Learning from Judas (Judas Iscariot) - Evangelical Caucus/Devotional

The twelve apostles included "Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed Him" (Matt. 10:4). God can use even an apostate like Judas to teach us some important lessons.

Judas is history's greatest human tragedy. He had opportunities and privileges known only to the other disciples, but he turned from them to pursue a course of destruction. Yet even from his foolishness we can learn some important lessons.

Judas, for example, is the world's greatest example of lost opportunity. He ministered for three years with Jesus Himself but was content merely to associate with Him, never submitting to Him in saving faith. Millions of others have followed his example by hearing the gospel and associating with Christians, yet rejecting Christ. Tragically, like Judas, once death comes they too are damned for all eternity.

Judas is also the world's greatest example of wasted privileges. He could have had the riches of an eternal inheritance but instead chose thirty pieces of silver. In that respect he is also the greatest illustration of the destructiveness and damnation greed can bring. He did an unthinkable thing, yet he has many contemporary counterparts in those who place wealth and pleasure above godliness.

On the positive side, Judas is the world's greatest illustration of the forbearing, patient love of God. Knowing what Judas would do, Jesus tolerated him for three years. Beyond that, He constantly reached out to him and even called him "friend" after his kiss of betrayal (Matt. 26:50).

If you've ever been betrayed by a friend, you know the pain it can bring. But the Lord's pain was compounded many times over because He knew He would be betrayed and because the consequences were so serious. Yet He endured the pain because He loved Judas and knew that His own betrayal was a necessary part of the redemptive plan.

The sins that destroyed Judas are common sins that you must avoid at all costs! Use every opportunity and privilege God gives you, and never take advantage of His patience.

Did Judas Have a Last Name?
In the biblical sense, Judas did not have a “last name” in the modern Western sense. Ancient naming conventions in first‑century Judea did not use surnames as we do today. Instead, people were identified by their given name, often followed by a patronymic (father’s name) or a descriptor that indicated their origin, role, or family anyteamnames.com.

The New Testament refers to Judas in several ways:

Judas Iscariot – “Iscariot” is a descriptor meaning “from Kerioth” (a town in Judaea), not a family name Wikipedia.

Judas, son of James – This identifies him by his father’s name, distinguishing him from other people named Judas in the Bible anyteamnames.com.

These descriptors were common in the ancient world to differentiate individuals with the same given name. For example, there were multiple figures named Judas in the Old and New Testaments, and the “son of” or “from” phrase helped clarify which Judas was being referred to.

Why no fixed surname?
In the Roman and Jewish contexts of the time, surnames as hereditary identifiers were not yet standardized. People were known by their place of origin, family lineage, or profession. Judas’ association with betrayal in Christian tradition has also meant that, in later medieval Europe, the name “Judas” was often avoided or carried negative connotations, which may have discouraged its use as a surname MyHeritage+1.

In summary: Judas did not have a last name in the modern sense. His identity was given by his given name plus a descriptor (like “Iscariot” or “son of James”), reflecting the naming practices of his time rather than a fixed hereditary surname.

This way of identifying people by their fathers or their town or their profession hit home with me one time, about 20 years ago.

I was reading the baptismal certificate of my maternal great-grandfather. It mentioned that he was the son of the town blacksmith.

When I read that document, it reminded me of Jesus being referred to as the carpenter’s son. I guess this practice stood the test of time.

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.