Is Judas in hell?

[jmcrae]

That would be the acme of injustice totally inconsistent with God’s infinite love and mercy…

He also stole frequently from Jesus, and misunderstood who Jesus was, thinking he was a military messiah. When things didn’t go his way, he arranged to have Jesus crucified. When that didn’t bring about his hoped-for revolution, he killed himself.

 

[tonyrey]

Really? St. Matthew Ch. 7

 	 	 		 			 				[13] Enter ye in at the narrow gate: for wide is the gate, and broad  is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there are who go in  thereat. [Matthew 7:13] [Latin] [14] How narrow is the gate, and strait  is the way that leadeth to life: and few there are that find it! Really? St. Matthew Ch. 7

The **way **that leadeth to destruction is not hell nor is the way that leadeth to life heaven.
That is far from being the end of the story…

 

[jmcrae]

The **way **that leadeth to destruction is not hell nor is the way that leadeth to life heaven.
That is far from being the end of the story…

If you are on the way to destruction, you will not arrive in Heaven, any more than taking the road to Vancouver will cause you to arrive in Toronto.

 

[tonyrey]

If you are on the way to destruction, you will not arrive in Heaven, any more than taking the road to Vancouver will cause you to arrive in Toronto.

The infinite love of Jesus who died for everyone - especially the lost sheep - is not limited by the road you are on and ensures that no one is irrevocably lost while still on the journey…

 

[tonyrey]

That would be the acme of injustice totally inconsistent with God’s infinite love and mercy…

So?

 

[jmcrae]

So?

So, he was not a good example for the children of God.

We don’t know that he went to Hell for certain, but we have even less evidence that he was a Saint.

 

[tonyrey]

We have no way of knowing. First, take warning and don’t fall - hold fast to your faith and don’t let anything take it away. Second, have hope - anyone can be saved. But not all will be.

I agree.

 

[tonyrey]

So, he was not a good example for the children of God.

We don’t know that he went to Hell for certain, but we have even less evidence that he was a Saint.

I agree. We are not in a position to judge…

 

[vera_dicere]

The Gospels only tell us he was despairing, it doesn’t say much more beyond that. How do we know he wasn’t mentally unwell, his despairing could be serious depression?

We don’t know his state of mind. We don’t know his knowledge. We don’t know his full culpibility.

We don’t know if he’s in Hell, we don’t know if he’s in Heaven, and anyone who can say yay or nay in regards to his eternal location is just deluding themself.

 

[underacloud]

If you kill yourself in that period of despair, yes.

Just like a brief period of repentance (i.e. deathbed confession) is sufficient to save you.

God Bless

It is *not *Catholic teaching that those who commit suicide go to hell.

It is Catholic teaching that suicide is grave matter for mortal sin. But mortal sin (which sends you to hell) requires full knowledge and deliberate consent. Many factors may lessen a persons culpability for sin, and despair may certainly influence this. The Church does not pass judgement, but offers suicide victims to God’s infinite mercy.

 

[underacloud]

I know the Catholic Church has no official statement on the state of Judas’s soul, but I really don’t see any other way to interpret our Lord’s words in the Gospel other than to say that Judas is in Hell…but maybe I just can’t think of another interpretation Officially, the Church has made no declaration on the state of Judas’s soul.

I agree with this.

Based on our Lord’s words, it’s hard to conclude anything except that he went to Hell, but it may be that there is another way of viewing this that we can’t see. Considering that the disciples constantly misunderstood Christ’s teachings until they were granted grace to understand them, there remains the posibility that these words are misunderstood by us.

In much the same way, it may be that there are other interpretations of “strait is the way that leadeth to life: and few there are that find it” than to say that most people go to hell.

 

[TEPO]

According to Jesus, Judas was possessed by Satan. Now I’m not sure, but during a possession, I think the person is unable to prevent it. Therefore Judas may have desired not to betray Jesus but was forced beyond his free will.

 

[Marc_Anthony]

I agree with this.

Based on our Lord’s words, it’s hard to conclude anything except that he went to Hell, but it may be that there is another way of viewing this that we can’t see. Considering that the disciples constantly misunderstood Christ’s teachings until they were granted grace to understand them, there remains the posibility that these words are misunderstood by us.

In much the same way, it may be that there are other interpretations of “strait is the way that leadeth to life: and few there are that find it” than to say that most people go to hell.

The difference is that I’ve actually heard another explanation of that verse that made some sort of sense to me. But I find it next to impossible to interpret Jesus’s words to Judas in a manner that means anything except that he went to Hell. If somebody comes up with something though, fine by me. I’m not responsible for the judgment of this man’s eternal soul, and thank God.

 

[Fan_of_Francis]

CCC
2283 We should not despair of the eternal salvation of persons who have taken their own lives. By ways known to him alone, God can provide the opportunity for salutary repentance. The Church prays for persons who have taken their own lives.

CCC - 2280 - 2283 Part Three Section on Life in Christ.
Catechism - found at www.vatican.va

We humans do not know. .

 

[TEPO]

Ya that was always my thought, hmm in that case perhaps his sin was killing himself as I believe god would have surely forgiven him if he was merely being controlled like a puppet.

Of course I’ve never seen a real exorcism, but the Catholic Church still claims to perform the Rite of Exorcism. Hollywood does quite a horrific job in the movies with spinning heads and walking on walls along with other nonsense… But I doubt that a real exorcism is anything like that.

 

[Strategos7771]

I confess I am ignorant in this area as well but Luke seems to me at least to be indicating something.

 

[underacloud]

The difference is that I’ve actually heard another explanation of that verse that made some sort of sense to me. But I find it next to impossible to interpret Jesus’s words to Judas in a manner that means anything except that he went to Hell. If somebody comes up with something though, fine by me. I’m not responsible for the judgment of this man’s eternal soul, and thank God.

Yes, I’ve heard other explanations too. The point being that there are sometimes other ways to interpret what is said, and in this case the Church herself has not been confident enough to interpret Jesus’ words regarding Judas. Like you, I’m just glad that the responsibility is not mine.

I believe that heaven, if I’m blessed to be included, will hold many surprises. I don’t expect to see Judas there, but can’t entirely dismiss the possibility.

 

[ladymartha]

Of course not! Judas is not in hell. He didn’t betray Jesus because only we, man, sees it this way. Jesus did not acknowledge this as a betrayal nor does he condemn Judas.

 

[Non_sum_dignus]

That would be the acme of injustice totally inconsistent with God’s infinite love and mercy…

Without regard to the specific question of suicide being an automatic ticket to Hell, our temporal actions and attitudes have effects across eternity. It may seem unjust that our temporal action might render us unfit for Heaven, but it’s just as outlandish that we can somehow join with the Almighty and join him in Heaven.

 

[Non_sum_dignus]

It may be weird to say this, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he was in Heaven.

I might agree, except that Jesus said it would have been better for Judas if he had never been born. If Judas were on his way to Heaven, I can’t see how that makes sense.