This poses two questions when it comes to explaining what happened. He is, therefore, a figure belonging to the group of those whom Jesus had chosen as companions and close collaborators. And Peter would say of Judas "he was numbered among us, and was allotted his share in this ministry" (Acts 1:17). Moreover, on two occasions, Jesus, addressing the apostles and speaking precisely of him, indicates him as "one of you" (Matthew 26:21 Mark 14:18 John 6:70 13:21).
Matthew 26:46-50).Īnyway, the evangelists insist that his condition of apostle corresponded fully to him: He is repeatedly called "one of the twelve" (Matthew 26:14.47 Mark 14:10.20 John 6:71) or "of the number of the twelve" (Luke 22:3). Matthew 26:14-16), and later in its execution with the kiss he gave the master in Gethsemane (cf. The betrayal, as such, took place in two moments: first of all in its planning phase, when Judas comes to an agreement with Jesus' enemies for 30 pieces of silver (cf. However, the lists of the twelve recall the betrayal as something that already occurred: "Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him," says Mark (3:19) Matthew (10:4) and Luke (6:16) use equivalent formulas. Matthew 26:25) and later at the moment Jesus was arrested (cf. Other passages show that the betrayal was underway, saying: "He who betrayed him," as happened during the Last Supper, after the announcement of the betrayal (cf. John 6:71) and later during the anointing at Bethany (cf. Finally, some see in the label the simple transcription of a Hebrew-Aramaic root that means: "He who was going to betray him." This mention is found twice in the fourth Gospel, that is, after a confession of faith by Peter (cf. Others interpret it as a variation of the term "hired assassin," as if it alluded to a guerrilla armed with a dagger, called "sica" in Latin. The meaning of the name "Iscariot" is controversial: The most used explanation says that it means "man from Queriyyot," in reference to his native village, located in the surroundings of Hebron, mentioned twice in sacred Scripture (cf. The name Judas alone arouses among Christians an instinctive reaction of reprobation and condemnation. We want to associate him with the person who was later chosen to substitute him, namely, Matthias. On completing today the review of the Twelve Apostles called directly by Jesus during his earthly life, we cannot fail to mention the one who always appears in the last place: Judas Iscariot.
19, 2006 (Zenit) - Here is a translation of the address Benedict XVI gave at Wednesday's general audience, dedicated to present the figures of Judas Iscariot and Matthias.