Judas Iscariot (Hebrew: יהודה איש־קריות , Yehuda, Yəhûḏāh ʾΚ-qrayyôṯ) was according to the New Testament, one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus. He is infamously known for his kiss and betrayal of Jesus to the hands of the chief Sanhedrin priests for a ransom of 30 pieces of silver.[1]
Jude was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus. He is generally identified with Thaddeus, and is also variously called Jude of James, Jude Thaddaeus, Judas Thaddaeus or Lebbaeus. He is sometimes identified with Jude, "brother of Jesus", but is clearly distinguished from Judas Iscariot, another disciple, the betrayer of Jesus.
St. Irenaeus (
//; Greek: Εἰρηναῖος), (2nd century AD – c. 202) was Bishop of Lugdunum in Gaul, then a part of the Roman Empire (now Lyon, France). He was an early church father and apologist, and his writings were formative in the early development of Christian theology. He was a hearer of Polycarp,[1] who in turn was a disciple of John the Evangelist.________________________________________________
//; Greek: Εἰρηναῖος), (2nd century AD – c. 202) was Bishop of Lugdunum in Gaul, then a part of the Roman Empire (now Lyon, France). He was an early church father and apologist, and his writings were formative in the early development of Christian theology. He was a hearer of Polycarp,[1] who in turn was a disciple of John the Evangelist.________________________________________________
Frieda Nussberger-Tchachos got an important phone call on her way to Kennedy Airport, when she got sensational news. At the end of the last century, she had obtained an ancient manuscript, a codex, written in Koptic (an old Egyptian language) on papyrus-leaves, from an Egyptian antiques dealer. She did not know what she bought, but she payed 300.000 dollar for it. Later on she proclaims, that she was influenced by his spirit. She was guided to bring this to light: THE GOSPEL OF JUDAS!
It was a sensation in biblical and historical circles. Through the ages the name Judas, was associated with the betrayal of Jesus Christ. He started the chain of events by kissing his rabbi on the cheek. The Roman soldiers arrested him and his “path of thorns” began. Judas was payed 30 shekels of silver, but killed himself out of remorse. In Germany it is still forbidden to name your child this way. Among Jesus' apostles there was another Judas (Thaddeus), a letter of whom we find in the New Testament. This codex contained the “Gospel of Judas Iskariot”. Hundreds of pieces were carefully analyzed and placed together. The Gospel consists of 13 pages, used both sides. After a careful reconstruction period scientists concluded that 85% of the Codex was saved.
The Gospel of Judas is a gnostic document. The Gnostics called themselves Christians, but in the eyes of the new Christian Church they were mystics and trouble-makers. In recent years more gnostic and essenic documents have been found (the gospel of Thomas, the gospel of Mary Magdalen a.o.). The Codex was thoroughly researched, about 5 years ago, 2006). Parts of the gospel were used for carbon-dating. The book proved to be 1800 years old and was probably a later copy of a gnostic, original, document. The Koptic writing and language proved authentic and this ruled out falsification. A dream team of experts was formed and they revealed the message of the Gospel. It gives us a completely different view of the role of Judas. He is portrayed here as the best student and most promising apostle. Jesus remarks that he is the only one that understands him. During the last days in Jerusalem, Jesus talks in private with Judas. In short: he asks Judas to betray him. This is the way he can leave the mortal body, he is “using”. Jesus shows him heaven and the future role and influence of Jesus. He has to die. Reluctantly Judas agrees and this gives Jesus the possibility to announce the betrayal (an his oncoming death) to the apostles. The gospel of Judas does not give us any details of the trial, the crucifiction or the resurrection.
Historians knew that the gospel of Judas existed. It was quite popular in first decades of Christianity. Many books existed and there was no official Bible, yet. Bishop Ireaneaus of Lyon (180 AD) wanted to purify the religious books and pamphlets of his days. He wanted to exterminate all Jewish and heretical influences. He skipped the complete Old Testament. He also condemned “the Gospel of Judas” and with effect. All copies disappeared and this gnostic text disappeared into history. Until 1978, when an Egyptian treasure-seeker found a stone box, that contained the crumbling manuscript. Presently the Codex is in the possession of the Maceanas Fund (USA).
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