The quest for the gospel of judas iscariot by bart d. Truth behind gospel of judas revealed in ancient inks. Ostensibly written by judass son, benjamin, and following the narrative style of the gospels, this recreation is provocative, compelling, and controversial. Jul 22, 2016 the gospel of judas iscariot introduction. Elaine pagels is the harrington spear paine professor of religion at princeton university and has published widely on gnosticism and early christianity. The lost gospel of judas iscariot hardcover bart d. It is believed to have been written by gnostic followers of jesus, rather than by judas himself, and probably dates from no. Do you not realize that he who made the inside is the same one who made the outside. Subsequent studies, however, questioned this interpretation of. The content consists of conversations between jesus and judas iscariot. In his last published book, pope john paul ii eloquently reflected on how god continues to bring good out of even the worst evil that man can produce. Since an apostolic connection was necessary, it would have to have been written within the first century. 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 were known, would change christianity as we know it. For additional information about the translation, see the introduction to the pdf version.
Aug, 2000 the gospel of judas simon mawer little brown. The gospel of judas iscariot, one of the socalled lost books of early christianity, was referred to in irenaeus and was known to exist in the 2 nd century but has been lost to. Jun 21, 2016 the gospel of judas caused a huge stir when national geographic published it back in 2006. The recent national geographic special on the gospel of judas was a major media event, introducing to tens of millions of viewers one of the most important biblical discoveries of modern times. The gospel of judas was discovered in the 1970s in an egyptian cave. Gospel of judas prompts reexamination of bible last week the national geographic society made the remarkable announcement that it had completed the translation of the gospel of judas. 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, 46. It contradicts historical facts and christian and judaic theology. Judas iscariot is arguably the most maligned man in christian history. A new look at betrayer and betrayed reprint by ehrman, bart d isbn. Until recently, no institutions were willing to pay the exorbitant fee to get the manuscript due to its dubious origin. 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. Given that it includes late 2nd century theology, it is thought to have been composed in the 2nd century by gnostic christians, rather than the historic judas himself. The gospel of judas, second edition kasser, rodolphe, meyer, marvin, wurst.
Researched with the skill of a biblical scholar and written with the craft of a great storyteller. Now a new gospel has been unveiled by the national geographic society one that focuses on the story of judas iscariot. King, pagels has written a new book, reading judas. The storys symbolic resonance is announced in the very name of its protagonist. Truth behind gospel of judas revealed in ancient inks live. The gospel of judas michael gleghorn according to wilford and goodstein, in an article for the new york times april 7, 2006, the 26page judas text is believed to be a copy in the coptic language. The only copy of it known to exist is a coptic language text that has been carbon dated to 280 ad. The gospel of judas and the shaping of christianity. There are very good pragmatic reasons for giving up on metaphysics. The gospel of judas npr coverage of the gospel of judas by national geographic society, rodolphe kasser, marvin meyer, gregor wurst, and bart d.
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. The gospel of judas caused a huge stir when national geographic published it back in 2006. In certain gnostic traditions, this is the given name of the king of demons an entity. Theres three parts to this book, though theyre not labeled as such. The only earlier report of this christian text is found in bishop irenaeus book against heresies, written about 180 ad. Their brilliant workbold and simpleis a compelling story for twentyfirstcentury readers, while maintaining an authenticity that would be credible to a firstcentury. The circumstances of the discovery have been described as shady, with those who possessed the copy asking for exorbitant amounts of money for the codex. Mar 27, 2007 the gospel according to judas by benjamin iscariot and recounted by jeffrey archer and prof francis j moloney macmillan, price. Opinion what the gospel of judas really says the new.
In the lost gospel of judas iscariot, professor erhman reveals how the document was discovered and repeatedly sold by shady antiquities dealers. Originally published with considerable international fanfare in 2006, the gospel of judas has prompted a vibrant discussion among scholars and other interested readers about the meaning of the text and the place 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. 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. But to this day, misconceptions about this text abound. First is an introduction with the history of the codex the gospel of judas was found it how it was discovered, bought, sold, and damaged until it came into the hands of scholars who preserved and translated it. The gospel of judas is simply a heretical forgery, much the same as the gospel of thomas, the gospel of mary, and the gospel of philip. It is sad, too, to read in each book how this ancient papyrus book or codex was. Incipit the secret account of the revelation that jesus spoke in conversation with judas iscariot during a week three days before he celebrated passover.
The gospel of judas iscariot the lost books of the bible. On a night with judas iscariot presents a fresh translation of the gospel of judas, with introduction, commentary, and notes. It raises many questions and bart ehrman provides illuminating and authoritative answers, in a book that will interest anyone curious about the new testament, the life of jesus, and. Although lost for centuries, the gospel of judas was known to have existed because it was. It says that judas is a specific demon called the thirteenth. The gospel according to judas by benjamin iscariot by jeffrey. The gospel of judas iscariot grand encampment, knights templar. The gospel of judas book by national geographic society. The gospel of judas is an ancient book written between ad 300 and 400 in an egyptian language known as coptic. 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 judas an interpretation that may have a dramatic impact upon our understanding of the role of judas iscariot in the story of jesuss passion. Ehrman concludes that the discovery of the gospel of judas is significant not only because it adds to our knowledge of the diversity of early christianity but also because it portrays a judas who is not a traitor to the cause but one who is instrumental in fulfilling jesus divine mission. For information about the surviving manuscript of the gospel of judas, see the manuscript information page.
The only copy of it known to exist is a coptic language text that has been carbon dated to 280 ad, plus or minus 60. Ehrman who wrote a commentary in tgoj and herbert krosney who is quoted in tgoj. Judas grieved a bit about the crucifixion, though he was. A new look at betrayer and betrayed ehrman, bart d. Dec 02, 2007 so what does the gospel of judas really say. Alex chadwick talks to herb krosney, author of the lost gospel. He was able to stand before him, but he could not look him in the eyes, and he turned his face away. The gospel of judas is included in a 62page papyrus 1 manuscript that was uncovered in egypt during the 1950s or 1960s. A foundation in switzerland eventually purchased the codex to release its content. Opinion what the gospel of judas really says the new york.
A brief overview of the gospel of judas probe ministries. The gospel of judas this translation is by david brakke and is intended only for the use of his students. That doesnt mean, however, that god intends for us to do evil, or that he intended for judas to betray jesus. But their spirits did not dare to stand before him, except for judas iscariot. Smart, lively, and eminently readable, this book provides a brilliant glimpse into the world of research and scholarship on one of the most provocative gospels from the world of the early church. For some reflections on the meaning and significance of judas gospel for us today, see my book, the gospel of judas. The gospel according to judas by benjamin iscariot book. The essay below is taken from our resource trusting the new testament for a thorough look at the hard data about this judas document, i recommend roger pearses treatment here the gospel of judas goj, as of this writing, is the latest and greatest nongospel gospel to have captured the medias attention. In the gospel of judas, jesus imparts to judas and to the readers of the gospel.
One of the requirements for inclusion in the new testament canon was that the book had to be written by an apostle or a close associate. Sometime in the 1970s, in a cave in egypt, a copy of the gospel of judas was discovered. Judas said to him, i know who you are and where you have come from. Chapter 1 1 jesus asked, why do you wash the outside of the cup. Gospel of judas learn the history of this book and study its validity. Catholic priest leo newman, who is sent to jerusalem to join an international team entrusted with deciphering a newly discovered dead sea scrolla fragment of papyrus purporting to be the story of christs martyrdom as observed by his betrayer judas iscariot. The four canonic gospels agree that judas iscariot was one of jesus disciples, and that he betrayed jesus to the temple priests and guard. These are the secret sayings which the living jesus spoke and which judas the twin thomas. Apr, 2006 gospel of judas prompts reexamination of bible last week the national geographic society made the remarkable announcement that it had completed the translation of the gospel of judas. The gospel advances a gnostic cosmology and portrays judas in a positive light as the only apostle who fully understands jesus teachings. Publishers weekly the lost gospel of judas iscariot is a gem of a book. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.
Mar 24, 2020 along with the gospel of judas, the codex contains the pseudepigraphal noncanonical and unauthentic first apocalypse of james, a letter of the apostle peter, and a section of a badly fragmented work provisionally identified as the book of allogenes or book of the stranger, a gnostic text that was also among the codices found at naj. The gospel of judas lost books bible apocryphal enoch. Contents 33 the hidden discourse of the pronouncement in which jesus spoke with judas iscariot for eight days, three days before he celebrated passover. 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 gospel of judas is a gnostic text of the late second or third century that obviously was not written by judas iscariot. The gospel according to judas by benjamin iscariot by. Researchers say they have discovered the only known copy of the gospel of judas. The bibles new testament gospelsmatthew, mark, luke, and johndepict judas iscariot, one of the twelve apostles of jesus, as a traitor. 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. Judass big defining character trait is that he betrays jesus. The gospel of judas itself of course must have been written well before this to have been mentioned by irenaeus in a. Just as judas iscariot rejected jesus and betrayed him with a kiss, the gospel of judas rejects the true gospel and truth of god with a fraudulent appearance of validity. The gospel of judas, which falls into the gnostic tradition, can be puzzling, even bizarre. Gospel of judas, apocryphal christian scripture from the 2nd century ad attributed to the apostle judas iscariot.
The new testament portrays this close confident of jesus, as a greedy and selfish man. It has been suggested that the text derives from an earlier greek version. Blatz, writing without knowledge of the new codex, believed that the gospel of judas would have been written at some time between a. If it wasnt judas, it would have been someone else. The common thread in all of these books 14aside from the controversial gospel itself 14is the lore of books and publishing, especially the ephemeral world of ancient publishing. Dec 16, 2008 buy the lost gospel of judas iscariot. That might explain why youve met tons of guys named peter but have never come across a judas. The secret account of the revelation that jesus spoke in conversation with judas iscariot during a week three days before he celebrated. Fast paced without sacrificing strong character development, book of judas will take your breath away. 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. He gets a bad rap right from the beginning of the storybut does he deserve it. A fourthcentury coptic translation of the gospel of judas, which is a secondcentury gospel first mentioned by irenaeus of lyons, was recovered in 2006 and published initially under the auspices of the national geographic society as a gospel that exonerated judas and saw him as a gnostic hero and soul mate of jesus. But, in stepbystep fashion, ehrman leads his readers through the maze, covering the background of gnosticism in general, exploring how this gospel fits into that tradition, and examining precisely what the book says. Bart ehrman the lost gospel of judas iscariot the recent national geographic special on the gospel of judas was a major media event, introducing to tens of millions of viewers one of the most important biblical discoveries of modern times.
The gospel of judas featured today catholic online. The gospel according to judas by benjamin iscariot and. The lost gospel of judas iscariot internet archive. The gospel according to judas, by benjamin iscariot is the result of an intense collaboration between a storyteller and a scholar.