Another popular baby name among the New Testament generation is Judas, meaning ‘praise’: Judas son of James (a disciple of Jesus, also called Thaddaeus); Judas, brother of Jesus and James (also called Jude); Judas Barsabbas (one of the nominee along with Matthias to replace Judas Iscariot); Judas the Galilean (a revolt leader).
But the one who stained the reputation of this name is Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, known as the betrayer.
Judas excelled at hypocrisy.
Hypocrisy of trustworthiness. Judas’ pretend righteousness got him the job of keeper of the purse. “Since Judas had charge of the money, some thought Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the festival, or to give something to the poor.” John 13:29
Hypocrisy of kindness. Judas’ lips spoke of genuine concern for the poor. “But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, ‘Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.’ ” John 12:4-5 If anyone knew how much Mary’s perfume was worth, Judas would; the money lover, the one willing to sell Jesus at the price of a slave- 30 pieces of silver. (“… the owner must pay thirty shekels of silver to the master of that servant …” Exodus 21:32)
Hypocrisy of true character. Judas blindsided the disciples with his performance. Jesus literally points to the traitor, and they suspect nothing. “Leaning back against Jesus, he asked him, ‘Lord, who is it?’ Jesus answered, ‘It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.’ Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot… So Jesus told him, ‘What you are about to do, do quickly.’ But no one at the meal understood why Jesus said this to him…” John 13:25-28
[Hypocritai] is the Greek word describing One of The Twelve ‘an actor under an assumed character’. The Gospels don’t bluntly call “the son of destruction” a hypocrite, and they don’t even have to. His betrayal says it all. He could’ve even taught the Pharisees a trick, or two.
Jesus had a lot to say on this hot topic of hypocritai in Matthew 23.
The smart alecks of Jewish leadership “laid plans to trap [Jesus] in his words”. After multiple ridiculous attempts, Jesus gives them a straightforward talk, and calls them in a short span hypocritai 7 times, plus a few synonyms: actors, blind men, blind fools, blind guides, decorated [kosmeites] graves, dirty cups, snakes, poisonous baby vipers.
Not flattering terms.
Hypocrisy is the practice of hiding sins you’re aware of, and going out of your way to prove the opposite while ignoring its perilous outcome. Hypocrisy is curing psoriasis with makeup. All the cosmetics plastered over Judas’ selfish, and greedy acts came unglued no matter how heavily-coated they were. The more lies and pretends he had to stack, the more burdensome and destructive it became. Under the intense pressure to impress, his life ended tragically.
Judas’ camouflaged hypocrisy fooled everyone, including himself; but not Jesus “…Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!” John 6:70
We can mislead the church-goers, and even those outside our faith as we put on a ‘show of godliness’, but we’ll never deceive the One looking inside the cup, the One who penetrates beyond the decorated walls of the tomb … the One examining our hearts.
“… and we are just as capable of messing it up as they were (or, as Judas was). Don’t be so naive and self-confident. You’re not exempt. You could fall flat on your face as easily as anyone else. Forget about self-confidence; it’s useless. Cultivate God-confidence.” 1 Corinthians 10:12 MSG