Nothing with Judas is easy. Verse 16 and 17, and then verse 20, are about Judas and they are not easy. Part of studying Scripture is wrestling with tough verses. It’s best not to avoid them or downplay or dismiss them, but to jump in with both feet. We’ll never fully unravel tough verses, but we will learn and we will grow.
Verse 16 “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus.
Verse 17 For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.”
Note… Peter is speaking here.
Brothers: This is the common and good and helpful term Luke uses for the men following Jesus. We can lose sight that we are brothers and that we should always treat each other as brothers.
Scripture had to be fulfilled: Peter is referring to what he will say in verse 20. At first glance many prophesies used in the gospels and in Acts appear to be unclear. The two quotations in verse 20 are not specific about Judas or a betrayal. In the eyes of many of Luke’s original readers verse 20 is seen differently than we see it. Prophesies are understood easiest looking back. Psalm 69:25 is part of a denunciation of evil men. Psalm 109:8 is about the need to replace evil men.
which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David: This is a helpful insight. The Holy Spirit inspired David’s words, and the Holy Spirit is saying more than David is saying. In other words, David didn’t know that what he was saying could and would be applied to the Messiah. How does Peter know Psalm 69 applies to Judas? Peter knows, through being taught be Jesus, that the Old Testament teaches more about Jesus than anyone was originally aware of.
Peter’s point is that Judas needs to be replaced. He says first, from Psalm 69:25, that Judas was evil like the men in the Psalm (See John 6:70 where Jesus calls Judas a devil!). Then, second, Peter, from Psalm 109:8, says with David, that the evil leader needs to be replaced.
A key verse in all this is 2 Timothy 3:16, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,” It often appears there are missing links in prophesies, because we don’t see what Peter or Luke see. This is how 2 Timothy 3:16 is helpful. What appears foggy to us is cleared up in knowing that everything in Acts (and all the Bible) has been breathed out by God. We can trust it. We can believe it.
Judas: His betrayal and death had to be a cloud hanging over them, both in moving forward and looking back. It would be a heavy thing for long time.
became a guide to those who arrested Jesus: It is good to see this sin. It is good to see our sin. We can point fingers at Judas, but we are sinners too. And we too have sinned in not being fully and consistently loyal to Jesus. It is best and wise to look at Judas with humility.
For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry: This is part of the cloud hanging over them, and part of the need to move forward. This is the only time in Scripture that an apostle is replaced. When James is killed in Acts 12:2, he is not replaced. Judas failed to carry the weight of an apostle. James did not. What matters is to replace Judas, for the twelve will rule over the twelve tribes of Israel. See Matthew 19:28.
These three verses are not easy. And the solution may not be fully satisfying. Wrestling with Scripture is good and healthy. It’s how we learn and grow.
A helpful link about misconceptions of heaven and hell
The Men's Bible Reading Idea 