Judas and Peter are paired because they both failed Jesus. They were similar also because they were both prominent disciples of Jesus—Peter with leadership qualities not always used wisely, and Judas, who served as treasurer of the group, with financial abilities.

Judas

The Gospels do not tell us about Judas’s call. No doubt Jesus must have seen some potential in him. Judas knew how to deal with money and saw in Jesus a fulfillment of the messianic promise.

A hint regarding Judas’s outcome was given when Mary anointed Jesus with "a pound of costly perfume made of nard" (John 12:3). "Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?" Judas questioned. "(He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it )" (John 12:6). Of course, Judas’s reputation has been sullied forever because he betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver.

One could say that Judas’s covetousness was the reason for his betrayal. He had become disillusioned with Jesus and was simply trying to benefit financially from his knowledge of Jesus’ whereabouts.

Some, however, have suggested another explanation. The disciples were looking for a political messiah who would deliver them from Roman bondage. Jesus seemed to be hesitating to assert himself and Judas might have tried to force the issue. Delivering himself from this situation, Jesus would then show himself as a powerful messiah. The rest of the disciples—and Jesus himself—would supposedly thank Judas. Unfortunately, things didn’t develop as Judas envisioned and he committed suicide out of despair. The fact that Judas acted as he did after the plan failed gives some credence to this explanation.

Judas shows the danger of trying to manipulate God according to one’s limited human understanding instead of accepting God’s wisdom and plan.

Peter

We know much about Peter. He was by far the most prominent disciple, a fisherman who became a fisher of men. He was one of the first to be called and became a spokesman for the rest, as shown when he affirmed Jesus as the Messiah. Repeated use of such expressions as "Simon [Peter’s real name] and those who were with him" makes Peter’s role clear. Although Peter was far from perfect, Jesus gave him the nickname "Cephas," Aramaic for Peter, which means "rock" (Matt. 16:18). The first chapters of Acts show Peter as the uncontested leader of the church after the resurrection.

Although Peter (Rock) was obviously a leader, he had feet of clay. He showed lack of faith when he sank into the lake trying to walk on water. Later, he refused to accept Jesus’ impending suffering. Final evidence of his weakness can be seen in his cowardly denial of Jesus three times after arrogantly affirming, "Even though I must die with you, I will not deny you." A leader in one scene became a coward in another.

The great difference between Judas and Peter is that the former despaired and committed suicide, whereas the latter repented and redeemed himself. Peter’s denial of Jesus had a lasting effect, as seen in his refusal to be executed in the same way as his master and in his crucifixion upside down. Like David, who sinned greatly, Peter repented greatly. How far one falls is less important than where one finally ends up through the grace of God.

Because of his repentance, Peter became the acknowledged leader of the early church and a fearless witness for his Lord, one who was willing to defy tradition and eat with the gentiles. This, in turn, led to the conversion of Cornelius (Acts 10). Peter also ate with gentiles in Galatia, though he wavered when criticized (Gal. 2:11–12).

For further reading, see the article on "Judas" and "Peter" in the Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible (New York: Abingdon Press, 1962), and Oscar Cullmann, Peter: Disciple—Apostle-Martyr, trans. Floyd V. Vilson (Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1953).

EMAIL THIS ARTICLE