Is Judas really guilty?

Question

Judas was obviously guilty of some horrible crimes but, without his betraying Jesus, Christ would never has died and would never have been resurrected. So, without Judas the Christian faith would be drastically different. Even if Judas didn't exist there would have been someone like him. His actions were obviously necessary but, does that still make them wrong?

I'm just curious. I can never decide about this question.

Answer 1

which Judas, Judas Iscariot, just an jest, sorry, but is said of Judas was to be and, is the son of perdition, He like Pharaoh before Moses had no choice.

Answer 2

Check out:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gospel_of_J...

It's OK to believe this newly revealed info, folks; you'll still be able to get into Heaven.

Answer 3

God will use anything He deems necessary to complete His work. Good, Evil, all things work for His Glory.

Judas was self serving, sinful, and unfortunately unrepentant as Peter was otherwise he to could have been saved.

Answer 4

I'm with you on this one. Judas was a crucial link in the plan of redemption and I believe that Christ chose him because he was the only one strong enough emotionally to do what had to be done. He could not live with himself afterward as he did not understand Christ would be returning. Then again none of the disciples  understood the plan.  

Answer 5

YES!

Peace and blessings

Answer 6

Yes, my dear, guilty in a court of law.

Ignorance is no excuse!

Answer 7

God knows what each of us will do with our lives.

This foreknowlege of our sin and victories in no way changes the accountability from them

God did not make Judas sin, He just knew what Judas would do, and used that to accomplish His will.

Answer 8

well he hung himself in remorse

God knew it would happen - He did not make it happen

Answer 9

I'm with you.  He always was the one that cause me the trouble.  Here's the thing:  Did Christ use him as if he was the only way to get crucified?  Did Christ know Judas wasn't mentally stable and easily bought as opposed to Peter who denied Christ three times?  Did Christ expose everything to Judas knowing that Judas would eventually betray him?  There are so many questions to it, but the overall is that Judas made the decision himself, thereby, he is guilty, HOWEVER, if you look at the fact Christ was CLOSER to Judas more than the others, it is sorta hard to say.  

Answer 10

You know, I have asked the same question before.  I believe that if you follow Judeo-Christian philosophy, you find that Jesus was supposed to be the sacrificial lamb, sent down from heaven to die.  With that logic, Judas was fulfilling God's will, seeing as Jesus' mission was to become payment for the sins of mankind.  I don't believe that his actions were wrong, personally.  Especially since, as you said, if it had not been Judas, then someone else would have done it in order to fulfill the prophesy.  As far as him killing himself, I can imagine there would have been some kind of remorse on Judas' part, but I think this is a situation where the ends justifies the means.  However, I am looking at this situation completely unbiased.  I have no emotional attachment to religion, but I have studied Christianity in depth for some years.  Good question, though!  Can't wait to see what everyone comes up with...

Answer 11

No, that is a lie of the writers of the New Testament, in the V Century, when they founded the Church. Judas just gonne to find to the Pharisees in order of the Master.

Answer 12

*drink*

I do not think that Judas did anything that was unforgivable (if not planned), but most Christians (including the Church Fathers) required him as their scapegoat to focus the betrayal on.

ADD: The fact that there are 2 contradictory death stories for Judas is proof enough how desperately they needed Judas to be a villain.

Historically there is a better chance that Judas was a violent Anti-Roman resistance fighter that abandoned Jesus and his peaceful ways to be a leader in the the Jewish battles.

Answer 13

I don't even think Judas was deliberately guilty of betrayal. He was trying to help Jesus and was lied to by the Sanhedrin that if he took them to Jesus, they could clear things up. Then as soon as Judas brought them to Jesus the Roman guards arrested Jesus and took in to a prison cell. So, I don't see how Judas can be entirely at fault. He was after all a disciple of Jesus and wouldn't deliberately betray Him or want to harm Him. Judas was so distraught over the incident that he hung himself.

Answer 14

It was wrong, but at the same time it had to happen. God knew that he was sending his son to die for our sins, and also Jesus knew it. But that does not make the act of betraying Him any less wrong.

I'm not saying he's innocent, but Jesus forgave Judas and accepted his own death as necessary, so I think we should try to do the same.

But yes, without some betrayer, Judas or otherwise, Christianity would have been different.

Answer 15

Obviously Judas is/was guilty of something ~ the extent of that only God knows of course because only God knows Judas' heart.  Thankfully that is HIS judgment to make and not ours because we are undoubtedly much harder on Judas then the Lord is.

His betrayal was known by Jesus - foreoredained though I do not believe he was that!  If it had not been Judas it would have been someone else because God's plan would have been brought to pass regardless of who did or didn't do whatever was needed or known.  I hardly see him as vital to the "PLAN" though.  He was one and He obviously recognized the depth of his own betrayal when he took his own life.  SO thankfully compassion, mercy, grace as well as justice all are key in the outcome of poor Judas' soul.  He - like many of us, was caught up in the materialism of the world even with a personal knowledge of just WHO CHrist was.  How many of us are in just such as place as Judas in our own ways.  Maybe there is a great lesson in Judas' life and choices for all of us that exceeds even his betrayal of Jesus..   Just my point of view.......

Answer 16

Hey, you can't blame Judas.  He was only doing what God had ordained for him to do.  It could have been anyone of the 12, but God made Judas do it.  It had to be done, and he did it.  He was chosen by God.  

Answer 17

It was morally wrong to betray his friend. For sure it wasnt about the money, but the thought of being associated with jesus i feel was his fear. I don't know what Judas was thinking but i could imagine he needed a way out just in case christ wasnt who he said he is. this is a really good question about ones faith.  

Answer 18

There is a "gospel of Judas Iscariot" in which he claims Jesus asked him to do what he did.  It is one of the oldest biblical texts written after the advent of christianity.

That being said, its all allegory, and the original moral message would be anachronistic to modern life, as it promoted slavery and racial intolerance.  Better to base your life on science.