Why did Judas betray Jesus?

[Kaninchen]

Because Judah was the one who ‘betrayed’ Joseph for 20 shekels - had it been Reuben who had come up with the idea, there would have had to be an apostle called Reuben . . . .

 

[kjane1]

I agree we can not judge Judas one way or the other. Both ,making excuses or condemnation of Jusas is a judgement, we are told not to do. . Mercy is what we are called to give. All we can do is observe his actions ,and know the action was a betrayal . We must judge what is right and wrong but not the person. We can know the action caused much pain. Our God can use all to the good. That is what God did with the death of our Lord. The evil one meant it for destruction. God used the evil for our salvation.
Our Lord does this in our lives. He works all that happen in our lives for our transformation, and salvation. Mercy is our Lord.

 

[tonyrey]

Perhaps…he honestly thought Jesus was committing sedition, a crime against Rome, and he was trying to be a law-abiding citizen and not aid and abet.
And then he felt badly for giving him away because they were friends.
Perhaps he didn’t know Jesus would be crucified but thought he’d be arrested and jailed temporarily until after Passover was over.

.

These are certainly possibilities. I’m delighted you’re giving him the benefit of the doubt. . .

 

[tonyrey]

I agree we can not judge Judas one way or the other. Both ,making excuses or condemnation of Jusas is a judgement, we are told not to do. . Mercy is what we are called to give. All we can do is observe his actions ,and know the action was a betrayal . We must judge what is right and wrong but not the person. We can know the action caused much pain. Our God can use all to the good. That is what God did with the death of our Lord. The evil one meant it for destruction. God used the evil for our salvation.
Our Lord does this in our lives. He works all that happen in our lives for our transformation, and salvation. Mercy is our Lord.

I entirely agree with your nicely balanced view.

 

[tonyrey]

Because Judah was the one who ‘betrayed’ Joseph for 20 shekels - had it been Reuben who had come up with the idea, there would have had to be an apostle called Reuben . . . .

An interesting link I hadn’t thought of.

 

[tonyrey]

LOL

Moral responsibility when it comes to evil and sin is a tricky business. Because sin has the tendency to enslave the will. But before one’s will can be enslaved, there has to be a series of smaller capitulations to evil desires that precede the full enslavement. But even then, it must be possible to resist. At least while one is still alive. And the more one resists, the more one can grow in virtue, eventually conquering one’s sinful tendencies.

But Christ knew the heart of Judas. There was something about his state of mind that made it a forgone conclusion that Judas would fall this way. Jesus is pretty clear and bitter in his assessment of Judas in Mathew 26:

But perhaps this is something that comes from Christ’s human nature and not something that comes from his divine nature. In Shusaku’s book, the Judas figure does not kill himself, but persistently, like a mangy dog, continues to beg the priest for forgiveness, and the priest eventually absolves him. But he has a lot of soul searching to go through to forgive Judas. However, unlike the actually biblical story, the priest is never martyred and the Judas figure has the option to find him and seek forgiveness. Judas thought Jesus was dead and gone.

Anyway, I agree with others that it is impossible to know for sure how Judas has been judged by God. I think both those who try to absolve or condemn Judas are equally in error.

God bless,
Ut

Thank you for a fascinating post. God bless

 

[tonyrey]

While generous, I think that would negate moral agency and free will. It would mean that any traitor, mass murderer, rapist, etc., could escape conviction by saying they were possessed.

The Expositor’s commentary thinks Luke simply ran out of words: “Lk.’s statement is stronger even than John’s, suggesting a literal possession. Only so could he account for such behaviour on the part of a disciple towards such a Master. It was a natural view for a devout evangelist in the Apostolic Age, but, taken literally, it would be fatal to the moral significance of the act of the traitor, which, while presenting a difficult psychological problem, doubtless proceeded from conscious motives.”.

Gill comes to the same conclusion: “the devil …] entered into Judas; not corporeally, as he did into those that were possessed by him; but he entered “into his heart”, as the Ethiopic version renders it; he put it into his heart to betray him, as it is said in John 13:2 he stirred up, and worked upon the corruptions of his heart; suggested evil things to his mind, and baited his temptations agreeable to his malice and covetousness”.

• biblehub.com/commentaries/luke/22-3.htm

(There is a theological case against anyone ever being possessed in Romans 8, where Paul runs out of words in making his list: “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”)

There is certainly a conflict of ideas which leaves us perplexed but probably we are being presumptuous if we think we can find an easy solution to all the circumstances of what is for us Christians the greatest event in the history of mankind. I’m very grateful for all these contributions with ideas I hadn’t thought of. I was presumptuous to think I had found the right solution. I’ll have to do extra penance in Lent… :doh2:

 

[EveningSkye111]

The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but 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.”
Matthew 26:24

 

[tonyrey]

When I read the events about Judas without anyone giving pre-packaged, pre-interpreting-- that is how it reads to me and how he comes across. As if he was trying to do the right thing and as if he was frightened at the whole situation…perhaps afraid Jesus might be causing too much of a ruckus and it was getting dangerous.
As if he was unsure of what was going on and trying to do the right thing and listening to others…but then, regretting his actions in agony because of what happened to his friend, someone he loved…

I agree. Judas was certainly in a unique situation and we know nothing of his background. All our speculation doesn’t solve the mystery nor does it matter except to remind us not to judge anyone because only God knows all the facts and that temptation can lead to disastrous consequences we have never anticipated…

 

[ericc]

You are right! When all is said and done we don’t know all the facts. It was a common Jewish belief that the Messiah would restore their kingdom to its former glory. I agree with you that Judas probably didn’t foresee the outcome and was overcome by guilt. The vital question is "Why did Judas kill himself?

In some societies, it may be the “honorable” way to pay for your crime against your Lord/Master. (Although I don’t think that was the Jewish way. But then again, the Jews killed themselves rather than submit to the Romans when they revolted. Momentary mental blank as to the location where they threw themselves off the mountain fortress. It will come back.) Committing suicide as a way out is part of man’s nature for ages. The reasons vary.

 

[Erich]

Momentary mental blank as to the location where they threw themselves off the mountain fortress. It will come back.

Masada?

 

[tonyrey]

The agony of guilt, remorse and despair that made Judas kill himself is unimaginable. The words “I have betrayed innocent blood” explain why Jesus said "It would have been better for that man if he had not been born”. Unlike Herod and Caiaphas Judas repented and proved his repentance was sincere beyond all possible doubt. He gave way to temptation not only once but twice. He betrayed the Master he had followed faithfully for three years and then committed suicide. He committed two acts of folly which didn’t reflect his true character. He had witnessed how his Master was full of compassion for everyone except those who exploited the poor and regarded everyone else as sinners. He loved Jesus and must have been out of his mind to yield to temptation. We tend to underestimate the power of Satan until we think of all the diabolical atrocities committed by “human” beings. One English philosopher, Professor CEM Joad, became a Christian because he realised there is no natural explanation for the hideous, blood-stained history of the human race. The millions of premeditated, cold-blooded murders planned and executed by the Nazis cannot be explained scientifically. We ignore the forces of evil at our peril. The phrase “Corruptio optima pessima” sums it up perfectly. Judas was literally one of the *élite *but the higher we climb the further we can fall. St Peter had been tempted and he warned us that “your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” Judas too was a victim of infernal malice because he was closer to the Son of God than anyone else except Mary, Joseph and the other apostles - and therefore a prime target for the Evil One…

That is why Jesus told us to pray:

“Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.”

If we think we are immune or Satan doesn’t exist we are in real danger. Pride comes before a disaster…

 

[tonyrey]

In some societies, it may be the “honorable” way to pay for your crime against your Lord/Master. (Although I don’t think that was the Jewish way. But then again, the Jews killed themselves rather than submit to the Romans when they revolted. Momentary mental blank as to the location where they threw themselves off the mountain fortress. It will come back.) Committing suicide as a way out is part of man’s nature for ages. The reasons vary.

I think I have answered your question in my previous post.

 

[OneSheep]

Hello Tony,

First of all, I thank you for posting this very interesting thread, aimed at understanding a man whom we are so compelled to condemn. Indeed, what Judas did was unconcionable, and you are showing us a means to understand and forgive.

The agony of guilt, remorse and despair that made Judas kill himself is unimaginable. The words “I have betrayed innocent blood” explain why Jesus said "It would have been better for that man if he had not been born”. Unlike Herod and Caiaphas Judas repented and proved his repentance was sincere beyond all possible doubt. He gave way to temptation not only once but twice. He betrayed the Master he had followed faithfully for three years and then committed suicide. He committed two acts of folly which didn’t reflect his true character. He had witnessed how his Master was full of compassion for everyone except those who exploited the poor and regarded everyone else as sinners. He loved Jesus and must have been out of his mind to yield to temptation.

Yes, I do believe that he was blind. It would be blindness that would allow me to do what he did. The guilt, remorse, and despair are indeed imaginable, right? Have you ever experienced severe depression? I have.

One English philosopher, Professor CEM Joad, became a Christian because he realised there is no natural explanation for the hideous, blood-stained history of the human race. The millions of premeditated, cold-blooded murders planned and executed by the Nazis cannot be explained scientifically.

There are, indeed, natural explanations. The acts can be explained “scientifically”, that is, how humans can carry out such acts. In order to sort through this, we can first pray for the murderers just as we would Judas, and then ask the same kind of questions you asked in the OP.

Of course, there are more underlying questions, but in my own journey it has been helpful to first address forgiveness of those I hold something against. I most definitely held something against the same people that Professor Joad did.

God Bless your day!

 

[Robert_Sock]

1. Did he foresee what would happen?
2. Why did he return the money?
3. Why did he kill himself?
4. Did he regret what he did?
5. Could he have been possessed?

1. The “spirit of folly” entered him. we are often plagued by such spirits, and nobody would ever sin without it. It’s really ingrained in some people. People do stupid things, all because of this most menacing spirit that’s ingrained in most of us.

 

[tonyrey]

Hello Tony,

First of all, I thank you for posting this very interesting thread, aimed at understanding a man whom we are so compelled to condemn. Indeed, what Judas did was unconscionable, and you are showing us a means to understand and forgive.

Thank you for your kind reply. I have discovered far more than I expected with all the replies I have received. I’m very grateful to everyone who has contributed.

The agony of guilt, remorse and despair that made Judas kill himself is unimaginable. The words “I have betrayed innocent blood” explain why Jesus said "It would have been better for that man if he had not been born”. Unlike Herod and Caiaphas Judas repented and proved his repentance was sincere beyond all possible doubt. He gave way to temptation not only once but twice. He betrayed the Master he had followed faithfully for three years and then committed suicide. He committed two acts of folly which didn’t reflect his true character. He had witnessed how his Master was full of compassion for everyone except those who exploited the poor and regarded everyone else as sinners. He loved Jesus and must have been out of his mind to yield to temptation.

Yes, I do believe that he was blind. It would be blindness that would allow me to do what he did. The guilt, remorse, and despair are indeed imaginable, right? Have you ever experienced severe depression? I have.

I was very depressed when my first serious relationship with a young woman came to an end but I witnessed a far worse depression when a friend who committed suicide. Mental agony
can become intolerable…

One English philosopher, Professor CEM Joad, became a Christian because he realised there is no natural explanation for the hideous, blood-stained history of the human race. The millions of premeditated, cold-blooded murders planned and executed by the Nazis cannot be explained scientifically.

There are, indeed, natural explanations. The acts can be explained “scientifically”, that is, how humans can carry out such acts. In order to sort through this, we can first pray for the murderers just as we would Judas, and then ask the same kind of questions you asked in the OP.

The problem with natural explanations is that they eliminate guilt! There may be extenuating circumstances but we are generally responsible to some extent for our sins…

Of course, there are more underlying questions, but in my own journey it has been helpful to first address forgiveness of those I hold something against. I most definitely held something against the same people that Professor Joad did.

God Bless your day!

It is a sobering thought that we shall be forgiven as we forgive others, not only for sins against us but also against anyone else.

God bless you…

 

[tonyrey]

1. Did he foresee what would happen?
2. Why did he return the money?
3. Why did he kill himself?
4. Did he regret what he did?
5. Could he have been possessed?

Thank you, Robert. I hadn’t thought of it like that. The choice between good and evil doesn’t usually take our folly into account but it probably plays a larger role than we realise. We certainly behave unreasonably at times - although it doesn’t rule out a malevolent influence… One consolation is that it is a mitigating factor. Some of our sins may not be as serious as we think they are but in Lent we shouldn’t give ourselves the benefit of the doubt! That should be reserved for others - and Judas in particular. He must have suffered far more than most of us…

 

[OneSheep]

The problem with natural explanations is that they eliminate guilt! There may be extenuating circumstances but we are generally responsible to some extent for our sins…

Good Morning, Tony

Explanations only “eliminate guilt” in the same way that when I forgive Judas, I no longer condemn. And when I use the Gift of Understanding toward such forgiveness, explanations come forth. Yes, we want to hang onto our condemnation and guilt, for such is the way that our conscience operates. If I hang onto condemnation, the evil of the action stays forefront, and I am less likely to do the same action myself (i.e. revenge against an act of vengeance.)

There comes a time though, that we do not need to cling to the guilt/condemnation (guilt is condemnation of myself). At that time, we have the will to seek answers and use the Gift to help explain and forgive. Jesus explained from the cross, “For they know not what they do.”

We are all responsible for our sins. It means responding for our sins, which involves explanation. Excuses are attempts to avoid consequence but contain a falsehood. Explanations are such that we are accepting the consequences of our actions, but give ourselves/others the means to forgive.

I apologize if that sounded as if I was telling you something new. I am only presenting the other side of the coin, I think.

It is a sobering thought that we shall be forgiven as we forgive others, not only for sins against us but also against anyone else.

God bless you…

Yes, it is Love! Love is sobering.

Thanks, blessings to you also.

 

[HabemusFrancis]

I may have said it before, but I really would love to know what Judas was like, and “why” he did what he did.

Whatever the motives or his mindset, you have to admit his selling of Jesus was completly blasphemous and sacriligeous, literally selling God for 30 pieces of silver and giving him the kiss of friendship (something commonly done among friends in Middle East/southern Europe) does seem particularly low.

He could have been forgiven for it, but I just feel to do the above evinces…a pretty peculiar mindset.

Both Anne Catherine Emmerich and Mary Agrada (two Catholic mystics) claim to have had visions (almost like internal movies!) of the gospel story. Both basically state that Judas started out good, but gradually became more hardened and corrupt as the hard life of being Jesus’ apostle became more and more apparent.

Whether true or fictional, Mary of Agrada had an interesting vision about Judas and his personal campaign to be the treasurer of the apostles. While none of the other ones dared to desire the office, he apparently wanted it badly and was upset that none of the apostles or Mary (despite his persuasive self-deprecation, self-righteousness and flattery) would intercede to Jesus on behalf of him.

Eventually Judas asked Jesus for the position himself saying something to the effect of " I am concerned about the trustworthiness of the other apostles to this office, I care greatly about how the funds are spent, and will vow to do unto others as they’d do unto me, care about the last instead of the first etc." According to Agrada Jesus just responded to him by saying (in summary)

“Judas! Do you really desire what could well be your doom?” We all know he eventually did get the position, but it is an interesting story I think, and could possibly have been true.

I know it’s hard for us to accept, hard for anyone to accept, but perhaps Judas really did betray Jesus for just 30 pieces of silver. I am sure that was quite a lot of money in those days, and Judas could well have thought that Jesus and his minsitry just weren’t worth continuing.

I’m further not convinced that Judas was some sort of nationalist/partiot seeking to overthrow the Romans. Jesus’ ministry would be a poor vehicle for that aim, since Jesus advocated peace and to “render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s.”

Pontius Pilate, the Roman tyrant definitely didn’t perceive Jesus as a potential threat. As I recall he was stunned anyone wanted to crucify Him and wondered “What evil has he done?”

Just my two cents.

 

[NM505StKate]

1. Did he foresee what would happen?
2. Why did he return the money?
3. Why did he kill himself?
4. Did he regret what he did?
5. Could he have been possessed?

Depends on what you are reading. According to canon Judas betrayed Jesus for money. What he did after with it as well as what happened to him and how he died, to me, seems contradictory. If one considers the Gospel of Judas as possible then more sense can be made. Jesus knew he was to die and told Judas. Judas willingly followed along to fulfill Jesus’s wishes and when you consider the whole reason Jesus was born was to forgive sins by his death it makes a lot more sense.

It just came to me that the whole story is like a sacrifice anology. The good sacrifice is the lamb/Jesus while the scapegoat/Judas is “left for the devil”.