Judas Iscariot «They will say that I betrayed him, that I sold him for thirty denarii, that I rebelled against my Master. These people know nothing about me."

Judas Iscariot he is one of the most controversial characters in biblical history. Best known for being the disciple who betrayed Jesus Christ, Judas has been at the center of numerous stories over the centuries. Today we want to get to know him better and understand the personality of this apostle.

Judas Iscariot was one of the twelve disciples chosen by Jesus to follow him during his earthly ministry. In the Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, in the gospel according to Luke, Judas is mentioned together with the other eleven disciples. Despite his privileged position, he chose to to betray his master for thirty pieces of silver.

The reason for this betrayal has left room for many interpretations in history. Some biblical scholars maintain that Judas was moved bygreed and the thirst for power. Others suggest it could have been disappointed by expectations did not fit with his hopes of a political Messiah who would free the Jewish people from Roman domination. Finally, some theologians hypothesize that Judas felt himself betrayed by the words of Jesus about his imminent death and had decided to force his hand, so that Jesus would reveal himself as the Warrior Messiah who would establish the kingdom of God on Earth.

Judas Iscariot, the apostle most loved by Jesus

According to some written texts, however, Judas would have been the disciple most loved by Jesus, and was specially chosen to betray him, as this action was necessary to accomplish the divine plan of the Redemption.

Despite this, his image has historically been associated with betrayal and guilt. The word “Judas” and the famous kiss has become a synonym for traitor and the collective imagination often portrays him as a greedy and disloyal man.

Regarding the fate of Judas after the betrayal, the gospels present two versions different. In the gospel according to Matthew, Judas yes regrets his action and returns the thirty denarii. However, he later commits suicide out of guilt. In the second gospel Acts of the ApostlesInstead, it is said that Judas buys a field with the money received for his treacherous action, but that after a short time he falls into an accident and his body explodes.