Judas as an Apostle in the New Testament
The New Testament presents Judas Iscariot as one of Jesus' twelve apostles, chosen by Jesus himself to be among his closest followers [1, 2]. The apostle Judas is distinct from other New Testament figures with the same name, such as Judas Barsabas, mentioned in Acts 15:22, and Judas the brother of Jesus, who is believed to be the author of the Epistle of Jude [3, 4].
The inclusion of Judas among the twelve apostles is a consistent theme across the Gospels. Matthew 10:4, Mark 3:19, Luke 6:16, and Acts 1:13 all list Judas Iscariot as one of the twelve. The Gospel accounts also detail Judas' role in Jesus' betrayal, highlighting the tension between his position as an apostle and his actions against Jesus [7, 8].
The New Testament does not shy away from the complexity of Judas' role. According to Acts 1:25, Judas' betrayal led to his being "shut out" from his position as an apostle, and he "went to his own place". This verse underscores the consequences of Judas' actions, while also affirming his initial status as an apostle.
The early Christian tradition grappled with the implications of Judas' betrayal. Augustine, for example, referenced Judas in his anti-Manichaean and anti-Donatist writings, using Judas as an example to discuss the nature of treachery and the consequences of sin [6].
The characterization of Judas as one of the twelve apostles serves to emphasize the depth of Jesus' knowledge and the fulfillment of prophecy. According to John Gill, Jesus chose Judas despite knowing he would betray him, in order to fulfill the purposes of God and bring about the work of human redemption [8].
The New Testament's portrayal of Judas Iscariot as an apostle highlights the complexities of discipleship and the challenges of understanding God's sovereignty in the face of human sin. The biblical account presents Judas' story as a cautionary tale, underscoring the risks of apostasy and the importance of faithfulness.
In the view of some Reformed theologians, such as Charles Hodge, the office of the apostles was unique and incapable of being transmitted, emphasizing the special role that Judas and the other apostles played in the early Christian community [5].
The figure of Judas remains a subject of theological reflection, with his inclusion among the twelve apostles serving as a reminder of the complexities and challenges of following Jesus.
Sources
- STEPBible TIPNR “Biblical proper name: [email protected]=G2455H — Apostle living at the time of the New Testament (refs: #An apostle living at the time of the New Testament, first mentioned at Mat.10.4; <br>referred to as)”
- STEPBible TIPNR “Biblical proper name: [email protected]=G2455G — Apostle living at the time of the New Testament (refs: #An apostle living at the time of the New Testament, first mentioned at Mat.10.3; <br>referred to as)”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Judas — surnamed Barsabas, a leading member of the apostolic church at Jerusalem, (Acts 15:22) endued with the gift of prophesy, ver. (Acts 15:32) chosen with Silas to accompany Paul and Barnabas as delegates to the church at Antioch. (A.D. 47.) Later, Judas went back to Jerusalem. the Greek form of the Hebrew name Judah, occurring in the LXX, and the New Testament. + The patriarch Judah. (Matthew 1:2,3) + A man residing at Damascus, in "the street which is called Straight," in whose house Saul of Tarsus lodged after his miraculous conversion. (Acts 9:11)”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Jude, Or Judas — called also LEBBEUS and [770]Thaddeus, Authorized Version "Judas the brother of James," one of the twelve apostles. The name of Jude occurs only once in the Gospel narrative. (John 14:22; Matthew 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:16; John 14:22; Acts 1:13) Nothing is certainly known of the later history of the apostle. Tradition connects him with the foundation of the church at Edessa.”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 1, section 38: The world has never seen or suffered a greater imposture than that weak, ignorant, and often immoral men, should claim the same authority to teach and rule that belonged to men to whom the truth was supernaturally revealed, who were confessedly infallible in its communication, and to whose divine mission God himself bore witness in signs and wonders, and divers miracles and gifts of the Holy Ghost. The office of the Apostles as described in the New Testament, was, therefore, from its nature incapable of being transmitted, and has not in f”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 4: Augustine — Anti-Manichaean, Anti-Donatist — CHAP. 8.--17. PETILIANUS said: "We must consider, I say, and declare how far the treacherous traditor is to be accounted dead while yet in life. Judas was an apostle when he betrayed Christ; and the s (part 4): time failing me sooner than words. And if you should seek to defend yourself on this charge, it could only be by bringing accusations against the whole world, of such a kind that, if they could be maintained, you would simply be furnishing matter for further accusation against yourself; if they could not be maintained, there is i”
- Matthew (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Matthew 26:46: And while he yet spake,.... While he was thus speaking to his disciples, before the last words, he is at hand that doth betray me, were well out of his mouth; such an exact knowledge had Christ of every motion of Judas, of what he was about, and where he was: lo! Judas, one of the twelve, came. The Persic version adds, "in sight"; of Christ, and the disciples; they saw him, and knew him, though some little distance: he came to Gethsemane, and into the garden, where they were, with a design to betray his master. He is described by his name Judas; as in Mat 26:14, f”
- Mark (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Mark 3:18: And Judas Iscariot,.... So called to distinguish him from the other Judas; and is mentioned last for the following reason: which also betrayed him; and which action of his will ever render his name infamous among men. This man, with the rest, our Lord chose to be an apostle of his, though he knew he would betray him; in order to fulfil the purposes of God, the prophecies of the Old Testament, and bring on the work of man's redemption he came into the world to perform. And they went into an house at Capernaum; the house of Simon and Andrew, where Jesus used to be whe”