Judas Forgiveness

According to Catholic doctrine, Judas was forgiven, or we cannot know whether Judas is in Hell. However, the Bible is quite clear that Judas was in Hell. The following is the passage typically known:

“ Matthew 26:24 The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born. ”

Acts 1 Prophecy of Judas

However, there is clearer, more definite evidence that Judas is in Hell, Biblically. In Acts chapter 1 the following prophecy is quoted of Judas by Peter:

“ Acts 1:16 Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus.
17 For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry.
18 Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.
19 And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood.
20 For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take. ”

Peter specifically mentions that this is a prophecy from Psalms about Judas. There are two elements to the prophecy, that Judas' habitation would be desolate and that another would take his bishoprick (church position). The prophecy that Judas' house would be desolate is found in Psalms 69:25. The prophecy that Judas' position would be taken by another is found in Psalms 109:8.

“ Psalms 69:18 Draw nigh unto my soul, and redeem it: deliver me because of mine enemies.
19 Thou hast known my reproach, and my shame, and my dishonour: mine adversaries are all before thee.
20 Reproach hath broken my heart; and I am full of heaviness: and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none.
21 They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.
22 Let their table become a snare before them: and that which should have been for their welfare, let it become a trap.
23 Let their eyes be darkened, that they see not; and make their loins continually to shake.
24 Pour out thine indignation upon them, and let thy wrathful anger take hold of them.
25 Let their habitation be desolate; and let none dwell in their tents.
26 For they persecute him whom thou hast smitten; and they talk to the grief of those whom thou hast wounded.
27 Add iniquity unto their iniquity: and let them not come into thy righteousness.
28 Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous.

Psalms 109:1 Hold not thy peace, O God of my praise;
2 For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful are opened against me: they have spoken against me with a lying tongue.
3 They compassed me about also with words of hatred; and fought against me without a cause.
4 For my love they are my adversaries: but I give myself unto prayer.
5 And they have rewarded me evil for good, and hatred for my love.
6 Set thou a wicked man over him: and let Satan stand at his right hand.
7 When he shall be judged, let him be condemned: and let his prayer become sin.
8 Let his days be few; and let another take his office.
9 Let his children be fatherless, and his wife a widow.
10 Let his children be continually vagabonds, and beg: let them seek their bread also out of their desolate places.
11 Let the extortioner catch all that he hath; and let the strangers spoil his labour.
12 Let there be none to extend mercy unto him: neither let there be any to favour his fatherless children.
13 Let his posterity be cut off; and in the generation following let their name be blotted out.
14 Let the iniquity of his fathers be remembered with the Lord; and let not the sin of his mother be blotted out.
15 Let them be before the Lord continually, that he may cut off the memory of them from the earth.
16 Because that he remembered not to shew mercy, but persecuted the poor and needy man, that he might even slay the broken in heart.
17 As he loved cursing, so let it come unto him: as he delighted not in blessing, so let it be far from him.
18 As he clothed himself with cursing like as with his garment, so let it come into his bowels like water, and like oil into his bones.
19 Let it be unto him as the garment which covereth him, and for a girdle wherewith he is girded continually.
20 Let this be the reward of mine adversaries from the Lord, and of them that speak evil against my soul.

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Summary of the Prophecies

As seen from the two prophecies, the following is said about Judas:

• His table should become a trap (69:22)
• His eyes should be darkened and loins shake (69:23)
• God's indignation and wrath should be poured out on him (69:24)
• Iniquity will be added to his iniquity and he won't come into God's righteousness (69:27)
• He will be blotted out of the book of the living and not written with the righteous (69:28)
• A wicked person will be set over him with Satan standing at his right hand (109:6)
• When he is judged he will be condemned and his prayer will become sin (109:7)
• His children will be orphans and his wife a widow (109:9)
• His children will be homeless beggars desperate for food (109:10)
• The extortioner will take all he has and strangers destroy his labor (109:11)
• None will extend mercy to him or his orphans (109:12)
• His posterity will be cut off and his name cut off (109:13)
• The sins of his descendants will be remembered by the Lord (109:14-15)
• He will be cursed and not blessed (109:17-19)

Taken as a whole, particularly in light of Psalms 69:27-28, it is clear that Judas is in Hell.