Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus Christ's twelve apostles, is known in the Bible for betraying Jesus to the chief priests for thirty pieces of silver. He identified Jesus to the arresting soldiers with a kiss, leading to Jesus' crucifixion
. After his betrayal, the Bible gives two differing accounts of Judas's fate:
- According to the Gospel of Matthew (27:1–10), Judas felt remorse when he saw Jesus condemned. He returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, declaring he had sinned by betraying innocent blood. Afterward, he threw the money into the temple and went away and hanged himself. The priests used the returned money to buy a field called the "Field of Blood," which was used to bury strangers
- The Book of Acts (1:18–19) presents a different story. It says Judas acquired a field with the money he received, but then fell headlong, his body burst open, and his intestines spilled out. This event also led to the field being called the "Field of Blood"
These two accounts differ on how Judas died-hanging himself versus dying from a fall-and who purchased the field-the priests or Judas himself. Scholars and theologians note these contradictions but agree both narratives emphasize Judas's tragic end and the legacy of betrayal and blood money
. Regarding Judas's spiritual fate, the Bible does not explicitly state whether he was forgiven or saved. Jesus said it would have been better for Judas if he had not been born, which some interpret as indicating judgment. However, Christian tradition leaves room for hope of salvation, though Judas is generally viewed negatively due to his betrayal and subsequent suicide
. In summary, Judas betrayed Jesus for money, experienced remorse, and died shortly afterward-either by hanging himself or by a fatal fall-leaving behind the infamous "Field of Blood" as a symbol of his betrayal
