In Bible school, I learned how Jesus chose his disciples to help him spread God’s word. Judas was one of the disciples that stood out for me because of his strange personality. I remember thinking about how he betrayed Jesus and hung himself.
Since I am now a pastor, I decided to share this story with the congregation during last week’s Sunday service. One of the questions that I got from some of the church members was, “Did Judas go to heaven?”
My goal in this article is to uncover the fate of Judas. I will explain what happened to Judas after he died and whether he got forgiveness and was welcomed into heaven.
Join me on this exploration as we examine what the Acts of Apostles says regarding where Judas is.
Read on to find out.
What happened to Judas after he died?
As written in the book of Matthew 27: 5, Judas hanged himself and died. He hanged himself on a tree in Potter’s land, and days later, his body decomposed and fell on Potter’s land.
The Bible implies that Judas felt guilty and remorseful for betraying Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. However, he did not repent, which is why scholars argue that Judas went to hell after he died.
Matthew 13:49-50 says, “So it will be at the end of age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous, and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place, there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
Judas betrayed Jesus and was also a thief, which is among the evil things that lead people to be thrown into the fiery furnace, which is hell.
Did Judas Get Forgiveness And Be Welcomed Into Heaven?
Acts 1: 24-25 suggests that Judas did not get any forgiveness and did not make it to heaven. There is a clear hint in the Bible that implies that Judas did not get saved, especially through the words of Jesus himself about Judas.
In Matthew 26:24, The Bible says, “The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but 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.”
Although it was all planned by God, it does not give Judas a straight pass to heaven, nor does he get forgiveness. Judas had walked with the savior for nearly three years, which was an excellent time to embrace salvation, but seemingly, he did not do it.
Additionally, Judas’ death by hanging was a straight ticket to hell, as stipulated in Deuteronomy 21:23, which says, “for anyone hung on a tree is under God’s curse.”
What do the Acts of Apostles say about Judas being in hell or heaven?
The book of Acts of Apostles suggests that Judas went to hell. He left a gap in the group when he hanged himself due to guilt, shame, and remorse. The rest of the Apostles had to ask God to give them a replacement.
In Acts 1: 24-25, the Bible says, “Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen. To take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.”
Through this prayer, the Apostle hints at Judas’s fate. The last part of the prayer suggests explicitly that Judas went to hell– “which Judas left to go where he belongs.”
Although there is a lot of euphemism in the phrase, how Judas left the group further supports the idea that he went to hell. Theologians argue that to go to a place where he belongs, leaving the rest of the followers who are staying strong in faith, implies that he deviated from the original goal of heaven.
Also, the early church used a euphemism to refer to hell whenever a sinner died. Although there have been arguments centered on the actual meaning of the euphemistic phrases used by the early church to refer to hell, there is a probability of Judas being in hell.
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As a devout Christian, I have always been passionate about the Christian faith. This inspired me to pursue a degree in Religious studies and a Masters in Theology in college. I have also been privileged to teach 4 Christian courses in a college and university. Since I am dedicated to spreading the word of God, I am actively involved in the Church. Additionally, I share his word online and cover diverse topics on the Christian faith through my platform. You can read more about me on the about us page.
I have always believed that the bible tells us again and again that man has a right to choose their destiny, each of us can choose heaven or hell. With this said consider for a moment, it is said at the end of the pray that Judas went where he belongs. God warns of a anti-christ coming to earth in the end days. If we have the right to choose our fate, then this can not be decided for this person before birth, it must be someone already chosen. Judas already made his choice, what if God arises Judas as the anit-Christ from wherever he has stored him. Time has no meaning to God, I have always believed this is a possibility. Just a thought, God bless