Leviathan

by

Thomas Hobbes

Judas Iscariot Character Analysis

Judas was one of Christ’s 12 original Disciples. Judas betrayed Christ to the Romans, which ultimately led to Christ’s arrest and crucifixion. Hobbes briefly mentions Judas and his betrayal when he cites Luke 22:4: “Satan entered into him, and thereupon that he went and communed with the Chief Priests, and Captaines, how he might betray Christ unto them.” The word Satan, according to Hobbes, is meant as merely the “Enemy,” who metaphorically enters Judas and makes him hostile and disloyal to Christ; it does not mean Satan is an actual person whose spirit form has entered Judas.
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Judas Iscariot Character Timeline in Leviathan

The timeline below shows where the character Judas Iscariot appears in Leviathan. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 42: Of POWER ECCLESIASTICALL
Power, Common-wealths, and Monarchies Theme Icon
Religion Theme Icon
...support of ministers must come from public revenue in the form of tithes and offerings. Judas Iscariot had a purse to maintain Christ, and many of the Apostles, who were also fishermen,... (full context)
Chapter 45: Of DÆMONOLOGY, and other Reliques of the Religion of the Gentiles
Religion Theme Icon
Hobbes’s next example is St. Luke, who says of Judas Iscariot that “Satan entered into him, and thereupon that he went and communed with the Chief... (full context)