John 17:12

Jesus had kept these disciples loyal to God and had protected them from external attacks while He was with them. The only exception was Judas Iscariot who was always the traitor that the Old Testament had predicted would betray the Messiah (Psalms 41:9; Psalms 69:25; Psalms 109:6-8; cf. John 13:18). His defection did not prove Jesus a failure but Scripture trustworthy. Jesus did not include Judas in His requests for the Eleven.

The term "son of perdition" (Gr. ho huios tes apoleias, NIV "the one doomed to destruction") could describe Judas’ character (cf. Isaiah 57:4) or his destiny (Psalms 35:4-8). He had a damnable character and would end in perdition, but the second idea seems to be stronger in the context. Perdition in the New Testament usually refers to eschatological damnation (cf. Matthew 7:13; Acts 8:20; Romans 9:22; Philippians 1:28; Philippians 3:19; 1 Timothy 6:9; 2 Peter 2:1; 2 Peter 3:7; Revelation 17:8; Revelation 17:11).

The only other occurrence of the title "son of perdition" occurs concerning the Antichrist (2 Thessalonians 2:3). This fact has led some interpreters to conclude that the Antichrist will be the resurrected Judas Iscariot. However, God will not resurrect unbelievers until the end of the millennium (Revelation 20:11-15), but the Antichrist will appear and carry out his work during the Tribulation that will precede the millennium (cf. Revelation 13:1-10; Revelation 19:19-21).