Judas (Iscariot)

The term that is transliterated as “Judas” in English means “Praise of the LORD.” The name Iscariot means “man of Kerioth” or “a man of murder.” (Source: Cornwall / Smith 1997 )

It is translated in American Sign Language with the sign for the letter J and the sign signifying holding a bag of money, referring to John 12:6. (Source: Ruth Anna Spooner, Ron Lawer)


“Judas” in American Sign Language, source: Deaf Harbor

In Spanish Sign Language it is translated with with the sign for “kiss,” referring to Matthew 26:49 et al. (Source: Steve Parkhurst)


“Judas” in Spanish Sign Language, source: Sociedad Bíblica de España

In Hungarian Sign Language it is based on the sign for betrayal. (Source: Jenjelvi Biblia and HSL Bible Translation Group)


“Judas” in Hungarian Sign Language (source )

For more information on translations of proper names with sign language see Sign Language Bible Translations Have Something to Say to Hearing Christians .

Painting by Nalini Jayasuriya (1927 – 2014). “Jayasuriya grew up in Sri Lanka and later studied art in England. She experimented with many forms of art hut is best known for her acrylic and pastel paintings on Biblical themes. She has written extensively on art subjects and held many exhibitions. In her painting of Judas the tortured face of the disciple reflects some of the complexities of the man who betrayed Jesus.” (Source for this and the image: The Bible Through Asian Eyes by Masao Takenaka and Ron O’Grady 1991)

See more images of Nalini Jayasuriya.

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Judas .

complete verse (Matthew 26:14)

Following are a number of back-translations of Matthew 26:14:

  • Uma: “At that time, one of his twelve disciples who was named Yudas Iskariot went to the leading priests.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “So-then after that Judas Iskariyot, one of the twelve disciples of Isa, went to the leading priests.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “And at that time, one of the twelve disciples, the one who was named Judas Iscariot, he went to the chief priests.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples of Jesus, went to the leaders of the priests,” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “And then as for one of Jesus’ disciples who was Judas Iscariote, he went to see the chiefs of the priests.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve learners of Jesus, went to talk with the chief priests.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Matthew 26:14

Then translates a particle used ninety times by Matthew; it indicates a loose temporal connection. Some translations have “After that.” Both the qualifier who was called and the Greek form of the verb went are also characteristic of Matthew’s style.

The twelve (disciples) are listed in 10.1-4, immediately preceding their mission to the “lost sheep of the people of Israel” (10.6). Concerning the meaning of the name Iscariot, see comments at 10.4. But it is used as a name and should not be translated. For English readers it is perhaps simpler to translate “Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples, went….”

The chief priests are last mentioned in verses 3-5, where Matthew said that they “made plans to arrest Jesus secretly and put him to death.”

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on the Gospel of Matthew. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1988. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .