Judas Iscariot – The Betrayer of Christ

Lesson 21: Character Study of Judas Iscariot (John 13:2)

Title: Judas Iscariot – The Betrayer of Christ
Key Verse: "The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus." (John 13:2)

Introduction:

Judas Iscariot is one of the most infamous figures in biblical history, known for betraying Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. His story is a sobering reminder of the dangers of greed, hypocrisy, and the tragic consequences of rejecting Christ’s grace. In this lesson, we will examine Judas' background, character, choices, and ultimate fate.

Section 1: Who Was Judas Iscariot?

• Occupation: Treasurer of Jesus' disciples, responsible for handling the group's money (John 12:6).
• Marital Status: Not mentioned in Scripture.
• Setting and Place Lived: Likely from Kerioth in Judea, which is inferred from his surname “Iscariot” (meaning “man of Kerioth”).
• Known For: 
• Being one of Jesus’ twelve disciples.
• Betraying Jesus for thirty pieces of silver (Matthew 26:14-16).
• Regretting his betrayal and attempting to return the money (Matthew 27:3-5).
• He took his own life after realizing the weight of his actions (Matthew 27:5).
• Time Frame or Date: Lived during the 1st century AD and was active as a disciple of Jesus during His ministry (approx. 30-33 AD).

Section 2: Strengths and Weaknesses

• Strengths: 
• Trusted with the disciples’ finances (though he ultimately proved untrustworthy).
• Played a role in fulfilling God’s plan of redemption, though through sinful actions.
• Weaknesses: 
• Greedy—he stole from the money bag and valued wealth over faith (John 12:6).
• Deceptive—pretended to care about the poor while seeking personal gain (John 12:4-6).
• Betrayed Jesus, leading to His arrest and crucifixion (Matthew 26:47-50).
• Despair and guilt led him to commit suicide instead of seeking true repentance (Matthew 27:5).

Section 3: Memorable Quotes

• "What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?" (Matthew 26:15)
• "Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?" (Matthew 26:25)
• "I have sinned, for I have betrayed innocent blood." (Matthew 27:4)

Section 4: Cross-Reference Scriptures

• Matthew 26:14-16 – Judas agrees to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver.
• Luke 22:3-6 – Satan enters Judas, leading him to betray Jesus.
• John 12:4-6 – Judas criticizes Mary for anointing Jesus, revealing his greed.
• Matthew 27:3-5 – Judas regrets his actions and hangs himself.
• Acts 1:18-19 – The account of Judas' death and its consequences.

Section 5: Name Meanings

• Hebrew Meaning: "Judah" (Yehudah) means "praise" or "let God be praised."
• Greek Meaning: "Iscariot" may refer to "man of Kerioth" or "assassin" (derived from sicarii, meaning dagger-men).

Section 6: Judas Iscariot in John 13:2

This verse highlights the critical moment when Judas’s betrayal was sealed. It notes that the devil had already influenced Judas' heart, leading him to fulfill his treacherous role in the Passion of Christ. His actions serve as a warning about the spiritual dangers of greed, hypocrisy, and unrepentant sin.

Section 7: Legacy and Lessons

• Legacy: Judas is remembered as the one who betrayed Jesus, but his story also reminds us of the importance of true repentance and the tragic consequences of rejecting Christ.
• Lessons: 
• The Dangers of Greed: Judas's love for money led him to betray his Lord (1 Timothy 6:10).
• Satan’s Influence: When we allow sin to rule our hearts, we open the door for Satan’s deception (James 1:14-15).
• True vs. False Repentance: Judas regretted his actions, but instead of seeking forgiveness, he fell into despair (2 Corinthians 7:10).
• God’s Sovereignty: Even through Judas’ betrayal, God’s plan for salvation was accomplished (Acts 2:23).

Closing:

Judas’ life is a cautionary tale about the dangers of greed, hypocrisy, and failing to truly repent. While his betrayal was instrumental in Jesus’ path to the cross, his end was tragic because he did not turn to God for mercy. Let us learn from his mistakes and choose to remain faithful to Christ in all circumstances.

Prayer:

Lord, guard our hearts against greed and deception. Help us to remain faithful and true to You, seeking repentance when we fail. May we never turn away from Your grace but always run into Your loving arms. Amen.

Thank you for exploring this character study with me. May Judas’ story serve as a reminder of the importance of faithfulness, repentance, and trust in Christ.