How do you understand Judas Iscariot? The problem with our interpretation of Judas is what we think of him. Judas was there when Jesus washed get, he was there when Jesus prayed in Gethsemane, he was there in all of Jesus' teachings and healings. So why did Judas betray Jesus? Judas had ideals, because he envisioned the truth of Jesus' teachings. He was trusted, because he was the treasurer of the group. He was associated with the poor. On Palm Sunday, Judas was most expecting of Jesus taking over when he entered the City in parade. His motivation was the sin of lust, his desire for Jesus to take over and rule over the Romans. His plan went awry, wrong, misguided and utterly failed. His lust was a strong desire for changing the world without Jesus' plan. He made an end-run around God and ran smack-dab into disaster.