(Writer : Dessy Ariadna -Stand To JESUS)
Again and again on Tiktok I find inconsequential content where the content creator says that Judas Iscariot is the same figure as Judas who is called Thaddeus, one of JESUS’ disciples too, very confidently and without reading the truth in the Bible, he dares to say that Judas Iscariot was one of the apostles who received the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the attic of Jerusalem. The problem was that his words were very untrue and had the potential to mislead people who did not know the truth. So let’s explain the differences in detail.
1. Judas Iscariot died before JESUS was 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. Matthias was chosen as an apostle to replace Judas Iscariot
Acts 1:23-26 (IMB) Then they appointed two men, namely Joseph, who was called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias. And when they prayed, they said, “LORD, You know the hearts of all people, show me one of these two men, whom You have chosen to receive the ministry and office of apostle that Judas has left, who has gone to a place worthy of him. ” Then they cast lots over the two of them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was added to the eleven apostles.
3. The death of Judas Iscariot was known to everyone in Jerusalem
Acts 1:16-20 (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 the Land of Blood. As it is written in the Book of Psalms: Let his dwelling be desolate, and let no one live in it, and let others take his place.
4. There were eyewitnesses who saw what happened to Judas Iscariot when he died
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 the Land of Blood.
5. The Book of John mentions the name Judas Thaddeus as “Judas who is not Iscariot”
John 14:22 (IMB) Judas, who was not Iscariot, said to Him, “Lord, why do You want to reveal Yourself to us and not to the world? ”
When the conversation between JESUS and Judas Thaddeus took place, Judas Iscariot had already left the place of the last supper to meet the chief priests.
John 13:2 (IMB) And when the supper was almost over, the devil put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray JESUS.
John 13:25-31 (IMB) So those who leaned on JESUS said to Him, “Lord, who is he? ” JESUS answered, “ He is the one to whom I will give the piece of bread that I have dipped. ” And having dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son. And after Judas received the piece of bread, he was possessed by a demon. Then JESUS said to him, “What you are going to do, do it immediately! ” But none of those leaning at the table understood why JESUS said that to Judas. Some thought, because Judas was holding a money bag, maybe JESUS told him: “Buy what we need for this celebration,” or that he should give something to the poor. Then, after receiving the piece of bread, he immediately went out. By then it was evening. After Judas had left, JESUS said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified, and God is glorified in Him.
6. The Book of Acts refers to Judas Thaddeus as Judas the brother of James to distinguish him from Judas Iscariot
Acts 1:12-13 (IMB) Then from the Mount of Olives they returned to Jerusalem, which was about a Sabbath journey. When they arrived in the city, they went up to the upper room, where they gathered together, namely Peter and James and John and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas the brother of James.
From the differences above, it is clear that Judas Thaddeus was a different person from Judas Iscariot, they were not the same person.
