Why does the bible not give much info on Judas?
- Posted:
- 3+ months ago by drmcdreamy
- Topics:
- bible, judas
Answers (3)
The Bible provides little direct information about the family and background of Judas, however it does give some information about his family name and his place of birth.
Both he and his father were called Iscariot. (Lu 6:16; Joh 6:71) This term has commonly been understood to indicate that they were from the Judean town of Kerioth-hezron. If this statement is true, then he was the only Judean among the 12 apostles, the rest being Galileans.
Judas is introduced into the Gospel accounts in the listing of the apostles sometime after Passover 31 C.E, Judas had been a disciple for a time before Jesus made him an apostle. Many writers paint an entirely black picture of Judas, but evidently for a while he had been a disciple who found favor with God and with Jesus; his very selection as an apostle indicates that.
However, less than a year after he had been made an apostle, he was publicly denounced by Christ, though not by name. (Joh 6:64)
The Bible does not discuss in detail the motives for his corrupt course. It does however, say that Judas had a love for money problem, and used to carry off the monies” put in the box. So Judas was a greedy, practicing thief.—Joh 12:2-7; Mt 26:6-12; Mr 14:3-8.
After Judas betrayal of Jesus, he attempted to return the 30 pieces of silver he had been paid, but the chief priests refused to take them back. Finally, Judas threw the money into the temple.—Mt 27:1-5.
Judas overcome by guilt, he attempted suicide, according to Matthew 27:5, Judas hanged himself.
The course that Judas chose was a deliberate one, involving malice, greed, pride, hypocrisy, and scheming. He afterward felt remorse under the burden of guilt, as a willful murderer might at the result of his crime.
The Bible does give detailed information about prophecies Christ knew about, that he would be betrayed by a close associate. (Ps 41:9; 109:8;) However this person was never named, which meant, this was not a predestined situation, Judas had a choice.
For further research on this and other related subjects see jw.org
2 Peter 1:3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
All things, get it? The bible tells us exactly what God wants us to know. A great many people want to add their own interpretations, or information from other sources, so that is why it is so important to learn to study the bible on your own.
The first step in that is to read it. The second is to identify and reject everything you have been told that is not there. For example, when you read Acts chapter 1 you pick out "the apostles whom he had chosen" and that means Judas was there. Then in verse 11 the angel says "Ye men of Galilee", and Judas was not of Galilee. He left the group at some time in that interval. In verse 25 it says "Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place." Then recall verse four where Jesus "commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem." People tell you that Judas sinned by betraying Jesus, but the bible says he fell from his apostleship by disobeying the lord's order, going to his field outside of town.
You can learn a lot by just reading what is written.
Actually the bible did give us quite a bit of information on Judas. Let's look up a few of the accounts mention:
1) It was fortold that the Messiah would be betrayed by a treacherous associate. Psalm 41:9 says,"The man at peace with me, in whom I trusted, who was eating my bread, has magnified his heel against me." Even though Judas name was not mention then we know later on Judas was the Apostle who betrayed Jesus.
2) The religious leaders receive a visitor. To their surprise, it is one of Jesus own apostles, judas Iscariot. Judas asks them: "What will you give me to betray him to you?"(Matthew 26:15) Delighted at this, they "agree to give him silver money."(Luke 22:5). "So he consented and began looking for a good opportunity to betray him to them without a crowd around."(Luke 22:6)
3) Matthew 26:46-49 says,"Get up, let's go. Look! My betrayer has drawn near." While he was still speaking, Look! Judas, one of the twelve, came and with him a large crowd with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now his betrayer had given them a sign, saying:"Whoever it is I kiss, he is the one, take him into custody." And going straight up to Jesus he said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" and gave him a tender kiss.
Among the others things mention in the bible about Judas Iscariot :
1) Greed.
2) Hardened by Sin.
3) Hypocrisy
4) Money Box
5) Not at the Lord's Evening Meal
6) Remorse
7) Not repentance
8) Only apostle to be replace