Judas Iscariot
The Ancients
History Hit
4.7 • 4.5K Ratings
🗓️ 5 April 2026
⏱️ 57 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
**Warning: This episode contains graphic descriptions of violence, including suicide**
What really happened to Judas Iscariot? From shifting accounts in the Gospels to the 30 pieces of silver, Tristan Hughes is joined by Professor Paul Middleton to trace the stories that made Judas Christianity’s most infamous villain.
Along the way, they explore the kiss in the Garden of Gethsemane, the conflicting accounts of Judas’s death, and the long debate over whether he was a historical figure or a later invention.
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Watch this episode on our YouTube channel: @TheAncientsPodcast
Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan. The producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds
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Transcript
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| 0:30.1 | Hey guys, Tristan here. |
| 0:31.4 | Just a quick message from me before we start this episode on Judas Iscariot. |
| 0:36.0 | I just want to warn you that the episode, it does contain |
| 0:38.7 | descriptions of graphic violence and suicide, which some listeners may find disturbing. |
| 1:07.0 | He's the original villain of Christianity, the betrayer who handed Jesus over in the Garden of Githsemini for trial and ultimately for crucifixion. Judas Iscariot. |
| 1:10.0 | We all know the name, but what do the gospel accounts actually say about him and about his story? |
| 1:17.8 | Well, in this episode, we're going to delve into those very questions. |
| 1:23.0 | We'll explore key topics of debate, the name Judas Iscariate itself, the betrayal, the 30 |
| 1:30.1 | coins of silver, the two very different accounts of his demise, and more. |
| 1:36.5 | Welcome to the ancients. |
| 1:38.1 | I'm Tristan Hughes, your host, and this is the story of Judas Iscariot. Our guest is Dr Paul Middleton, |
| 1:46.4 | Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity at the University of Chester. |
| 1:54.5 | Paul, it is such a pleasure to have you on the podcast today. |
| 1:57.9 | Pleasure to be here. |
| 1:59.1 | And to talk about none other than the Judas Iscariot |
... |
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