Posted on 04/17/2025 7:21:05 PM PDT by DoodleBob
Some wonder why was Peter forgiven but Judas not forgiven when both disciples sinned against the Lord – one betrayed His Master and the other denied Him? The answer to this question lies in the fact that there is a great difference between the life of Peter and that of Judas. Let’s examine these lives closely:
Peter
This disciple led an obedient life to God. He was faithful to Him in every way. He lived by the principles of righteousness that Christ preached. And he was the one that acknowledged Christ as the Son of God (Matthew 16:16). And for this and many other reasons, he was among the three closest disciples to the Master. He, for example, was present when Christ raised the daughter of Jairus (Mark 5:37), witnessed the Transfiguration of Christ (Luke 9:28-36) and was with the Master at the night of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-46).
What led to Peter’s denial of his Lord was his failure to watch and pray as Jesus instructed him during the last night in Gethsemane. As a result, Peter fell into sin (Matthew 26:41). But without delay, he repented fully of his sin (Matthew 26:75) and was forgiven and restored by God (John 21).
Later, Peter proved his genuine repentance by his lifelong dedication to God as an apostle. After the resurrection, at the day of Pentecost, he was the main speaker to the crowds in Jerusalem (Acts 2:14). As a result, the church added about 3,000 new believers (verse 41). He, later on, preached boldly before the Sanhedrin (Acts 4) and continued in His God given mission in spite of the threats, imprisonment and beatings. Thus, he became a “pillar” of the early church (Galatians 2:9). Finally, he followed his Master unto death – the death of a martyr.
Judas
On the other hand, this disciple was not a faithful one during Christ’s ministry. For he stole money from the treasury box that was entrusted to his keeping. This money belonged to Jesus and the other disciples (John 12:6). In doing so, he repeatedly rejected the convictions of the Holy Spirit which led to the hardening of his heart against God. Henceforth, he became under the control of the evil one. “Then Satan entered Judas” (Luke 22:3). The Bible says, “But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin” (Mark 3:29).
After his betrayal of Christ (Luke 22:48), Judas only confessed his sin because of his horrible guilt and not because he was truly sorry. The false repentance of Judas was like that of Esau. It consisted of remorse but didn’t include a change of heart. He had no basic transformation of character. In his case, his sin led to the horrible act of committing suicide. Thus, he added to his sin of betrayal the Lord an even greater sin of killing himself (Matthew 27:1-10).
In His service, BibleAsk Team
Judas sold Jesus out for money.
The contrast yet similarity with Judas and Peter is insightful for ALL of us. (Note…apparently Bishop Fulton Sheen had the same observation, though he’s waaaay smarter than me).
Yes, Judas betrayed Jesus. That was bad.
In a different way, Peter betrayed Jesus.
Both Apostles were upset about their action.
Judas took that anxiety and responded by “atoning for his sin” by retuning the coins.
Peter wept bitterly.
Judas hanged himself, presumably believing he was beyond forgiveness.
Jesus Resurrected meets Peter again, and (we presume) is forgiven.
I suspect, Judas isn’t in Heaven. It Is arguable that had Judas not killed himself, Jesus would have forgiven him.
The lesson for us, is that as long as you are breathing, you are never too far gone for Our Lord’s forgiveness IF YOU WANT IT AND YOU ARE SORRY.
Amen!
Judas came to believe that his sin was unforgiveable, and that he was beyond the power of God’s redemption, which ironically, is blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, the unforgivable sin.
Jesus washed Judas’s feet, too, even while knowing of Judas’s evil intent. So...it is not as if Judas was not forgiven. It is that absolution was absent from the priesthood to whom he prostituted himself for money.
Judas did not.
Judas is a great example of what happens when we try to fix things ourselves.
He knew he had done wrong so he went to the priests and then he went and hung himself.
He never tried to go to Jesus and ask forgiveness.
He went to man and then to himself but not to God.
This is why Jesus later asked Peter - three times - if he loved Him. And Peter three times answered yes.
AI:
Why was Peter forgiven but Judas not?
This is a fascinating theological question about two disciples who betrayed Jesus in different ways, yet had very different outcomes.
Peter and Judas are both disciples who betrayed Jesus, but their stories diverge significantly:
Peter denied Jesus three times after his arrest, despite previously promising he would never deny him. However, after the resurrection, Peter was fully reconciled with Jesus and went on to become a leader in the early church.
Judas betrayed Jesus by identifying him to the authorities for 30 pieces of silver, which led directly to Jesus’s arrest. According to biblical accounts, Judas later felt remorse but ultimately took his own life rather than seeking forgiveness.
The different outcomes are often explained by several key theological and narrative factors:
The nature of their betrayal: Peter’s denial was a failure of courage under pressure, while Judas’s betrayal was premeditated and motivated by money.
Their response to guilt: Peter wept bitterly after his denial, showing immediate remorse. The Gospel accounts suggest he remained with the disciples despite his shame.
Repentance vs. remorse: Christian theology often distinguishes between Judas’s remorse (feeling bad about consequences) and Peter’s repentance (turning back to God).
Divine purpose: In many theological interpretations, Judas’s betrayal was viewed as necessary for fulfilling prophecy about Jesus’s sacrifice, placing him in a complex theological position.
Opportunity for forgiveness: Peter was present after the resurrection when Jesus appeared to the disciples, providing an opportunity for reconciliation that Judas, having taken his life, did not have.
These differing outcomes have been the subject of theological reflection for centuries, often highlighting the Christian emphasis on the possibility of forgiveness regardless of sin, if one truly repents and seeks reconciliation.
Judas didn’t repent
Last thing Judas did was kill himself.
Peter didn’t do that.
Years ago, a Priest said that in the Parable of the Prodigal Son, we often overlook the “Loyal” son. In reality, we probably have more in common with him.
I suspect a similar situation exists with Peter. We love to think we’d be like John and be at the Cross. Most of us, if we are honest, deny Jesus like Peter more often than we dare to imagine.
Thursday evening before Easter is a great time to commit to recognizing that Peter, warts and all, presents a magnificent lesson.
Jesus knows our heart. Did Judas really love God with all his heart? Did Peter? Jesus told Judas to do what he planned. To Peter he warned. Jesus knew the heart.
IOW, Peter repented and Judas did not.
Judas despaired, Peter repented.
Judas’ act was premeditated, and he had been thieving from the purse all along. Peter’s denial was spontaneous, and more of a failure of character more than a deliberate act of evil. Just my humble opinion.
I may be Catholic but am about to pull a John Calvin here…
because it was God’s plan since before time…the same way Jesus was planned before Adam and Eve even fell.
One had remorse and repented... the other did not...
One left his sin at the foot of the cross, the other died in his pride...
God forgives those that seek Him with their whole heart... as for those that don’t, they will die in their sin... and be separated from Hod for eternity...
Truth
i believe Jesus knows Judas was sorry and forgave him. man knows not the extent of God’s love.
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