Peter and Judas: A tale of Two Betrayals

Jesus came to the realm with a goal and a mission - to serve, to redeem through being the sacrifice to pay for our sins, and to establish the church via His apostles until His return. The church become then to exit and spread the Gospel. each of the twelve disciples, hand-picked by means of Jesus, followed Him in life.

Two of probably the most conventional of these twelve, most believers would say, are very distinct: Judas and Simon Peter. One betrayed Jesus, the other would go on to be one of the vital passionate apostles. Yet a analyze of the Gospels exhibits an interesting sample. Judas had a place of believe. Peter became the one who saved dropping his mood. Judas didn't take note who Jesus in fact became, even to the end.

The Holy Spirit gave perception to Peter about the real nature of Jesus. On the evening of Jesus' trials, Judas betrayed, but Peter denied. through evaluating these two men, a picture is painted of two kinds of sinners, those that come to Jesus and those who do not.

What Do the Gospels Say about Judas?

Little may also be affirmatively regular in regards to the adolescence of Judas Iscariot. The Gospel of John asserts that he became the son of a man named Simon Iscariot. there's even some debate amongst scholars as to what Iscariot refers - a place, a Jewish sect, or perhaps a time period for liar. The latter two are considered the least likely, but are a part of the debate. 

In all 4 Gospels, Judas is outlined by way of name as one of the twelve hand-picked apostles. He went out with the others in Mark 6 - additionally recorded in Matthew - to spread the news of Jesus Christ: "so they went out and proclaimed that individuals may still repent. and that they forged out many demons and anointed with oil many who have been ailing and healed them" (Mark 6:12-13). No account states that Judas failed at this assignment.

The book of John highlights yet another entertaining point about the future betrayer. In John 12:6, John notes that Judas held the apostle's moneybag, a place of have confidence, requiring integrity. while Judas can also have had bad causes for keeping the purse, to be discussed almost immediately, the different apostles did deign to entrust him with their money.

Highlighted commonly, certainly within the Gospel of John, is Judas' greed. This sin looks to be the one which he struggled with essentially the most, and in the end, did not overcome. John reveals in his Gospel the extent of Judas' love of money. After Mary Magdalene anoints Jesus with valuable body spray, " but Judas Iscariot, one in all his disciples (he who was about to betray him), mentioned, 'Why was this ointment now not offered for 3 hundred denarii and given to the negative?' He mentioned this, no longer as a result of he cared concerning the poor, but as a result of he turned into a thief, and having can charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what changed into put into it" (John 12:four-6). 

beyond embezzlement, Judas betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. Given how a lot the non secular leaders desired to arrest Jesus, he doubtless may have asked for land or political favors. He asked for what he in reality desired - fiscal benefit.

What Do the Gospels Say about Peter?

Born Simon son of Judah and renamed Peter by using the Lord Jesus, this apostle started life as a fisherman in Capernaum. even though it isn't wide-spread who she changed into, Peter did have a wife. In all three of the Synoptic Gospels it mentions that Jesus healed his sweetheart's mother. His brother Andrew became additionally an apostle, and they labored with the Sons of Zebedee, who have been also apostles.

Like Judas, Peter is called in all four Gospel bills of Jesus' existence, and would go on to jot down two other books in the New testomony. Jesus called Peter and his brother to observe Him through entering into Simon's boat, helping them catch fish miraculously, and welcoming them to be fishers of guys. right here, the Gospels demonstrate that Simon Peter had early perception into who Jesus Christ is, stating, "however when Simon Peter noticed it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, asserting, 'depart from me, for i am a sinful man, O Lord.'" (Luke 5:8) automatically he understood that this miracle employee became greater than just an insightful man, or even an impressive prophet.

Later, Jesus confirms the Holy Spirit is guiding Peter, as recorded in Matthew, "Simon Peter replied, 'you are the Christ, the Son of the living God.'  And Jesus answered him, 'Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not printed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.  and that i let you know, you're Peter, and on this rock i'll build my church, and the gates of hell shall now not prevail against it'" (Matthew 16:16-18). Peter was truly dedicated to Jesus, following Him. Like Judas, Peter carried out these same miracles when sent out, as recounted in Mark 6.

whereas Judas struggled with greed, Simon Peter reveals pride and a brief temper. There are a couple of moments in the Gospels where Peter boldly claimed He would go to battle for Jesus, that He would all the time do whatever thing it took for His Lord. That vanity was so amazing that even when Jesus expected his denial, Peter failed to change his heart. In Matthew it says, "Peter answered him, 'though they all fall away on account of you, i will be able to by no means fall away.'  Jesus observed to him, 'in reality, I inform you, this very night, earlier than the poultry crows, you'll deny me thrice.'  Peter referred to to him, 'even though I must die with you, i will not deny you!'' And the entire disciples talked about the identical" (Matthew 26:33-35). 

Later, when they got here to take Jesus away, "Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the excessive priest's servant" (John 18:10a). His instinct became to strike on the first person he saw. not one of the crucial Roman troopers, or a crucial member of the religious order, but a servant. He tried to combat as a warrior, but that became the wrong direction of motion. Yet, when it got here all the way down to it, Peter's bravado melted away. He denied His Lord thrice while Jesus turned into on trial.

even though he did not hand Jesus over to the spiritual leaders like Judas, it become no much less a betrayal. Peter disowned his Savior to retailer himself pain and struggle. After the resurrection, Peter recommitted his lifestyles to His Lord. He nonetheless turned into now not excellent, as an instance he turned into rebuked via Paul for now not associating with non-Jewish Christians. That account is in Galatians 2:11-21.  Reminded to are living like Christ, Peter corrected his conduct. Peter's stroll as a believer turned into one in every of boom, dealing with his sins, repenting and growing to be. He put his faith in the correct region, in his savior Jesus Christ, and grew close in persona to his Savior.  

How Did Judas and Peter reply to Jesus Christ?

there's an outstanding deal of hypothesis as to what Judas' ideal intent for the betrayal become. turned into it pure greed? became he disillusioned that Jesus did not launch a armed forces rebellion in opposition t Rome, as many hoped the prophesied Messiah would? there is also exceptional debate as to whether or not Judas can also be held accountable for his betrayal. was he playing an unwilling function during this act? doesn't Luke 22:threea state, "Then devil entered Judas referred to as Iscariot"? If Judas changed into possessed, was he answerable for this action? most likely the clearest indication that Judas felt in a different way about Jesus than the other disciples is how he addressed Jesus. 

every Gospel has a listing of the last Supper, which supply insight into the environment and the mind-set of the apostles. In Matthew's account it states that after Jesus said somebody would betray Him, "and they had been very sorrowful and began to assert to him one after yet another, 'Is it I, Lord?'" (Matthew 26:22). Mark 14 and Luke 22 verify the sorrow and confusion at the desk. John data his query to Jesus in his Gospel account: "in order that disciple, leaning returned towards Jesus, mentioned to him, 'Lord, who is it?'" (John 13:25). They had been involved o ne among them had it in them to betray their Lord. 

When the Gospels list Judas' questioning, there is an important distinction: "Judas, who would betray him, answered, 'Is it I, Rabbi?' He referred to to him, 'you've got stated so'" (Matthew 26:25).

When John and the different apostles, including Simon Peter, had been faced with the opportunity of betraying Jesus, they called Him "Lord." Judas called Him "Rabbi." while this Hebrew observe for teacher became a title of honor, of distinction, and acknowledging Jesus' advantage of the historic testament, it didn't renowned Jesus' deity, vigor, and suitable region because the Son of God. It doesn't even concede that Jesus may additionally have been the Messiah. To Judas, Jesus become simply a person.

Even when he recanted his betrayal, and went back to the non secular leaders, he says, "'I even have sinned by means of betraying blameless blood'" (Matthew 27:3a). He felt responsible that he betrayed somebody who did not commit a criminal offense, who turned into condemned as opposed to the murderer Barabas. He didn't acknowledge that he betrayed the Messiah.

Peter, by contrast, knew who Jesus Christ turned into. In his confession from Matthew 16, he called Jesus the Christ. He knew he was the Son of the living God. The Holy Spirit affirmed who Jesus turned into to Peter, as neatly as the different apostles. Judas saw the same wonders and realized the identical classes from Jesus because the other apostles and disciples. He did not put his religion in Jesus like Peter. This difference in perception about who Jesus changed into is the critical difference between Judas and Peter. 

What will we study from These Two men?

Peter and Judas each struggled with sin all through their time with Jesus all the way through His earthly ministry - one with satisfaction and one with greed. They each sat at His feet, witnessed His miracles, and learned about the Kingdom of Heaven. On the night of Passover, both selected to betray Jesus. Judas passed the Rabbi over to the non secular leaders for economic profit; Peter denied his affiliation with the man He called Lord. What made the difference between these two is one saw Jesus Christ as his Savior, the different failed to see who his savior turned into, and died without faith or hope, or a chance at redemption. both betrayed their Lord, however just one repented.

it's vital to understand from the life of Judas that it is not satisfactory to look Jesus as a sensible man who had first-rate ideas about loving your neighbor and doing the correct element. Jesus made daring claims about Himself – ones that have been supported before the crucifixion with miracles of curative, feeding the hungry, and resurrecting the dead. Judas noticed all of those first-hand, however couldn't call Jesus "Lord." today, the written list of the Bible testifies no longer simplest to those miracles, however to His resurrection. Judas could not bring himself to put His faith in Jesus Christ, which finally led to his downfall. while Judas seemed to be the equal because the other apostles, on the internal, he couldn't put his faith in Jesus Christ

Peter put his religion in His Lord, notwithstanding on the outset he appeared to fight with outward sins, and Jesus asserted that Peter didn't always be mindful His teachings. He understood what the Holy Spirit revealed to him, and followed his Lord. Even after he betrayed Jesus by using denying Him, and never standing up for Him on the trial, he got here lower back. He repented and did more advantageous relocating ahead. This illustration is one for Christians to observe nowadays. answer the name from God to comply with Him, and then go to Him throughout the first rate instances and the difficult times. Sin and mistakes will occur, however God is able to forgive. 

Two men, two betrayals, two different results with one lesson - Jesus is Lord, and stands able to forgive us, if we are able to come to Him in religion and earnest repentance.

Sources

Calvin, Jean, David Torrance, and Thomas Torrane. A harmony of the Gospels

Matthew, Mark and Luke · extent 1. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing business, 1994. 

Edersheim, Alfred. The existence and times of Jesus the Messiah. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing business, 1953.

Feinberg, John S, and Basinger, David.. Predestination & free will: four views of divine sovereignty & human freedom. Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications, 2001.

Halton, Thomas Patrick. On Illustrious men. Washington D.C.: CUA Press, 1999.

Pentecost, J. Dwight. The words and Works of Jesus Christ. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing condo, 1981.

photograph credit: Leonardo Da Vinci/Public domain picture

Bethany Verrett is a freelance author and editor. She maintains a religion and lifestyle blog graceandgrowing.com, the place she muses in regards to the Lord, lifestyles, culture, and ministry.