Expert: Michael O`Flaherty - 7/31/2005

Question
How did Judas in New Testament die?

Answer
Hi! There are two references to Judas in regards to his death. The first is in Matthew:

MT 27:5 So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.

The second is found in Acts:

AC 1:15 In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) 16 and said, "Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through the mouth of David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus-- 17 he was one of our number and shared in this ministry." 18 (With the reward he got for his wickedness, Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out. 19 Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this, so they called that field in their language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)

It appears that the second reference was added to Acts to explain what happened to Judas (his actions.) In my opinion, Judas bought the field, hung himself, and then his body fell apart as it decayed. I have not looked at the Greek, but that is probably what is meant by his body bursting open. Regardless, the Matthew text is definitive that Judas hung himself.

In Jesus Name!
Michael
www.oflaherty.com/mo.htm