Hanging Doubts

A brief lesson in hypocrisy, and an apologetic defense of what those in ignorance think is a “contradiction” in Scripture; but it is not.

“Jesus said unto him, ‘Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?’” (Luke 22:48)

“And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.” (Matthew 27:5)

“16 [Peter said] ‘Men and brethren, this Scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus. 17For he [Judas] was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry. 18Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out. 19And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood’.” (Acts 1:8)

There is no discrepancy (the only valid interpretational method is the one that finds the harmony): He hung himself on a limb of a tree that stretched out over the steep enbankment, and the unusable hillside was strewn with broken pottery rejects, which are sharp. The tree limb broke and he tumbled head over heels down the embankment and the broken pottery or sharp rocks split his abdomen open. He “bought” the field indirectly:

“3Then Judas, which had betrayed Him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, 4Saying, ‘I have sinned in that I have betrayed the Innocent Blood’. And they said, ‘What is that to us? see thou to that.’ 5And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself. 6And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, ‘It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood’. 7And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter’s field, to bury strangers in. 8Wherefore that field was called, ‘The field of blood’, unto this day. 9Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, ‘And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value; 10And gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord appointed me’.” (Matthew 27)

Many Catholics believe that you can sin however you want—as long as you go to confession afterward.

Judas in hindsight says: “Now you tell me...!”

Most “Protestants” are no better. They simply “rename” sin, ignore it as if God can’t see or as if it does not matter, as if He does not care (or they claim that Jesus abolished God’s Law—though Jesus said that He did NOT); so they don’t even go through the pretence of “confession” or “repentance”.

Such know not God (I John 2:3,4), but have superstitions little different than pagan mythology.

See also: [P&H = 10% / 5.00 minimum within the U.S.]

- What is Man...? (Personally Speaking) & Some Thoughts on The Trinity and on The Deity of Christ — Deeper Implications Than Most May Think, 84pp., 7.00 + P&H.