Do you think Judas Iscariot gets a bad rap?I personally believe he does whether youagree with me or not.?

Question

In most churchs they give Peter all the honor and they demonize Judas.If it were
upto peter Jesus would have never died in the 1st place.Jesus' sole purpose
was to die and to rise again with all power. Judas helped him fulfill that
purpose by betraying him.Had Judas not done it Jesus would have found somone else who would have and they would be demonizing someone else.
Judas had to do it and I believe he has a favored place with god because he was willing to do it.Jesus even called Judas friend and Peter a demon wich speaks volumes to me. Often times we have many nay sayers and 1 person who supports us and pushes us to be better and to do better.A lot of times when we reach our goals in life the naysayers jump on the band wagon and we forget the very people who helped us to begin with.I don't believe Jesus forgot what judas did to help him and I believe the body at large is ignorant of this fact.

Answer 1

It could be argued that ONLY Judas had enough faith to do what had to be done, what Jesus in fact planned for. In Mark's Gospel, we clearly see that Jesus was certainly not happy about having to die, but he knew it was what must happen. If that is the case, Jesus would need someone who had the strength to do what had to be done, even if it was betrayal.

The so-called "Gospel of Judas" (which has yet to be authenticated, but was written at aproximatly the correct time to be authentic) goes into this point explicitly.

Answer 2

There's a big difference between the two men's responses. Peter repentant but recognised Jesus for Who He really Is - he was listening afterall for all his thickness - he was commended for seeing the Messiah by God's revelation. Judas on the other hand repentant but never really understood Jesus' ultimate purpose. He was a Zealot - he had zealous ambitions for the Messiah - impatient for the Messiah to overthrow the Romans and liberate Zion. He thought with the mind of man and did not know the Mind of God. That led to his disgraceful death - of his own doing. Yet his role was prophesied, thus Jesus' own Words, that it would have been "far better for that man if he had never been born". He was impulsive, blinded by his own zeal and when he realised his role in the condemnation of an innocent man (Matthew 26), he was remorseful for his sin and sought to correct his wrong. Of course the callous treatment of the Chief Priests only drove him to his death for his burden of guilt became unbearable. How could betraying Jesus be compared to Peter's mere denials? Had Judas turned to God instead - it might have turned out different.

Interesting discussion on how he died in the link below. Also another link on a discussion on the reason for Judas' betrayal.

Answer 3

Thank you!!! finally someone to agree with me about this I've always felt bad for judas, and I personally belive he is in heaven with all the other disciples and jesus, the bible says that satan entered judas before the last supper, so when jesus says one of you has betrayed me he is making a pun the devil betrayed god and jesus was god and the devil would make judas betray jesus since he was possesed he had no control over his action therefore suicside resulted in freedom which lead him to fulfill a great purpose and also took him to heaven.

Answer 4

There is a lot of extra-Scriptural mythology regarding Judas, but what does Scripture say of him, actually?

1: He stole from the Apostles' operating funds.
2: To avoid being caught, he turned Christ over to the authorities for money.
3: He had suspicion cast upon him at the Last Supper.
4: After the betrayal, he committed suicide in remorse.

That's it. He's not a demonic figure at all, according to the Bible. He's a rather pathetic figure, very banal and ordinary.

Answer 5

Your belief is similar to the early agnostics that believed 'secret knowledge' was required for salvation. They though Judas had such knowledge, agreeing to betray Jesus in return for a reward of eternal life.

That is hogwash, and inconsistent with the nature of God. God wishes that none should perish. God has never made secret deals. Christ died for all, not just those with some 'secret knowledge.'

I believe in what the Lord said, i.e. that it would have been better for Judas, if he had never been born.

Answer 6

I'm with you . People who make too much of what ignorant superstitious people scribbled down two thousand years ago aren't playing with a full deck of cards .
Who cares what Judas did to Peter , or what Peter did to Judas ?

Answer 7

John 8:44
Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

1 Timothy 1:10
For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;

Revelation 21:8
But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

Answer 8

Judas was required in order to fulfill prophesy. Christians should think this through as it relates directly with the doctrine of free will.

Judas HAD to betray Jesus, in order for Isaiah to be inspired. He didn't have free will as God had declared that he would do so hundreds of year prior.

This story shows that, according to the bible, the future is fixed like the past, therefore free will is non existent.

Answer 9

Judas was hanged and slit from throat to belly and thrown over a cliff....I think he repented...thats why he was killed.(and dont tell me the Bible says he hanged himself)...I know, I read it also.

Answer 10

Sorry, I just can't agree.