Why Did Judas Betray Jesus with a Kiss?

Crosswalk.com Contributing Writer

Updated May 05, 2022

Judas Iscariot, not to be confused with Judas son of James (Luke 6:16) is infamously known as “the traitor.” One of Jesus’ original twelve disciples, Judas betrayed the Master with a kiss—a betrayal particularly grievous because he was part of the Lord’s inner circle.

What was the significance of this disciple’s treacherous act, and what happened to Judas afterward?

Why Did Judas Kiss Jesus as He Betrayed Him?

In our culture today, a kiss might be associated with family love, or even romance. But a kiss in the culture of Israel at the time was a common greeting — a simple expression of respect and brotherly love (Luke 7:45; Romans 16:16; 1 Corinthians 16:20; 2 Corinthians 13:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:26; 1 Peter 5:14). A kiss on the cheek might be a hospitable greeting when a guest arrived, or an acceptable way a student might show honor to a teacher.

But such a kiss coming from Judas on the occasion of a betrayal was not only grievous, it was hypocritical. Proverbs 27:6 could almost be written of Judas: “Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.” Judas, posing as the friend of Jesus, masked his true motivation. Betrayal is not uncommon in human history. David and Job also understood betrayal by family and friends (Psalm 55:12-14; Job 19:19).

On the one hand, Judas’ kiss suggested honor and respect. He had, after all, followed Jesus for His three years of public ministry. On the other hand, the kiss was a pre-arranged signal to indicate that this was the person the officials sought. The kiss was the first step in the Lord’s eventual crucifixion.

Why Did Judas Betray Jesus?

According to the apostle John, Jesus informed His disciples during the “Last Supper” that one of them would betray him. Likely shocked, they asked Jesus who it would be. Luke 22:3 and John 13:27 tell us Satan then “entered” Judas. Judas may have already hatched his wicked plan, but Satan gave the final push.

Some suggest this entering by Satan was actual possession; others say it was tormenting spiritual oppression. Judas may have simply been tempted by demons and took their bait until the Last Supper when Satan entered him. Regardless, Satan purposed to get Jesus out of the way to try to stop God’s plan of salvation, and Judas became a pawn in the adversary’s hands.

That is not to say God didn’t have any control over the situation. God is completely sovereign in all His creation. God allowed the devil to possess Judas in order to bring about redemption — a fact prophesied in Psalm 41:9, hundreds of years before Judas’ kiss.

But what did Judas hope to get out of his act of betrayal? There are at least three possibilities. First, some scholars have suggested it was simply a matter of greed. He could have asked for anything from the religious leaders who wanted to capture Jesus—favors or even land—but he was a thief, so he wanted money. He had already pilfered the disciples’ funds, and now he took the bribe – 30 pieces of silver.

Second, some believed it was a political move because, like many Jews, Judas was likely eager for an independent kingdom of Israel. Though Jesus seemed to have no interest in instigating rebellion against the Romans, perhaps Judas thought that if Jesus were put on trial, it would foster an insurrection.

Third, people saw such a rebellion as a potential threat to the Jews. They were frightened Jesus might instigate Rome’s fury.

We can’t know why Judas betrayed Jesus, but we do know Satan’s plan reached far beyond the betrayer’s understanding.

Why Did Jesus Choose Judas?

As already noted, Judas had a special role during Jesus’ ministry. He took charge of the finances, their “common purse.” Some theologians suggest Jesus’ choice to make Judas the treasurer was ironic since Judas was an immoral man — a thief. Judas probably wondered how much Jesus knew after his greed was called out.

From John 6:64, we know Jesus knew from the beginning who was following Him. But why would Jesus choose a betrayer to be among His disciples?

John Piper, in “Why Did Jesus Choose Judas?” suggested a number of reasons. First, Jesus chose Judas to fulfill Scripture (Psalm 41:9; John 13:18; Acts 1:16). “Scriptures cannot be broken and God is in control,” Piper said.

The betrayal was a horrific act; but Jesus chose Judas to show that “even horrific sins serve the saving purposes of God in his sovereign plan” — His saving plan (Acts 4:27-28).

Choosing Judas also illustrates that “time with Jesus and miracle-working are no proof of saving faith.” Judas may have performed miracles like the other disciples (Matthew 10:1) but that was not evidence of salvation. Judas became a vivid illustration of the people in Matthew 7:22-23 who claimed to do “mighty works” in Jesus’ name — but Jesus told them, “I never knew you.”

In choosing Judas, Jesus reminds us that predestination and human accountability go hand in hand. Piper said: “God’s sovereignty does not undermine human responsibility” (John 17:12; John 6:64-65; Matthew 27:4). Judas was accountable and guilty for his heinous act.

Finally, “the love of money is behind the worst sin in the world,” Piper said. Judas shows how the love of money can blind us to what is true and valuable. In focusing on money, he failed to see the true treasure Jesus was.

Did Judas Have a Choice?

Like Pilate, Judas made his own choice about betraying Jesus. Without getting into a lengthy discussion of God’s foreknowledge, predestination, and power, God clearly knew what Judas would do, and in His providence, God fulfilled the amazing prophecy of Zechariah 11:12-13. The Bible also prophesied that Jesus’ close friend would betray Him (Psalm 41:9).

It appears Judas did not have any choice in the matter as soon as Satan entered into him. The Old Testament prophesied that there would be a betrayer, and apparently Judas was that man (Mark 14:17-21; Acts 1:16; Psalm 109:5-8). The Bible is clear that Judas was entirely responsible for his decision. It was a deliberate act. Once he was paid by the authorities, Judas “watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present” (Luke 22:6).

Some religious teachers speculate that Judas may have had a choice at the Last Supper when Jesus announced that someone would betray Him — that perhaps Judas had an opportunity to reconsider. Mark 14:21, speaking of Jesus, says, “the Son of Man goes as it is written of him.” But then it offers this warning: “woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man!” Some have suggested that, at some point in time, the would-be betrayer’s actions were not set in stone. But Judas did make the choice to betray the Lord.

Judas perhaps had another choice. After he completed his terrible deed, Judas felt regret. He could have turned to Jesus in true repentance, asking for forgiveness; but unlike proud Peter — who did repent after shamefully betraying Jesus (Matthew 26:33-35; Matthew 26:69-75) — Judas chose to kill himself. Regret is not repentance.

What Happened to Judas?

Once the evil deed was done in the darkness of the Garden of Gethsemane, Judas was “seized with remorse” (Matthew 27:3). Perhaps he didn’t realize that the authorities meant to kill Jesus, but it was too late. With great regret, he tried to return the 30 silver coins to the chief priests and elders. “I have sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood” (v. 4). The authorities didn’t care about that. They had what they wanted; they threw the full responsibility for the betrayal on Judas.

Judas, the money-lover, threw the silver into the temple and left. Apparently overcome by guilt, he hanged himself (Matthew 27:5). Acts 1:18 describes the gory scene. While some say this account sounds more like spontaneous combustion, Judas could have simply fallen from the hanging due to his own weight and suffered the devastating injuries. The chief priests, calling the 30 pieces of silver “blood money,” bought a potter’s field — the Field of Blood — as a burial place for foreigners. This fulfilled another prophecy (Matthew 27:7-9; Zechariah 11:12-13; Jeremiah 32:6-15).

Scholars speculate about Judas’ ultimate fate. Is he going to be in heaven? There are many examples in art and literature that depict Judas’ fate. Dante’s Inferno, for instance, doomed Judas to the lowest circle in hell. Further, true believers cannot be demon possessed (1 John 5:18). John quoted Jesus as saying that none of those the Father gave him would be lost “except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled” (John 17:11-12). Jesus, knowing Judas would betray Him, told the disciples, “Ye are not all clean” (John 13:8-11).

Matt Slick at CARM — The Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry — says it does not appear that Judas went to heaven, even though he was full of remorse over what he had done (Matthew 27:1-10). “The reason I say this is because of what Jesus said about him,” Slick said. In Matthew 26:24 and Mark 14:21, Jesus said it would be good for the betrayer not to have been born. Jesus referred to Judas when he said, “Did I Myself not choose you, the twelve, and yet one of you is a devil?” John makes it clear that Judas was possessed by Satan.

What Personal Takeaways Can We Learn from This Passage?

The most important takeaway from this passage is how crucial it is to be sure of one’s salvation. Many professing Christians may very well be on their way to hell. Jesus warned about this in Matthew 7:21-23. Professing to be a Christian is not the same as being found “in Christ.” People can practice religion but still not know Jesus. Salvation is only available to those who come to God on His terms (Titus 3:5).

There’s a second takeaway. It’s too easy to condemn Judas without examining our own hearts.

Hope Bolinger wrote regarding this: “What’s especially important to take away is one of Jesus’ last moments with Judas. Even though he knew Judas would betray him, he still washed Judas’ feet before the Last Supper (John 13:4-11), an act of servitude. We can often tsk at Judas when we read what he did, until we realize that we, in fact, are Judas. We betrayed Jesus. Our sins led him to his death. But Jesus chooses to wash our feet. To befriend us. And to ultimately save us.”

Source

Carm.org, “Did Judas Repent and Go to Heaven?”

Dawn Wilson has served in revival ministry and missions for more than 50 years. She and her husband Bob live in Southern California. They have two married sons and three granddaughters. Dawn works for Revive Our Hearts Ministries. She is the founder and director of Heart Choices Today, publishes Truth Talk with Dawn, and writes for Crosswalk.com.