Biblical Question

Who was Judas Iscariot?

Retrieved texts include Luke 6:16, Matthew 10:4, Mark 14:10, John 12:4.

The texts do not directly address broader modern formulations; NO DIRECT REFERENCE IN SOURCE TEXTS and INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE apply beyond retrieved passages.

Related Questions
PrayerWisdomLove
Expanded Query
Judas Iscariot; the traitor; betrayal of Christ; thirty pieces of silver; the kiss of Judas; Kerioth; son of perdition; disciple; apostle; suicide; remorse; Aceldama; field of blood.
Answer

THEOLOGICAL ANALYSIS

1. QUESTION

Who was Judas Iscariot according to the textual evidence provided?

2. PRIMARY TEXTUAL EVIDENCE

The retrieved texts establish the following identifying characteristics:

Parentage:

  • "Judas Iscariot, Simon's son" (John 12:4, KJV)
  • "Judas Iscariot the son of Simon" (John 6:71, KJV)
  • "Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon" (John 13:26, KJV)

Position among the disciples:

  • "one of the twelve" (Mark 14:10, KJV)
  • "being one of the twelve" (John 6:71, KJV)
  • "being of the number of the twelve" (Luke 22:3, KJV)
  • "one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot" (Matthew 26:14, KJV)

Distinguishing designation:

  • "Judas surnamed Iscariot" (Luke 22:3, KJV)
  • Distinguished from "Judas the brother of James" in the apostolic lists (Luke 6:16, KJV)

Role in the narrative:

  • "which also was the traitor" (Luke 6:16, KJV)
  • "who also betrayed him" (Matthew 10:4, KJV)
  • "went unto the chief priests, to betray him unto them" (Mark 14:10, KJV)
  • "betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss" (Luke 22:48, KJV)

Theological framing of his actions:

  • "Then entered Satan into Judas" (Luke 22:3, KJV)
  • "the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him" (John 13:2, KJV)

Aftermath:

  • "when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver" (Matthew 27:3, KJV)

3. LINGUISTIC/HISTORICAL DATA

From the texts provided:

  • "Iscariot": The texts offer no direct explanation of this surname. It functions as a distinguishing identifier.
  • Patronymic identification: John's Gospel uniquely identifies him as "Simon's son" (Greek construction implied by "the son of Simon").
  • Distinction from other Judases: Luke 6:16 lists two individuals named Judas among the Twelve, necessitating the surname for differentiation.

Note: The etymology of "Iscariot" (whether from Hebrew "Ish-Kerioth" = "man of Kerioth," or other derivations) is NOT present in the retrieved texts.

4. SCHOLARLY POSITIONS

The texts themselves do not present interpretive debates. However, they do present two framings of Judas's motivation:

  1. Satanic/demonic influence: Luke 22:3; John 13:2
  2. Human agency in betrayal: The Synoptic accounts of his approach to the chief priests (Matthew 26:14; Mark 14:10)

The relationship between these framings is not resolved within the retrieved texts.

5. SOURCES CITED

  • Matthew 10:4 (KJV)
  • Matthew 26:14 (KJV)
  • Matthew 26:25 (KJV)
  • Matthew 27:3 (KJV)
  • Mark 3:19 (KJV)
  • Mark 14:10 (KJV)
  • Luke 6:16 (KJV)
  • Luke 22:3 (KJV)
  • Luke 22:48 (KJV)
  • John 6:71 (KJV)
  • John 12:4 (KJV)
  • John 13:2 (KJV)
  • John 13:26 (KJV)
  • John 18:2 (KJV)

Note: Acts 5:37 references a different individual ("Judas of Galilee") and is not relevant to Judas Iscariot.

6. CONSENSUS INDICATOR

INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE: retrieved texts do not resolve this question explicitly.

Sources
Luke 6:16 (KJV) — score 0.646
And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor.
Matthew 10:4 (KJV) — score 0.638
Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.
Mark 14:10 (KJV) — score 0.623
¶ And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests, to betray him unto them.
John 12:4 (KJV) — score 0.584
Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him,
Matthew 27:3 (KJV) — score 0.572
¶ Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,
John 6:71 (KJV) — score 0.569
He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve.
Luke 22:3 (KJV) — score 0.565
¶ Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve.
John 13:26 (KJV) — score 0.565
Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.
Luke 22:48 (KJV) — score 0.563
But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?
Mark 3:19 (KJV) — score 0.560
And Judas Iscariot, which also betrayed him: and they went into an house.
Matthew 26:25 (KJV) — score 0.533
Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.
John 18:2 (KJV) — score 0.527
And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples.
Matthew 26:14 (KJV) — score 0.518
¶ Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests,
Acts 5:37 (KJV) — score 0.518
After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.
John 13:2 (KJV) — score 0.516
And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him;
Continue Research

Create your free account to run your own theological queries.

Sign up free