What happened to Judas after betraying Jesus?
BREAKDOWN
After betraying Jesus, Judas Iscariot experienced profound remorse, as detailed in the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 27:3-5 states: "Then Judas, who betrayed him, when he saw that Jesus was condemned, felt remorse, and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, 'I have sinned in that I betrayed innocent blood.' But they said, 'What is that to us? You beware.' He threw down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed. He went away and hanged himself." This account vividly portrays Judas's despair and his final act. His attempt to return the 'blood money' was rejected by the religious leaders, leading him to an act of self-destruction. The priests then used the thirty pieces of silver to purchase the potter's field, known as Akeldama or 'Field of Blood', for the burial of strangers, thereby inadvertently fulfilling prophecy found in Zechariah 11:12-13 and alluded to Jeremiah 32:6-9 (as cited by Matthew). The book of Acts provides a complementary account through Peter's speech in Acts 1:16-19, which states: "Brothers, it was necessary that the Scripture should be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who was guide to those who took Jesus. For he was numbered with us, and received his portion in this ministry. He acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness, and falling headfirst, his body burst open, and all his intestines gushed out. It became known to everyone who lived in Jerusalem, so that field was called in their own language Akeldama, that is, 'The Field of Blood'." While Matthew describes Judas hanging himself, Peter's account suggests a more gruesome end in the field itself, possibly indicating that his body, after hanging, later fell and ruptured, or that the term 'hanged himself' broadly describes the cause leading to his death and subsequent disfigurement. The theological consensus is that these accounts describe two stages of a single tragic event, emphasizing the catastrophic consequences of his betrayal and despair, in contrast to Peter's repentance after denying Jesus.
KEY TERMS
Judas Iscariot
One of the twelve apostles who betrayed Jesus to the Jewish authorities for thirty pieces of silver.
thirty pieces of silver
The payment Judas received for betraying Jesus, a sum equivalent to the price of a slave.
remorse
A deep regret or sorrow for wrongdoing, distinct from genuine repentance which involves turning to God for forgiveness.
hanged himself
The manner of Judas's suicide as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew.
Akeldama
The Aramaic name for the 'Potter's Field' or 'Field of Blood' purchased with the money Judas returned, used as a burial ground for strangers.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
Matthew 27:3
Then Judas, who betrayed him, when he saw that Jesus was condemned, felt remorse, and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,
Matthew 27:4
saying, 'I have sinned in that I betrayed innocent blood.' But they said, 'What is that to us? You beware.'
Matthew 27:5
He threw down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed. He went away and hanged himself.
Matthew 27:6
The chief priests took the pieces of silver, and said, 'It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, since it is the price of blood.'
Matthew 27:7
They took counsel, and bought the potter's field with them, to bury strangers in.
Matthew 27:8
Therefore that field was called 'The Field of Blood' to this day.
Matthew 27:9
Then that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled, saying, 'They took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him on whom a price had been set, whom some of the children of Israel had divined;
Matthew 27:10
and they gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord commanded me.'
Acts 1:16
Brothers, it was necessary that the Scripture should be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who was guide to those who took Jesus.
Acts 1:17
For he was numbered with us, and received his portion in this ministry.
Acts 1:18
He acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness, and falling headfirst, his body burst open, and all his intestines gushed out.
Acts 1:19
It became known to everyone who lived in Jerusalem, so that field was called in their own language Akeldama, that is, 'The Field of Blood'.
Zechariah 11:12
I said to them, 'If you think it good, give me my wages; and if not, don’t.' So they weighed for my wages thirty pieces of silver.
Zechariah 11:13
Yahweh said to me, 'Throw it to the potter—the handsome price that I was valued at by them!' I took the thirty pieces of silver, and threw them to the potter, in the house of Yahweh.
Psalm 69:25
Let their habitation be desolate. Let no one dwell in their tents.
Psalm 109:8
Let his days be few. Let another take his office.
INTERLINEAR ANALYSIS
Interlinear Greek
Matthew 27:5ORIGINAL LANGUAGE ANALYSIS
μεταμέλομαι
remorse
Definitionto regret, to have a change of mind, feel remorse
παραδίδωμι
betrayed
Definitionto give over, deliver up, betray
ἀπήγξατο
hanged himself
Definitionto choke oneself, to hang oneself
Ἀκελδαμάχ
Akeldama
DefinitionField of Blood
HISTORICAL CONTEXT
The events surrounding Judas's betrayal and subsequent death occurred in Jerusalem during the Roman Procuratorship of Judea, specifically around 30-33 CE. The Sanhedrin, the Jewish high court, held religious and some civil authority under Roman oversight. The 'thirty pieces of silver' (שְׁלֹשִׁים כֶּסֶף, shloshim kesef in Hebrew, literally 'thirty silver') represented the price of a slave (Exodus 21:32) or a devalued sum, highlighting the contempt with which Jesus was treated. The concept of 'blood money' (τιμὴ αἵματος, timē haimatos) was deeply embedded in Jewish law, where money obtained through illicit means, especially related to death, was considered defiled and could not be put into the temple treasury (Deuteronomy 23:18). This led the chief priests to purchase the 'potter's field' (ἀγρὸς τοῦ κεραμέως, agros tou kerameōs). Archaeological excavations in Jerusalem have identified a site traditionally linked to Akeldama, located in the Hinnom Valley, south of the Old City. This area was known for its clay suitable for pottery and also as a burial ground. The cultural implications of suicide were severe; it was considered an abomination, leaving the deceased without proper burial rites or a place among their people. The public nature of the 'Field of Blood' served as a perpetual, gruesome reminder of Judas's treachery and its consequences.
THEOLOGICAL INSIGHT
Judas's fate is a profound theological study in the nature of sin, consequence, and the distinction between remorse and true repentance. While Judas experienced 'metamellomai'—a deep regret over his action when he saw its irreversible outcome—he did not exhibit 'metanoia,' which is a transformative change of heart and mind leading to turning towards God for forgiveness. His despair led him to self-destruction, rather than seeking mercy, contrasting sharply with Peter, who denied Jesus but later repented and was restored. This highlights the crucial difference between mere sorrow for consequences and genuine repentance for the sin itself. Furthermore, Judas's actions, though wicked, inadvertently served to fulfill divine prophecy concerning the suffering Messiah, demonstrating God's sovereignty even amidst human treachery and sin (Acts 1:16, Psalm 69:25, Psalm 109:8). The 'Field of Blood' serves as a perpetual reminder of the price of betrayal and the justice that, even in a fallen world, confronts egregious evil.
COMMENTARY SYNTHESIS
Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki) (Jewish)
Though Rashi primarily commented on the Tanakh (Old Testament), his insights into the consequences of betrayal and the defilement of 'blood money' from passages like Exodus 21:32 or Deuteronomy 23:18 would resonate. The principle that money gained through illicit means, especially involving loss of life, cannot be consecrated to God's service (e.g., in the Temple treasury) reflects the severe moral distinctions inherent in Jewish law, aligning with the chief priests' decision regarding the thirty pieces of silver.
Matthew Henry (Christian)
Henry emphasizes that Judas's remorse was a 'horror of conscience' leading to 'despair,' but not true repentance. He notes that Judas confessed his sin to the wrong people (the chief priests, not God) and that his confession was not accompanied by faith or a plea for mercy, but rather led to suicide, a 'direful fruit of his sin,' demonstrating the dangerous path of ungodly sorrow.
John Calvin (Christian)
Calvin views Judas's death as a clear example of God's righteous judgment against impenitence. He argues that Judas's actions, while evil, were part of God's preordained plan for Christ's suffering, yet this does not mitigate Judas's guilt. Calvin highlights the contrast between the *remorse* Judas felt—a torment of conscience—and true *repentance*, which only God can grant and which leads to life, not death.
Augustine of Hippo (Christian)
Augustine contrasts Judas's despair with Peter's repentance. He posits that while both sinned grievously, Judas chose the path of self-condemnation and suicide, refusing God's mercy, whereas Peter, through tears and humility, sought and received forgiveness. Judas's act is seen as a rejection of hope, a surrender to the enemy, demonstrating the destructive power of despair without grace.