Albert Barnes Commentary Acts 1:17

"For he was numbered among us, and received his portion in this ministry." — Acts 1:17 (ASV)

He was numbered with us. He was chosen as an apostle by the Lord Jesus (Luke 6:13–16). This does not mean that he was a true Christian, but that he was reckoned among the apostles.

Jesus knew that Judas never loved Him. Long before Judas betrayed Him, Jesus declared that he was a devil (John 6:70).

Jesus knew Judas's whole character when He chose him (John 2:25). If it is asked why He chose such a man to be an apostle—why he was made the treasurer of the apostles and was admitted to the fullest confidence—we may reply that a most important object was gained in having such a man—a spy—among them.

It might be pretended, when the apostles testified to the purity of life, doctrine, and purpose of the Lord Jesus, that they were biased and partial friends; that they might be disposed to suppress some of His real sentiments and represent Him in a light more favorable than the truth.

Hence, the testimony of such a man as Judas, if favorable, must be invaluable. It would be free from the charge of partiality.

If Judas knew anything unfavorable to the character of Jesus, he would have communicated it to the Sanhedrin. If he knew of any secret plot against the government or any seditious purpose, he had every inducement to declare it.

Judas had every opportunity to know any such thing: he was with Jesus, heard Him converse, was a member of His household, and was admitted to terms of familiarity.

Yet even Judas could not be bought or bribed to testify against the moral character of the Savior. If he had done it, or could have done it, this action would have preserved him from the charge of treason. It would also have entitled him to the reputation of a public benefactor for discovering secret sedition and would have saved him from the pangs of remorse and from suicide.

Judas would have done it if he could have. But he alleged no such charge; he did not even dare to lisp a word against the pure designs of the Lord Jesus. Indeed, his own pangs and death are the highest proof that could be desired of his conviction that the betrayed Redeemer was innocent.

Judas would have been exactly the witness whom the Jews desired concerning the treasonable purposes of Jesus. But that testimony could not be obtained, even with gold; and they were compelled to suborn other men to testify against the Son of God (Matthew 26:60).

We may also add here that the introduction of a character like Judas Iscariot into the number of the apostles, and the use to be made of his testimony, would never have occurred to an impostor.

An impostor would have claimed that they were all true friends of the Lord Jesus. To have invented a character like Judas, and to have him perform such a part in the plan as the sacred writers describe, would have required too much art and cunning. It was too refined and subtle a device to have been conceived unless it had actually occurred.