Lk 6:13-16 When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles: Simon (whom he named Peter), his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called the Zealot, Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot , who became a traitor.

When we come to consider Judas Iscariot we come to a dark spot among the disciples. As we see from the list above there were two named Judas but this one is always identified as Iscariot which some think simply means, ‘ the man from Kerioth,' a town of Judah. In that respect it seems he was the only one who did not come from the north. However John tells us that it was the name of his father (Jn 6:71). The terrible thing is that each list in the Gospels including him, have those or similar terrible words, “who became a traitor.” What a designation; what a thing to be remembered for in history!

In fact, apart from two brief references to him in John's Gospel, the Synoptic writers tell us nothing about him apart from his role in betraying Jesus and handing him over to be arrested. Matthew tells us simply, “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 hand him over to you?" So they counted out for him thirty silver coins. From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.” (Mt 26:14-16) We don't know why he planned this. It wasn't something done on the spur of the moment; it was something thought through. Some have suggested he did it to provoke Jesus into action, thinking Jesus was a messiah who had come to depose the Romans, and just needed prompting to do it. Luke in his account simply says at this point, “Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot , one of the Twelve. And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus.” (Lk 22:3,4) Now we must assume that that means Satan entered Judas's mind and put this idea there, but if that is so we need to remember that Satan plays on what he sees are our vulnerable areas and so Judas must have had this air of rebellion about him beforehand.

At the Last Supper we see Jesus completely in control and knowing what is going on: “Jesus replied, "The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born." Then Judas , the one who would betray him, said, "Surely not I, Rabbi?" Jesus answered, "Yes, it is you.” (Mt 26:23-25). And thus it is that later that evening in Gethsemane , “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.” (Mt 26:47-49) Thus Jesus was handed over and the process was started that ended with him being put to death.

The end of the story is tragic: “When Judas , who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty silver coins 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.” (Mt 27:3-5). John tells us, “(With the reward he got 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.)” (Acts 1:18,19) It would appear that he went to use some of the money to buy a field, then felt remorse, made it up and handed it back and then went to hang himself in that field, but the rope broke and he fell over a precipice and died.

The only other references we find to him are in John: “Then Jesus replied, "Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!" (He meant Judas , the son of Simon Iscariot, who, though one of the Twelve, was later to betray him.)” (Jn 6:70,71) There Jesus clearly knew what would happen. John also remembers another occasion where Judas's character was revealed: “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.” (Jn 12:4-6)

When we think about Judas some profound questions arise. Jesus clearly knew what Judas was like and what he would end up doing. Why, we might think, didn't he try stopping him? Well, the divine plan, made from before the foundation of the world, was that Jesus would be sacrificed for the sin of the world and that necessitated the world rising against him to kill him. Judas was part of that world. Although, apparently a follower, he never let the wonderful things he saw and heard transform him. He held onto his own sovereignty and made his own decisions. Peter, under the anointing of the Spirit on the day of Pentecost understood all this when he declared, “This man was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross.” (Acts 2:23) Tragically Judas is one of those ‘wicked men'.

The awful lesson in respect of Judas is that it is possible to be confronted by the wonder of Jesus and his wonderful works and words, and still be against him. In that respect Judas is no different from the many people who do read the Gospels, remain blind to the wonder of them and continue to stand against Jesus. There is another terrible side to all this: Jesus and God allowed Judas to maintain his character and allowed him to go the further step of giving way to Satan's promptings, AND allowed him to take his own life. This is an extreme but obvious case of the Lord who respects us sufficiently to allow us to exercise our free will, as terrible as that sometimes is! Judas raises some very challenging questions and warnings for thoughtful people.