Twelve Ordinary Men by John MacArthur

Week 11: Chapter 10 — Judas Iscariot: The Apostle Who Was a Devil

Read Chapter 10 of Twelve Ordinary Men. Key passages: John 6:70–71; John 12:4–6; Matthew 26:14–16; Matthew 27:3–5; Acts 1:18–19.

Judas Iscariot is the darkest figure in the New Testament, and MacArthur's treatment of him is searching, sobering, and ultimately deeply instructive about the nature of false faith.

Discussion Questions

8 questions

1.MacArthur argues that Judas was never a genuine believer — he was a counterfeit from the beginning, chosen by Jesus not in spite of his treachery but in fulfillment of prophecy. What passages does MacArthur cite to support this claim (e.g., John 6:64, 70–71; 17:12)? How do you think Jesus' foreknowledge of Judas' betrayal should be understood?

2.For three years, Judas lived alongside Jesus, witnessed miracles, heard teaching, and apparently performed ministry as the others did. Yet John reveals he was a thief who stole from the disciples' money bag (John 12:6). What does Judas' long-running hypocrisy suggest about the difference between religious exposure and genuine transformation?

3.MacArthur notes that at the Last Supper, when Jesus said 'one of you will betray me,' the disciples all asked 'Is it I, Lord?' — no one immediately suspected Judas. What does this tell us about how convincing religious hypocrisy can be, and what warning should this carry for self-examination?

4.MacArthur draws a sharp distinction between the remorse of Judas (Matthew 27:3–5) and the repentance of Peter. Both men betrayed Jesus. One was restored; one was destroyed. What was the essential difference? What does true repentance look like versus mere regret?

5.Jesus called Judas 'a devil' (John 6:70), yet He washed his feet at the Last Supper and offered him bread — traditional signs of honor and friendship. MacArthur sees in this an example of Jesus extending grace to the very end, even knowing the outcome. What does this tell us about the character of Jesus, and about the nature of love that continues toward those who will not respond?

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Closing Prayer

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Lord Jesus, the story of Judas is a mirror we need to look into honestly. Forgive us for any ways we have drawn near to You in outward form while our hearts remain far from You. Forgive us for the small hypocrisies — the image we project, the profession we make, the service we perform — that are not matched by genuine love for You. Thank You that You extended grace to Judas to the very end, even washing his feet. And thank You that for those who genuinely cry out to You in repentance — like Peter, like us — there is always a way back. Guard our hearts from the cold familiarity that killed Judas, and keep alive in us the trembling, grateful wonder of those who know they have been forgiven much. Amen.

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