Judas Iscariot in the Bible
One of the Twelve apostles, who betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver.
At a glance
- Name
- Judas Iscariot
- Also known as
- Judas
- Type
- Person
- Period
- New Testament
- Appears in
- The Gospels and the book of Acts
- First appearance
- Matthew 26
- Known for
- The apostle who betrayed Jesus
Who is Judas Iscariot?
Judas Iscariot is one of the Twelve apostles, the one who betrays Jesus. He goes to the chief priests and agrees to hand Jesus over to them for thirty pieces of silver.
At Jesus's arrest, Judas identifies him to the crowd with a kiss. Afterward, seized with remorse, he throws the silver back into the temple and goes away.
The Gospel of Matthew says that Judas hanged himself, while the book of Acts gives a different account, that he fell headlong in a field and burst open. In Acts, before Pentecost, the apostles cast lots and choose Matthias to take his place among the Twelve.
The story of Judas Iscariot
Betrayal for thirty pieces of silver
Judas agrees to hand Jesus over to the chief priests for thirty pieces of silver.
Read Matthew 26 →Remorse and death
Seized with remorse, Judas returns the silver, and Matthew records that he hanged himself.
Read Matthew 27 →Replaced among the Twelve
In Acts, the apostles choose Matthias to take Judas's place.
Read Acts 1 →Not to be confused with
- Judas, son of James Another of the Twelve apostles named Judas, distinct from the one who betrayed Jesus. Comparing the apostle lists, he is traditionally identified with the Thaddaeus that Matthew names.
- Jude, the brother of Jesus A different Judas, a brother of Jesus, traditionally linked to the short letter of Jude.
Key passages featuring Judas Iscariot
These are key passages, not a complete list of every appearance.