[Mat 26:17-25 NKJV] 17 Now on the first [day of the Feast] of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying to Him, “Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?” 18 And He said, “Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, “My time is at hand; I will keep the Passover at your house with My disciples.” ‘ ” 19 So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them; and they prepared the Passover. 20 When evening had come, He sat down with the twelve. 21 Now as they were eating, He said, “Assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.” 22 And they were exceedingly sorrowful, and each of them began to say to Him, “Lord, is it I?” 23 He answered and said, “He who dipped [his] hand with Me in the dish will betray Me. 24 “The Son of Man indeed goes just as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.” 25 Then Judas, who was betraying Him, answered and said, “Rabbi, is it I?” He said to him, “You have said it.”

[Pro 13:12 NKJV] 12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But [when] the desire comes, [it is] a tree of life.

Judas Iscariot: Disenfranchised Disciple?

Judas’s motives for betraying Jesus have been debated for centuries. Some scholars and theologians suggest:

• Political Expectations: Judas may have expected Jesus to be a military or political Messiah, someone who would overthrow Roman oppression and establish an earthly kingdom (cf. John 6:15). When it became clear that Jesus’ kingdom was “not of this world” (John 18:36), Judas may have become disillusioned. [Jhn 18:36 NKJV] 36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.”
  
• Zealot Connections: Some believe Judas might have had sympathies with the Zealots, a group that wanted violent uprising against Rome. If so, Jesus’ refusal to lead such a movement might have felt like a betrayal to Judas.
  
• Greed or Disillusionment?: While John 12:6 implies greed (“he was a thief”), Matthew 27:3–5 shows remorse, perhaps indicating that Judas had not fully anticipated the outcome of his betrayal. [Mat 27:3-5 NKJV] 3 Then Judas, His betrayer, seeing that He had been condemned, was remorseful and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, 4 saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” And they said, “What [is that] to us? You see [to it]!” 5 Then he threw down the pieces of silver in the temple and departed, and went and hanged himself.
  

In this light, Judas may have started as a sincere follower who grew disillusioned when Jesus didn’t meet his expectations. This interpretation doesn’t excuse his actions but provides a cautionary tale: a false understanding of who Jesus is can lead to spiritual ruin.

 Judas Is One of the Twelve Whom Jesus Chose (Luke 6:12–16)

[Luk 6:12-16 NKJV] 12 Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. 13 And when it was day, He called His disciples to [Himself]; and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles: 14 Simon, whom He also named Peter, and Andrew his brother; James and John; Philip and Bartholomew; 15 Matthew and Thomas; James the [son] of Alphaeus, and Simon called the Zealot; 16 Judas [the son] of James, and Judas Iscariot who also became a traitor.

This passage shows Jesus had many disciples, and from among them, He chose twelve—including Judas. This implies that Judas had already been following Jesus to some extent and had been counted among the committed disciples.

Jesus Gave Judas Authority (Matthew 10:1–4)

[Mat 10:1-4 NKJV] 1 And when He had called His twelve disciples to [Him], He gave them power [over] unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease. 2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the [son] of Zebedee, and John his brother; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the [son] of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Cananite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him.

Judas is listed among them (v. 4). This means he:

• Traveled with Jesus
  
• Preached the gospel
  
• Performed miracles
  
• Shared in intimate teaching
  

Jesus entrusted him, despite knowing what was in his heart (John 6:64, 70-71).

[Jhn 6:64, 70-71 NKJV] 64 “But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him. … 70 Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?” 71 He spoke of Judas Iscariot, [the son] of Simon, for it was he who would betray Him, being one of the twelve.

Judas Heard the Same Invitation to Life as the Others

Though there’s no direct quote, Judas would have heard Jesus’ repeated calls to:

• Deny self, take up the cross, and follow (Luke 9:23)
  [Luk 9:23 NKJV] 23 Then He said to [them] all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.
• Abide in Him (John 15:4)

[Jhn 15:4 NKJV] 4 “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.

• Believe and not fall away (John 6:66–71)

[Jhn 6:66-71 NKJV] 66 From that [time] many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. 67 Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?” 68 But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 “Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 70 Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?” 71 He spoke of Judas Iscariot, [the son] of Simon, for it was he who would betray Him, being one of the twelve.

Jesus’ Final Appeal (John 13:10–11, 21–30)

[Jhn 13:10-11, 21-30 NKJV] 10 Jesus said to him, “He who is bathed needs only to wash [his] feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you.” 11 For He knew who would betray Him; therefore He said, “You are not all clean.” … 21 When Jesus had said these things, He was troubled in spirit, and testified and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.” 22 Then the disciples looked at one another, perplexed about whom He spoke. 23 Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved. 24 Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask who it was of whom He spoke. 25 Then, leaning back on Jesus’ breast, he said to Him, “Lord, who is it?” 26 Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I shall give a piece of bread when I have dipped [it].” And having dipped the bread, He gave [it] to Judas Iscariot, [the son] of Simon. 27 Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.” 28 But no one at the table knew for what reason He said this to him. 29 For some thought, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus had said to him, “Buy [those things] we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor. 30 Having received the piece of bread, he then went out immediately. And it was night.

At the Last Supper:

• Jesus washes Judas’ feet—an act of love and humility (John 13:5). [Jhn 13:5 NKJV] 5 After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe [them] with the towel with which He was girded.
  
• He shares bread with him—an offer of fellowship (John 13:26). [Jhn 13:26 NKJV] 26 Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I shall give a piece of bread when I have dipped [it].” And having dipped the bread, He gave [it] to Judas Iscariot, [the son] of Simon.
  
• He’s “troubled in spirit” when announcing the betrayal, signaling His sorrow (John 13:21). [Jhn 13:21 NKJV] 21 When Jesus had said these things, He was troubled in spirit, and testified and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.”
  

These were subtle, final invitations to repentance—even in the face of Judas’s hardening heart.

Judas received the same opportunities for transformation but made tragic choices.

While there’s no record of Jesus saying “Follow me” directly to Judas, His inclusion among the Twelve, sharing of authority, personal interactions, and even final gestures of love all show that Jesus did call Judas—fully and freely.

It’s a profound reminder that being called and even being close to Jesus physically doesn’t guarantee salvation—response matters.

Both Judas Iscariot and Peter failed Jesus during His hour of trial—but their responses to failure led them to radically different destinies.

Let’s compare them across several dimensions:

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Judas vs. Peter: A Contrast of Heart and Response

Aspect	Judas Iscariot	Peter (Simon Peter)
Calling	Chosen as one of the Twelve (Luke 6:13–16)	Also chosen among the Twelve (Mark 1:16–18)
Relationship with Jesus	Close proximity; treasurer (John 12:6)	Inner circle; witnessed Transfiguration (Matt. 17:1–2)
Sin	Betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver (Matt. 26:14–16)	Denied Jesus three times out of fear (Luke 22:54–62)
Warning from                                                                                    Jesus	Directly warned at the Last Supper (John 13:21–27)	Warned that Satan would sift him like wheat (Luke 22:31–34)
Response to Sin	Felt remorse, returned the money, but fell into despair (Matt. 27:3–5)	Wept bitterly, but remained with the disciples (Luke 22:62)
End Result	Hung himself; legacy as the betrayer (Acts 1:18–20)	Restored by Jesus and became a key church leader (John 21:15–19)

Key Differences in Their Heart Responses

 Remorse vs. Repentance

• Judas was remorseful—he felt bad and admitted guilt: (Matt. 27:3-4). [Mat 27:3-4 NKJV] 3 Then Judas, His betrayer, seeing that He had been condemned, was remorseful and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, 4 saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” And they said, “What [is that] to us? You see [to it]!”
  
• But he did not return to Jesus. Instead, he turned inward and to the chief priests, who had no grace to offer.
  
• Peter, on the other hand, wept bitterly (Luke 22:61-62) [Luk 22:61-62 NKJV] 61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” 62 So Peter went out and wept bitterly. 
• and returned to Jesus—first by staying with the disciples, and later meeting Jesus on the shore (John 21). [Jhn 21:15-17 NKJV] 15 So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, [son] of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs.” 16 He said to him again a second time, “Simon, [son] of Jonah, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, [son] of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.
  

Insight: Judas was trapped in despair without hope. Peter experienced godly sorrow that leads to repentance (2 Cor. 7:10). [2Co 7:10 NKJV] 10 For godly sorrow produces repentance [leading] to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.

Isolation vs. Restoration

• Judas isolated himself—spiritually and physically.
  
• Peter remained connected to the community of disciples and encountered the risen Christ.
  

Jesus personally restored Peter, asking him three times, “Do you love me?” (John 21:15–17)—a mirror of his three denials.

Insight: Peter’s restoration came not through perfection but through humility, love, and renewed purpose.

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False Expectations vs. Faith Renewal

Judas may have expected a political messiah, and when Jesus refused to act as he wished, he turned traitor. His action was possibly fueled by disillusionment or greed (John 12:6) .

Peter also had misguided views (e.g., rebuking Jesus for predicting His death—Matt. 16:21-22) [Mat 16:21-22 NKJV] 21 From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day. 22 Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!”

 but when Jesus corrected him, he eventually surrendered to God’s will—even unto death.