Why did Judas Iscariot throw away the the thirty pieces of silver and hang himself instead of living his life with shame and dying old if he never believed that Jesus Christ was the Son Of God?

 The story of Judas Iscariot's betrayal and subsequent actions is found in the New Testament of the Bible, particularly in the Gospels of Matthew (Matthew 26:14-16, 26:47-50, 27:3-10) and Acts (Acts 1:18-19). The reasons for Judas' actions are complex and open to interpretation, as different Christian traditions may offer varying perspectives on his motivations.

In the Gospel of Matthew, it is mentioned that Judas betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. After Jesus was arrested and sentenced to death, Judas regretted his actions. In Matthew 27:3-5 (ESV), it is described:

"Then when Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he changed his mind and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders, saying, 'I have sinned by betraying innocent blood!' They said, 'What is that to us? See to it yourself.' And throwing down the pieces of silver into the temple, he departed, and he went and hanged himself."

There are various interpretations of Judas' actions:

1. **Remorse and Guilt:** Some interpretations suggest that Judas, overwhelmed by guilt and remorse for betraying an innocent man, could not live with the shame of his actions. The return of the silver to the religious authorities may have been an attempt to undo his betrayal, but it did not alleviate his guilt.

2. **Fulfillment of Prophecy:** The Gospel of Matthew notes that the actions of Judas were in fulfillment of a prophecy from the Old Testament (Zechariah 11:12-13). This could suggest that Judas' role was predestined, and his tragic end was part of a divine plan.

3. **Despair:** Judas may have despaired over the consequences of his actions, feeling that there was no way to rectify the situation or seek forgiveness. This could have led to his decision to take his own life.

It's important to recognize that interpretations of biblical stories can vary, and different Christian denominations may have nuanced views on Judas Iscariot's motivations and the theological implications of his actions. The narrative of Judas serves as a complex and profound element within Christian theology, exploring themes of betrayal, redemption, and divine providence.