Judas

Judas Iscariot (died c. 30 CE) was one of the Twelve Apostles, infamous for betraying Jesus. Other than his apostleship, betrayal, and death, little is revealed about Judas throughout the New Testament. He is always named last in lists of the Apostles, and he served as their treasurer.

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Judas disclosed Jesus’ whereabouts to chief priests for 30 pieces of silver. The priests provided armed guards whom Judas brought to the Garden of Gethsemane, outside Jerusalem, where Jesus went to pray with the other Apostles following the Last Supper. Judas identified Jesus with a kiss. The Gospels vary on Judas' motivation: some cite greed; some cite Satan's influence.

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Similarly, accounts of Judas' death vary. In Matthew, he returns the 30 pieces of silver and hangs himself. In Acts, he seems to have thrown himself to his death - a field of blood. Medieval writers described this version of his death with great gory details to serve as a lesson to readers.

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His name is synonymous with "traitor," but some depictions of Judas differ. In Islam, for instance, Judas defends Jesus and takes his place at the crucifixion. Some early Christian writings suggest Judas was the only apostle who truly understood Jesus' message. Some accounts have Jesus instructing Judas to report him to the authorities, so that Jesus’ spiritual self may escape from his physical body. Additional views of Judas are generous, nothing that Christ could not have died for our sins and been resurrected without Judas' kiss.