(By : Dessy Ariadna – Stand To JESUS Writing Team)
There are accusations out there that say that JESUS was not crucified but that Judas Iscariot was crucified in place of JESUS, is that accusation true? Let’s examine it thoroughly based on the truth from the Bible itself.
1. Judas Iscariot died by suicide
Judas Iscariot was sorry when he found out that JESUS, whom he had betrayed for 30 pieces of silver, had been sentenced to death by crucifixion. He went to the chief priests and elders of Israel to return the money and hoped that Jesus would be released, but no one cared about what he said. Finally, with regret, he left and chose to end his life by hanging himself. So Judas Iscariot died by hanging himself, not by being crucified.
Matthew 27:3-5 (IMB) When Judas, who betrayed Him, saw that He was being condemned, he repented and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, and said, “I have sinned by betraying blood of innocent People. ” But they said, “ What is our business? That’s your own responsibility! ” He threw the pieces of silver into the Temple, then went and hanged himself.
2. All the residents of Jerusalem knew that Judas Iscariot had hanged himself and his insides had been cut open
The entire population of Jerusalem knows the tragic death of Judas Iscariot and how Judas Iscariot died, so the accusation that he was crucified in place of JESUS is completely untrue.
Acts 1:18-19 (IMB) After receiving a plot of land from the wages of his betrayal, he fell down with his stomach split open and all its contents spilled out. This was known to everyone who lived in Jerusalem , so that the land in their language was called Hakeldama, which means Land of Blood.
3. The land that Judas Iscariot obtained as a result of his betrayal was famous in Jerusalem and was called the land of blood
The entire population of Jerusalem knew what Judas Iscariot had done and what happened to him, even the land that Judas Iscariot received as payment for his crimes was famous in Jerusalem and was called the land of blood.
Acts 1:16-19 (IMB) “My brothers, the prophecy that the Holy Spirit spoke through David about Judas, who led the people to arrest Jesus, must be fulfilled. He is the one who was also chosen with us and received a share in this ministry. After obtaining a plot of land from the wages of his betrayal, he fell down with his stomach split open and all its contents spilled out. This was known to everyone who lived in Jerusalem, so that the land in their language was called Hakeldama, which means Land of Blood.
4. There were eyewitnesses who saw the body of Judas Iscariot fall from where he hanged himself and all his stomach contents were exposed
The death of Judas Iscariot was known to all residents of Jerusalem and there were even eyewitnesses who saw Judas’ body fall and his entrails spill out, this became the talk of the town in Jerusalem.
Acts 1:18 (IMB) After receiving a plot of land from the wages of his betrayal, he fell down with his stomach split open and all its contents spilled out.
5. Judas Iscariot died before JESUS was crucified
In Matthew 27 it is recorded about the manner of Judas Iscariot’s death, he died before JESUS was crucified, when Judas Iscariot died, JESUS was on trial before Pontius Pilate. So how could Judas Iscariot, who had died before Jesus’ crucifixion, replace JESUS to be crucified? Very unreasonable and far-fetched.
Matthew 27:1-5 (IMB) By morning, all the chief priests and elders of the people had agreed to fight JESUS and put Him to death. They tied Him up, then led Him away and handed Him over to the governor Pontius Pilate. When Judas, who betrayed Him, saw that He was being condemned, he repented and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, and said, “I have sinned in betraying the blood of an innocent Man. ” But they said, “ What is our business? That’s your own responsibility! ” He threw the pieces of silver into the Temple, then went and hanged himself.
So it is clear here that Judas Iscariot did not die on the cross in place of JESUS Christ, but he died before the crucifixion of Jesus, and all the citizens of Jerusalem knew that, there were even eyewitnesses who saw how Judas Iscariot died in very terrible circumstances. The Word of God says that the testimony of two or three witnesses is valid, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem and those who saw the death of Judas are valid witnesses, while one person who says that JESUS was not crucified but Judas Iscariot is completely invalid because he did not see the incident happened and he had absolutely no eyewitnesses who could confirm his words.
Deuteronomy 19:15 (IMB) One witness alone cannot accuse someone regarding any matter or any sin, namely the sins he may have committed. Based on the testimony of two or three witnesses, the case can be established.
Matthew 18:16 (IMB) But if he does not listen, take with you one or two more people, so that on the words of two or three witnesses, every case can be confirmed.
1 Timothy 5:19 (IMB) Do not accept an accusation against an elder unless it is supported by two or three witnesses.
2 Corinthians 13:1 (IMB) This is the third time I have come to you. Through testimony from the mouths of two or three people, every case is declared valid.
Hebrews 10:28 (IMB) People who reject the law of Moses, on the testimony of two or three witnesses, will be put to death without mercy.
6. It was JESUS who RISEN on the THIRD day, not Judas Iscariot
If it was Judas Iscariot who was crucified, it would give rise to a logical fallacy called a contradiction . Contradiction is a statement that contradicts another statement whose truth has previously been acknowledged.
In this case, if the one who was crucified was Judas Iscariot, then the one who rose on the third day and appeared to the disciples and those closest to JESUS was also Judas Iscariot. However, this contradicts the story written in the BIBLE.
According to the BIBLE, JESUS had special marks on his body, namely whip scars on his back and nail marks on his hands and feet. These signs were also present on the body of the resurrected JESUS.
If the one who rose was Judas Iscariot, then Judas Iscariot must also have these special signs. However, this is impossible because Judas Iscariot did not experience the torture that JESUS experienced.
- JESUS’ resurrection event : MATTHEW 28:6-10
- News of JESUS’ Resurrection : LUKE 24:3-10
- JESUS Appears to His Followers : Luke 24:36-48
- JESUS Appears to Thomas : John 20:24-29
