Judas Iscariot: the most hated disciple and the story I thought I knew

Everyone knows the story of Judas Iscariot. I thought I knew the story of Judas Iscariot. I thought his story would be an easy and straightforward blog post. Because why not? He has become one of the most hated individuals in the Bible. Jesus called him “a devil” (John 6:70-71). To many, he is the villain in Jesus’s story. Throughout history, believers have used his story to humiliate their enemies. He has been hated for his betrayal. He has been pitied. He couldn’t have known what his actions would set in motion. Some even called him a hero of sorts for simply playing his part in God’s plan (Psalm 41:9, Zechariah 11:12,13). While Jesus chose Judas as a disciple, Judas would betray him. Who was Judas? Why would he betray Jesus? What motivations were at work? Why would he jeopardize his relationship with Jesus? What lesson can we take from his life? 

Little is known about Judas’ life before he was chosen by Jesus. It is believed that he came from the town of Kerioth in Judea. Iscariot is Greek derived from the Hebrew ish Kerioth or man of Kerioth (Tate, 2025). His name means “praised” and would have been the fourth most common name of the time, behind Lazarus, Joseph and Simon (Tate, 2025). However, he was known as treacherous and greedy. Judas was a thief as keeper of the money bag and he would help himself to its contents (John 12:6). He would betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver (Matthew 26:14-16) and a kiss (Matthew 26:48-49, Mark 14:43-51, Luke 22:47-53, John 18:1-11). After he saw Jesus condemned by the Jewish High Council, Judas returned the blood money and killed himself (Matthew 27:3-10, Acts 1:18-19). The saddest statement about Judas is he was so remorseful that he committed suicide and yet he was unrepentant (Tate, 2025). To contrast with Peter’s denial. Peter was remorseful, repented and was restored. It is the different paths remorse can lead us. One without repentance leads to destruction and one with repentance leads to forgiveness.

Judas, like all the disciples, misunderstood Jesus’ mission on earth. They expected Jesus to make political moves and yet he spoke of dying. The Irish band U2 has a great song Until the End of the World (1991 album Achtung Baby) which gives a picture to Judas’s possible internal monologue. The constant topic must have led to feelings of anger, fear and disappointment. When Jesus praised Mary for pouring the perfume (John 12:1-8), Judas’s greed for money and status blinded him to the significance of Mary’s gesture. His desires allowed him to be in a place to be manipulated, seeking favor with the religious leaders instead and when he tried to undo what he had done, it was too late. God’s sovereign plan was already moving. It was not God who rejected Judas, but Judas who rejected God (Winger, 2022). The exact motivation of Judas’ betrayal is unknown; however, it is theorized that he was trying to force Jesus’ hand, He may have wanted to see Jesus fight back and to rebel against the Romans and set up a new Jewish government.  Was he hoping for a prominent place in this new kingdom? Judas’s misunderstanding of Jesus’s mission on earth reminds me, once again, that God’s thoughts and plans are not our thoughts and plans (Isaiah 55:8-9). I cannot pretend to understand his thoughts; but I trust he knows more than I do. 

Judas didn’t lose his relationship with Jesus because he didn’t have one in the first place. One important clue is in Matthew 26:20-30 at the Last Supper. When Jesus spoke about the one who would betray him, the other disciples asked “Surely not, I Lord?” (verse 22) except Judas who asked “Surely, not I, Rabbi?” (verse 25). He was called the “doomed to destruction” (John 17:12). He is a great example of how a person can hear amazing biblical teachings, say and do all the right things and still reject Christ (Faith Bible Church, 2020). There are still Judases among us today. Paul warns in 1 Timothy 4:1, “The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.” Men and women who will publicly convert to Christianity and yet do horrible acts. Men and women who will service in ministry and yet walk away. We are told to examine ourselves (2 Corinthians 13:5) and test ourselves to see if we are in the faith. The saddest aspect of Judas’s story is he took his life not realizing he could seek forgiveness and he would have received it from Jesus. You can’t outsin the grace of God, but you must seek his grace to receive it (Tate, 2025).

The key lessons from Judas’s life are simple and highlight what evil can do in our lives. First, evil, hateful thoughts and motives leave us open to being used for an even greater evil plan of Satan. We must guard our hearts as Proverbs 4:23 calls the hearts “the wellspring of life,” Paul tells that the peace of God will guard our hearts and minds in Jesus and think on praiseworthy things (Philippians 4:7-8). Second, the consequences of evil are so devastating even small lives and little wrongdoings have serious effects. Judas’s story gives us the opportunity for self-reflection on how small ethical compromises can lead to significant moral failures (Roat, 2024). Third, God’s plans and purposes work out even in the worst possible events. God was not blindsided by this betrayal, he used it to help bring salvation to the world (Roat, 2024). Judas’s story helps us evaluate our own relationship with Jesus and our commitment to God. We can ask ourselves: are we true disciples? Or are we uncommitted pretenders? Judas is an example that you can have an abundance of knowledge of who Jesus is, and even experience life with him, and still reject him (Faith Bible Church, 2022). 

Before studying Judas’s story, he was a man I despised. He walked with Jesus and yet betrayed him. After studying his life, I felt pity for him. To be so close to Jesus and yet not see him. I also found myself asking. What would I have done? In conclusion, Judas is a tragic character. Tragic because he is an example that it is not enough to be familiar with Jesus’ teachings. True followers love and obey Jesus and his teachings. Judas’s failure to have a true relationship with Jesus is terrifying. To have someone that close to Jesus and do something so terrible should be a sobering reminder to us all. For Jesus tells us in Matthew 7:21, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” I pray that we all truly know Jesus and follow him. 

Resources

Faith Bible Church (August 27, 2020). Judas Iscariot: Chosen or not? Blog post. https://www.faithtwincities.com/blog/post/judas-iscariot-chosen-or-not. Retrieved November 22, 2025. 

Roat, Alyssa (August 12, 2024). Who Was Judas Iscariot? Christianity.com. https://www.christianity.com/wiki/people/who-was-judas-iscariot.html. Retrieved November 22, 2025. 

Tate, David (November 28, 2021). The Life of Judas Iscariot (Part 1). Now Let’s Be Honest. YouTube. https://youtu.be/5NTIK5jFwBA?si=4TfLEGrjvtelogMD. Retrieved November 9, 2025.

Tate, David (December 5, 2021). The Life of Judas Iscariot (Part 2). Now Let’s Be Honest. YouTube. https://youtu.be/snM9zmFM9eQ?si=bIXihizJlznzxuhI. Retrieved November 10, 2025. 

Winger, Mike. (December 16, 2022). 20 Questions with Pastor Mike (Episode 90). Mike Winger. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/live/shxFzoZt-UQ?si=odluAxo_nXXMqyCh. Retrieved November 10, 2025. 

Thaddeus: the disciple with the heartfelt question

Thaddeus, also known as Judas, son of James is another disciple that little is known about. His occupation isn’t mentioned in the scriptures, his characteristics aren’t highlighted. Other than being listed among the Twelve Disciples, Thaddeus fades into the crowd, witnessing Jesus’s miracles, listening to his teachings and following his instruction. The major event in which he is singled out is during the Last Supper, when he asked Jesus a question. What is the situation in which Thaddeus comes into the spotlight? What was his question? Did Jesus answer him? Can we bring our own questions to God and get the answers we seek? 

He is known as Thaddeus to distinguish him from Judas Iscariot. In John 14, Jesus is teaching during the Last Supper, preparing them for his departure. In verses 15-21, he is promising the Holy Spirit will come to them and be a Counselor and live with them forever. He will reveal himself to those who love him and keep his word. Thaddeus asks in verse 22, “But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?” Jesus stops his teaching to answer in verses 23-24, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own, they belong to the Father who sent me.” Jesus then continues his teaching on the Holy Spirit. 

There are three parts to Thaddeus’ motivation behind his question. First, his question shows compassion for the world, wanting everyone to know Jesus. It reveals a man who has a selfless desire for the world to have the same opportunity as the disciples to know and follow Jesus. Second, Thaddeus had curiosity and an eagerness to learn and his desire for a deeper understanding of Jesus’s plan for the world. Lastly, his question also shows his comfortable relationship with Jesus. Thaddeus felt comfortable enough to question his Lord’s actions. To interrupt the teaching and ask a direct, honest question that was on his heart. Just as there were three parts to Thaddues’s motivation, there are three parts to Jesus’s response. First, love and obedience. Manifestation is related to love and obedience to him (John 14:23). Only those who love and obey Jesus’s teachings will know Jesus and the Father. Second, the indwelling presence. With love and obedience, the Father and Jesus will make their home with each believer (John 14:23). This indicates a unique relationship based on love and obedience. Lastly, implied rejection of the world. The wider world, lacking love and obedience, would not be ready for the same divine revelation and manifestation (John 14:24). 

In his book, Twelve Ordinary Men (2002), John MacArthur described Thaddeus as a “gentle soul with a tender, childlike heart.” His question shows a heart for the wider world. He wanted everyone to know Jesus. Thaddeus is a great example that we should hesitate to ask our questions. Questions that are crafted to gain knowledge, insight and understanding of the many difficult issues we encounter in the scriptures are welcomed. It shows our desire to live out Jesus’s teachings. There are many individuals asking their questions to God. From prophets like Jeremiah and Habakkuk, to King David, these men brought their questions to God. James 1:5 says that “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” Jesus tells us to ask and it will be given to us (Matthew 7:7). We can approach the throne with confidence to ask our questions (Hebrews 4:16). We do not need to stumble in the dark, hoping to discover the answers to our questions. We can come to God with our heartfelt questions and he promises to provide the answers we seek. 

In conclusion, even though little is known about Thaddeus, we can learn an important lesson from his question. We can bring our questions. We can question God about the things we do not understand. God wants our questions. Like a child who goes to his parents with his questions, God wants us to come to Him. When our heart truly seeks the answers, God will lovingly answer us for he gives wisdom and from his mouth comes understanding and knowledge (Proverbs 2:6). God promises that we may not understand fully now; but one day, we will know in full (1 Corinthians 13:12). 

Scars: our story and our motivation

Scars are the results of the biological process of wound repair in the skin and other tissues. Some scars are unsightly and there are countless of oils, ointments and medical procedures to remove them. Some of us carry psychological scars. The emotional scars that no one sees and yet the person who bears them feels their presence every day of their lives. Recently, I was watching an episode of Criminal Minds called “The Slave of Duty” where in the end, David Rossi responds to a colleague’s comment that one doesn’t survive without a few scars. He says, “Scars remind us where we’ve been. They don’t have to dictate where we’re going.” I greatly admire the people who are able to take their scars and become greater than they were before.

The people who survive use their scars to remind themselves of the battles they’ve gone through, to remind themselves how far they’ve come. Carly Simon once said that “a really strong woman accepts the war she went through and is ennobled by her scars.” Meaning? A survivor is proud of his or her scars and said “yes I lived through this and here I am.” I can think of countless of men and women who despite their scars stood up and said I’m not going to let this slow me down. J.R. Martinez was a U.S. Army infantryman in Iraq when he suffered severe burns to 34% of his body. This fire left him severely burned and disfigured but did it stop him? No, he went on to become a motivational speaker, actor and he won Season 13 of Dancing with the Stars. Another inspirational survivor is Amy Purdy. She lost both legs below the knee due to an infection stemming from Neisseria meningitis. She would also lose both kidneys and received a transplant from her father. She would later win a Bronze medal in snowboarding at the 2014 Sochi Olympics and win 2^nd place in Season 18 of Dancing with the Stars. These two people could have just sat down and played the pity party but they knew they were meant for something greater.

I have my own scars. Scars that are physical as well as emotional. I share the story behind each scar as a testament that your scars do not have to dictate the life you lead. I may not be living high on the hog with no worries or stress but I live. Each morning, I thank the Lord for another beautiful day. I take care of my daughter and marvel on how fast she is growing. I take care of my home and prepare meals for my family. I spend time with them and enjoy the moments we have together before life intervenes again. As M.L. Stedmen writes in her book, The Light between Oceans, “Scars are just another kind of memory.” A painful memory, yes but a memory all the same. We can chose how those memories will play out in our lives. Will we stand up and say, “despite these scars, I’m going to live my life to the fullest?” Or will we say, “I can’t because I’ve been too scarred?” I hope that it’s the latter because, as author Rodney A Winters writes “scars are not signs of weakness, they are signs of survival and endurance.” Let your scars be your motivation to rise above your past, to rise above the pain and hurt and become something greater than you were before.