Forty Days of Grace

We've long assumed that Judas died within hours of betraying Jesus. But what if the evidence says otherwise? Because it does.

Actually, the death of Judas—both the how and when—is largely misunderstood because of depictions in Hollywood movies. A fresh, simple, and unfiltered reading of the New Testament harbors no doubt upon the method or timing of Judas' suicide.

When we think of Judas Iscariot, we tend to think final. Final betrayal. Final regret. Final breath. Final judgment. Case closed.

But what if Judas' story is not as final as we've thought?

What if… the man we've condemned in a rush had more time than we ever realized?

What if Judas Iscariot—the one who placed the kiss of betrayal upon the Lord of Glory in the garden—was given something few ever talk about?

Forty days of grace.

"The Lord is not slack concerning his promise… but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."  
— 2 Peter 3:9

THE SEQUENCE OF EVENTS

Let's carefully walk through the timeline of Scripture.  
Let the Word of God speak—line upon line.

1. The Last Supper — The Betrayal Predicted

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. Then Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly."  
— John 13:21–27

We are told that He gave the sop to Judas, but the others did not see this. We know, because no one suspected Judas, not even after Jesus singled him out (John 13:28–29).

"Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him."

They thought he was going to buy supplies or give to the poor. That's how much they trusted him. Judas' betrayal was known to Jesus, but still a mystery to men.

"For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor."  
— John 13:29

2. The Garden of Gethsemane — The Betrayal Occurs

"And while he yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him. But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?"  
— Luke 22:47–48

No angry shout. No lightning bolt. No public humiliation. He spoke this to Judas.
Just one word: Friend.

"And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come?"  
— Matthew 26:50

Even in betrayal, Jesus spoke with kindness.

3. The Crucifixion — Judas Is Alive

After the betrayal, Judas returns the silver, overwhelmed with guilt.

"Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver… Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood."  
— Matthew 27:3–5

He throws the money into the temple and goes out.
But when does he die?

Matthew's account mentions his death (v. 5), but doesn't date it. The focus is on Jesus' trial before Pilate—not on Judas' final breath.

4. The Resurrection — Jesus Appears to the Disciples

The angels instruct Mary to tell the disciples to go into Galilee, where Jesus promises to meet them:

"But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you."
— Mark 16:7

"Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen."
— Mark 16:14

"Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week… came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you."  
— John 20:19

This is the day of resurrection—Sunday evening. He appeared unto the eleven:

"But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe."
— John 20:24-25

Matthew confirms the account:

"Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted."
— Matthew 28:16-17

Who was there?
The rest of the twelve—Judas was there.

5. Eight Days Later — Jesus Appears Again

"And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst."  
— John 20:26

This is the second post-resurrection appearance to the twelve disciples.

6. Jesus Seen of the Twelve

"And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve."  
— 1 Corinthians 15:5

The twelve. Not eleven.
Paul—under divine inspiration—counts Judas still among them AFTER the resurrection.
Judas still had a seat. Still had time.

But instead of running to the cross, he ran to the priests. Instead of falling at Jesus' feet, he fell into despair.

7. Jesus Appears for Forty Days

"Until the day in which he was taken up… being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God."  
— Acts 1:2–3

Judas is not noted as missing at anytime during this period.

8. The Day of Christ's Ascension — Judas Goes Missing

"And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up… Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven?"  
— Acts 1:9–11

Judas was the only disciple not from Galilee. He was the only one of the twelve from Judah (Bethany was in Judah). After Jesus ascends into Heaven, the angels speak only to "men of Galilee." Which means Judas is now gone.

9. Judas Is Found Missing — Matthias Chosen

"And in those days Peter stood up… and said… Let his habitation be desolate… and his bishoprick let another take."  
— Acts 1:15–20

Only now—40 days after the resurrection—after the Ascension—do we learn of Judas' death.

"Now 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."  
— Acts 1:18

Honestly, had Judas disappeared or died before Jesus' ascension, Christ Himself would have chosen Judas' replacement. After all, they were His Apostles.

Nevertheless, after Jesus ascended, the disciples gathered together. Peter conducts a roll call and numbers everyone, noting who is present. Learning of Judas' suicide, he acknowledges Judas' absence. Then Matthias is chosen.

THE POINT

If we follow the Scriptures—not Hollywood or personal assumptions—one thing becomes clear:

• Judas did not die the day Jesus was arrested.
• He did not die the day Jesus was crucified.
• He lived forty days after the resurrection!
• He heard Jesus say, "Peace be unto you."
• He saw the nail prints.
• He could have fallen at Jesus' feet.
• But he didn't.

And that's what makes this both heartbreaking and hopeful.
Because even Judas—the betrayer—was given…
FORTY DAYS OF GRACE.

He gave Judas what he gave everyone else:  
Time. Opportunity. Kindness.

"Knowest thou not that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?"  
— Romans 2:4

Judas had that chance. For forty more days, he had it.

WHAT DOES THIS REVEAL ABOUT JESUS?

That He is still who He's always been:

"The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth."  
— Exodus 34:6

He didn't run Judas off.  
He didn't embarrass him.  
He didn't un-choose him.  
Jesus handed him the bread… and waited.  
And for forty days… Judas had the chance to come back.

He didn't.
But you can.

If the Man who opened the eyes of the blind…  
…who forgave the woman caught in adultery…  
…who called Peter back after denial…  
…gave Judas forty days of grace…

Then what might He be offering you right now?

Don't waste your forty days.  
Don't run into silence.  
Don't end your story in shame.

The door is still open.  
The invitation is still warm.  
The Savior is still calling…

"Friend, wherefore art thou come?"