The Controversial Death of Judas Iscariot: Hanged, Fell, or Died a Particularly Bad Trip Fall?

Introduction

The death of Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus's twelve apostles, has long been a topic of debate among scholars, theologians, and laypeople alike. According to the Bible, particularly the Acts of the Apostles, and some historical records, various accounts of Judas's demise present a complex narrative. This article seeks to explore and clarify the different perspectives on how Judas Iscariot met his end.

The Biblical Accounts

In the New Testament, the Acts of the Apostles (1:18) mentions that Judas hanged himself and then fell from the rope or tree. However, the exact manner and sequence of events remain the subject of much speculation and interpretation.

Acts 1:18 provides a straightforward account: Judas died by hanging, and after the rope broke, his body fell headlong. This suggests a sequence of events where Judas hanged himself, and then the rope or branch broke, causing his body to fall down.

Controversy over the Description

Some interpretations suggest that the description of Judas hanging himself might be an unfortunate translation. The verb used in the Greek text suggests choking, with most translators interpreting it as middle voice (reflexive) rather than passive. This interpretation suggests that Judas choked to death while hanging himself.

Monroe's Theory

Robert Monroe, a researcher who has spent considerable time in the area where these events are believed to have occurred, offers a compelling theory. Monroe claims that the only suitable trees for hanging in the region were those growing sideways from the cliff face. These trees were either small or short, which would not have provided enough height for a hanging from a high branch. If a body were hanging from such a weak tree, it would likely break and fall to the ground.

Monroe summarized, "The description in Acts 1 indicates the potential for Judas to have developed dysentery. A severe case would have resulted in choking, vomiting, painful stomach cramps, and explosive diarrhea."

Historical Context

The second-century Christian writer, Papias, offers an alternative and more gruesome account of Judas's death. In his writings, Judas is described with physical deformities that would not allow him to pass through normal spaces. His swollen body, protruding genitalia, and foul-smelling pus and worms made his death a further example of his radical sinfulness.

Papias wrote, "Judas walked about as an example of godlessness in this world having been bloated so much in the flesh that he could not go through where a chariot goes easily indeed not even his swollen head by itself. For the lids of his eyes they say were so puffed up that he could not see the light and his own eyes could not be seen not even by a physician with optics such depth had they from the outer apparent surface. And his genitalia appeared more disgusting and greater than all formlessness and he bore through them from his whole body flowing pus and worms and to his shame these things alone were forced [out]. And after many tortures and torments they say when he had come to his end in his own place from the place became deserted and uninhabited until now from the stench but not even to this day can anyone go by that place unless they pinch their nostrils with their hands so great did the outflow from his body spread out upon the earth."

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

The accounts of Judas's death are both contradictory and strikingly different. While some suggest that Judas hanged himself and then fell headlong, others describe his death with more gruesome details. The interpretation of these events ultimately depends on one's theological and historical perspective. Regardless of the precise method, Judas's death remains a significant event in Christian doctrine and biblical history.

Key Keywords

tJudas Iscariot tDeath by hanging tFall from hanging rope

References

tScriptures tActs of the Apostles, 1:18 tPapias tRobert Monroe