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Who was Judas Iscariot, and why did he betray Jesus?

Judas Iscariot is one of the most infamous figures in the Bible, known for his betrayal of Jesus Christ. As one of the twelve disciples, Judas was chosen by Jesus to be part of His inner circle. Despite this great privilege, Judas’s story serves as a tragic example of greed, betrayal, and ultimately, the consequences of turning away from God’s grace.Judas’s betrayal is foreshadowed in several places in the Bible. In John 12:4-6, we learn that Judas was the keeper of the disciples’ money bag, and he often helped himself to it, showing a pattern of greed. This trait would later lead him to commit the ultimate act of betrayal—handing Jesus over to the religious leaders for thirty pieces of silver (Matthew 26:14-16). This amount of money, while not large by today’s standards, symbolized the price Judas was willing to accept to betray the Son of God.The betrayal of Jesus is one of the most significant events in the Bible, and Judas’s role in it has been the subject of much reflection and interpretation. The Bible gives us a clear understanding of the events leading up to it. In Matthew 26:14-16, Judas approaches the chief priests and offers to deliver Jesus into their hands in exchange for thirty pieces of silver.

This betrayal took place during the Passover week, a time of great significance in Jewish tradition, symbolizing freedom and deliverance. Ironically, Judas’s betrayal would lead to the ultimate act of deliverance through Jesus’ death and resurrection.In Luke 22:3, it is written that “Satan entered into Judas,” which gives further insight into Judas’s motivation. This verse shows that his decision was influenced by evil forces, though Judas was still responsible for his actions. His heart had already been set on betrayal, and he opened himself to the influence of Satan, allowing greed and ambition to cloud his judgment.At the Last Supper, Jesus foretold Judas’s betrayal, saying, “The hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table” (Luke 22:21). Even though Judas was warned and could have repented at that moment, he proceeded with his plan. His betrayal is finalized in the Garden of Gethsemane, where he identifies Jesus to the soldiers by greeting Him with a kiss, a symbol of affection turned into one of the greatest acts of treachery (Matthew 26:47-50).Judas’s story ends tragically. After realizing the enormity of what he had done, he was filled with remorse. Matthew 27:3-5 tells us that Judas returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests, saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” However, rather than seeking forgiveness, Judas fell into despair and hanged himself, choosing to end his life rather than repent.Judas’s betrayal serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers of greed, deceit, and allowing oneself to drift away from God’s truth. It also highlights the importance of repentance and turning back to God, no matter how grave the sin. While Judas chose despair over repentance, his story contrasts sharply with that of Peter, who also betrayed Jesus by denying Him three times, but later repented and was restored.In conclusion, Judas Iscariot’s betrayal of Jesus for thirty pieces of silver was driven by greed and satanic influence. His tragic story serves as a cautionary tale of the consequences of turning away from Christ, but it also reminds us of the importance of seeking forgiveness and redemption.

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