Thank you for the Biblical question, “When did Judas Iscariot die?”
The time frame of when Judas Iscariot died is given in Matthew 27:1–8. The death of Judas Iscariot came soon after he realized that the Pharisees condemned Jesus and sent him to Pilate to have him executed by the Romans.
Matthew 27 says this, “27 Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people made their plans how to have Jesus executed. 2 So they bound him, led him away and handed him over to Pilate the governor. 3 When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. 4 “I have sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood.” “What is that to us?” they replied. “That’s your responsibility.” 5 So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.”
It appeared that Judas Iscariot saw the trial of Jesus and the Sanhedrin’s decision to have Jesus killed. After the rooster crowed which would have meant the sun was rising that the Jewish leaders came to that conclusion. Judas could do nothing to change the situation but watch the trial by the Jewish leaders.
It may well be that some of the Jewish leaders were preparing to take Jesus or had taken Jesus that Judas Iscariot confessed that he betrayed innocent blood to them. The vote was already in and only Pilate could change that decision. He knew the religious leaders would persuade Pilate to execute him. Thus he threw the 30 pieces of silver and went to hang himself.
As one thinks about the process, it appears that Judas Iscariot went and hung himself during the trial of Jesus before Pilate. He must have some thoughts about whether to do it or not. Did he waited to hear the result of the crowd saying, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!” before he hung himself? The text is silent on the exact time when Judas hung himself. Reasonably, he would have waited to hear the verdict and when he heard it there was nothing more for him to say and do. He had betrayed his master and he may have felt that his punishment was death. He could not bring himself to apology to Jesus. He may have felt unworthy and so he took his own life.
SUMMARY: It is likely that Judas Iscariot hung himself after he heard the echo by the people to crucify him.
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