Jesus and Judas Iscariot

Humans, I think, are susceptible to myths and fiction because they feel a need for certainty,
yet much of reality remains a mystery, and much of science is inconclusive.
—Charley Reese

This report discusses the gospel accounts of Judas’s role in the conspiracy to arrest Jesus. For those not familiar with the story, the chief priests of the temple wanted to kill Jesus. Judas conspired with them to single out Jesus as the man to be arrested and brought to trial. This page is divided into five sections.

Prophecies

The footnoted prophecies related to Judas are listed below and are discussed in detail where they are used. They are meant to give the impression that the OT writers had some kind of miraculous prescience, despite the fact that Jews have never recognized Jesus as the messiah.

An examination of the set related to this story shows that they don’t predict anything; they are reflections of the time in which they were written (The OT and NT are separated by at least 500 years). The criteria for picking them were based on similarity, not context. It couldn’t be done any other way.

There are statements sprinkled about how the scriptures must be fulfilled. Sometimes there are quotes; sometimes a prophet is named. They are worthless as far as prescience goes. But they were valuable to the gospel writers who gave them the highest priority.

Also, there is a class of post hoc footnotes. According to The Oxford Illustrated of the Bible page 48, the division of the books into chapters and verses, and footnotes were added since the fourth century. We can tell which they are when a prophecy is not intimated by the text. For example, Matthew is the only gospel that tells us Judas was paid thirty pieces of silver. As expected, the fourth century revisionists looked for anything with the number thirty. They’re as phony as a thirty dollar bill.

32If the ox gores a slave, male or female, the owner shall give to their master thirty shekels of silver, and the ox shall be stoned. (Ex. 21:32)

9Even my bosom friend in whom I trusted, who ate of my bread, has lifted his heel against me. (Psalm 41:9)

12It is not an enemy who taunts me— then I could bear it; it is not an adversary who deals insolently with me— then I could hide from him.
13But it is you, my equal, my companion, my familiar friend.
14We used to hold sweet converse together; within God’s house we walked in fellowship.Psalm 55:12-14)

25May their camp be a desolation, let no one dwell in their tents. (Psalm 69:25)

8May his days be few; may another seize his goods!
9May his children be fatherless, and his wife a widow! (Psalm 109:8)

7He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth. (Isaiah 53:7)

12And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver.
13And the LORD said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was prised at of them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the LORD. (Zech 11:12-13 KJV)

Contradictions

I’ve listed the gospels in the historical order they were written. Mark was first. Ninety percent of Mark appears in Matthew. Fifty percent of Mark appears in Luke. John deviates the most. Their differences are summarized at each stage of the story. I’ve listed the footnoted prophecies where they occur, and explained their irrelevance.

The conspiracy

Summary:

Mark: When Judas went to the chief priests to offer to betray Jesus, they promised to give money.

10Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went to the chief priests in order to betray him to them.
11And when they heard it they were glad, and promised to give him money. And he sought an opportunity to betray him. (Mark 14:10-11)

Matthew: Judas went to the chief priests and asked for payment. They paid thirty pieces of silver.

14Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests
15and said, “What will you give me if I deliver him to you?” And they paid him thirty pieces of silver.
16And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him. (Matt. 26:14-16)

Prophecy: There are two footnotes. One is about restitution for injuries cause by an ox. In the second, Zechariah was recounting his own experience about donating his wages to the temple.

32If the ox gores a slave, male or female, the owner shall give to their master thirty shekels of silver, and the ox shall be stoned. (Ex. 21:32)

12Then I said to them, “If it seems right to you, give me my wages; but if not, keep them.” And they weighed out as my wages thirty shekels of silver.
13Then the LORD said to me, “Cast it into the treasury”—the lordly price at which I was paid off by them. So I took the thirty shekels of silver and cast them into the treasury in the house of the LORD. (Zech. 11:12-13)

Luke: Satan entered Judas. When he went to the chief priests to discuss betrayal, they promised money.

3Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve;
4he went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them.
5And they were glad, and engaged to give him money.
6So he agreed, and sought an opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of the multitude (Luke 22:3-6)

John: The devil made Judas betray Jesus. There was no money.

2And during supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, (John 13:2)

The announcement

Summary:

Mark: Jesus said his betrayer is one of the twelve dipping bread into the dish with him. Woe to the man who betrays the Son of man. It would have been better for him if he has never been born.

17And when it was evening he came with the twelve.
18And as they were at table eating, Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me.”
19They began to be sorrowful, and to say to him one after another, “Is it I?”
20He said to them, “It is one of the twelve, one who is dipping bread into the dish with me.
21For the Son of man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.” (Mark 14:17-21)

Matthew: Same as Mark with the addition that Judas asked if it is him and Jesus said “You have said so.”

20When it was evening, he sat at table with the twelve disciples;
21and as they were eating, he said, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.”
22And they were very sorrowful, and began to say to him one after another, “Is it I, Lord?”
23He answered, “He who has dipped his hand in the dish with me, will betray me.
24The Son of man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.”
25Judas, who betrayed him, said, “Is it I, Master?” He said to him, “You have said so.” (Matt. 26:20-25)

Luke: Jesus says the hand of his betrayer is with him on the table. Woe to the man who betrays the Son of man.

21But behold the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table.
22For the Son of man goes as it has been determined; but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed!”
23And they began to question one another, which of them it was that would do this. (Luke 22:20-23)

John: Jesus announced one of “you” will betray him. Twice, Peter asked who it is.  It is the one who receives this dipped morsel, said Jesus. Then Jesus gave it to Judas. Then Satan entered into him. Some thought because Judas had the money box, Jesus was telling him to buy for the feast or give to the poor.

21When Jesus had thus spoken, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, “Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.”
22The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he spoke.
23One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was lying close to the breast of Jesus;
24so Simon Peter beckoned to him and said, “Tell us who it is of whom he speaks.”
25So lying thus, close to the breast of Jesus, he said to him, “Lord, who is it?”
26Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I shall give this morsel when I have dipped it.” So when he had dipped the morsel, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot.
27Then after the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.”
28Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him.
29Some thought that, because Judas had the money box, Jesus was telling him, “Buy what we need for the feast”; or, that he should give something to the poor.
30So, after receiving the morsel, he immediately went out; and it was night. (John 13:21-30)

Prophecy: The two footnoted prophecies were written by David about his own troubles of betrayal.

9Even my bosom friend in whom I trusted, who ate of my bread, has lifted his heel against me. (Psalm 41:9)

12It is not an enemy who taunts me— then I could bear it; it is not an adversary who deals insolently with me— then I could hide from him.
13But it is you, my equal, my companion, my familiar friend.
14We used to hold sweet converse together; within God’s house we walked in fellowship.  (Psalm 55:12-14)

The betrayal

Summary:

Mark

43And immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders.
44Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I shall kiss is the man; seize him and lead him away under guard.”
45And when he came, he went up to him at once, and said, “Master!” And he kissed him. (Mark 14:43-5)

Matthew

47While he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people.
48Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I shall kiss is the man; seize him.”
49And he came up to Jesus at once and said, “Hail, Master!” And he kissed him. (Matt. 26:47-49)

Luke

47While he was still speaking, there came a crowd, and the man called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He drew near to Jesus to kiss him; (Luke 22:47)

John

3So Judas, procuring a band of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, went there with lanterns and torches and weapons.
4Then Jesus, knowing all that was to befall him, came forward and said to them, “Whom do you seek?”
5They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am he.” Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them.
6When he said to them, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.
7Again he asked them, “Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.”
8Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he; so, if you seek me, let these men go.”
9This was to fulfill the word which he had spoken, “Of those whom thou gavest me I lost not one.” (John 18:3-9)

The skirmish

Summary:

Mark

46And they laid hands on him and seized him.
47But one of those who stood by drew his sword, and struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his ear. (Mark 14:46-47)

Matthew

50Jesus said to him, “Friend, why are you here?” Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and seized him.
51And behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword, and struck the slave of the high priest, and cut off his ear.
52Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place; for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.
53Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels?
54But how then should the scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?” (Matt. 26:50-54)

Luke

48but Jesus said to him, “Judas, would you betray the Son of man with a kiss?”
49And when those who were about him saw what would follow, they said, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?”
50And one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear.
51But Jesus said, “No more of this!” And he touched his ear and healed him. (Luke 22:48-51)

John

10Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s slave and cut off his right ear. The slave’s name was Malchus.
11Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup which the Father has given me?” (John 18:10-11)

The arrest

Summary:

Mark: Jesus accused the crowd for turning on him. The crowd forsook him and fled. They seized him while a young man dropped the cloth about his body and ran away naked.

48And Jesus said to them, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me?
49Day after day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. But let the scriptures be fulfilled.”
50And they all forsook him, and fled.
51And a young man followed him, with nothing but a linen cloth about his body; and they seized him,
52but he left the linen cloth and ran away naked. (Mark 14:48-51)

Matthew: Jesus accused the crowd for turning against him; saying is was prophesized in scripture. The disciples forsook him and fled.

55At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me.
56But all this has taken place, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples forsook him and fled. (Matt. 26:55-56)

Prophecy: Written in past tense, Isaiah is mourning a contemporary.

7He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth. (Isaiah 53:7)

Luke: Jesus asked the chief priests and officers of the temple if they came out as against a robber, with weapons. He accused them for turning against him because it is the hour of the power of darkness.

52Then Jesus said to the chief priests and officers of the temple and elders, who had come out against him, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs?
53When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.”
54Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the high priest’s house. Peter followed at a distance; (Luke 22:52-53)

John: The soldiers seized Jesus and bound him.

12So the band of soldiers and their captain and the officers of the Jews seized Jesus and bound him. (John 18:12)

The death of Judas

We might ponder why the chief priests, according to Matthew, had no legal constraints about using temple money to pay for Jesus blood, but wouldn’t return it to the treasury for legal reasons.

Summary:

Matthew: Judas repented. He returned the silver to the temple and hanged himself. The chief priests bought the potters field to bury strangers in.

3When Judas, his betrayer, saw that he was condemned, he repented and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders,
4saying, “I have sinned in betraying innocent blood.” They said, “What is that to us? See to it yourself.”
5And throwing down the pieces of silver in the temple, he departed; and he went and hanged himself
6But the chief priests, taking the pieces of silver, said, “It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, since they are blood money.”
7So they took counsel, and bought with them the potter’s field, to bury strangers in.
(Matt. 27:3-7)

Acts: Judas did not repent. He bought a field with the money. His bowels gushed out from a fall.

15In those days Peter stood up among the brethren (the company of persons was in all about a hundred and twenty), and said,
16“Brethren, the scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David, concerning Judas who was guide to those who arrested Jesus.
17For he was numbered among us, and was allotted his share in this ministry.
18(Now this man bought a field with the reward of his wickedness; and falling headlong he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. (Acts 1:15-18)

The two footnoted prophecies were written by David about his own troubles of betrayal.

9Even my bosom friend in whom I trusted, who ate of my bread, has lifted his heel against me. (Psalm 41:9)

12It is not an enemy who taunts me— then I could bear it; it is not an adversary who deals insolently with me— then I could hide from him.
13But it is you, my equal, my companion, my familiar friend.
14We used to hold sweet converse together; within God’s house we walked in fellowship.(Psalm 55:12-14)

John: Judas was very much alive after Jesus died and reappeared.

20Peter turned and saw following them the disciple whom Jesus loved, who had lain close to his breast at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?” (John 21:20)

Field of blood

Summary:

Matthew: The chief priests bought the potter’s field to bury strangers. Therefore it is now called the Field of Blood because the cemetery was bought with blood money.

8Therefore that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day.
9Then was fulfilled what had been spoken by the prophet Jeremiah, saying, “And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him on whom a price had been set by some of the sons of Israel, (Matt. 27:8-9)

Prophecy: Verse 9 mentions Jeremiah as the source. A computer search turns up five verses that mention silver (6:30; 10:4, 9; 32:9; 52:19). None of them remotely resemble Matthew’s assertion. Bibles footnote Zechariah 11:12-13 instead. Zechariah is not prophesizing; he is speaking of his own experience.

12And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver.
13And the LORD said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was prised at of them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the LORD. (Zech 11:12-13 KJV)

Acts: It is called the Field of Blood because of what was written in Psalms.

19And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)
20For it is written in the book of Psalms, ‘Let his habitation become desolate, and let there be no one to live in it’; and ‘His office let another take.’ (Acts 1:19-20)

The footnoted psalm is about a camp and tents.

25May their camp be a desolation, let no one dwell in their tents. (Psalm 69:25)

The second footnoted psalm: Judas had no wife and children and his goods were not seized.

8May his days be few; may another seize his goods!
9May his children be fatherless, and his wife a widow! (Psalm 109:8)

Acts: Judas went to his own place.

24And they prayed and said, “Lord, who knowest the hearts of all men, show which one of these two thou hast chosen
25to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside, to go to his own place.” (Acts 1:24-25)

John: Jesus said “it is my will that he remain until I come.” I.e. Jesus has reserved a place for Judas in the next world.

20Peter turned and saw following them the disciple whom Jesus loved, who had lain close to his breast at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?”
21When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?”
22Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? Follow me!”
23The saying spread abroad among the brethren that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?” (John 21:20-23)

Judas was innocent

I have often marveled how Christians give praise to Jesus for sacrificing his life to save them from their sins, yet Judas comes out as the bad guy for betraying Jesus. If it weren’t for Judas, Jesus might not have paid the ultimate sacrifice. Kudos goes to the Jewish high priests for whom Judas volunteered his services. Without their influence, this so-called sacrifice of the millennium could not have been pulled off. Though the Romans executed Jesus, Jews took the blame for it and suffered centuries of persecution; even the name “Judas” sounds like “Judah.” It seems to me that Judas sacrificed his life so Jesus could sacrifice his. I have come to defend Judas.

1. The devil is in that pejorative word “betrayed.” Strong’s Dictionary translates “betrayed” as paradidomi in Greek, meaning surrender, that is, yield up, intrust, transmit:—betray, bring forth, cast, commit, deliver (up), give (over, up), hazard, put in prison, recommend. The word doesn’t necessarily translate to an act of treachery. The translation from Greek is misleading, most probably intentionally. As we shall see, Judas’s act of “betrayal” was not traitorous; it was foreordained.

21and as they were eating, he said, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray [paradidomi] me.” (Matt. 26:21)

2. Judas was a deliverer. That was the way Jesus understood it when he said “All things have been delivered to me by my Father.” Judas was acting in accordance with the wishes of Jesus’ Father, not contrary to them. Note the use of the same Greek word for “delivered.”

27All things have been delivered [paradidomi] to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and any one to whom the Son chooses to reveal him (Matt. 11:27)

3. Jesus knew what to expect before he went to Jerusalem. He had to go.

18“Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man will be delivered to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death,
19and deliver him to the Gentiles to be mocked and scourged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day.” (Matt. 20:18-19)

4. Jesus even prayed for those for whom “thou hast given me.” “None of them is lost but the son of perdition, that the scripture might be fulfilled.” I.e. Judas’s role was predestined.

9I am praying for them; I am not praying for the world but for those whom thou hast given me, for they are thine;
10all mine are thine, and thine are mine, and I am glorified in them.
11And now I am no more in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to thee. Holy Father, keep them in thy name, which thou hast given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.
12While I was with them, I kept them in thy name, which thou hast given me; I have guarded them, and none of them is lost but the son of perdition, that the scripture might be fulfilled. (John 17:12)

5. In the Book of John, when Jesus told his disciples one of them would betray him; Peter wanted to know who it was. Jesus assigned the role to Judas by handing him a dipped morsel. Thereafter, Satan entered into him.

26Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I shall give this morsel when I have dipped it.” So when he had dipped the morsel, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot.
27Then after the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.” (John 13:26-27)

Satan? How could that be? If there was treason, it was Jesus himself who invited his victim to supper and poisoned him with Satan’s spirit. “What you are going to do, do it quickly,” said Jesus.

6. Matthew and Mark say nothing about Satan entering into Judas, though Luke says Satan entered Judas when he bargained with the chief priests.

3Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve;
4he went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them.
5And they were glad, and engaged to give him money. (Luke 22:3-5)

7. But there is one thing upon they all agree. As Peter in Acts tells us, Jesus was “delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God.”

23this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.
24But God raised him up, having loosed the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. (Acts 2:23-24)

Jesus’ favorite disciple

Read this passage carefully. This happens just after Jesus announced he is going to be betrayed. It tells us that Jesus loved the disciple who was lying close to his breast. Then Peter asked the disciple close to Jesus, who is Jesus talking about? The unnamed disciple also wanted to know who it was. Then Jesus gave a dipped morsel to Judas. Judas was the disciple lying close to Jesus breast.

23One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was lying close to the breast of Jesus;
24so Simon Peter beckoned to him and said, “Tell us who it is of whom he speaks.”
25So lying thus, close to the breast of Jesus, he said to him, “Lord, who is it?”
26Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I shall give this morsel when I have dipped it.” So when he had dipped the morsel, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot.
27Then after the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.” (John 13:23-27)

Next we go to the last chapter in John, after Jesus had died and reappeared to his disciples. Judas, the disciple who lay close to Jesus’ breast at the supper is still alive. Jesus said “it is my will that he remain until I come.” I.e. Jesus has reserved a place for Judas in the next world.

20Peter turned and saw following them the disciple whom Jesus loved, who had lain close to his breast at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?”
21When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?”
22Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? Follow me!”
23The saying spread abroad among the brethren that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?” (John 21:20-23)

Apologetics

The anger argument

Some sources say this incident as told by John incited Judas to betray Jesus out of anger. It happened two days before the Passover, just before Judas conspired with the chief priests. Let’s examine.

Jesus was having his feet wiped with expensive oil from Mary’s hair. Judas asked if the oil could be sold for money and given to the poor. We are told that Judas was a thief who did not care for the poor. As treasurer, he wanted the money so he could steal it. Jesus scolded Judas for wanting to sell the oil. He didn’t care for the poor either. He was enjoying the luxury of the foot massage and wanted some left over for his burial.

3Mary took a pound of costly ointment of pure nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment.
4But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was to betray him), said,
5“Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?”
6This he said, not that he cared for the poor but because he was a thief, and as he had the money box he used to take what was put into it.
7Jesus said, “Let her alone, let her keep it for the day of my burial.
8The poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.”(John 12:3-8)

1. John has a major self-contradiction. First he says that the devil was already in Judas during the supper. This would reconcile with the above incident.

2And during supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, (John 13:2)

Then he says that Satan did not enter Judas until Jesus gave him the morsel, implying Jesus selected Judas to betray him.

25So lying thus, close to the breast of Jesus, he said to him, “Lord, who is it?”
26Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I shall give this morsel when I have dipped it.” So when he had dipped the morsel, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot.
27Then after the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.” (John 13:25-27)

2. John has a major contradiction with the other gospels. Mark and Matthew don’t implicate Judah for wanting to sell the oil. Mark says ‘some’ were indignant. Matthew says the ‘disciples’ were indignant. Luke says nothing about the incident.

4But there were some who said to themselves indignantly, “Why was the ointment thus wasted?
5For this ointment might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii, and given to the poor.” And they reproached her. (Mark 14:4-5)

8But when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste?
9For this ointment might have been sold for a large sum, and given to the poor.” (Matt. 26:8-9)

3. There are some other disparities. John portrays Judas as a greedy thief. Yet we are told Judas procured a posse. He either paid them (with what?) or they volunteered to go with him. The other gospels can’t agree on whether Judas took money or not.

3So Judas, procuring a band of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, went there with lanterns and torches and weapons. (John 18:3)

While we are on the topic of money, Matthew 20:2 tells us that a denarius is worth a day’s wages. So the oil was worth 300 days wages. Sources only speculate what the thirty pieces of silver that Judas received were worth. So it is impossible to make a reasonable comparison.

The argument that Judas acted out of avarice or treason do not stand to reason. The gospel writers believed that the act of betrayal was foreordained in scripture. Somebody had to do it and it was Judas who was chosen to play that role, because he was closest to Jesus.

The no contradictions argument

There are always those who insist that the Bible has no contradictions. This source claims that the two different ways Judas is said to have died can be reconciled.

The question is: Do we have a contradiction in the Bible, or is it possible to harmonize Matthew and Luke? It is possible to harmonize:

Whatever, there is no contradiction in God’s Word; a contradiction here is only in the minds of those who want a discrepancy. The ultimate tragic end of the “son of perdition”—an end immeasurably more dreadful than his burst open body—is that he went to Hades, to await the second resurrection and judgment at the Great White Throne, then an eternity in Hell.

So he argues that a contradiction is only in the minds of those who want a discrepancy. On the contrary, when one seeks truth, a contradiction is on one’s mind when he sees a contradiction. There can be no contradiction when one refuses to accept a contradiction by exercising his fertile imagination to contrive excuses.

Astronomical allegory

This section contains a glossary of phrases and their astronomical meaning.

As explained in Gospel Zodiac, the gospel story is an allegorical myth about the passage of the sun through the twelve houses of the zodiac. At this time, the sun is in Scorpio. Judas represents Scorpio, October 24 to November 21.

This is the common link to the four gospel stories. This is why there are different renditions of the same astronomical event. A planisphere is a handy tool for seeing these relationships.

Scripture had to be fulfilled

God’s word is written in the stars.

16“Brethren, the scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David, concerning Judas who was guide to those who arrested Jesus. (Acts 1:16)

Son of perdition

The tail of the scorpion lies in a dark portion of the Milky Way in the southern hemisphere below the sun’s ecliptic. It could be thought of as a crevice leading to the Underworld from which the Scorpion emerges.

12While I was with them, I kept them in thy name, which thou hast given me; I have guarded them, and none of them is lost but the son of perdition, that the scripture might be fulfilled. (John 17:12)

Close to the breast of Jesus

At this time the sun is closest to Scorpio.

25So lying thus, close to the breast of Jesus, he said to him, “Lord, who is it?”; (John 13:25)

Satan entered Judas

Satan personifies darkness. Scorpio is one month away from the winter solstice, the darkest time of the year. As the sun descends into darkness, Satan enters Judas. The morsel Jesus gave to Judas is a reversal of the kiss Judas gave to Jesus.

3Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve; (Luke 22:3)

26Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I shall give this morsel when I have dipped it.” So when he had dipped the morsel, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot.
27Then after the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.” (John 13:26-27)

Judas’s name

Judas is a pun for Judah, one of the tribes of Israel. Iscariot is a pun for Issachar, another one of the tribes if Israel. Issachar is the sixth tribal member answering to Cancer. Cancer has four stars sometimes called Aselli, Latin for donkeys. The sun enters Cancer on the summer solstice when darkness starts to increase. The zigzag motion of crabs is named for the backsliding path of the sun; it’s a major divide.

14Issachar is a strong ass, crouching between the sheepfolds;
15he saw that a resting place was good, and that the land was pleasant; so he bowed his shoulder to bear, and became a slave at forced labor.(Gen. 49:13-15)

Son of man in Jerusalem

“Son of man” represents Orion in the house of Taurus, six months from Scorpio. Taurus is also the astrological house of Jerusalem. So when Orion is in Taurus, the sun is in Scorpio.

18“Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man will be delivered to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death, (Matt. 20:18)

The chief priests, scribes, crowd, Pharisees or whatever

The evil constellation Draco the Serpent lies high in the north. It always lurks as it circles closely around the North Pole. It straddles Scorpio and Sagittarius with its tail section in Scorpio and its head in Sagittarius. The tail section represents the chief priests at the time of arrest. Draco’s head represents Pontius Pilate.

Thirty pieces of silver

Matthew is the only gospel to state that Judas was paid a specific amount. Judas receive thirty pieces of silver when he conspired with the chief priests and returned thirty pieces of silver after Jesus was arrested.

14Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests
15and said, “What will you give me if I deliver him to you?” And they paid him thirty pieces of silver.
16And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him. (Matt. 26:14-16)

3When Judas, his betrayer, saw that he was condemned, he repented and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders, (Matt. 27:3-5)

The bright white color of silver represents thirty days of sunlight or thirty degrees on the zodiac. So Judas receives the thirty pieces of silver when the sun enters Scorpion and returns the thirty pieces when the sun leaves Scorpio.

We see the number thirty again when Jesus started his ministry. It means merely that he passed from Capricorn when he was born, to Aquarius when he was baptized.

23Jesus, when he began his ministry, was about thirty years of age, being the son (as was supposed) of Joseph, the son of Heli, (Luke 3:23)

Betrayer

As explained above, the translators applied “betrayer” and “deliverer” to the same Greek word. When the sun passes Scorpio, Judas delivered Jesus to the next constellation, Sagittarius.

Upper room

On the first day of Passover, Jesus told his disciples to go into the city and look for a man carrying a jar of water and follow him. He will show you a large upper room furnished and ready. The large upper room (house) describes a place in the heavens.

12And on the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed the passover lamb, his disciples said to him, “Where will you have us go and prepare for you to eat the passover?”
13And he sent two of his disciples, and said to them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you; follow him,
14and wherever he enters, say to the householder, ‘The Teacher says, Where is my guest room, where I am to eat the passover with my disciples?’
15And he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready; there prepare for us.” (Mark 14:15; Luke 22:7-12)

The man with the jar of water describes Aquarius. Aquarius ascends above the eastern horizon as the sun approaches Scorpio.

It would be better for that man if he not been born

The Son of man is represented by Orion.

24The Son of man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.” (Matt. 26:24)

In ancient myth, Orion boasted that he would exterminate all the animals in earth. To punish him, the earth goddess Gaia sent a scorpion after him. The scorpion bit Orion on the heel and killed him. Orion was brought back to life with an antidote by Ophiuchus, the Serpent Bearer. The scorpion’s bite is symbolized as Orion disappears below the western horizon and Scorpio rises above the southeast horizon, stinger first. Conversely, Scorpio’s death is symbolized when it disappears below the horizon just before Orion rises in the east. The two are locked into eternal combat.

Judas’s kiss

Scorpio lies on the southern side of the sun’s ecliptic. As the sun passes by, Scorpio “kisses” it.

49And he came up to Jesus at once and said, “Hail, Master!” And he kissed him. (Matt. 26:49)

 

 

Jesus’ arrest

The sun it passes into Sagittarius after Scorpio “kisses” it.

Judas’s death

Whether he hung himself or fell, Scorpio descends after the sun passes it. His bowels gushing out can be explained by the sun passing out of Scorpio. Since Scorpio lies to the south of the sun’s ecliptic, a viewer in the north would see Scorpio’s stars fade as the sun passes away.

5And throwing down the pieces of silver in the temple, he departed; and he went and hanged himself (Matt. 27:5)

18(Now this man bought a field with the reward of his wickedness; and falling headlong he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. (Acts 1:18)

Field of blood

During the months of November, the sun produces stark red sunrises and sunsets. It is the same red that alludes to Christ’s blood in December.

19And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) (Acts 1:19)

Where did Judas go?

He set in the west.

24And they prayed and said, “Lord, who knowest the hearts of all men, show which one of these two thou hast chosen
25to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside, to go to his own place.” (Acts 1:24-25)