The 'Gospel of Judas' EXPOSED! "Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve." —Luke 22:3
by David J. Stewart | April 13, 2006
According to The New York Times, April 6, 2006, in an article titled
'Gospel of Judas' Surfaces After 1,700 Years ...An early Christian manuscript, including the only known text of what is known as the Gospel of Judas, has surfaced after 1,700 years. The text gives new insights into the relationship of Jesus and the disciple who betrayed him, scholars reported today. In this version, Jesus asked Judas, as a close friend, to sell him out to the authorities, telling Judas he will "exceed" the other disciples by doing so...
The discovery in the desert of Egypt of the leather-bound papyrus manuscript, and now its translation, was announced by the National Geographic Society at a news conference in Washington. The 26-page Judas text is said to be a copy in Coptic, made around A. D. 300, of the original Gospel of Judas, written in Greek the century before.
Terry Garcia, an executive vice president of the geographic society, said the manuscript, or codex, is considered by scholars and scientists to be the most significant ancient, nonbiblical text to be found in the past 60 years.
"The codex has been authenticated as a genuine work of ancient Christian apocryphal literature," Mr. Garcia said, citing extensive tests of radiocarbon dating, ink analysis and multispectral imaging and studies of the script and linguistic style. The ink, for example, was consistent with ink of that era, and there was no evidence of multiple rewriting.
Modernists are Liars!
There is NO possible way that such a Gospel could be legitimate, that goes totally contrary to the teachings of the Word of God. You're going to have to choose sides on this issue--either you believe the Word of God; or else you believe modern apostate scholars. Don't be fooled by their blasphemous claims, anyone can claim anything nowadays. Isn't it interested how all of a sudden, in the past ten years, all sorts of Bible codes, secret passages, hidden manuscripts, and new evidences are being unearthed to DISCREDIT the Word of God? Doesn't it also seem a bit coincidental to you that at the same time, homosexuals are working relentlessly to change the Word of God into a lie (Romans 1:25).
Never in the history of mankind, has the Lord Jesus Christ been under any greater attack than He is today. Godless author, Michael Baigent, has written a new book, THE JESUS PAPERS (ISBN: 0060827130, Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers), attacking the deity of Christ, the crucifixion, Christ's resurrection, Christ's miracles, and the life of our Saviour. In a March 2006 Fox News interview, Baigent claimed that Jesus never actually died upon the cross; BUT, was part of a massive cover-up. What will modernists think of next?
Judas was No Friend of Christ!
Judas was no friend of Christ. Let's see what the Word of God has to say about the man, Judas Iscariot...
"Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment. Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him, Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein. Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this. For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always." -John 12:3-8
Did you read that ... Judas WAS A THIEF! How dare National Geographic Society, or any other modernist, claim that Jesus was best friends with a thief. Jesus may have befriended sinners; BUT, he wasn't best of friends with them. Jesus was no companion of drunkards or immoral people. Yes, He was a friend to them, and spent His ministry reaching out to them; BUT, Jesus was not close friends with unrepented sinners, who hurt other people. Judas was a thief, who stole money from others. There is no record in the Bible of Jesus and Judas ever being personally close.
Satan Entered into Judas
For anyone to claim that Jesus asked Judas, as a close friend, to sell Him out to the authorities is absurd. Luke 22:3 clearly states "Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot..." The Bible declares that Judas was a willing servant of Satan. Jesus was extremely hated by the Jewish religious leaders of His day, the Pharisees. There had been many attempts made on Jesus' life by the Jews (John 8:59; 10:33). Jesus could have chosen to be crucified at any time He wanted. I'm sure there were many people standing in line eager to do it. The idea that Jesus needed Judas to sell Him out is crazy. It was the Truth which Jesus spoke which led to His crucifixion (John 10:33). Jesus didn't need any help. The Bible plainly teaches that Satan was the one who influenced Judas to betray Jesus...
"And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him." -John 13:2
The claims of the 'Gospel of Judas' are contradictory to the Word of God. The idea that Jesus "asked" Judas to betray Him, is totally opposite of the Bible's teaching that Satan entered into Judas. If the 'Gospel of Judas' is true, then the Word of God is false. If the 'Gospel of Judas' is true, then Satan had absolutely nothing to do with Christ's crucifixion, and it was just a scheme by two buddies. To accept the 'Gospel of Judas' as legitimate is to deny the Word of God. The Bible is clear that Satan entered into Judas (Luke 22:3). Jesus didn't ask Judas to betray Him, and it's an insult to the Saviour for anyone to claim otherwise.
Judas was Paid 30-Pieces of Silver to Betray Jesus
If Judas was "close" to Jesus as claimed, then why would Judas accept a blood-payment from the unsaved religious leaders to betray Christ? Proverb 22:1 states, "A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold." Why would Judas receive any money? Are you saying that Jesus was willing to destroy Judas' reputation, by accepting money from such evil people? Also, If Judas was so "close" to Christ, as modernists claim, then why would Judas be willing to commit sin? That's exactly what Judas called it...
"...I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood..." -Matthew 27:4
Jesus would never lead anyone to sin! Judas betrayed an innocent man! One might submit that it wasn't a true betrayal if Jesus asked Judas to do it. However, the religious leaders wouldn't have known about the plot, and all they saw was a thief (Judas) who was betraying an innocent man (Jesus). To them, Judas was scum. Do you think Jesus was willing to destroy Judas' Christian testimony? Do you think Jesus would ask Judas to sin? Also, why would Jesus ask Judas to betray Him, if it was going to cause all of the other disciples to look contemptibly upon Judas?
Judas Tried to Undo His Evil, then Committed SuicideAccording to the 'Gospel of Judas,' Jesus asked Judas to sell Him out, promising Judas he would "exceed" the other disciples by doing so. However, the Bible paints a much different picture...
"Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that. And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself. And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood." -Matthew 27:3-6
There are so many things which just don't add up about the claims of the 'Gospel of Judas.' If Jesus asked Judas to betray Him, then why would Judas confess as to having commit a "sin"? Why would Judas receive the blood-money (which is exactly what the Bible calls it), and then try to bring it back? Why would Judas risk undoing what Jesus asked him to do, by bringing the money back? What if the Pharisees had taken the money back and changed their minds? It just doesn't add up. Why did Judas commit suicide? Is this how Judas was to "exceed" the other disciples? What a shameful death. The FACT that Judas commit suicide proves that the "Gospel of Judas' is a scam! Judas commit suicide because he did indeed betray Jesus, sending an innocent man to die a criminal's death on a cross. Judas was not saved, and did not understand God's forgiveness. Instead of seeking forgiveness, as Peter did; Judas was overwhelmed with grief and panicked. He killed himself. Why would Judas panic, and then frantically kill himself, if he KNEW that he had done exactly what Jesus had ASKED of him? The claims of the 'Gospel of Judas' just don't add up!
Why We Should Reject the 'Gospel of Judas'
The sad truth is that many people, who are woefully ignorant of the Bible, will believe the lies of the 'Gospel of Judas." As a consequence, many people will falsely conclude that the Biblical Gospels are contradictory and; therefore, are unreliable.
Although the Apocrypha was including in the original King James Bible, it was inserted between the Old and New Testaments; but, NOT included as part of the Scriptures. The Apocrypha was only added for it's historical value. The King James translators rejected the Apocrypha for seven reasons. The key to exposing the 'Gospel of Judas' is by using some of the same reasonings which the King James translators used when analyzing the Apocrypha. The main reason why I reject the 'Gospel of Judas' is because it contradicts the Bible as a whole. It would be ridiculous, and unscholarly, to discredit any portion of the Word of God, based simply upon ONE manuscript. The claims of the 'Gospel of Judas' blatantly attack the integrity and character of our Lord Jesus Christ. To imply that Jesus staged His own betrayal is absurd, unscholarly, and utter nonsense! The Word of God simply doesn't support the 'Gospel of Judas,' nor does the Word of God ever mention it. There is NO mention anywhere in the Bible about a "lost" Gospel.
It is clear to me that the Word of God is under attack more than ever before. Let the modernists rage, I'm not handing over my Bible. The best way to expose Satan's works of darkness is to shine the Light of God's Word upon it. The 'Gospel of Judas' is a work of darkness that needs to be exposed for what it is ... of the Devil.