⁸ “‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me;
⁹ in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’” (Matthew 8:9, 15)

• Judas was near Jesus physically as the treasurer, eating with him and even greeting him with the greatest homage – a kiss.
• But Judas was soo far from Christ in his heart and later betrayed him because of money (Matthew 26:23, Mark 14:17-18, Luke 22:21, John 13:18).
• He was a thief and since he was in charge of the disciples money, he often stole some for himself (John 12:6 NLT)

Matthew’s Record about Judas:

¹⁴ Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples, went to the leading priests ¹⁵ and asked, “How much will you pay me to betray Jesus to you?” And they gave him thirty pieces of silver. ¹⁶ From that time on, Judas began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus. (Matthew 26:14-16)

v20-25 Shows that Jesus knew that the heart of Judas was not right, and said that one of the disciples would betray him. But Judas pretends to be soo close to Jesus during the Passover by even dipping his hand into the bowl with Jesus to eat together.

v47-49 States that Judas had made a signal with the crowd which came to arrest Jesus. “The one I kiss is the man, arrest him. Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings Rabbi and kissed him”

Mark’s Record about Judas:

Mark 14:10-11 – Shows that the chief priest were delighted to hear that one of the 12 disciples was willing to betray their master. They promised Judas money.

v17-18 states, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me – one who is eating with me”

v19-20 states that after Jesus had per-emptied the impeding betrayal, they were all sad (including Judas), and actually all denied to have knowledge of such a scheme.

v21 declares a woe to the one who betrays the son of man. Actually it would be better for him if he had not been born.

Luke’s Record about Judas:

Luke 22:3-4, 6 – States that after Satan entered Judas, he started to plan with the chief priest and officers of the temple guard how to betray Jesus when no crowd was present.

v22-23 – Declares a woe to the man who betrays Jesus.

v47-48 Shows that Judas greeted Jesus with a kiss. Jesus asked him, “Are you betraying the son of man with a kiss”

John’s Record about Judas:

John 18:1-3 states that Judas knew where Jesus was in a garden for they had often met there before. He easily guided the soldiers to arrest Jesus.

v4-6 states that when Jesus identified himself to the soldiers, they all drew back and fell to the ground.

Reflection:Many times we think of Judas betraying the Lord for 30 pieces of silver, but how many times do we betray him for NOTHING. By taking him back to the cross, by destroying his body because of money, fame, power positions, jealousy etc.

Death of Judas:

There was no godly sorrow in the heart of Judas which leads to repentance (2 Corinthians 7:10)

Matthew 27:3-5 shows that he was remorseful for betraying Jesus, returned the 30 pieces of silver by throwing it to the temple and eventually hanged himself.

Acts 1:18 states that his body later swelled up and burst open, and that place was called field of blood)