The Gospel According to Judas by Benjamin Iscariot Read online

  see

  Cor I 11:24–25;

  Mark 14:22–24;

  Matt 26:26–28;

  Luke 22:20

  17. The disciples, in turn, drank the wine, even though they feared Jesus was referring to his imminent death.

  18. Judas still believed that not only could he save the Master, but his fellow disciples would rejoice at his bold initiative.

  19. After receiving the morsel of bread, Judas immediately went out and it was night.

  John 13:30

  20. He made his way quickly to the home of the Scribe, who welcomed him.

  21. The Scribe told Judas: ‘I have gathered together many loyal supporters of Jesus, whose single purpose is to save him from an unnecessary death.’

  22. Judas thanked him, and said to the Scribe: ‘After the Passover feast, Jesus will go to the Mount of Olives, where he and the other disciples may be found at prayer.

  23. ‘When you come, I will identify the Master, so that together, we can return to Galilee, and save him from an unnecessary death.’

  Chapter 21

  Master, Master

  1. Judas left the Scribe’s home and made his way to the Mount of Olives.

  2. When he came to a place called Gethsemane, he found Jesus on his knees, deep in prayer.

  see

  John 18:2;

  Mark 14:26;

  Matt 26:30;

  Luke 22:39

  3. Many of Jesus’ followers were scattered around the mountain, some praying, while others were fast asleep.

  4. Judas approached the Master and, when he was a few paces off, fell on his knees and joined him in prayer.

  5. Jesus rose suddenly and, raising his arms towards the heavens, said: Abba, with you, all things are possible; take away this cup from me; however, not what I will, but what you command.

  see

  Mark 14:36;

  Matt 26:39;

  Luke 22:42

  6. When Judas heard these words, he was filled with hope that the Master might agree to return to Galilee and avoid the death he had earlier foretold.

  7. Judas walked slowly towards Jesus. He threw his arms round Mark his neck and said: ‘Master, Master,’ and kissed him.

  Mark 14:45;

  Matt 26:49;

  Luke 22:47–48

  8. Jesus took him in his arms, and Judas was overcome with his compassion.

  9. Suddenly, out of the darkness appeared a band of officers from the Temple, who were carrying lanterns, torches, cudgels, sticks and other weapons.

  10. Jesus released Judas and turned towards them, for he knew all things that would happen to him.

  John 18:4

  11. Judas reeled back in horror, suddenly aware that the Master had been referring to him when he had said during the Passover feast: One of you will betray me, even one of the twelve.

  see

  Mark 14:18

  12. Jesus then turned to the officers and asked: ‘Whom do you seek?’

  13. They answered: ‘Jesus of Nazareth.’

  14. Jesus said to them: ‘I am he.’

  John 18:4–5

  15. Judas was shocked to see that among the group who had come to arrest Jesus was the Scribe who had claimed to be his friend.

  16. Judas charged angrily towards him, his fists flying in every direction as he cried out: ‘You have betrayed me.’ But two of the officers grabbed him by the arms and held him back. Judas spat on him.

  17. Jesus looked at the Scribe, and said: Am I to be treated as a thief, that you come in the night armed with swords and staves to arrest me? Day after day I attended you in the Temple and you did not approach me, but you have now chosen this moment in the darkest hour of the night to arrest me.

  see

  Mark 14:48–49;

  Matt 26:55;

  Luke 22:52–53

  18. As the guards continued to hold on to Judas, the Scribe turned to Jesus and said: You do not understand. It is better that one should die for the people than the whole nation should be destroyed.

  see

  John 11:50

  19. The disciples were suddenly woken from their slumbers and, seeing Jesus surrounded by soldiers and officers of the Temple, were filled with fear.

  see

  Mark 14:50

  20. They all forsook Jesus and ran away.

  21. Even as they fled, a soldier grabbed one of Jesus’ followers, who was wearing only a loin cloth round his body, but the young man shed the garment and escaped naked.

  see

  Mark 14:51–52

  22. The officers then released Judas, who stood his ground and watched as Jesus was led away.

  Chapter 22

  I do not know the man

  1. Judas waited until the group of officers that surrounded his Master was out of sight before he followed in their footsteps, always keeping his distance.

  2. Although Judas no longer believed that Jesus was the Messiah, he had never lost faith in John the Baptist’s judgment: He is a man of God.

  see

  John 1:34

  3. Judas hoped that even at this late hour there might be some way of rescuing Jesus.

  4. He watched as Jesus was escorted to the house of Caiaphas, the Chief Priest, where a trial would take place, and a verdict would be handed down that had already been agreed upon.

  5. Judas pulled the top of his robe over his head and disappeared into the shadows behind a pillar in the courtyard.

  6. He listened to the gullible and innocent as they talked among themselves, passing on the latest rumour that was being circulated by well-placed Scribes and officers of the Sanhedrin.

  7. One said: ‘Jesus of Nazareth has been arrested and charged with blasphemy.’

  8. Another: ‘No one was willing to come forward in his defence.’

  9. And yet another: ‘All his disciples ran away the moment they saw the officers of the Temple.’

  10. Judas stepped out of the shadows. Even at this last moment he hoped that the Scribe would confirm his story, and the Sanhedrin would allow Jesus to return to Galilee, as long as he gave them an assurance that he would never again be seen in Jerusalem.

  11. And then he saw a stooped figure on the far side of the courtyard.

  12. Judas approached Peter, confident that together they could bear witness for Jesus, and perhaps even at this late hour save his life.

  13. A serving girl stopped and, looking at Peter, said: I saw you with Jesus of Galilee.

  14. Peter said: I do not know the man.

  15. And another attendant turning to look at Peter, said: This man was a follower of Jesus, and once again, Peter denied ever knowing him.

  16. A cock crowed once.

  17. A little later, others came up to Peter and said: You were with Jesus of Nazareth, and he denied him a third time.

  18. Judas heard the cock crow a second time.

  19. And then Peter recalled Jesus’ words: Before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times.

  20. Judas followed Peter as he stole out of the courtyard to hide among the milling crowd. His head was bowed, and he was weeping bitterly.

  see

  Matt 26:69–75;

  Mark 14:66–72;

  Luke 22:56–62

  21. Although both of them had failed their Master in his hour of need, Judas still believed they could be redeemed.

  22. Peter turned to discover who was following him, and when he saw it was Judas, he shouted: It would be better for you not to have been born.

  Mark 14:21;

  Matt 26:24

  23. Judas felt betrayed. He had not run away when the Master was arrested.

  24. He had not, like Peter, denied Jesus three times, just as the Master had foretold. Why was he the only one to be branded as a sinner?

  25. Judas returned to the courtyard and waited hour upon hour for the Master to reappear.

  26. Priests continued to enter and leave the home of Caiaphas so that the latest scraps of information could be