Seven men in the KJV New Testament are called Judas. One committed sexual immorality and another stirred up civil rebellion. However, only about Judas Iscariot did Jesus say, “Woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born” (Mar 14:21 ESV). Truly, the biography of Judas Iscariot is an epic tragedy ending in sin, suicide and suffering.
The Selection of Judas
Jesus ascended a mountain, prayed all night, and then “chose twelve, whom also he named apostles” (Luk 6:13).1 That group included “Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor” (v16). The eleven appear to have been from Galilee, but Judas was from the south in Kerioth in Judah. We know nothing of Judas’ mother. However, John, who writes much of the Wise Son who made His Father glad, four times presents the contrast of “Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son” (Joh 6:71; 12:4; 13:2,26). So, may we remember that behind every failure there are broken-hearted parents. And may we avoid blaming parents for the choices of their children. Even the perfect Father said about Israel, “I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me” (Isa 1:2).
In part, Jesus chose Judas to give him a special opportunity to be saved. Thus, Judas was with Jesus for three years and heard His teachings. Jesus also sent “them forth to preach” (Mar 3:14), He “gave them power” (Mat 10:1), Judas was put in “charge of the moneybag” (Joh 12:6 ESV), and Peter said that Judas “was allotted his share in this ministry” (Act 1:17 ESV). Even at the betrayal, the Savior still called him “friend” (Mat 26:50). Clearly, the Lord could not have loved him more and He gave Judas many privileges. Sadly, though, “the goodness of God [did not] lead … to repentance” (Rom 2:4).
The Sins of Judas
Judas illustrates how “the love of money is the root of all evil” (1Ti 6:10). But how did Judas become “a thief” (Joh 12:6)? James teaches that “when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death” (Jas 1:15). Apparently, it all started with a lust for money. Then, an uncontrolled desire led to a repeated action, as “he used to take what was put in it [the money bag]” (Joh 12:6 NKJV). What a frightening reminder that sinful desires lead to sinful actions, and sinful actions to sinful habits.
Another warning is that tolerating one sin will likely lead to other sins. Judas started with lust, but ended up with thievery, a double life, betrayal, apostasy and suicide. May the warning bell toll in our hearts: “sin, when it is finished …”
The Sorrow of Judas
Not all repentance is authentic. While the KJV says that Judas “repented” (Mat 27:3), this is not the common Greek term for repentance. BDAG (Greek-English Lexicon of the NT) says this word means “to have regrets … in the sense that one wishes it could be undone.” Was he concerned about the consequences or the sin itself? Paul explained that “godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death” (2Co 7:10 NKJV). Tears, emotion and regret are not reliable indicators. We need God to help us distinguish between the “Judas tears” of remorse and the reality of genuine repentance.
Judas skillfully lived a double life such that not even his preaching partner, Simon the Zealot, suspected him. People who have perfected the art of a double life are also exceptionally skilled in producing high caliber “imitation repentance.” True repentance is when a person agrees with God about their sin (like King David), accepts full and exclusive responsibility for their sin (like Onesimus), is willing to face consequences (like the thief on the cross), and willing to do everything possible to repair damages (like Zacchaeus). Judas’ sorrow was different.
The Suicide of Judas
The Lord graciously warned Cain that “sin lieth at the door” (Gen 4:7), because God could see the trajectory of Cain’s life. Likewise, the Savior anticipated what Judas was about to do and warned him. Sadly, Judas was determined and “Satan entered into him” (Joh 13:27). And just as Satan’s demons possessed the man of the Gadarenes and made him dwell among the tombs (Mar 5:3), Satan certainly would have encouraged and applauded Judas’ decision to take his own life.
God calls Judas a “son of perdition” (Joh 17:12). And yet, Judas’ destruction was not determined by a divine edict, by the devil possessing him, or because Judas “hanged himself” (Mat 27:5). Yes, the Lord “knew who would betray him” (Joh 13:11). As for the devil, he cannot send a soul to hell. And, suicide, a type of murder, is horrific, but it does not make one a “son of destruction” either. Instead, Judas, of his own volition, “turned aside to go to his own place” (Act 1:25 ESV). Seven men in the Bible took their lives and another six contemplated doing so. However, as self-centered as suicide is, nowhere in Scripture is it a sin that automatically dooms a soul. The biblical reality is this: “He that believeth not shall be damned” (Mar 16:16).
The Sovereignty Over Judas
Sometimes God allows bad people to do bad things. Pharaoh was wicked and he “hardened his heart” (Exo 8:32). Moses said of him, “He hath done evil to this people” (5:23). Likewise, Judas was a thief and an apostate who sinned willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth (Heb 10:26). Jesus was “betrayed to be crucified” (Mat 26:2) by a wicked man.
Sometimes, though, God also uses bad people to do good things. Pharaoh was wicked, and yet, God said to him, “Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth” (Rom 9:17). Similarly, the Lord used covetous Balaam to bless Israel three times (Num 24:10). So, it should not surprise us if the Lord saved souls and healed sick people through Judas. But can God save souls and establish assemblies through using unsaved and unclean men today? No one should assume that God’s using a man is a stamp of divine approval upon his life. It is always and only a display of divine grace. Thus, when God brings blessing through bad men, we should not be confused. Instead, we should simply worship at the divine principle that was active with Judas: “Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound!” (Rom 5:20).
1 Bible quotations in this article are from the KJV unless otherwise noted.
