# Judas Iscariot — Short Fiction character guide > Judas Iscariot in Short Fiction by Leonid Andreyev. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Christ, Jesus Christ, Judas, Jesus, the Iscariot, the homecoming Christ, poor Judas, this Judas of Kerioth, poor trusting Judas of Kerioth, Judas of Kerioth, the victor Judas, red-haired, repulsive Judas, born amid the rocks, Kerioth, poor Judas of Kerioth **First appearance:** 0001-short-fiction ## Snapshot A restless, sharp-tongued disciple whose lies, hoarded coins, and needling friendship with the skeptical Thomas make him the most human and unsettling presence among Christ's followers. ## Who they are Judas of Kerioth travels with Jesus and the disciples, keeping the money chest and testing every village with cynical predictions that keep proving wrong. He craves proof and certainty, yet invents falsehoods faster than Thomas can expose them, and his thievish eyes and mad dreams set him apart from the calm believers around him. His uneasy bond with Thomas—half mockery, half pleading—anchors the story's meditation on doubt, betrayal, and what it means to see truly. ## Relationships ### [Uncle Tom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_34_se/characters/uncle_tom) _psychological_ Judas Iscariot and Uncle Tom have a complex, manipulative dynamic where Judas exerts psychological control over Tom. ### [Simon Peter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_34_se/characters/simon_peter) _rivalry_ Judas Iscariot and Simon Peter are antagonistic, with deep ideological and personal conflicts. ### [The Woman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_34_se/characters/the_woman) _psychological_ Judas Iscariot and The Woman have a tense, manipulative relationship where Judas uses her for his own ends. ### [Annas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_34_se/characters/annas) _professional_ Annas and Judas Iscariot have a professional, transactional relationship as co-conspirators in religious politics. ### [Jesus of Nazareth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_34_se/characters/jesus_of_nazareth) _psychological_ Jesus of Nazareth and Judas Iscariot have a deeply conflicted relationship, with Jesus aware of Judas's betrayal yet still showing compassion. ### [Simon Peter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_34_se/characters/simon_peter) _rivalry_ Judas Iscariot and Simon Peter are antagonistic, with deep ideological and personal conflicts. ### [Uncle Tom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_34_se/characters/uncle_tom) _psychological_ Judas Iscariot and Uncle Tom have a complex, manipulative dynamic where Judas exerts psychological control over Tom. ### [Uncle Tom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_34_se/characters/uncle_tom) _psychological_ Judas Iscariot and Uncle Tom have a complex, manipulative dynamic where Judas exerts psychological control over Tom. ### [Annas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_34_se/characters/annas) _professional_ Annas and Judas Iscariot have a professional, transactional relationship as co-conspirators in religious politics. ### [Simon Peter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_34_se/characters/simon_peter) _rivalry_ Judas Iscariot and Simon Peter are antagonistic, with deep ideological and personal conflicts. ### [The Woman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_34_se/characters/the_woman) _psychological_ Judas Iscariot and The Woman have a tense, manipulative relationship where Judas uses her for his own ends. ### [The Woman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_34_se/characters/the_woman) _psychological_ Judas Iscariot and The Woman have a tense, manipulative relationship where Judas uses her for his own ends. ## In the story ### [Judas Iscariot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_34_se/chapters/judas-iscariot) Central figure of the chapter, depicted in his role as the betrayer of Christ. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_34_se/chapters/i) Introduced as a red-haired, repulsive Judean with a double-faced skull and a changeable voice; he is deceitful, servile, and cunning, and is accepted by Jesus despite warnings. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_34_se/chapters/ii) Takes charge of the treasure chest and household tasks, lies habitually, and claims all people are deceitful. He saves Jesus from a mob but is rejected by the disciples. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_34_se/chapters/iii) Feels unloved by Jesus, competes with Peter in stone-throwing, and confesses his anguish to Thomas. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_34_se/chapters/iv) Steals money from the common purse, is confronted by the disciples, but is defended by Jesus. He mocks the disciples' hypocrisy and recalls giving the stolen money to a sinful woman. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_34_se/chapters/v) Takes the first decisive step toward betrayal by visiting Annas, haggling over the price of Jesus, and later showing contradictory care for Jesus by procuring wine, flowers, and children. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_34_se/chapters/vi) Betrays Jesus with one hand while trying to protect Him with the other; warns disciples, procures swords, questions their love, and ultimately goes to betray Him. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_34_se/chapters/vii) Betrays Jesus with a kiss, then watches in anguish as Jesus is beaten, questioning the meaning of his actions. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_34_se/chapters/viii) Central figure; experiences a mix of terror, triumph, and cold detachment as he watches Jesus die. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_34_se/chapters/ix) Confronts the Sanhedrim and disciples, then hangs himself on a mountain over Jerusalem. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_34_se/characters/judas_iscariot - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_34_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_34_se/characters