Ἰούδαν Ἰακώβου καὶ Ἰούδαν Ἰσκαριώτην, ὃς καὶ ἐγένετο προδότης. (Luke 6:16)
Two Judases, One Destiny
This verse closes Luke’s listing of the Twelve apostles by presenting two men with the same name: Ἰούδας. Yet one carries a quiet lineage, and the other, a thunderclap of betrayal. The Greek grammar subtly separates identity from destiny by combining genitives of relation and an aorist verb of becoming—framing one man’s tragic transition.
Dissecting the Syntax and Identity
| Greek Expression | Grammatical Function | Interpretive Note |
|---|---|---|
| Ἰούδαν Ἰακώβου | Accusative of proper name + genitive of relationship | “Judas [son or brother] of James”—likely distinguishing him from the other Judas |
| καὶ Ἰούδαν Ἰσκαριώτην | Coordinated accusative noun + adjectival qualifier | “And Judas Iscariot”—possibly from ‘ish Qeriyot (“man of Kerioth”) |
| ὃς καὶ ἐγένετο προδότης | Relative pronoun + aorist middle verb + predicate noun | “Who also became a traitor”—a sobering clause indicating change in moral character |
Grammatical and Theological Observations
- Use of Genitive: The phrase Ἰακώβου identifies familial connection—common in Semitic naming, and here used to disambiguate the lesser-known Judas.
- Adjectival Identity: The form Ἰσκαριώτην functions adjectivally, distinguishing Judas of Kerioth from the rest. This location marker ironically becomes infamous through association.
- Aorist of Becoming: ἐγένετο (he became) is key. Judas was not introduced as a traitor but shown to become one. Luke uses this to underscore development, not fate.
- Stylistic Contrast: The gentle coordination of names is broken by the final clause—an abrupt moral verdict, turning the list into a literary dagger.
The Name That Shifted
Luke 6:16 is not merely administrative—it’s prophetic. The grammar marks a shift: one Judas remains known by family; the other, by betrayal. Through participial balance, genitive detail, and a deliberate use of the aorist ἐγένετο, Luke frames Judas Iscariot not as doomed, but as one who changed. The traitor was not born—but became.
