Is Judas Iscariot One of Jesus Disciples?

Judas Iscariot is a name that has become synonymous with betrayal. For centuries, people have debated whether he was one of Jesus’ disciples or not. In this article, we will explore the evidence and try to answer the question – was Judas Iscariot one of Jesus’ disciples?

Who Was Judas Iscariot?

Judas Iscariot was one of the twelve apostles who followed Jesus Christ during his ministry on earth. He was from Kerioth, which is why he is referred to as “Iscariot,” meaning “man of Kerioth.”

The Betrayal

The most well-known aspect of Judas’ story is his betrayal of Jesus. According to the Bible, Judas agreed to hand over Jesus to the authorities for thirty pieces of silver. He identified Jesus with a kiss in the Garden of Gethsemane, leading to his arrest and eventual crucifixion.

Evidence That He Was One Of The Disciples

There are several passages in the Bible that suggest Judas was indeed one of Jesus’ disciples. In Matthew 10:4, he is listed among the twelve apostles chosen by Jesus: “Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.”

Similarly, Mark 3:19 lists him among the twelve: “and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.” In Luke 6:16 and Acts 1:13, he is also named as one of the twelve apostles.

Counterarguments

Despite the evidence in favor of Judas being one of Jesus’ disciples, some scholars argue that he was not actually part of the inner circle. They point to the fact that he is rarely mentioned in the Gospels outside of his betrayal, and that he is never referred to as a “friend” of Jesus like some of the other disciples.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while there are counterarguments, the weight of evidence suggests that Judas Iscariot was indeed one of Jesus’ twelve apostles. His betrayal of Jesus is a tragic reminder of how even those closest to us can let us down. However, it also serves as a powerful lesson about forgiveness and redemption.