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Q&A

Did Judas go to hell?

KC Gabriels Send an email October 25, 2021Last Updated: October 25, 2021
3 minutes read
Prayer for the Morning (Saturday, February 5)
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Did Judas go to hell?

Contents hide
1 Full Question
2 Answer:
3 St Peter:
4 King David
5 St. Augustine:
6 St. Thomas Aquinas:
7 Pope St. Leo the Great:
8 We do not know:
9 Read More

Full Question

Did Judas go to Hell?

Answer:

The truth is no one can tell for certain, and the Catholic Church does not have an official stand on this since there is no way of knowing. However, what I can do is share with you all the things you need to know to decide what your position is, and I will also share mine.

Jesus, Saints:

Jesus said:

“Woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born”

Matt. 26:24

While one might quote the words of Jesus to support the notion he is in Hell, we have to remember that Jesus is very forgiving. The statement isn’t as final as we’d want, but there’s more in support of this.

St Peter:

“Men, brethren, the Scripture must needs be fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas … he indeed hath possessed a field of the reward of iniquity … the same field was called … the field of blood. For it is written in the book of Psalms: Let their habitation become desolate, and let there be none to dwell therein”

Acts 1:16–20

King David

“Set thou the sinner over him: and may the devil stand at his right hand. When he is judged, may he go out condemned, and may his prayer be turned to sin. May his days be few: and his bishopric let another take.”

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Psalm 108:6–8:

St. Augustine: 

“For Judas, when he killed himself, killed a wicked man, and passed from this life chargeable not only with the death of Christ but also with his own: for though he killed himself on account of his crime, his killing himself was another crime.”

St. Thomas Aquinas: 

“In the case of Judas, the abuse of grace was the reason for his reprobation, since he was made reprobate because he died without grace.”

Pope St. Leo the Great: 

“The godless betrayer, shutting his mind to all these things [offerings of God’s Mercy], turned upon himself, not with a mind to repent, but in the madness of self-destruction; so that this man who had sold the Author of Life to the executioners of His death, even in the act of dying sinned unto the increase of his own eternal punishment.”

We do not know:

Jesus never jokes and never throws around “woes” up and down. When Jesus says, it stands. However, there is a position we are forgetting: some things are just for God alone to know. Like the final destinations of people who have died. The only time we know someone is in heaven is when we receive his word, through the rigorous process of canonization, that the Lord has chosen to allow his Church to honor said Saint on earth. But when it is about those in Hell, no one knows; no one is supposed to know. This is my opinion: Only God knows for sure what happened to Judas. 

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Again, remember the story of the woman who was crying to St. Jean Baptiste Vianney about her husband’s suicide. The Saint comforted her and later said:

“I tell you he is saved. He is in Purgatory, and you must pray for him. Between the parapet of the bridge and the water, he had time to make an act of contrition.”

The truth is, we can never know when it comes to these matters, and that’s very okay. Whether Judas is in heaven, Hell or Purgatory, won’t do much for our salvation. So, let us run the race; we will look for him in heaven when we get there.

God bless 

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KC Gabriels Send an email October 25, 2021Last Updated: October 25, 2021
3 minutes read
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KC Gabriels

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  1. I puzzled for decades over whether Judas was in hell because it seemed somewhat unjust that without Judas “playing his role” the Cruxifiction would not have been accomplished.

    The Holy Spirt eventually prompted me to know that Judas is indeed in hell as is Anas and reminded me that the Gospels do not contain the ‘full story” of everything as John says. Apparently the Gospel writers “self-censored” what they wrote because being devout Jews they could not bring themselves to write some things.

    But of more interest to me however was that any priest denying the existence of hell ends up there.

  2. So many different judgments on this topic, with so many people insisting they know the truth as though they spoke to Jesus before writing their response. The truth is, no one actually knows what happened to Judas, or if he was pre-ordained to turn against Jesus. However, since nowhere in the Bible did Jesus condemn an individual to hell, including those who demanded His execution, beat Him and crucified Him, there’s a good chance that Judas might be in heaven with Jesus.

  4. Without Judas’ betrayal God’s plan of Salvation wouldn’t be complete. Judas wasn’t in hell because he believed Jesus is God. It was the Grace of God thru faith saved us not by our work. Killing oneself doesn’t dictate one is going to hell (5th commandment). And Judas repented just like the thief on the cross.

  5. When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. (Matthew 27:3)

    Let’s not forget that before Judas hung himself, scripture tells us he was “seized with remorse” and attempted to return the silver. Only our Messiah Jesus knows if Judas Iscariot truly meant his repentance 🙏

  6. In my opinion God allows wrong or bad things for a reason. God created us for a reason according to His Divine Plan. In the case with Judas, God created him for a reason to fulfill His plan. Judas was an instrument for His plan of salvation. If there was no Judas, God’s plan will not materialize. However, even if there was no Judas, God will use another person as instrument to fulfill His plan of salvation for mankind. Did Judas go to hell? Only God knows, but again in my opinion, God’s Divine Mercy is much much greater than all sins in the whole world combined.

  8. No.Judas is not in hell at this time because there is no judgement yet. His body is interred while his spirit is in prison.
    An appointed time of judgement for all mankind will be in a day.

  11. For those who accepted Jesus as LORD AND SAVIOR after He died and went to hell, i believe they come with Jesus in heaven… God bless all… very nice talk thnx 🙂

    1. God says Judas went to hell…..why is there even a question about it? If God said it then it must be true. If you think God recorded it in scripture and then changed His mind then u don’t know God very well. He says in Malachi- I AM the Lord and I do not change

  15. i believe that judas is ok of course he repented he couldnt live with himself after he realized wot he had done but he will always be known asthe betrayer

  16. Those who doubt that Judas is in hell probably also doubt anyone is in hell except those fallen angels. If you can believe that Judas may not be in hell because he may have repented at the last second and God forgave him, then you can believe the same about the worst of the worse having repented in that split second who also managed to save themselves. You should also then believe the same presumption about every seemingly unrepentant rapist, mass murderer, sadist, etc.who may all have repented in one second and were all saved from the fire of hell. People, don’t you believe there is a hell? Is Jesus a liar? Stop being such nice sanctimonious people painting a rosy picture of hope for the unrepentant evil people with nothing but hatred in their hearts….hell is their eternal home. It is a dangerous thing for anyone to think they can do whatever pleases them on earth because they will not have to worry about going to hell due to the mercy of God which will save them. How presumptuous. Anyone who believes or teaches such false notions will be held responsible for misleading other souls down the wrong path.

  17. If Judas is presumed to have repented by his act of throwing away the pieces of silver, why then did he go on and hang himself. Killing another person and committing suicide are the same, a sin against the fifth commandment : Thou shall not kill. Let’s not keep siding with God’s betrayer and making excuses for why he killed himself. Did he not believe in God’s mercy and forgiveness? Apparently not. Aren’t we taught that it is a sin to not believe that God forgives if we repent sincerely? Why make the excuse that Judas could not forgive himself and that is why he committed suicide. Do you really think that when we face God’s judgement he will take into consideration our psychological state of mind as a good excuse for our sinful actions? Man may, but God is truth and there will be no ifs and buts when we all come before him one day. Yes I, too, agree God is merciful, but he is also just. Betrayal of anyone is bad, but to betray the Son of God is unforgivable. Judas is in hell, no doubt.

  18. Since Judas had doubts and starting to believe that Jesus isn’t in fact the Messiah (reason why He sold him to the Sanhedrin to stand trial), he MIGHT HAVE COMMITTED IN HIS HEART the sin against God’s Holy Spirit. To doubt that Jesus’ authority came from God… to reject Jesus’ divinity in spite of being a witness to all His miracles is evidence enough to be a sin against the Holy Spirit. This for me is worse than what the pharisees did. At least the Sanhedrin didn’t know Jesus. But Judas being one of the twelve is privy to a lot of Jesus’ true being and yet he betrayed Him.
    The bible states that there is only one sin that cannot be be forgiven, and that is the sin against the Holy Spirit. WHILE IT IS TRUE THAT JUDAS DIDN’T ACTUALLY BLASPHEMED AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT, HE COMMITTED THE SIN IN HIS HEART. So I think this holds true when Matthew 26:24 describes how Judas will have his fate.
    Sin against the Holy Spirit is an unpardonable sin. I hope my theory is wrong….. Judas, God bless your soul…

  20. No one is sure, but based on what he did, we will think he did, like killing himself is a mortal sin, selling Jesus is another, but for all we know God forgives & he repent before killing himself.

  21. I do not believe that he did, honestly. If it weren’t for Judas turning Jesus in, Christ wouldn’t have had to make His sacrifice to save our souls. And then where would we be? God made Judas knowing what Judas would do, knowing what Christ ultimately would have to do. And for one to kill themselves they cannot be in their right mind(can you imagine yourself being sane after you handed over the Son of God to his death? Probably not) which God would be forgiving of.
    I believe Judas is loved by God, as God loves all of us. I believe there was mercy upon his suffering soul.

    1. According to your logic then Hitler is in heaven too because apparently everyone and everything is controlled by God and people are just playing their role and that is why Judas betrayed Jesus. Nonsense. If Judas didn’t do it then God would have used somebody else. God never leads a man to sin (James 4-5), and if it was His plan and Judas just fulfilled his role then God led him to sin. NONSENSE. God allows us free will to do what we want, He knows all, and He used Judas’ greed to accomplish His plan of salvation. He didn’t make Judas do it or create that role for him, but He did let Judas do what he wanted and God used it for our good to accomplish His plan. Just like when he used the evil of Joseph’s brothers to accomplish His plan of saving Israel in Genesis. They sinned and sold their brother into slavery, and God used it for God because He is sovereign and knows all. Romans 8:28 “And we know ALL things work together for good for those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose. He allows people freewill, but when they do evil He can still turn it into good. GOD IS AWESOME.
      As for Judas, the scripture says “Woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born” (Matt. 26:24) was written by the Holy Spirit through Matthew years AFTER Judas had betrayed Jesus and the Holy Spirit-God confirmed it when He still said it would have been better if Judas had not been born. Also, Jesus knew Judas was the betrayer in advance, He said many this many times, specifically in John 6:70. Jesus knew exactly who would betray Him, and He knew exactly what the betrayer’s final destination would be. Jesus-God says Judas went to hell. If he went to heaven then its good that he was born. Since he went to hell, he would have been better off never being born, like the scripture says, because then at least he wouldn’t be in hell because he would never have existed in the first place. If Judas went to heaven the JESUS was wrong when He said that in Matt 26. Jesus was never wrong, He IS TRUTH. If you think Judas was forgiven then you must also think that Jesus was wrong about what He said in Matt 26. Jesus is never wrong.

  22. For me i have a different view on judas death, he was a christian and we know christian must face temptations as normal like Peter deny. The death of Juda comes in a repentance way, he discovered what wrong he did to Jesus was actually not good. first, he decided to return the money. Secondly, when he saw the people were not ready to receive back their money, he also knew what these people are going to do for Jesus, he was not filling much better(Sin pain). He feel the shame that is uppon him(What was written). Repentance was met in this invironment although the bible doesn’t say openly what he said, his final death was in repentance not like someone who is diciding to kill himself with personal issues. You can’t repent if you don’t know what to repent or what you have sin(regret), he was not able to go to Jesus to be delivered his sin SINCE he knew he was said during mess. We do wrong but it is just an evil controlling our desire. In that time they also had no Holy Spirit power to help them. Jesus came to save the Sinners, He resolved those problems at the cross(mercy,forgive).

    1. the scripture says “Woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born” (Matt. 26:24) was written by the Holy Spirit through Matthew years AFTER Judas had betrayed Jesus and the Holy Spirit-God confirmed it when He still said it would have been better if Judas had not been born. Also, Jesus knew Judas was the betrayer in advance, He said many this many times, specifically in John 6:70. Jesus knew exactly who would betray Him, and He knew exactly what the betrayer’s final destination would be. Jesus-God says Judas went to hell. If he went to heaven then its good that he was born. Since he went to hell, he would have been better off never being born, like the scripture says, because then at least he wouldn’t be in hell because he would never have existed in the first place. If Judas went to heaven the JESUS was wrong when He said that in Matt 26. Jesus was never wrong, He IS TRUTH. If you think Judas went to heaven, then that also means you think Jesus was wrong when He said that man was going to hell. If you think Jesus was wrong then that means you think Jesus is a sinner…. Everything Jesus said was true, He never had to change His words, he spoke truth and truth only, whether speaking of the past, present, or future.

  25. It seems to me his suicide alone is a form of repentance. How could he live with himself after the act? Maybe he couldn’t forgive himself and suicide was his only way out. The act of suicide is a complicated act, It is the end of depression. I know in my heart that he deserves sympathy and prayers, after all we don’t know his end in eternity.

  26. I hope Judas was also saved in God’s mercy. Returning the money is his sign of repentance. If Judas had the chance to be saved, therefore many sinners among us may have also the chances to be saved.

  28. I believe Judas was playing his role the Eternal God the Father had assigned him to do. All things happening on this earth is according to God’s plan. My understanding is, if Judas was not around to do as the Eternal Father assigned him to perform as traitor to Jesus, what would be then the story of God’s plan for salvation of humanity? Remember God so love the world/humanity that He gave His only begotten Son Jesus to save the world and Judas was assigned a role of turning his back against his Master Jesus to accomplish the role given to him in saving the people of the world..
    In my opinion, he is in Heaven even though he committed suicide, for the reason that he asked forgiveness that is if he did, but, still Jesus Christ’s Divine Mercy is a lot greater than any great sins in the whole world combined. Judas action was under Eternal Father’s control which he performed his role/assignment according to God’s plan.

    1. According to your logic then Hitler is in heaven too because apparently everyone and everything is controlled by God and people are just playing their role and that is why Judas betrayed Jesus. Nonsense. If Judas didn’t do it then God would have used somebody else. God never leads a man to sin (James 4-5), and if it was His plan and Judas just fulfilled his role then God led him to sin. NONSENSE. God allows us free will to do what we want, He knows all, and He used Judas’ greed to accomplish His plan of salvation. He didn’t make Judas do it or create that role for him, but He did let Judas do what he wanted and God used it for our good to accomplish His plan. Just like when he used the evil of Joseph’s brothers to accomplish His plan of saving Israel in Genesis. They sinned and sold their brother into slavery, and God used it for God because He is sovereign and knows all. Romans 8:28 “And we know ALL things work together for good for those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose. He allows people freewill, but when they do evil He can still turn it into good. GOD IS AWESOME.
      As for Judas, the scripture says “Woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born” (Matt. 26:24) was written by the Holy Spirit through Matthew years AFTER Judas had betrayed Jesus and the Holy Spirit-God confirmed it when He still said it would have been better if Judas had not been born. Also, Jesus knew Judas was the betrayer in advance, He said many this many times, specifically in John 6:70. Jesus knew exactly who would betray Him, and He knew exactly what the betrayer’s final destination would be. Jesus-God says Judas went to hell. If he went to heaven then its good that he was born. Since he went to hell, he would have been better off never being born, like the scripture says, because then at least he wouldn’t be in hell because he would never have existed in the first place. If Judas went to heaven the JESUS was wrong when He said that in Matt 26. Jesus was never wrong, He IS TRUTH.

  30. You would think he did. Why then did Jesus say except for the son of perdition. Why would Jesus even bring that up when so many people hated God from even vack in the old testament and no one ever brought up the name Perdition then. If he did go to Hell then all the other people who did euthanasia went to hell with him, Brittany Maynard – Robbin Williams not to mention all the people who knew that crack or heroine would kill them when they ment to overdose for pleasure and addictions. But also God understands the ones for the most part that didnt mean to as having mercy on them at least.

  31. judas was in hell. he was clever enough to die before Christ. when Christ was crucifed, died and was buried, He descended to the dead(sheol, hell ,abyss). and on the third day rose again bringing all those in hell together with Him ( just this once ) into heaven.

  32. Suicide is usually, but not always, considered as the result of illness these days, and therefore hell should not be considered the automatic result. Judas biggest sin was in not trusting Jesus to forgive him, not the actual betrayal. Nearly all the other disciples deserted Jesus; Peter denied Jesus three times. The main difference between Judas and Peter is that Judas gave up on life, and Peter prayed for forgiveness. Did Judas go to hell? How could we possibly know the answer to that?

  33. But Jesus died for the forgiveness of sins right? That would also include Judas’ sins as well…Jesus also prayed to the father to forgive his prosecutors,Judas also being included. But hey that’s just my opinion

    1. Lindo I agree wit u I think judas had a late conversion thats why he returned the money he knew then who jesus really was and was filled with deep remorse and shame he cudnt live with wat he had done 2 his beloved master and so driven by dispair he took his own life. But I belive jesus forgive him from the cross when he cried out 2 the heavenly father father forgive them for they no not wat they do I belive judas was included in this desperate cry of our lord 2 the father

      1. I means including all the pharisee, sadducees and soldiers Jesus forgive? When Jesus said forgive them for they do not know what they do.
        So be it… i hope and pray so…. 🙂

  35. We do not know if Judas went to hell. The scriptures had to be fulfilled by someone and it was Judas. He very well have asked forgiveness before his death.

  36. Do you remember that Judas returned the money, and said He wanted nothing to do with what they were doing to our Savior? This would indicate he repented. However, He did commit suicide… why? Because, He probably couldn’t forgive himself for his betrayal to our Lord Jesus. This shows he wasn’t feeling worthy of His own life. Even, in this era many might feel that they are not pleasing to others, our Lord, or anyone for that matter!! I strongly believe that our God forgave him.

    4. the scripture says “Woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born” (Matt. 26:24) was written by the Holy Spirit through Matthew years AFTER Judas had betrayed Jesus and the Holy Spirit-God confirmed it when He still said it would have been better if Judas had not been born. Also, Jesus knew Judas was the betrayer in advance, He said many this many times, specifically in John 6:70. Jesus knew exactly who would betray Him, and He knew exactly what the betrayer’s final destination would be. Jesus-God says Judas went to hell. If he went to heaven then its good that he was born. Since he went to hell, he would have been better off never being born, like the scripture says, because then at least he wouldn’t be in hell because he would never have existed in the first place. If Judas went to heaven the JESUS was wrong when He said that in Matt 26. Jesus was never wrong, He IS TRUTH.

    5. Lucy that’s a lovely comment . God is forgiving and Judas repented . He returned the money and he knew what he did was wrong . Probably he asked for pardon before he killed himself .

      1. Thank you so much Pearl for yoir comment. God is great, loving, forgiving, and merciful. We’re all born sinners, and feel a heart ache when ever we offend HIM. It’s a feeling that weighs in our heart, but as we pray, and ask for GOD’S love, we feel that beautiful peace in our lives. I can’t even imagine what Judas felt as he betrayed him. He didn’t know what we know now. I feel in our era, we’re educated, and hurt HIM now more than ever. May God continue to bless you and your family. ♡

  41. he didn’t repent because instead of seeking out Jesus to stop His arrest etc.he committed suicide and hung himself. Its like a triple chance he’s in hell case of his betrayal and greed, the fact that that he didn’t repent, and the fact that he ended his life God gave to him.

  45. But because of him, there was a resurrection. If Judas did not betray Jesus, what could have been God’s plan? How our sins will be forgiven? Sometimes, I also happen to decipher that Judas betrayal was part of the plan. But I am really not so sure.

    1. It’s a hard one. In the Old Testament God seems to ‘Harden the Hearts’ of many so that they cause suffering for one reason or another and I often find myself wondering, what happened to them and praying that He will not harden my heart so that I should cause anyone to suffer. It’s hard enough to be forgiving with his help, without it I would surely be dammed.

  46. God’s mercy is so unfathomable that there is no sin that cannot be forgiven.I would like to think that he repented sincerely and that God’s mercy saved him.I would hate to think of ANY person ending up in hell for all eternity

      1. If his snap his neck quickly, yes, he goes to hell. If he ask God for forgiveness while the rope choke him and he is conscience, yes he go to heaven. A lot of people repent at last second til death. As with judiest, we do not know.

        1. yes that can be possible if Judas repent at last second before his death he is not in hell you know our Lord Mercy more wider than the sea He want us all to be save if we repent before our last breath. Even you are the most notorious criminal.

          1. JUDAS is in heaven. HE was born to betrayed Jesus. It was the plan of The Father Almighty, he was created for that purpose. YES he was suffered and repent it, yes he went killing for himself, because he was thought that this could be better at all. From the very beginning it was said, that Jesus will be crucified, but there’s should be a reason why he should be crucified, there’s be a way to be crucified, and that Saint Judas is the way to be crucified.

          2. what you say is demonic. God does not create people so they can do evil, which is what you basically said was Judas’ purpose. Every single creature’s purpose is to glorify God. Judas did not do that. That’s why God said it would have been better for Judas if he had never been born. How can you that “Judas was born to betray Jesus”, knowing God said Judas would have been better off if he had never being born? Mt. 26:24. God disagrees with you on your opinion, that means you are wrong. If Judas is in heaven then it makes absolutely zero sense God saying Judas would have been better off never being born. Romans 3:4 Let God be true and every man a liar.

          3. Dear Lena,
            We are not robots. God gave us all a free will to choose right from wrong, to choose to love him or turn our backs on him. Judas sinned of his own accord and he is solely responsible for his wrongdoing. You are so wrong in saying Judas is in heaven because the beteayal is all part of God’s plan. You are assuming too much as if you know how God thinks…it’s better and shows more humility to say you are unsure. Yes God is very merciful but he is also very just. These are things we know for sure about God. Anything else is pure guesswork.

          4. Just an analogy that a priest said to me about suicide. Imagine your son or daughter or one of your parents committed suicide. And eventually after some years, you too died. Being righteous and all, you went directly to heaven. And if by one chance, you were enjoying the glory of God, you saw outside of the gates of heaven, you saw your family member, what will you do? If not all, I think most of us would invite the person to join us if it is possible. Even in our imperfect love, we want them to enjoy God’s presence. How much more would God’s love, mercy and compassion be? He’s love is perfect and eternal.
            God does not create people so they can do evil. But He allows evil to happen some times for his greater glory. And in my guesswork and humble opinion, if I would experience the agony of compuction for betraying Jesus which according to prophets of the Old Testament will take place, i would definitely say, i wish i was not born! Anyway, the words pf the prophets must be fulfilled, it just so happened that it was Judas who was to do that part.
            These are all my opinion and belief. It may be assuming too much but I don’t claim that this is exactly how God thinks. Like I said it is in my humble and lowly opinion and maybe stupid for others.
            A theologian once said, the maximum of justice is mercy.

      2. That’s right Andrea. Killing is in the 5th commandment. It does not say one goes to hell by killing oneself. Everyone is afraid to die or killing oneself, killing or killing yourself requires great temptation or influence. Judas was tempted or influenced when he betrayed Jesus up to his suicide. Judas believes in Jesus but was influenced.

    2. There is more significance to his suicide than the suicide itself. Instead of turning to Christ for mercy, he tried obtain forgiveness according to the Law: by returning his blood money to the priests. When they refused to accept it, he hanged himself because it did not occur to him that Christ had opened a new path to forgiveness. IOW, he did not believe in Christ as the means of salvation. Also, in Acts 1:24-25 it says “Then [the remaining apostles] prayed, ‘Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen 25 to take over this apostolic ministry, **which Judas left to go where he belongs**.’” This statement strongly implies that the apostles believed him to be in Hell.

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