2. JUDAS ISCARIOT The Traitor
TWELVE COMMON MEN
JUDAS ISCARIOT The Traitor

3. Introduction Another ordinary man called to follow Jesus
Some see him as wholly and completely evil
But perhaps we let our knowledge of his end color our judgment of his early character
Like the other apostles his character had its flaws
But Jesus showed that people can harness or change their character to serve Him
So why did things go differently for Judas?

4. Introduction Iscariot – “man of Kerioth”
Not a references to the Sicarii (Zealots) as some suppose
A reference to his hometown, a village of Judea
His father was Simon (Jn 13:2)
Probably began to follow Jesus when He visited Jerusalem for Passover (Jn 2:13)
No reference to his initial call
First reference when called to apostleship (Matt 10:4; Mk 3:19; Lk 6:16)

5. HIS CALL He was willing to follow Jesus
When less devoted disciples deserted Jesus, Judas remained (Jn 6:66-71)
Does this passage mean Judas had already decided to betray Jesus?
Not necessarily
John wrote his gospel years later, so v 70 can be seen as explanatory
But Jesus did know one of the 12 would betray Him because prophecy made that clear
JUDAS ISCARIOT – The Traitor

6. The Prophecies Which prophecies referred to the betrayal?
Ps 41:9; Ps 55:12-14; Zech 11:12-13
Did Jesus know Judas would betray Him when he was chosen?
Jesus knew Judas’ character (Jn 2:25)
Just an ordinary man with strengths and weaknesses
Would not make sense to suppose He chose someone who was wholly evil
He must have seen something worthwhile
But didn’t the prophecy say Judas would betray Him?
No, only that one of His close companions would
It could have been any of the 12, one of them was certain to make the wrong choice
JUDAS ISCARIOT – The Traitor

7. His Time with Christ Judas heard these lessons (that we know of):
the parable of the unjust steward
the message of the wedding garment
preaching against the love of money
preaching against greed
preaching against pride
They all had been warned that one of them was a devil (Jn 6:70)
Peter himself had been called “Satan” and “an offense” (Mt 16:23), and he changed
JUDAS ISCARIOT – The Traitor

8. HIS DISILLUSIONMENT Perhaps Judas expected more from Jesus
Jesus was not fulfilling Judas’ personal expectations and ambitions
In fact He taught against those expectations and ambitions, especially the idea of an earthly kingdom
All the Apostles struggled with ambition and a belief in an earthly kingdom
Even after the resurrection (Acts 1:6)
At some point, Judas decides to “cut his losses” and try to get something tangible
JUDAS ISCARIOT – The Traitor

9. HIS GREED Jn 11:45-57 – After Lazarus was raised
Jewish leaders were seeking to kill Jesus
Put out orders for information
Jn 12:1-3 - Mary anoints Jesus with the costly perfume
Less than a week before His death
Jn 12:4-7 - According to Judas this ointment was worth a year’s wages
Judas has been embezzling funds given to Jesus
We don’t know for how long
Why did Jesus put him in charge of the money?
Wouldn’t Matthew have been a better choice?
Didn’t Jesus know he was a thief?
JUDAS ISCARIOT – The Traitor

10. HIS GREED Jesus gave Judas the opportunity to choose
Perhaps (as seen by Judas’ quick calculations) Judas was good with money and figures and cost estimates
Would have made a good barterer for supplies
Jesus tested all his apostles in the areas where their character was weak and needed to change
For example, Jn 6:5-7 – Tested Philip
Jesus’ rebuke (Jn 12:7) seems rather mild
Matt 26:6-13 makes clear it was not just Judas who thought better use could have been made of the perfume
All were being equally rebuked for not understanding what was happening and its importance
The rebuke was to get them to see their weaknesses and change
JUDAS ISCARIOT – The Traitor

11. His Decision Matt 26:14-16 Judas decides to get money some other way
Didn’t use the rebuke as intended
Knows the Sanhedrin wants information on the location of Jesus
Offers to sell that information
Receives 30 pieces of silver (a month’s wages)
May not specifically know they were going to kill Him
But certainly should have known and could have asked what they had planned

12. HIS HYPOCRISY Jn 13 – The Last Supper
Judas already the tool of Satan (v 2) as seen in Mt 26, but stays to find opportunity
Jesus washes the apostles’ feet
Jesus says “one is not clean” (vv 10-11)
Already knows what Judas has planned, knew it from the moment Judas decided and went to the Sanhedrin
Jesus lets all know He knows who the betrayer is (Jn 13:18-30)
None (of the other 11) understood the immediacy of the betrayal
JUDAS ISCARIOT – The Traitor

13. HIS HYPOCRISY As Jesus gives Judas the bread, Judas still had a choice
He knows his secret is known to Jesus
He could have repented
Instead he lets Satan in deeper
Perhaps he had been wavering in his decision
Jesus had let Judas sit in an honored place (where he could share bread with Jesus)
John sat in front of Jesus
Judas would have been immediately behind Jesus, a place of trust and friendship
Then Jesus shows He knows what Judas has planned and tells him to make his choice quickly
Judas chooses to continue with the betrayal and leaves
JUDAS ISCARIOT – The Traitor

14. HIS BETRAYAL
Judas went straight to the chief priests from the Upper Room
Jn 18:2 - Judas knew that the Lord would go to the Garden to pray
Mt 26:47-50
Jesus still calls him, “Friend”
Judas still had a chance to repent
But no indication Judas felt any remorse at this time
JUDAS ISCARIOT – The Traitor

15. HIS DEATH
When the betrayal was complete, Judas’ conscience kicks in (Mt 27:3-4)
Perhaps the realization that Jesus would die
Remorse does not equal repentance, he was sorry things didn’t end as he planned
The chief priests could not care less about Judas and his feelings (Mt 27:4)
Sin brings guilt and misery
He could have repented, asked God’s mercy
His suicide shows that his remorse was not repentance (Mt 27:5)
JUDAS ISCARIOT – The Traitor

16. HIS DEATH
Mt 27:6-8 - The Field of Blood purchased with the wages of his iniquity
Mk 14:21: "The Son of Man indeed goes just as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had never been born."
JUDAS ISCARIOT – The Traitor

17. THE MORAL OF HIS LIFE
First lesson: Judas as a tragic example of lost opportunity
Second lesson: Judas as the embodiment of wasted privilege
Third lesson: The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil (1 Tim 6:10)
Fourth lesson: Judas as an example of the ugliness and danger of spiritual betrayal
Fifth lesson: Judas as proof of a patient, forbearing, good and loving Christ
Sixth lesson: Judas as an example of the deceitfulness and fruitlessness of hypocrisy
JUDAS ISCARIOT – The Traitor

18. Conclusion Judas was an ordinary man
Had expectations and ambitions like most people
Even his desire for earthly goods is not unusual
Jesus gave him opportunity to change his character and put God first
As He did the rich young ruler (Mk 10:17-22)
Judas was unwilling to let his character be molded by Jesus
Therein is the essence of his failure
Whatever your character if you’re willing to be transformed, you can be useful in His service
If you refuse to change, then how are you different than Judas?
JUDAS ISCARIOT – The Traitor