Very little is known of Judas Iscariot prior to his becoming one of the 12 disciples of the Lord Jesus. It is thought he was a follower of John the Baptist and then followed the Lord after his baptism. He was keeper of the money for the 12 disciples:
John 12:6 This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.
John 13:29 For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor.
Notice that John refers to him as a THIEF. He also was the one who betrayed the Lord. Putting the Gospel accounts together we get some insight into Judas Iscariot.
Matthew 10:4 Simon the Canaanite, and {Judas Iscariot}, who also betrayed him.
Mark 3:19 And {Judas Iscariot}, which also betrayed him: and they went into an house.
Matthew 26:14 Then one of the twelve, called {Judas Iscariot}, went unto the chief priests,
Mark 14:10 And {Judas Iscariot}, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests, to betray him unto them.
Luke 6:16 And Judas [the brother] of James, and {Judas Iscariot}, which also was the traitor.
John 6:71 He spake of {Judas Iscariot} [the son] of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve.
Matthew 25:25 Then {Judas}, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.
Luke 22:3 Then entered Satan into {Judas} surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve.
John 12:4 Then saith one of his disciples, {Judas Iscariot}, Simon’s [son], which should betray him,
John 13:2 And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of {Judas Iscariot}, Simon’s [son], to betray him;
John 13:26 Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped [it]. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave [it] to {Judas Iscariot}, [the son] of Simon.
John 13:29 For some [of them] thought, because {Judas} had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy [those things] that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor.
Matthew 25:47 And while he yet spake, lo, {Judas}, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people.
Mark 14:43 And immediately, while he yet spake, cometh {Judas}, one of the twelve, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders.
Luke 22:47-48 And while he yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was called {Judas}, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him. But Jesus said unto him, {Judas}, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?
John 18:2 And {Judas} also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples. Judas then, having received a band [of men] and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons. Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye? They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am [he]. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them.
Matthew 27:3 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,
Acts 1:16 Men [and] brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning {Judas}, which was guide to them that took Jesus.
Psalm 41:9 Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.
Acts 1:25 That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which {Judas} by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.
Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, was a thief, a betrayer, a lover of money, a disillusioned follower of the Lord, who spent 3 years pretending to be a disciple for his own gain.
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