How Did Judas Die?

How did Judas Iscariot Die?

Sabbath Day's Journey
ACTS CHAPTER 1 ◄
Acts 1:12-15 Sabbath Day's Journey

Acts 1:16-26 How Did Judas Die?

Acts 2 Commentary
ACTS 1:16-19  16 “Men and brethren, this Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus; 17 for he was numbered with us and obtained a part in this ministry.” 18 (Now this man purchased a field with the wages of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his entrails gushed out. 19 And it became known to all those dwelling in Jerusalem; so that field is called in their own language, Akel Dama, that is, Field of Blood.)

How did Judas die?
"Falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his entrails gushed out." (Acts 1:18)

How did Judas die according to Matthew 27:3-5?
He "hanged himself": "Then Judas, His betrayer, seeing that He had been condemned, was remorseful and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” And they said, “What is that to us? You see to it!” Then he threw down the pieces of silver in the temple and departed, and went and hanged himself."

How are the accounts in Acts 1 and Matthew 27 reconciled?
The fact that Judas fell "headlong" yet "burst open in the middle" (Acts 1:18) indicates that his body was bloated when he fell, which means that he was already dead. Most likely, Judas hanged himself on a tree, and eventually the branch or the rope snapped, causing the mess described in Acts 1 above.

ACTS 1:20-26  20 “For it is written in the Book of Psalms: ‘Let his dwelling place be desolate, And let no one live in it’; and, ‘Let another take his office.’ 21 “Therefore, of these men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from the baptism of John to that day when He was taken up from us, one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection.” 23 And they proposed two: Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. 24 And they prayed and said, “You, O Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which of these two You have chosen 25 to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.” 26 And they cast their lots, and the lot fell on Matthias. And he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

What is meant by "he might go to his own place" (Acts 1:25)?
Judas went to hell (see son of perdition).

What does it mean to “cast their lots”?
The names of the two men were written on stones, put into a jar, which was shaken until one of the stones fell out. The one that fell out was considered the one chosen.

Whose name fell out?
"Matthias" (Acts 1:26)

What role was he to perform?
“become a witness with us of His resurrection” (Acts 1:22)

What would becoming this “witness” involve?
Telling people who Jesus is, why He died, and what His resurrection proves.

Has that changed today?