Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests,

MATTHEW 26:14KJV
Know the Bible

Matthew 26:14 (KJV)

What does Matthew 26:14 mean?

Matthew 26:14 describes how Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus’ twelve closest followers, went to the chief priests. This verse marks the beginning of Judas’s decision to betray Jesus by approaching the religious leaders who opposed Him.

The setting is during the final days before Jesus’s arrest. The verse singles out Judas Iscariot by name and points out that he was one of the twelve disciples, highlighting the seriousness of his action. The chief priests were the religious authorities in Jerusalem, and Judas’s approach to them sets in motion the events leading to Jesus’s crucifixion.

The Greek behind Matthew 26:14

  • "εἷς" (heis, G1520) means "one." The use of this word emphasizes that Judas was one individual out of the select group of twelve, underlining the personal nature of his choice.
  • "δωδεκά" (dōdeka, G1427) means "twelve." This word refers specifically to Jesus’s inner circle of disciples, making Judas’s betrayal more striking because it comes from within this trusted group.
  • "Ἰσκαριώτης" (Iskariōtēs, G2469) is the Greek form of "Iscariot." This name distinguishes this Judas from others and likely points to his place of origin, helping readers identify the betrayer clearly.
  • "ἀρχιερεῦσιν" (archiereusin, G749) means "chief priests." This term refers to the leading religious officials, showing that Judas went directly to those with authority to act against Jesus.

Why Matthew 26:14 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the betrayal of Jesus began with Judas’s own initiative, not with the chief priests seeking him out.
  • The mention of Judas as "one of the twelve" highlights the depth of the betrayal, as it came from someone within Jesus’s closest group.
  • By naming the chief priests, the verse connects Judas’s actions to the larger plot against Jesus, setting up the events that follow in the narrative.

Where else these words appear

“Iscariot” Greek G2469 · used in 11 verses

  • Matthew 10:4 Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.
  • Luke 6:16 And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor.
  • John 12:4 Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him,

“Judas” Greek G2455 · used in 41 verses

  • Matthew 1:2 Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren;
  • Luke 3:33 Which was the son of Aminadab, which was the son of Aram, which was the son of Esrom, which was the son of Phares, which was the son of Juda,
  • John 18:5 They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them.

“twelve” Greek G1427 · used in 59 verses

  • Matthew 9:20 And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment:
  • Mark 10:32 And they were in the way going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus went before them: and they were amazed; and as they followed, they were afraid. And he took again the twelve, and began to tell them what things should happen unto him,
  • John 6:13 Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.

“priests” Greek G749 · used in 120 verses

  • Matthew 2:4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.
  • Mark 15:1 And straightway in the morning the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council, and bound Jesus, and carried him away, and delivered him to Pilate.
  • John 19:21 Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews.