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The synod

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The shock must first be dealt with (Acts 1:12-26), that someone who had even been entrusted with money was a traitor. The first Christians withdrew, reconciled themselves with history and had to find a new way of working together.

The name Judas Iscariot could indicate that he was associated with the particularly radical movement of the Sicarii (Dagger Men). This was a subgroup of the Zealots. They carried daggers (Latin sica = Roman term) in their cloaks. They used these to stab compatriots with whom they accused of co-operating with the Roman occupation during crowds. Others interpret the epithet as Ish Qeriyot (man from Keriyot). It is not known whether such a place existed. The Hebrew word qeriyot also has the meaning of meeting (man of the meeting or middleman).

Peter points out that the betrayal was already announced in the Holy Scriptures (verse 16).

In Psalm 41:10, a messianic prophecy by David, it says: “Even my closest friend, with whom I shared my bread and in whom I trusted, now tramples me underfoot.” Jesus himself quotes this verse in John 13:18, predicting betrayal.

Zechariah 11:12-13 says: “They paid me 30 pieces of silver. Then the LORD said to me, ‘So this is the proud sum I am worth to them! Throw the money at the potter’s feet!” Matthew 27:9-10 makes it clear that this was another prophecy concerning Judas.

Judas hanged himself (Matthew 27:5). In order to cleanse the city, he was thrown over the city wall. He broke apart in the process. The 30 pieces of silver were used to buy a field from the potters (Matthew 27:10), which became a burial place for non-Jews.

The substitutionary death of Jesus on the cross was God’s plan and yet it was Judas’ own decision to betray Jesus. Judas intended evil, but God turned it to good.

Jesus had openly told the twelve that one of them was a perverter of facts (devil / confuser) (John 6:70). He pronounced a “woe” on his betrayer (Matthew 26:24). Judas listened to all this unmoved. He did not apply these words to himself. He pretended to be a friend of Christ. But Judas did not love Jesus. His focus was on himself. He accepted all of Christ’s gifts and even stole money from the community treasury (John 12:6).

Modern interpretations try to impute a good disposition to Judas. He only wanted Jesus to be forced to act as the Messiah.

However, Judas has a wrong mindset that is not orientated towards God but towards himself.

He wanted to undo his deed because it did not turn out the way he expected. But he did not repent, as Peter had done after his betrayal. According to verse 25, this would have been a possibility.

Peter recognises what is to be done by praying the Psalms. He quotes David with Psalm 69:26 “Let their possessions be desolate, let no one dwell in their tents” and Psalm 109:8 “Let him not live much longer, and let someone else take his place.”

Now a successor is appointed according to the familiar scheme (someone who has experienced everything). The divine order is to be restored through human suggestions. Despite failure, the commandments of Jesus continues (verse 24).

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