1. Acts 1:18 (ESV)
  2. Exposition

Why do we need to know these gruesome details of what happened to Judas?

Acts 1:18 (ESV)

18 (Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness, and falling headlong he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out.

The details likely have a twofold purpose. For one they serve to convey the idea that God has brought judgment on Judas because of his wicked deed.1 The details of Judas’ death matches that of Herod Agrippa I in Acts 12:23, thereby making a similar point about God’s judgment.2 Another reason for the detail is to leave an emotive impression on readers that will prevent them from following Judas’ negative example of unfaithfulness and betrayal.3