SPECIAL TOPIC: ISCARIOT

SPECIAL TOPIC: JUDAS ISCARIOT

Judas had heard, observed, and fellowshiped with the Lord Jesus at close
range for several years, but apparently he still had no personal relationship
with Him by faith (cf. Matt. 7:21-23). Peter undergoes the same intensity of
temptation as does Judas, but with drastically different results (cf. Matt.
26:75). Much
discussion has taken place over the motives of Judas’ treachery:

1. it was primarily monetary (cf. John 12:6)

2. it was primarily political (cf. William Klassen, Judas Betrayer or
Friend of Jesus?)

3. it was spiritual (cf. Luke 22:3; John 6:70; 13:2,27)

On the subject of Satanic influence or demon possession (see Special Topic: The
Demonic in the NT) there are several
good resources (listed in the order of those I trust).

1. Merrill F. Unger, Biblical Demonology, Demons in the World Today

2. Clinton E. Arnold, Three Crucial Questions About Spiritual Warfare

3. Kurt Koch, Christian Counseling and Occultism, Demonology Past and
Present

4. C. Fred Dickason, Demon Possession and the Christian

5. John P. Newport, Demons, Demons, Demons

6. John Warwick Montgomery, Principalities and Powers

Be careful of cultural myths and superstitions. Satan affects Peter in
Matt. 16:23 to tempt Jesus in the very same way—His substitutionary death. Satan
is consistent. He is trying any way possible to stop Jesus’ redemptive work on
our behalf.

1. the temptation of Jesus, Luke 4

2. uses Peter

3. uses Judas and the Sanhedrin

Jesus even describes Judas as a devil in John 6:70. The Bible does not
discuss the subject of demon possession and influence as it relates to
believers. But, believers are obviously affected by personal choices and
personal evil (see Special Topic: Personal Evil)!

The etymology of “Iscariot” is somewhat obscure; however, there are several
possibilities:

1. Kerioth, a city of Judah (cf. Jos. 15:25)

2. Kartan, a city in Galilee (cf. Jos. 21:32)

3. Karōides, a date palm grove in Jerusalem or Jericho

4. scortea, an apron or leather bag (cf. John 13:29)

5. ascara, strangling (Hebrew) from Matt. 27:5

6. an assassin’s knife (Greek), meaning he was a Zealot like Simon (cf. Luke
6:15)