Why did Judas Escariat betray Jesus?

Question

Hello, everyone. I am a Muslim, but I also believe that it was Judas who betrayed Jesus for a miserable price. Why would he do such a thing to such a great man as Jesus? Do you think he was weak, and got manipulated by forces bigger than himself, or is there more to it? BTW, I don't know the answer. I'm just interested in other people's theories on the subject. Peace.

Wow. A lot of very interesting theories here, and they are very different. I have already learned a lot about other religions, especially the Morman religion, that I didn't know before. Thanks.

Answer 1

Judas made a horrible mistake. He paid for it later. Had Judas not betrayed Christ, the Romans would have crucified Jesus anyway. Judas did it for money. He was overcome with the desire to be rich. He was probably hurt that in the scheme of things he was not a more respected disciple. He ended up throwing the money away and it was used for a burial ground for the poor. It was the destiny of Christ to be crucified, and if Judas had not betrayed Christ, then someone else would have.

Answer 2

Well, Catholics have always been taught that Judas was weak and wanted money and influence himself. Recently, I think a book of Judas or something like that has been discovered which says what I've thought for a while and that is Judas was chosen to betray Jesus and if Judas hadn't done this, Jesus may not have been crucified when and how it was prophesied to take place. If so, there might not have been Christianity today since we believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God because he raised himself from the dead. Perhaps Jesus even asked Judas to do this.

Answer 3

BlueNile73,
I see that you have a lot of answers that have merit. Though I wish to present a different angle.

Judas was one of those Jews that thought Jesus to be the Messiah that would become King at the same time as the Acceptable Year of the Lord.
The verse:
Isaiah 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God

He didn't realize that Jesus didn't come for the latter part of the verse, Luke 11 shows that. Jesus would bring the Day of Vengeance until He returned the Second time, when Israel was beseiged by foes.

So to answer your question,"Why did Judas Escariat betray Jesus?", because he thought that it would force Jesus into the position of becoming the King of the Jews, as was prophecied in various parts of scripture, but not to be fulfilled until a future date even to our own, though not too distant I think.

Answer 4

In the gospels, I think it shows that Judas was not really a true follower of Jesus. For instance, when the woman broke the perfume and anointed Jesus with it, the bible tells us that Judas was annoyed, saying the expensive perfume should have been sold and money given to the poor. But....the bible goes on to say that Judas really was a thief, and the keeper of the money bag, and he helped himself to the money, that is why he complained.

There are those who say that Judas was trying to force Jesus' hand, to take over and drive out the Romans, that in betraying Jesus, that was Judas' hope. However, as the bible also tells us, when Judas realized what was happening to Jesus, he repented of his betrayal and pleaded with the Sanhedrin to take the money back. Of course it was too late, and Jesus went to the cross.

What we have to remember is, without Jesus' death on the cross, we would still be dead in our sins. He paid the price for us, and even Judas played a hand in the greatest act of redemption in history.

Answer 5

The Jewish people expected the Messiah to come in and take charge of things sort of usher in a new era. Jesus went about things with humility and love, I think that Judas felt like if he pushed hard enough Jesus would reveal himself as the Messiah that Judas thought he ought to be. It didn't work out like that and Judas had already gone to far.

Answer 6

This was not a plan with Judas. Judas thought he should force Jesus' hand to show himself as the Messiah to lead the Jews out from Roman rule. They were called Zealots. Jesus came to lead the Jews out of bondage from sin not from Rome. He came to lead them to a new life in his Kingdom in Heaven not one on this Earth. It is interesting that the Jews wanted Jesus to conquer Rome when that is exactly what ended up happening because now that is the center of the Catholic faith--The one Jesus started. Even St. John (The Evangelist) upon being approached to sort out a problem in the early Church while he was still alive deferred to the Bishop of Rome!

Answer 7

Actually Judas was chosen by Jesus to betray him.

Jesus knows the hearts of all, and he knew the true heart of Judas no matter what he said or did on the outside.

He chose Judas because Judas had it in his heart to betray him when the time came for it to happen.

Answer 8

Judas was a greedy dude. He was the treasurer of the group and often pilfered money for himself. He demonstrated his greed again when he betrayed Jesus so he could have 30 pieces of silver.

The silver would be about a month's wages back then.

Answer 9

I think Judas was just being used by the synagogues to get Jesus. Jesus knew who would betray him, I don't think he said why.. but I think it wasn't an issue of money, but one of influence.. and the synagogue (friends and family) probably had more influence over Judas than Jesus did.

Judas did feel guilty though, that's why he killed himself. So yeah, I think Judas was being used and just couldn't not obey what were likely his friends before Jesus.

Answer 10

Everyone goes through temptation and some are bigger problems than others. Judas was faced with a dilemma and he did not ask God for strength so he failed. After he realized what he had done he asked for forgiveness because he realized what he had done and he was forgave. That's the power of God if he can forgive Judas for betraying is son he can forgive us for anything we do.