Due to popular gnostic writings like the gospel of judas and the gospel of thomas, as well as the da vinci code book and movie, many people are questioning why we have the bible that we do and wondering if something in the ancient apocryphal writings, if it. The gospel of judas johanna brankaer oxford university. Ultimately, it reached the hands of scholars who have now completed its translation, under the auspices and funding of the national geographic society see usa today, longlost gospel of judas recasts traitor, 462006. Opinion what the gospel of judas really says the new york times. The gospel of judas simon gathercole oxford university. In his commentary, word pictures in the new testament, he says judas was a sad and terrible exception 1932, 278. The claims of the gospel of judas catholic culture. Gospel of judas edited by rodolphe kasser, marvin meyer, and gregor wurst the gospel of judas is a gnostic gospel whose content consists of conversations between the disciple judas iscariot and jesus christ. What the bible says about gospel of judas from forerunner commentary genesis 3. The gospel of judas, edited by professors rodolphe kasser, marvin meyer and gregor wurst, was released on the same day april 6, 2006 as the lost gospel. This powerful story is well known in christian theology as one of the most significant events of disloyalty. Matthew 26 commentary judas bargains to betray christ. Why is the gospel of judas arousing so much interest. Jude which in hebrew is judas was one of four halfbrothers of jesus christ mark 6.
Robertson stated that this phrase marks an exception, and he cites this passage 1919, 1188. But a newly discovered ancient text of the gospel of judas offers a picture of judas iscariot radically different from the churchs traditional understanding of him, and maintains that far from being the infamous betrayer, judas was actually jesuss trusted friend and the recipient of secret revelation. The gospel of judas itself of course must have been written well before this to have been mentioned by irenaeus in a. This book is about treason, at the centre the treason of judas iscariot in hebrew the title of the book is the gospel of jehuda. The gospel of judas is another gospel that scholars only knew about through the writings of its opponents.
The gospel of judas edited by johanna brankaer bas van os oxford early christian gospel texts. Its enough to remember the 1973 play jesus christ superstar, where judas sings, i. Due to popular gnostic writings like the gospel of judas and the gospel of thomas, as well as the da vinci code book and movie, many people are. The gospel advances a gnostic cosmology and portrays judas in a positive light as the only apostle who fully understands jesus teachings. Bart ehrman, offers the first comprehensive account of the newly discovered gospel of.
The gospel of judas is an ancient book written between ad 300 and 400 in an egyptian language known as coptic. A similar incipit opens another document from the nag hammadi library, book of thomas 8, 14. For some reflections on the meaning and significance of judas gospel for us today, see my book, the gospel of judas. The only copy of the gospel of judas known to exist is a coptic language text that has been carbon dated to ad 280, plus or minus 60 years. The gospel of judas is a secondcentury sethian gnostic gospel that portrays the disciple judas as the demonic double of the chief archon, ialdabaoth, who works in opposition to the transcendent god worshiped by the gnostics. It seemed rather long and expensive to invest the time and money. The hidden sayings that the savior spoke to judas thomas, which i, mathaias, in turn recorded. In this article pastor jack wellman presents a bible study and commentary on the book of jude. Our gospel lesson comes toward the end of the book of signs, and serves as a transition into the book of glory chapters 20, socalled because it records. Sometime in the 1970s, in a cave in egypt, a copy of the gospel of judas was discovered. I picked up the lost gospel of judas iscariot at the last minute before a trip from boston to stockholm. Pdf the gospel of judas download full pdf book download. The gospel of judas has been translated from its original coptic to clear prose, and is accompanied by commentary that explains its fascinating history in the context of the early church, offering a whole new way of understanding the message of jesus christ. The content consists of conversations between jesus.
Jude wrote this book exclusively to fight against the apostasy that was defiling the church and defectors of the faith who were building apostate churches. Judas iscariot is the legendary betrayer of jesus in the bible. The site includes the gnostic library, with the complete nag hammadi library and a large collection of other primary gnostic scriptures and documents. The name didymus judas thomas twin judas twin describing the receiver emphatically refers to that blood brother. For information about the surviving manuscript of the gospel of judas, see the manuscript information page. The secret account of the revelation that jesus spoke in conversation with judas iscariot during a week, three days before he celebrated passover.
Knowing that judas was reflecting upon something that was exalted, jesus said to. Among them was the book now known as the gospel of thomas. Whoever wrote the gospel of judas was a harsh critic of mainstream christianity and its rituals. Study the bible online using commentary on judas betrayal and peters denial foretold. The final words on the last page of the codex read. The reputed and possibly actual author of the gospel of thomas was judas, the twin brother of the living jesus if not that of the risen christ. Portions of three greek copies of the gospel of thomas had been found about half a century before in. Part of a vast collection of materials dealing with gnosis and gnosticism, both ancient and modern. In fact, early publications and commentary on the gospel of judas. For information about the surviving manuscript of the gospel of judas, see the. Lost gospel of judas discussed at rse part 1 youtube.
Gospel of judas, apocryphal christian scripture from the 2nd century ad attributed to the apostle judas iscariot. Irenaeus wrote his book about 180 ad, so the gospel of judas was likely written. Judas then went on his own to the priests of the temple, the religious authorities at the time, and offered to betray jesus in exchange for money30 pieces of silver, as specified in the gospel. A commentary on jesus sayings as recorded by the apostle thomas light spirit press cedar crest, new mexico. The opening line of the gospel of judas demonstrates this secret knowledge. Hidden for 1700 years, the gospel of judas now offers a surprising. This book provides a critical edition with the coptic text and english translation of a major noncanonical gospel, the gospel of judas.
The bible story of judas betraying jesus is found in all four gospels. The gospel of judas iscariot the lost books of the bible. I hoped it would contain the gospel of judas iscariot along with commentary about its discovery, historical context, and meaning for gnostic christians. Researchers say they have discovered the only known copy of the gospel of judas. There are several explanations as to why judas betrayed jesus, including bribery and demonic possession, that vary among the gospel accounts. It has been suggested that the text derives from an earlier greek version. There are very good pragmatic reasons for giving up on metaphysics. In contrast, jesus is able to teach judas the true meaning of his life, ministry and death. A second, later title is given at the end of the document. Blatz, writing without knowledge of the new codex, believed that the gospel of judas would have been written at.
The gospel of judas by national geographic society. There were but twelve called apostles, and one of them was like a devil. The quest for the gospel of judas iscariot by bart d. An introduction and orientation to the gospel of judas. Bible verses, quotes, christian answers, songs and more. The gospel of judas featured today catholic online. This book also includes reflections on the extensive literature, beyond the gospel of judas, on the figure of judas iscariot, with suggestions for a literary interpretation of judasan interpretation that may have a dramatic impact upon our understanding of the role of judas iscariot in the story of jesuss passion. Until recently, no institutions were willing to pay the exorbitant fee to get the manuscript due to its dubious origin. The gospel of judas was discovered in the 1970s in an egyptian cave. The gospel of judas states that jesus told judas you shall be cursed for generations and then added, you will come to rule over them and you will exceed all of them, for you will sacrifice the man that clothes me.
The greater profession men make of religion, the greater opportunity they have of doing mischief, if their hearts be not right with god. The gospel of judas contradicts the true gospel accounts by asserting that judas iscariot was actually the hero, who had been given secret knowledge that the other disciples did not possess. The gospel of judas book by national geographic society. Incipit the secret account of the revelation that jesus spoke in conversation with judas iscariot during a. Irenaeus made an indirect reference to the gospel of judas in his seminal work, against heresies. The circumstances of the discovery have been described as shady, with those who possessed the copy asking for. Gospel of judas learn the history of this book and study its validity. I had perused the gospel of judas by the national geographic society when it first came out, but did not end up reading it. I did think mattisons book was worth both, since it was inexpensive and shorter. Opinion what the gospel of judas really says the new. Alex chadwick talks to herb krosney, author of the lost gospel.
An overview 85 7 the gospel of judas and early christian gnosticism 99 8 jesus, judas, and the twelve in the gospel of judas 121 9 who was judas iscariot. In a discussion of the cainites, he claimed they had a book known as the gospel of judas. For additional information about the translation, see the introduction to the pdf version. The claims of the gospel of judas the gospel of judas, an ancient manuscript that was found in egypt, is being used to advance an agenda that calls into question the most fundamental doctrines of. Truth behind gospel of judas revealed in ancient inks. The gospel describes judas as hanging himself in despair. Now, scientists reveal they couldnt have made the call without a. In contrast to the new testament gospels, judas iscariot is presented as a role.
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