Science Fair Project Encyclopedia Judas Iscariot (died April
29–33 CE, Hebrew יהודה איש־קריות Yəhûḏāh ʾÎš-qəriyyôṯ) was,
according to the New Testament, one of twelve original apostles
of Jesus, and the one who ultimately betrayed him. Traditional
Christian views Judas is mentioned only in the Gospels and at
the beginning of Acts. According to the account given in the
Gospels, he carried the disciples' money box and betrayed Jesus
for a bribe of "thirty pieces of silver" by pointing him out to
arresting Roman soldiers. The "pieces of silver" were most
likely silver Tyrian shekels, the only coins accepted at the
Temple of Jerusalem. After Jesus' arrest by the Roman
authorities (but before his execution), the guilt-ridden Judas
returned the bribe to the priests and committed suicide. The
Gospel of Matthew says he hanged himself; the Acts of the
Apostles (1:18), however, says that he "purchased a field with
the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder
in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out