Life & Times of

Judas Iscariot or “praised man from Karioth” provides one of the great mysteries in the Bible. There has been considerable speculation by learned scholars concerning his motive and how he turned Jesus over to the Jewish leaders.

There appears to be a transformation in the man of history into an evil greedy character. This transformation tends to satisfy the worlds need to categorize and prioritize sins. Christians can justify their sins as being insignificant and separate themselves from the worst of sinners like Judas is said to be.

In recent years there has been a significant attempt by scholars and biblical experts to find the true nature of Judas and his place in the life of our Lord Jesus. William Klassen a Research Professor at Ecole Biblique in Jerusalem recently published his research (1996) into the history of Judas and seeking the truth in the translation of the Gospels. His book “Judas – Betrayer or Friend of Jesus” offers considerable facts and information about specific analysis that brings forth a different picture. He makes great use of the classical Greek word Paradidomi. Paradidomi in 1^st century usage typically had the meaning to give or hand over. In the case of a person it can mean the intermediary would surrender a person to another in trust or to give the person over to another as an act of formal process. Never does it refer to an act of betrayal or a person being a traitor.

Josephus, the most prolific Jewish historian of the first century, used the word 293 times but not once can it be legitimately translated to mean the word betray. There were very good words for betrayal such as prodidomi and prodosia. For the word traitor they used the word prodotes. Josephus uses the word Paradidomi to describe the acts of handing over slaves, territory, and property

Paradidomi is used 122 times in the New Testament and 57 times in relation to the capture of Jesus. It appears 18 times in the Gospels in a general passive sense such as Jesus saying “It is necessary for the Son of Man to be handed over”. Yet, it is the same word when used in connection to Judas is translated 40 out of 44 times into the word betray. The inconsistency is then not with the word of GOD, but with a bias in the translations.

There are many other inconsistencies that do not stand as we read the scriptures that point to a Judas different than that of being a traitor or a betrayer to Jesus. The following examples lead to questions that would support an image of Judas other than being a villain:

1) Jesus chose Judas as one of the 12 Apostles.

2) Jesus knew them before he chose them.

3) Judas was appointed to be in charge of their money indicating a strong degree of trust.

4) Judas must have been a high level Jewish Priest or he could not have entered the Temple. Even Jesus was not permitted to enter the Most Holy part of the Temple.

5) Translations other than King James such as “The Revised Version of 1881” and the “American Standard Version” say that Matthew Chapter 26 verse 24 can be translated to read “It would be better for Jesus if that man would have never been born who will turn Him over”.

6) According to the Gospels, Judas never did anything until Jesus told him to do it. He was consistently affirmed and Jesus never criticized him for a sin.

Judas was reportedly from the city of Karioth in Judea where he was probably from the Tribe of Levi and educated to become a Jewish Priest. Because of his training, he must have spent a considerable amount of time at the Temple with the Jewish leaders. He is understood to be a businessman with red hair.

Many questions arise from what we are told that leave us bewildered. But, wait, I see a Spirit of Judas coming. Let’s have him tell us his story.

Judas Presentation

Judas enters with the following portrayal:

(After entry with a big smile on my face, turn to congregation and quietly look at them.)

Oh! I see you do not think I look like the Judas you expected. Well, if you went through what I did your red hair would be this color (white) by now. You also expected me to be a miserable broken Spirit suffering with the evil one down below. I am not suffering; I am having a glorious time celebrating and worshiping with my Lord Jesus in the heavenly realms that is filled with GOD’S beautiful love.

Here in this world, I am not loved very much due to the Bible translations. But, maybe you will not condemn me if I tell you about my story and maybe you will not look down on me. I will tell my story in the words you would have read if the word Paradidomy had been properly translated to mean, “turn over“, and not “to betray”.

Let me offer a little understanding about how I felt and where my heart was back in the days when I walked with Jesus. After I am done telling you my story, then you can decide. All Apostles offer a human story where you can see yourself. Listen and see where and if you may fit in my story.

For you to have a better understanding of my relationship with Jesus, please think about how you would feel if you were me back when Jesus started His ministry. Imagine if you were there when John Baptized this man called Jesus and when He came up out of the water the heavens opened and a dove of brilliant white landed upon Him. Wondrous words were heard saying, “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased”. Some said it was thunder, however you heard the unmistakable words.

Then, imagine you were worshiping in the Temple and heard this big commotion in the courtyard and saw this man Jesus overturning the coin changer tables and chasing all the animals and birds out of the courtyard. Then you hear Jesus using the strong words "Take these things hence and do not turn my father’s house into a market”. His Fathers House!!!! GOD lived in the back of the Temple in the “Most Holy of Holies”. This was GOD’S house. Then you remember the words “This is my beloved Son”.

Next, it is the time of Passover where many with sickness and infirmities were about the gates to the city. Jesus is right there healing them by touch or even just His words. They are swarmed around Him, the blind, lame, sick, lepers or those with evil spirits. I watched others who seemed to recognize Him as the Christ. The Messiah we were desperately waiting for! I had extensive priestly training about who GOD was and I therefore took my relationship with GOD very seriously. That is why I decided to learn more about Jesus and possibly become a follower.

Not only did I give up my life to follow Jesus, when He appointed the Apostles; I was included as one of the twelve. This meant I was in the inner circle. I was receiving special training and instructions. I was able to be very close to my Lord and understand His message.

Besides being appointed an Apostle, Jesus also made me the Treasurer of our movement. I had charge of all our money. I carried the purse and purchased or traded for our needs and gave to the poor as directed by Jesus. I could hardly believe that Jesus would appoint me to such a high position. I assumed that Jesus chose me because of my education and skills in trading or bartering.

Please appreciate that I was different than the others. I was a Judean from the tribe of Levi and a Jewish priest. My status in the Jewish leadership gave me special insight and understanding about Jewish traditions and rituals. I was also permitted to enter that part of the Temple that was open only to the tribe of Levi which gave me access to many other Jewish leaders. The other Apostles were all Galileans. People from Galilee were looked down upon by the Judeans as being simple people. This was not a concern because the love of Jesus and His teachings molded us together with a bond of love and understanding.

It is important to realize that at this time, Jesus was performing miracles of healing and casting out demons with us Apostles helping Him. We were kind of the front line for Jesus. People would come to us in order to see Jesus. We also organized and directed the crowds of people when ever Jesus was going to speak or teach. We were on the inside spending all of our time with Him and receiving special instructions.

I wish you could have been there and heard Jesus deliver what you know as “The Sermon on the Mount”, giving us beautiful words that destroyed the philosophy of a wicked and unjust world. His words took away the need for self-justification and replaced our self-pity with a world of love. Love that gave us a sense of peace in our hearts. We heard difficult sayings about how we should love our enemies and not judge or condemn others. I must say I had a hard time understanding how we should love our enemies, however I especially appreciate not judging or condemning others. My appreciation is not just from the teachings of Jesus, but also realizing that we never know or understand what has brought others to act or be what we might consider unacceptable to our personal view from our own walk.

Then Jesus puts His words into action. He gave the 12 of us the power of healing and the ability to cast out demons as He sent us out two by two on our first mission journey. Can you believe what it was like to have such powers? It was almost like being GOD. To cure a blind man or give a man the ability to walk for the first time or cure the outcast leper. We were truly in a world of love. The love poured into us by those around us and we had no choice but to love all of them. GOD’S wonderful love was all around us. The more we served others, the more love we received. You know how you receive the love from others when you serve them with love. I call it GOD’S wonderful circle of love.

Please take a moment and think about how you would feel about Jesus when you came back from your first journey of love. Would you have an incomparable love and respect for such a wonderfully loving and caring person? Would you believe He must be GOD or very close to GOD to have such powers and then to completely change your life by giving you such powers? He created a wonderful new life of love in me. You can begin to see what it was like to be in the inner circle with Jesus. As we continued our journeys and joined Jesus in His ministry, we became closer and closer.

I can tell you many other times when Jesus used His undeniable powers that proved His relationship with GOD. You can place yourself there when He raised the little 12 year old girl from the dead, fed 5,000 followers with 2 fish and 5 loaves of bread, calmed the winds and sea when we were in the middle of a fierce squall by saying “Be quiet, be still”. Besides all His miracles we also heard words of wisdom through His teaching. Lucid words that were powerfully reveling.

I knew Jesus had to be the Christ and would be King of the lands very soon. I could not wait for Him to have His power over the Romans and bring justice into the world. To stop the terrible oppression of the Roman soldiers. Then Jesus told us that the Jewish Pharisees, Scribes and Priests would take Him, torture Him, then kill Him and then He would be raised from the dead. I was a Jewish priest and I could not believe anyone could possibly hurt Jesus, least of all someone who had a belief in GOD. I must admit that the Jewish leaders really attacked the teachings of Jesus, but they just lost more and more respect by the people as Jesus taught with words of undeniable truth.

When Jesus raised Lazarus after he had been dead for 4 days his followers were everywhere. Even some Priests and Scribes that were against Jesus were becoming followers. Every where we went the crowds were very big. So big that we had to hold all of our meetings outside.

Then it happened. I could tell Jesus was ready to assume His position of power. We left Bethany by way of the Mount of Olives and Jesus rode a little donkey across the Kildron valley. It was wonderful! People lined the road and were throwing their cloaks on the ground along with boughs from palm trees for the donkey to walk on. They were waving branches along the side of the road and singing Hosanna, Hosanna in the highest and Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord. I was filled with joy and excitement. Jesus was finally willing to be King. I sang with all my heart and soul.

When we came to the Temple in Jerusalem, the Jewish leaders fiercely attacked Jesus. Jesus answered their questions and accusations with words of truth and used parables that left no questions to the mind. The more they attacked, the taller Jesus became. He just towered above us and became the judge of the living and the dead He proclaimed Himself to be.

I could see Jesus coming into power in a much different way than expected. He would not use force and bloodshed with an army of soldiers. He would continue to use His unbelievable powers of compassion, love and healing. He would win the Jewish leaders and Roman people over just like He did with His Disciples and become their King just as He was for us when He rode across the Kildron Valley. I was certain that once Jesus was before them they would believe in Him as the Christ just like all the rest of His followers. They would accept Him as the promised Savior. The King of Kings!

I knew the Jewish leaders were concerned that the believers would cause a riot and there would be much bloodshed if Jesus was arrested in a public place. I also realized that the other apostles such as Peter would never permit Jesus to be seized. Besides, the angry people driven to arrest Jesus could beat and torture Jesus before He rose to power.

Because of my relationship with the Chief priests, I had the ability to arrange a time for a safe turn over of Jesus to them. I met with the Chief Priests and they were very glad to have such an arrangement. As was the custom, they offered and I accepted a small token of 30 pieces of silver to confirm our agreement. I knew that the right time would come when a safe turn over could be arranged in the absence of the multitude.

Two thousand years ago we went into Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover meal, we no sooner arrived and were seated when Jesus got up and picked up a foot-washing basin. He proceeded to wash all of our feet. It was unbelievable; here was the son of GOD washing our feet. Can you conceive how humbling it would be to have the Master wash your feet? Peter could not stand the idea and protested only to have Jesus rebuke him if He did not let Jesus wash his feet. Later we realized His message was very clear. We were to be servant leaders to others. Jesus used Himself as a glorious example as how we were to go forward as a servant in ministry.

Jesus then announced that one of us would be turning Him over to the Jewish leaders. Everyone there then asked who it would be. Please note, in all the written accounts you have read there was no outrage or condemnation by the other 11. Just bewilderment. Like John reported, I was sitting next to Jesus in an honored position when Peter asked John to ask who it would be. Jesus replied it would be the one to whom He gave a piece of bread after He dipped it in the dish. For Jesus to give the bread to a person was a mark of honor. The others noted it as such when He gave it to me. Jesus then leaned over to me and told me “What you are about to do, do quickly”.

I got up and left knowing that the others had no idea about what was about to take place or my purpose at hand. Some have suspicions that the devil entered into me and caused my actions, however I did it because I thought it was what I was supposed to do and besides, Jesus told me to do it. I thought I had a very important role in bringing Jesus to power. Others have suggested that I was going to betray Jesus at this point. Could you possibly go forward in a clandestine plan against Jesus after He told you to go do it? Of course not!

After I left, I went to the Temple and told the High Priests that the best place to turn over Jesus in a safe way would be at the Mount of Olives where there was a little farm called Gethsemane. I then led a detachment of soldiers and officials of the High Priests to the place where Jesus could be found. Some have suggested that the officials would not recognize Jesus; therefore I was necessary to lead them. Believe me; all Officials of the Temple could recognize Jesus. When we arrived in front of Jesus He asked me as His friend if I was going to turn Him over with a kiss. I then gave Him a kiss as a sign of my friendship and loyalty.

Jesus then asked the arresting group what they wanted. “Jesus of Nazareth” they replied and Jesus said, “I am He”. It was wonderful. They all fell back to the ground, which confirmed the power I knew Jesus would use when needed. Again He asked what they wanted and He confirmed that He was Jesus and told them to let His Apostles go free. Peter could not tolerate the advancement of the group to arrest Jesus. He drew his sword and charged forward attacking the lead person, a servant of the High Priest named Malchus. He cut off the ear of Malchus as he dodged the blade. Jesus then picked up the ear and healed Malchus and told the Apostles to put away their swords saying that this all must take place to fulfill the scriptures.

The others fled into the woods. I knew this was a time of great disappointment and failure to them because Jesus was going to let them arrest Him and not be the kind of King they wanted. However, I was sure Jesus would convict and lead all Jewish leaders when He was with them. He would become their new King. Then they took Jesus to Annes, the High Priest, who just gloated at the prospects of arresting Jesus. I could not help but think; little did he know about what was about to happen. ---- Little did I know what was about to happen!

After Annes, they took Jesus to Caiaphas, the current High Priest at his palace. I was able to go inside the palace because of my position and watched the proceedings. I could not understand what was happening. They were telling lies and bearing false witness against Jesus. But, what was worse, Jesus was not defending Himself. He was letting them falsely convict Him.

Then Caiaphas asked Jesus the question “I put you upon the oath of the Living GOD, are you the Christ, the Son of GOD?” Jesus answered “I am and hereafter you shall see the Son of Man seated on the right hand of power and coming in the clouds of heaven.” The silence was deafening. Caiaphas had two choices. He could bow down before Jesus or have Him condemned to die for blasphemy. Even though Jesus did not defend Himself, I knew He could not be killed by this group of Jewish leaders. Then Caiaphas shouted in anger to the Council, “What is your decision?” They all shouted back “The death! Give Him the death!” After that they started to hit and kick Him. They even spit upon Him and called Him names. I could not stand it. I could not even look at Jesus. He was not convicting them! He was not acting as a King to be. He was not even defending Himself.

I thought Jesus must have been waiting for a better time to develop His Kingship. A gnawing sickness started coming into my body. My stomach began to ache with the thought that I turned the Master over to this lying miserable crowd. Then they took Jesus to Pontius Pilate to have Him Crucified by the Romans. I thought that this might be the time for Jesus to glorify Himself. But again I was wrong. Pilate again and again said he had no cause or reason to crucify Jesus. Every time he would tell the Jewish mob that he could not find Jesus guilty, they would shout back “crucify Him”. The mob then started shouting louder and louder and causing Pilate to think Jesus was putting Himself above Caesar. Pilate finally yielded and washed his hands of the matter and turned Jesus over to them to be crucified.

The soldiers then dressed Him as a fool and mocked Him, flogged Him and then put his clothes back on. They then forced Him to carry His own cross to the Place of the Skull until Simon of Cyrene relieved him and carried the Cross. My mind was becoming numb. Nothing was happening as I expected it. Not only that, it was going worse than I could possibly believe. Jesus was not using any of His powers. He was letting this angry mob torture and mock Him. He was not going to convict the Jewish leaders so they would understand that He truly was the Christ, the Son of GOD.

I started thinking about what Jesus had told us about how the Jewish leaders would murder Him. Back then I thought it was not even thinkable let alone happen. Now it was happening right before my eyes. The worst part was it was I, I who had turned Jesus over to these terrible people. I did it to have Jesus fulfill what I wanted Him to do. He obviously did not want to do it my way. What had I done? I was the one who was a key person in causing my Lord and Master, my wonderful loving and caring Master, to be tortured by the most horrible of deaths on the Cross.

At this point, I realized that Jesus was not going to stop this murdering mob of evil people from crucifying Him on the Cross. I could not stand the pain any longer. I ran to the Temple and threw the coins that they gave me to seal our agreements on the floor. I told them that Jesus was innocent and that I had sinned by turning Him over to them. They said that was of no concern to them and it was up to me to handle my sins. Some have said I did not know what I had done. In a way that is true because I did not know that Jesus would be hurt. I expected Him to rise to power.

I ran out of the Temple with no where to go. I had no place to go! All my brother Apostles and the disciples of Jesus only knew me as the one who turned over Jesus. Not only that, they all knew I was a Jewish Priest with connections to the High Priests that caused the crucifixion of Jesus. There was nothing I could do to explain the truth. What truth! What truth was there. Jesus was the truth. My belief, my desires, my will was wrong! I was not the follower of Jesus, I was leading Jesus. I put Jesus in my world. I wanted Him to fulfill my expectations. I wanted the Jews to recognize Jesus as the King. I wanted Jesus to crush the Roman Empire so they could never overpower GOD’S chosen people with injustice again.

I was in a panic of pain. Hiding my face under my wrap, I wandered to the edge of the crowd where Jesus was hung on the Cross. I heard the thief on the cross next to Jesus say “You did nothing wrong” and asked Jesus to remember him when He came into His Kingdom. Jesus replied “Truly I say to you, today I will be with you in Paradise”. That’s where I wanted to be. In paradise with Jesus.

I was guilty. Guilty of putting the “Son of GOD” in the terms of my life. In my expectations, in what I wanted Jesus to be and to do. Jesus was wrongly convicted and murdered on the Cross.

Let me ask you a question. Do you ever put GOD on your level?

Do you ever put GOD to the test? Do you go forward with what you think is good for His Kingdom or do you look for where GOD is doing wonderful works and join Him there? Is the Holy Spirit leading you or are you praying for the Holy Spirit to catch up and support your activities.

Do you want justice your way? Want all perceived evil people punished because they are not like you? Do you want the same justice for the baby born of a drug addicted mother that is racked with pain and comes into a world of hatred and being unwanted as you do for you or your child or grandchild that was raised in a continuous world of love and care? Can we love that child or is it easier and more profitable to judge and condemn that person who grows up to be a thief or hard tough person? Do we want that person to find Jesus and become a disciple?

If we can truly love GOD and turn our lives over to Him, we can lose our obsession of self and concern for self-image. By the Grace of GOD, we can walk in humble peace with our Lord Jesus. We can walk in humble peace with our sisters and brothers.

Do not be distressed by what I have said today. Let us not condemn Judas more or look down on him or others to make our sins become less. We all walk in GOD’S Grace. We all have been given a different path. Some paths are much harsher or wicked than others. He knows all of our sins and loves all of us all the time.

Thank you for the opportunity to share this story. Let us pray:

On this eve of 2000 years ago we can see a glimpse of the agony our Lord experienced as He prayed “Father take this cup away from me. Never the less, your will not my will be done”. This evening we pray for the Holy Spirit to empower us and by your Grace it will be your will and not our will in our lives. Let us not be concerned about the spec in our brother’s eye, but the plank in our own eye. May we see that a little sin in our lives may be a major sin that keeps us away from you and the wonderful peace and joy that we have when we are with you. In the name of our Lord Jesus we pray. Amen

I believe, along with many other learned scholars, that the love that Judas had for Jesus sustained and saved him. In a few moments we will share a meal with Jesus. After this time of Communion, take time to kneel here on the steps or return to your seat. Imagine Jesus washing your feet so you can understand how He wants us to be the servant. You also may want to pray thanks for the blessings you have received after Jesus washed your feet.

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