Is there a contradiction in the gospels?

Easily explainable with the aforementioned dynamics in place. The writers weren't present when Judas died, so were offering what they'd heard.

WARNING: Weak stomachs shouldn't read further.


Judas probably hung himself. Given long enough (and without going into too many details) a dead body becomes, shall we say, rather volatile. Either the rope broke or his head separated, and when he hit the ground he burst open.

It's like the telephone game; by the time some of the disciples got the styory, it was a little garbled.