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Judas Iscariot

Cultural  
  1. The Apostle who betrayed Jesus to the authorities for thirty pieces of silver. When soldiers came to arrest Jesus, Judas identified their victim by kissing him. The next day, driven by guilt, Judas hanged himself.


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A “Judas kiss” is an act of seeming friendship that conceals some treachery.

Figuratively, a “Judas” is a betrayer, especially one who betrays a friend.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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Unsurprisingly, most white Southerners bitterly rejected Longstreet’s entreaties and condemned him as a traitor on par with Judas Iscariot and Benedict Arnold.

From Slate ● Nov. 20, 2023

Originally, the burning figures were effigies of Judas Iscariot, the apostle who betrayed Jesus, according to the Biblical account of the days leading up to Christ’s crucifixion.

From Seattle Times ● Apr. 8, 2023

Inspired by the Bob Dylan lyric “Did Judas Iscariot have God on his side?” from the 1964 song “With God on Our Side,” Rice set out to humanize the New Testament’s unambiguous villain.

From New York Times ● Oct. 12, 2021

This is a biblical reference to Judas Iscariot receiving 30 pieces of silver to betray Christ.

From Washington Times ● Jun. 1, 2021

Ben said, “We’re worried about our father, sir. If he finds out we’re suspended I could tell him I had a fistfight with Judas Iscariot and it wouldn’t make any difference.”

From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy

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