Judas was one of the twelve disciples of Jesus, remembered in the New Testament Gospels for betraying Jesus and handing Him over to the chief priests.
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Judas Iscariot was one of the twelve disciples chosen by Jesus, distinguished by the epithet "Iscariot," traditionally understood to indicate his origin from Kerioth (or Kerioth-hezron), and also identified as "the son of Simon Iscariot" in the Gospels. As one of the twelve, he traveled with Jesus for three years, witnessing His teachings, miracles, and the community He formed. The Gospels narrate Judas going to the chief priests and offering to betray Jesus (Matthew 26:14). The Gospel of John provides a more detailed account of the Last Supper, where Jesus dipped a piece of bread and gave it to "Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot," as a sign to identify the one who would betray Him (John 13:26). This event marks the beginning of Jesus' Passion and has made Judas a widely discussed figure in all four Gospels. Judas's life became a profound New Testament theme concerning betrayal, the consequences of sin, and God's redemption accomplished through human failure. His story is often cited as a warning against greed and unfaithfulness, while also prompting generations of readers to reflect on the mystery of how God's saving work is fulfilled even through human weakness.