How Did Judas Iscariot Die?
Q. Did Judas die by hanging himself, or by falling over in a field and having his midsection burst open spilling his guts everywhere?
A. Judas died by hanging himself.
The death of history’s most infamous traitor has stirred up such postmortem word-of-mouth controversy that it could be considered the classic Bible contradiction – the crême de la crême challenge of anti-Bible poohbahs everywhere. It also reads like a classic suicide/crime scene mystery, so it is one of the most interesting to solve.
Matthew wrote out, simply enough, what happened to Judas:
“Then when Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that He had been condemned, he felt remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, ‘I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.’ But they said, ‘What is that to us? See to that yourself!’ And he threw the pieces of silver into the temple sanctuary and departed; and he went away and hanged himself.” (NASB)
– Matthew 27:3-5
The apparent contradiction to this account was written by our historian friend Luke. In the text of a speech made by Peter, Luke inserted a peculiar parenthetical:
“‘Brethren, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit foretold by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. For he was counted among us and received his share in this ministry.’
(Now this man acquired a field with the price of his wickedness, and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his intestines gushed out. And it became known to all who were living in Jerusalem; so that in their own language that field was called Hakeldama, that is, Field of Blood)…” (NASB)
– Acts 1:16-19
The more one reads that passage, the less likely it appears to be a contradiction about Judas’ death. Matthew said that Judas hanged himself, and there is no reason to believe that the book of Acts suggests otherwise. Just because Luke says that Judas fell headlong and burst open in the middle doesn’t mean that was how Judas died. The initial Bible scholar consensus was that Judas collapsed and split open after he hanged himself – perhaps he was hanging from a tree or post in the field and the rope eventually snapped (natural analysis), or maybe Satan slammed Judas’ body down when he left him (supernatural analysis). Matthew Henry pointed out as a historical anecdote that hanging plus disembowelment was since used (at least by the English) as punishment for treason.
As satisfying of an autopsy as that may be to some, I find that it may be irrelevant after closer examination of the text. Think like a detective, now…
Notice that Acts 1:18 says that the person who ended up getting their midsection split open acquired a field. Take another look at what Matthew recorded:
“Then when Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that He had been condemned, he felt remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, ‘I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.’ But they said, ‘What is that to us? See to that yourself!’ And he threw the pieces of silver into the temple sanctuary and departed; and he went away and hanged himself.
The chief priests took the pieces of silver and said, ‘It is not lawful to put them into the temple treasury, since it is the price of blood.’ And they conferred together and with the money bought the Potter’s Field as a burial place for strangers. For this reason that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day.” (NASB)
– Matthew 27:3-8
So Judas, our initial gut-busting suspect, was last seen throwing the blood money into the temple sanctuary and then later found strangled in an obvious (and successful) suicide attempt. It’s very unlikely that he took any time to shop for real estate, and he certainly wasn’t the one who bought the Potter’s Field.
It was the chief priests and elders who acquired the field!
With this knowledge, I’ve examined the verses in Acts 1 again and have colored red the pronouns referring to Judas Iscariot:
“‘Brethren, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit foretold by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. For he was counted among us and received his share in this ministry.’ (Now this man acquired a field with the price of his wickedness, and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his intestines gushed out. And it became known to all who were living in Jerusalem; so that in their own language that field was called Hakeldama, that is, Field of Blood)…” (NASB)
– Acts 1:16-19
The price of Judas’ wickedness – that is, the silver earned by Judas for turning Jesus in to the authorities – was used to fund the Pharisee burial-ground-for-strangers project (just when you thought priests couldn’t get any creepier…). But Judas himself had nothing to do with Hakeldama. The Greek word that is translated as “this man” in the NASB and KJV is houtos (ουτος), and the “includ. nom. masc. plur.” variation of that word in particular. This appears to be referring to the group of chief priests and elders that acquired the field. The Greek word translated there as “his” is autos (αυτου), which contains among its definitions “they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which.”
Whoever happened to suffer that bizarre disemboweling experience, it most likely wasn’t Judas Iscariot.
Why do even translators have such a hard time figuring this out? Why didn’t Luke better clarify between Judas and the field buyers for our perturbed modern minds? When he was writing the Acts of the Apostles to Theophilus, what happened at Hakeldama was apparently common knowledge. Some English translators may have been confused because Luke added the historical anecdote about Hakeldama in the middle of Peter’s speech about Judas. The reason he added those details was probably to explain how Judas’ influence continued after his death (“By the way, some guy[s] acquired a field with the price of Judas’ wickedness”). The silver changed hands, but the curse upon it remained.
As is the usual case with “Bible Contradictions,” piddling over details that appear to conflict ends up obscuring the main (and highly consistent) point of the message. If we continue reading the Scriptures, it becomes apparent that the Field of Blood has prophetic significance. Matthew cited Old Testament prophecy regarding the Lord Jesus being valued at 30 pieces of silver, and how that same amount of silver would be used to buy the Potter’s Field.
“I said to them, ‘If it is good in your sight, give me my wages, but if not, never mind!’ So they weighed out thirty shekels of silver as my wages. Then the LORD said to me, ‘Throw it to the potter, that magnificent price at which I was valued by them.’ So I took the thirty shekels of silver and threw them to the potter in the house of the LORD.” (NASB)
– Zechariah 11:12-13
That was written some 500 years before the birth of Christ. Pretty wild, isn’t it?
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The Acts of the Apostles was written in reverse of chronological order as compared with the works of Josephus. This has a bearing on the decision of Berenice and Agrippa to send Paul to see Nero. At first sight Paul does not seem to meet Nero until it is recognised that Gallio is probably Nero who sends Paul with Vespasian and the Roman army back to Judaea. Paul's task is to reassure the Jewish communities along the route.
You hit the spot with this post because this is a very controversial subject .In my opinion the history of our religion has hidden a lot about what really happened. That's way we are here today still talking about it .
How Did Judas Iscariot Die? – Bible Contradictions – Acts Amanda Read Apostles autos Contradictions regarding Narrative Field of Blood Hakeldama Holy Spirit Judas Iscariot KJV Luke Matthew NASB Peter Pharisees Potter’s Field Theophilus Zechariah αυτου ουτος – LUKE HISTORIANS
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[…] according to Catholic Answers. According to Luke Historians, Judas hung […]
I think both happened. I have no information as to what jews did with people who killed them selves. But if someone isn’t seen too after they die, then guess what. They swell and burst as they decompose. Why would a deeply religious community care about a person who died in sin by killing him self. I don’t think they cared at all.
Thanks soo much micheal pierce, I’m also thinking the same way.am very sure Mathew saw judas hung himself whiles Peter only saw his decompose body haven burst with intestines gushing out. I don’t think these two accounts really contradicts itself since the focus is on Jesus and care is not taken much about the death of judas iscarriot .
Thank you for that post explaing the language used. between matt and luke. I always knew that the parenthesis meant something was wrong, and that the parenthetical phrase did not apply to Judas. Very good work!
Andy
wonderful work!
andy
s donald— the bible speaks of a time which was after the resurrection of Christ Jesus and Him meeting the 11 by a sea shore. He told them where to cast their nets after an unfruitful night of fishing. They caught so many fish that the nets threatened to break. Jesus tells them to come have something to eat and while there Jesus restores Peter by asking three times if he loved Him. The bible records that present at that time was the one whom Jesus loved– John, who is thought to be the youngest of the group. ( John 21:7 ). Judas at this time had been dead for some days and the Bible never records him as the one Jesus loved most.
THE GOSPELS ARE VERY CLEAR ABOUT TWO EVENTS. THE DEATH OF JESUS BY CRUCIFIXION AND THE DEATH OF JUDAS. THE GOSPELS AND THE ACTS HAVE CLEARLY REVEALED HOW JUDAS DIED, BUT CHRISTIANS OF EVERY SHADE HAVE MISERABLY FAILED TO REALISE WHO JUDAS WAS AND HOW HE DIED. WHO MADE JUDAS THE STEWARD AND WHO IS A STEWARD? JESUS CHOSE JUDAS TO BE THE STEWARD AND RIGHT HAND MAN. THE STEWARD IS THE MASTERS PERSONAL SELECTION. HE HANDLES FINANCES, ORGANISES BOARD AND LODGING, PROVIDES SECURITY FOR JESUS AND THE WOMEN WHO FOLLOW HIM AND GIVES INTELLIGENCE INPUTS REGARDING THE ENEMIES MOVES AND KEEPS A TAB ON EVERYTHING AND HE HAS NO TIME TO SEE MIRACLES OR HEAR PARABLES.HE PRESENTS ACCOUNTS EVERY NIGHT TO JESUS. HE IS HELPED BY THE RICH MARY MAGDALENE. BY PROFESSION JUDAS IS AN ASSASSIN(ISCARIOT-NAZARENE-REBEL), JESUS IS ALSO A NAZARENE(INRI). BOTH ARE JUDEANS NOT FISHERMEN AND HAVE A GOAL TO DIE FOR. JUDAS IS CAPTURED FIRST(AFTER HE LEAVES THE “LAST SUPPER”) AND JESUS IN THE GARDEN OF GETHESMANE. JUDAS COMMITS SACRILIEGE BY THROWING MONEY INTO THE TEMPLE – PUNISHMENT IS DEATH. JUDAS KISSES JESUS=BOTH KNOW THEY ARE GOING TO BE KILLED. JUDAS IS IMPALED AND HIS BOWELS COME OUT(PETER IS A WITNESS). JESUS IS CRUCIFIED FEW HOURS LATER. ANOTHER JUDEAN LAZARUS, WAS ON THE HIT LIST-OUTCOME UNKNOWN. JESUS, JUDAS, LAZARUS, MARY, MARTHA AND MARY MAGDALENE WERE CLOSE RELATIVES AND JUDEANS. JESUS HONOURED JUDAS AT TH LAST SUPPER BY SEATING HIM IN THE SEAT OF HONOUR(RIGHT HAND) AND GIVING HIM THE FIRST “SUP” OF THE MEAL, BECAUSE JUDAS WAS HARDWORKING AND EXTREMELY HONEST. JESUS LOVED HIM THE MOST. PLEASE DISPROVE ME.
Do you mean Judas Iscariot also died for the sins of humanity?
Jesus called him satan. jesus speaking of judas said he would be better if he had never been born. Case closed on that one.
He also said “he who is broke bread with me is going to betray me” speaking of Judas.
Great insight Donald, not only did I enjoy reading your post I went back to the Bible and revisited the story to get a better understanding. Thanks for taking the time to explain.
P.S. Can I suggest using Caps only when necessary. All caps are hard on the eyes and is considered shouting at the reader, just a suggestion.
Blessings.
John specifically singles out Judas Is. (John 12) that Judas Is. was a thief, helping himself to money from the money box/bag.
Peter says “Judas got what he deserved.” (Acts 1)
Thank you Alma for your kind comment. It is so reassuring to hear someone not saying anything bad about Judas. Well, I must tell you that it took me almost 25 years to realise who Judas was. I wanted to know how bad Judas was. All I got was that the Gospels had confirmed that he was the betrayer and that his primary activity was stealing money from the common purse(thief)of which he was in charge. He was very dishonest. The other dsiciples hated him. There was a big fight among the disciples to shunt out Judas and replace him with John and James as deputy. Jesus chided them for their selfishness. But Jesus advice does not seem have had any effect on them. Having failed once, John and James ask theri mother to commend them to Jesus for the post of treasurer. This time Jesus is blunt and he tells their mother that it is the wish of his father that Judas be the steward. Jesus subtly implies that he wants Judas to be the treasurer. Hatred against Judas increases. Two groups, the majority Galilleans and the minority Judeans are pitted against each other. Judas is a Judean, so is Jesus and so is James the brother of Jesus. Other Judeans are Lazarus, Mary, Martha and Mary Magdalene.Now comes the real cracker! Peter, John and James are related to Caiaphas(their mothers elder brother?), the chief priest who wants to kill Jesus and Lazarus. My one great doubt is why Jesus did not take any action against Judas, despite so many accusations by the other disciples. Careful reading of the gospels will reveal that Jesus honoured Judas for his hard work and absolute honesty at the last supper. In the entire gospels we do not hear Jesus levelling any personal accusation against Judas. When Judas was caught and impaled and his bowels came out, he had no money on his person. Judas could have begged for mercy, he did not do it. He could have disowned Jesus like Peter but he did not do it. His last words were ‘master’. Had Judas really been a thief, he would have taken the loot and simply runaway. You must be a very upright man to punish yourself by hanging. Sinners dont hang or get impaled, they deny and escape.Judas accomplished what Jesus had asked of him- ‘greater love than this no man hath, than lay his life for his friend.’ Judas did exactly that without any hesitation. Please judge for yourself. This excerpt is from my unpublished manuscript, titled “the twelfth disciple’.
Bullshit. The Bible has mistakes. This just proves how Christians have blinders on. Can’t even admit the obvious.
Mary,martha, mary magdalene were very close to jesus , judas was the devil operating in the dark open . . Jesus and the unseen watcher( God) sees through the dark openning . But for the scripture to be fulfilled they allowed the devil work on judas,the elders and theif priest . We have encountered millions acting more prudent , more keen to betray and keen for the love to kill for money or for nothing, they even need to wipe out the whole earth with their dengerious activities and snare their life itself with their own hands judas killed himself that’s the maim thick line that is clear so child of God We should forget how judas died and forcus on the significants of his death and is good to believe thAt judas was cursed just like peter that deny Jesus 3x before men and before the cock alarm came shouting . This even call for a spiritual encounter that only spirtual entities could only visualise the spiritus ethic and ethoes then . The Field of blood is a sin field and the 30 pieces of silver was the price of blood and any prophet in charge of such money is devilish the thief priest were also manipulated by the devil himself. But above all Jesus was killed but he has since risen on the third daY and the spices were never used by those substle women earlier mentioned at the epic of thede words they came to annoit christ body according to juwish rites . The devil uses people of weak spirit and if u pray more u will see the devil sitting close to u evrydaz some are our foe ,friends , close reletions but don’t be worried for the price paid on the cross could not be out weighed by just 30 silver that was paid and the field of blood still bleeds as I speak of judas blood. .by. Botnist . Edwin kent moore omobah.
I believe that you are correct. Judas was murdered by the same ones who plotted the death of Jesus. Jesus was popular among many who witnessed HIS miracles and believed what HE Spoke. Therefore Judas had to be killed to silence him so that he (Judas) would not tell the many who loved Jesus that it was the many members of the Sanhedrin who conspired to have Jesus killed as this would threaten the popularity and standing of those Sanhedrin members.
Yes yes true I believe in you dear,there is a secrate behind and some books even say Judas was the one crusified instead of Jesus becouse God acted wonderfuly in the Garden where he send four angels Gabriel,Micheeal Urial andRafel to take Jesus out of the world so Judaas was chenged his appearance
Judas was killed by the kenites, the son s of Cain an his father satan. This was done so he couldn’t identify the ones that pay him that crucified Yashua/Jesus!
Judas was killed by the kenites the generations of Cain sons an daughter’s of Cain an his father satan the 1st murders an lier so he couldn’t identify those that had Yashua/Jesus crucified!
Judas was killed by the kenites the generations of Cain sons an daughter’s of an their father satan the 1st murders an lier so he couldn’t identify those that had Yashua/Jesus crucified!
Don’t know who Petronella is but if you believe that then there is no longer a redeemer for our sins and we are all going to hell. I think that you need to go to the BIBLE andreread the scriptures. Judas did not take away the sin of the world. That would be JESUS CHRIST My SAVIOUR. one more thing it is not judasmas it is Christmas
There were a gang of Jewish religious leaders who were in the criminal conspiracy to kill Jesus. The gang had to shut up the one who had remorse in his part of the conspiracy. This is common practice today in America as well. The gang made the hit to look like a suicide, like we do today.
Judas repented of his sin(when he did it, the Devil did it , not him, so he is not responsible) and lives forever in heaven. Christ is full of grace and mercy to all.
Could not of Judas tied the rope to his neck and to the trunk of a tree and jumped over the side of the hill and slipped out of the noose causing himself to spill on the rocks below?
If you don’t see this as a multi-faceted contradiction you are willfully ignorant and probably dumb. Pull your heads out of your asses!