

Evidence: Judas stole from the moneybag; he negotiated a price for betrayal.

Theory 2: Disillusionment

Judas may have expected Jesus to:

When Jesus spoke of suffering and death, Judas may have felt betrayed himself.

Theory 3: Political Pressure

"Iscariot" may mean "man of Kerioth" or possibly "sicarius" (assassin/zealot).

If Judas was a zealot, he may have wanted to force Jesus' hand to start a revolution.

Theory 4: Satan's Influence

Luke 22:3 - *"Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve."*

John 13:27 - *"As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him."*

Ultimate cause: Satanic influence combined with Judas' own choices.

The Real Reason: All of the Above

Sin is rarely one-dimensional.

What Happened to Judas After the Betrayal

Judas' Remorse

Matthew 27:3-5 - *"When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. 'I have sinned,' he said, 'for I have betrayed innocent blood.' 'What is that to us?' they replied. 'That's your responsibility.' So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself."*

Key distinction: Remorse (regret) ≠ Repentance (turning to God)

The Field of Blood

Matthew 27:6-8 - The priests used the 30 silver coins to buy a potter's field (burial place for foreigners), called "Field of Blood."

Acts 1:18-19 - *"With the payment he received for his wickedness, Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out. Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this, so they called that field in their language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood."*

Two accounts—same result: Judas died in that field.

Judas' Replacement

Acts 1:20-26 - The apostles chose Matthias to replace Judas, bringing the Twelve back to full number.

Could Judas Have Been Forgiven?

Jesus Offered Opportunities

Judas could have been forgiven—if he'd truly repented.

Why Judas Wasn't Saved

John 17:12 - Jesus prayed: *"None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled."*

Not because Jesus didn't love him, but because Judas:

The difference: Peter denied Jesus 3 times but repented. Judas betrayed and died in despair.

Lessons from Judas' Betrayal

1. Proximity to Jesus Doesn't Equal Salvation

Judas:

Yet he was never truly saved.

Being near Jesus isn't enough—you must surrender your heart.

2. Small Compromises Lead to Big Falls

Judas didn't wake up one day and decide to betray Jesus.

The progression:

Sin rarely starts big. It grows.

3. Remorse ≠ Repentance

Remorse = "I regret what I did (consequences)"

Repentance = "I turn from sin to God (relationship)"

Judas had remorse. Peter had repentance.

2 Corinthians 7:10 - *"Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death."*

4. God's Sovereignty and Human Choice

Prophecy said Messiah would be betrayed (Psalm 41:9; Zechariah 11:12-13)

Judas chose to betray Jesus (free will)

Both are true. God's plan unfolds through human choices, not in spite of them.

5. Even Betrayal Served God's Purpose

Acts 2:23 - *"This man was handed over to you by God's deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross."*

Judas' evil act became the means of our salvation.

God works even through evil for His good purposes (Genesis 50:20).

The Other "Betrayers"

Peter: Denial

Matthew 26:69-75 - Peter denied Jesus 3 times

Difference from Judas:

Betrayal can be forgiven if followed by repentance.

The Disciples: Abandonment

Matthew 26:56 - *"Then all the disciples deserted him and fled."*

All abandoned Jesus in His hour of need—yet all (except Judas) were restored.

Us: Sin

Romans 3:23 - *"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."*

Every sin betrays Jesus. Yet He offers forgiveness.

The question isn't "Have you betrayed Jesus?" (we all have).

The question is: "Will you repent and return?"

The Meaning for Us

You Can Be Forgiven

If you've betrayed Jesus through sin:

Unlike Judas, turn to Jesus—not away from Him.

Examine Your Heart

Are you:

Judas is a warning: External religion without internal transformation leads to destruction.

Trust God's Sovereignty

Even the worst betrayal in history:

God can redeem even your worst moments.

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The Bottom Line

Who betrayed Jesus?

✅ Judas Iscariot, one of the 12 disciples

✅ For 30 pieces of silver

✅ With a kiss in the Garden of Gethsemane

✅ Fulfilling prophecy from 500 years earlier

Why does it matter?

The difference between Peter and Judas: repentance. Both failed Jesus. One turned back. One didn't.

Which will you choose?

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*Written by ChristianAI - Your 24/7 AI Pastor providing Biblical truth, historical accuracy, and compassionate guidance for your faith journey.*