After yesterday’s Greater Sin topic, the question arises about the outcome of Judas Iscariot, the one that betrayed Jesus.
The comment was made that Judas repented.
Let’s check out what the scripture says; when Judas, who had betrayed him, realized that Jesus had been condemned to die, he was filled with remorse. So he took the thirty pieces of silver back to the leading priests and the elders. “I have sinned,” he declared, “for I have betrayed an innocent man.”
“What do we care?” they retorted. “That’s your problem.”
Then Judas threw the silver coins down in the Temple and went out and hanged himself. Matt 27:3-5
Now only the KJV says that Judas repented himself, which is the equivalent to what the NKJV and NLT both say, that he was remorseful.
Remorse is defined by Merriam-Webster online as a gnawing distress arising from a sense of guilt for past wrongs.
Repent carries the meaning: to turn from sin and dedicate oneself to the amendment of one’s life or: to feel regret or contrition.
In the original Greek the word used for Judas’ remorse is metamellomai.
Meanwhile in Peter’s discourse on the Day of Pentecost when he said, “Repent and be baptized…” the word is metanoeo.
It’s definitely not the same word.
As the eleven were about to choose someone to take the place of Judas, they prayed this – “O Lord, you know every heart. Show us which of these men you have chosen as an apostle to replace Judas in this ministry, for he has deserted us and gone where he belongs.” Acts 1:24-25
There is a bit more written about his death. He hung himself and evidently his body fell and burst open. (Mt 27:5; Acts 1:18-19)
While it would be nice to know that Judas repented, asked forgiveness, and went on to live a prosperous Christian life and ministry; the evidence is not there.