Now, if you're like me I can just imagine the question you're dying to ask...what about Judas???? This may sound like a glib answer, but it is the truth, glib or not, and I believe I can prove it. At least I did to my satisfaction. I think one of the reasons the Lord had things happen the way He did was just so we'd have this example to reassure us.
First I find it very interesting that Judas was with the Lord for a several years and yet never became saved. Not only that, but he "talked the talk" and "walked the walk" as the saying goes. So most of the time, to all outward appearances, he seemed no different then any other disciple. The important words in that sentence are "outward appearances" though. Remember, the Lord sees what's in our hearts. Outward appearances don't matter to Him! Let's take a little closer look at Judas as we review some of the things that the Lord tells us that we can expect at salvation.
I think one of the first things that jumped out at me was this: (all scripture is from the NIV unless otherwise stated)
John 12:4–6, But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.
Keep in mind that this happened the week before Jesus was crucified, so this was at the end of His ministry, not at the beginning. When people are saved, they are changed and become a new person. For some the initial change is just huge and for others it's a seemingly small change; but for all that change continues until the day we die. (Rather then posting all the verses that support this, I'll simply assume you know them but if you'd like examples all you need to do is ask and I'll provide them) The fact that this was after Judas had been with Jesus a long time and that instead of changing for the better, he had continued his old habits of stealing is very telling.
As the treasurer for the disciples, the collected money was used to support them--buy their food, clothes, a bed to sleep in sometimes, etc. We can see from the scriptures that not only was Judas stealing money meant to support them all, but that he was doing so to get things just for himself. He was being "selfish" which is most definitely not a fruit of the spirit! Judas quite obviously put himself, his needs, and his wants ahead of everyone and everything else. That's very much like most of us are before we're saved. But the Lord tells us that we are to put others first and before others we are to put God. So the chain would be: God, your spouse, your children and the rest of your family, all others who are saved, everyone else that's left, and finally, last, yourself. The more someone grows in spiritual maturity, the more we will see that being lived out. We can see from that verse that Judas was a fake. He wasn't really living the life of a person who was saved, he was just going through empty motions.
The other sin that this shows is the sin of greed. So we see greed, selfishness, lying (I'm quite sure he didn't volunteer the information that he was stealing from them to the other disciples) and stealing. These are not things that would be done by someone who was saved.
Matthew 26:14–16, Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty silver coins. From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.
In the above passage we see that Judas planned to betray Jesus and he wanted to get a little something for himself out of it, above and beyond the recognition of being the one to do their bidding. Again not a trait of someone who's been saved. This is not a picture of someone with unrealistic ideals trying to do "the right thing" as some would have us believe.
John 13:2, The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus.
Notice in this verse that one little word "already". We can see from this that Jesus had been possessed by the devil for some time already before carrying out his little scheme.
Matthew 26:25, Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, “Surely not I, Rabbi?” Jesus answered, “Yes, it is you.”
This wasn't a surprise to Jesus though. He knew all abut it and had known before he ever picked Judas as an apostle. I'd also like to point out one other thing about this. We know for sure that Judas was possessed by the devil because the Bible comes straight out and says so. We also know that someone who is saved cannot be possessed by a demon or Satan. They can be harassed, but not possessed, so this also shows that Judas was never saved.
John 6:70–71, Then Jesus replied, “Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!” (He meant Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, who, though one of the Twelve, was later to betray him.)
Again we see that Jesus wasn't surprised about this. Further however, Jesus again states he is possessed. This isn't something a Jew would ever say lightly in those days and Jesus certainly wouldn't have said it if he didn't mean exactly what He said.
Mark 14:43–45, Just as he was speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, appeared. With him was a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders. Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.” Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Rabbi!” and kissed him.
Notice that Judas led them straight to Jesus. There was no doubt, no hesitation, no second thoughts. Again this is not the character of a saved person.
NIV Matthew 27:3–4, When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders. “I have sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood.” “What is that to us?” they replied. “That’s your responsibility.”
This is the big one that often throws us off. People often misinterpret this to think it means Judas "repented", but the fact is, he didn't repent, not in the way we mean the word when we talk about repenting from our sins anyway. Let me post it in a couple of other versions so we can get a better feel for what he actually said:
ESV Matthew 27:3–4, Then when Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he changed his mind and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders, saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” They said, “What is that to us? See to it yourself.”
KJV Matthew 27:3–4, Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.
NET Matthew 27:3–4, Now when Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus had been condemned, he regretted what he had done and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders, saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood!” But they said, “What is that to us? You take care of it yourself!”
That word that's translated "repented" or "changed his mind" or "regretted what he'd done" etc. actually does mean all those things but it doesn't mean "repent" the way it's used when talking about someone "repenting to salvation". The word used in this verse is metamelomai, “to regret”; the term the bible always uses for repentance that leads to salvation is metanoia. The big difference between the two terms is that the one used here simply means he regretted what he did; while the other term, the one used in connection with salvation means repenting (regretting) one's actions (sins) which leads to a change in how you live. So basically it's saying that while Jesus felt bad about it, he didn't feel badly enough to change anything and would most likely do it again if the situation arose.
Shortly after this Judas hanged himself and was lost forever, just as Jesus told us:
NIV John 17:12, While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.
ESV John 17:12, While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.
This too confuses some people and makes them think Judas was saved or else how could Jesus say He'd "lost" him? If you look closely at what Jesus actually said, you'll see the Truth though. I'll give you a hint: How did Jesus "keep them"? He kept them in His Father's Name, right? The only way He could do that is if they were saved. Since He couldn't "keep" Judas that way because Judas wasn't saved, He "lost" him. So as you can see, instead of "proving Judas was saved", this passage actually does the opposite. It proves that Judas was never saved. (I posted the passage in a couple of translations so you could better see why someone who is kept "in the Father's Name" is saved.) As we can see from all of this, Judas was never born again, he was never saved. He wouldn't even call Jesus "Lord" but instead would only call Him "Rabbi" or "teacher". The day will come though when even he will bend his knee and confess that Jesus is in fact Lord.
First I find it very interesting that Judas was with the Lord for a several years and yet never became saved. Not only that, but he "talked the talk" and "walked the walk" as the saying goes. So most of the time, to all outward appearances, he seemed no different then any other disciple. The important words in that sentence are "outward appearances" though. Remember, the Lord sees what's in our hearts. Outward appearances don't matter to Him! Let's take a little closer look at Judas as we review some of the things that the Lord tells us that we can expect at salvation.
I think one of the first things that jumped out at me was this: (all scripture is from the NIV unless otherwise stated)
John 12:4–6, But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.
Keep in mind that this happened the week before Jesus was crucified, so this was at the end of His ministry, not at the beginning. When people are saved, they are changed and become a new person. For some the initial change is just huge and for others it's a seemingly small change; but for all that change continues until the day we die. (Rather then posting all the verses that support this, I'll simply assume you know them but if you'd like examples all you need to do is ask and I'll provide them) The fact that this was after Judas had been with Jesus a long time and that instead of changing for the better, he had continued his old habits of stealing is very telling.
As the treasurer for the disciples, the collected money was used to support them--buy their food, clothes, a bed to sleep in sometimes, etc. We can see from the scriptures that not only was Judas stealing money meant to support them all, but that he was doing so to get things just for himself. He was being "selfish" which is most definitely not a fruit of the spirit! Judas quite obviously put himself, his needs, and his wants ahead of everyone and everything else. That's very much like most of us are before we're saved. But the Lord tells us that we are to put others first and before others we are to put God. So the chain would be: God, your spouse, your children and the rest of your family, all others who are saved, everyone else that's left, and finally, last, yourself. The more someone grows in spiritual maturity, the more we will see that being lived out. We can see from that verse that Judas was a fake. He wasn't really living the life of a person who was saved, he was just going through empty motions.
The other sin that this shows is the sin of greed. So we see greed, selfishness, lying (I'm quite sure he didn't volunteer the information that he was stealing from them to the other disciples) and stealing. These are not things that would be done by someone who was saved.
Matthew 26:14–16, Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty silver coins. From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.
In the above passage we see that Judas planned to betray Jesus and he wanted to get a little something for himself out of it, above and beyond the recognition of being the one to do their bidding. Again not a trait of someone who's been saved. This is not a picture of someone with unrealistic ideals trying to do "the right thing" as some would have us believe.
John 13:2, The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus.
Notice in this verse that one little word "already". We can see from this that Jesus had been possessed by the devil for some time already before carrying out his little scheme.
Matthew 26:25, Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, “Surely not I, Rabbi?” Jesus answered, “Yes, it is you.”
This wasn't a surprise to Jesus though. He knew all abut it and had known before he ever picked Judas as an apostle. I'd also like to point out one other thing about this. We know for sure that Judas was possessed by the devil because the Bible comes straight out and says so. We also know that someone who is saved cannot be possessed by a demon or Satan. They can be harassed, but not possessed, so this also shows that Judas was never saved.
John 6:70–71, Then Jesus replied, “Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!” (He meant Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, who, though one of the Twelve, was later to betray him.)
Again we see that Jesus wasn't surprised about this. Further however, Jesus again states he is possessed. This isn't something a Jew would ever say lightly in those days and Jesus certainly wouldn't have said it if he didn't mean exactly what He said.
Mark 14:43–45, Just as he was speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, appeared. With him was a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders. Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.” Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Rabbi!” and kissed him.
Notice that Judas led them straight to Jesus. There was no doubt, no hesitation, no second thoughts. Again this is not the character of a saved person.
NIV Matthew 27:3–4, When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders. “I have sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood.” “What is that to us?” they replied. “That’s your responsibility.”
This is the big one that often throws us off. People often misinterpret this to think it means Judas "repented", but the fact is, he didn't repent, not in the way we mean the word when we talk about repenting from our sins anyway. Let me post it in a couple of other versions so we can get a better feel for what he actually said:
ESV Matthew 27:3–4, Then when Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he changed his mind and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders, saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” They said, “What is that to us? See to it yourself.”
KJV Matthew 27:3–4, Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.
NET Matthew 27:3–4, Now when Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus had been condemned, he regretted what he had done and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders, saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood!” But they said, “What is that to us? You take care of it yourself!”
That word that's translated "repented" or "changed his mind" or "regretted what he'd done" etc. actually does mean all those things but it doesn't mean "repent" the way it's used when talking about someone "repenting to salvation". The word used in this verse is metamelomai, “to regret”; the term the bible always uses for repentance that leads to salvation is metanoia. The big difference between the two terms is that the one used here simply means he regretted what he did; while the other term, the one used in connection with salvation means repenting (regretting) one's actions (sins) which leads to a change in how you live. So basically it's saying that while Jesus felt bad about it, he didn't feel badly enough to change anything and would most likely do it again if the situation arose.
Shortly after this Judas hanged himself and was lost forever, just as Jesus told us:
NIV John 17:12, While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.
ESV John 17:12, While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.
This too confuses some people and makes them think Judas was saved or else how could Jesus say He'd "lost" him? If you look closely at what Jesus actually said, you'll see the Truth though. I'll give you a hint: How did Jesus "keep them"? He kept them in His Father's Name, right? The only way He could do that is if they were saved. Since He couldn't "keep" Judas that way because Judas wasn't saved, He "lost" him. So as you can see, instead of "proving Judas was saved", this passage actually does the opposite. It proves that Judas was never saved. (I posted the passage in a couple of translations so you could better see why someone who is kept "in the Father's Name" is saved.) As we can see from all of this, Judas was never born again, he was never saved. He wouldn't even call Jesus "Lord" but instead would only call Him "Rabbi" or "teacher". The day will come though when even he will bend his knee and confess that Jesus is in fact Lord.
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