Did Judas get a raw deal?

Question

He's so vilified in the bible and by Christians but wasnt he just playing his part? Didnt Jesus intend to get crucified and 'die for our sins'? If Judas hadnt sold him out then Jesus might have escaped in to the desert and then the crucifix would mean nothing as a symbol. If God is omnicient he knew what was happening anyway. The Gospel of Judas which was recently uncovered points to the idea that Jesus asked Judas to play that particular role. Any thoughts?

I don't find the comments that the gospel of Judas was put down in the 2nd century very convincing. I read most of the new testament was put down in the 3rd century ad and I dont know why anyone would forge such a thing. I'm not interested in historical accuracy anyway. This is an ethical question.

Answer 1

Judas went to do the thing after being in the company of Jesus for a very long time.

Judas' full name was Judas Iscariot; Judas "of the Knife."
Back in the times of Christ, this title was only bestowed for one reason..... Judas was a successful 'freedom fighter' and had killed numerous Romans.

Answer 2

I cannot agree,if Jesus was determined to be crucified He only had to go to the High Priest and turn Himself in as the Sanhedrin were dying to get hold of Him.
Judas only hastened the process by his act of betrayel and Jesus would have been caught and murdered sooner or later.
The Gospel of Judas is a 2nd century forgery and many faked documents such as this abounded in the middle ages as well.

Answer 3

It is interesting that you ask this question; it seems clear that any re-examination of Judas must affect one's view of Jesus. It is easier for people to vilify Judas in order to exalt Jesus, but, from an unlikely source comes a thoughtful treatment of Judas' position:

http://www.basilrathbone.net/theater/judas.htm

Basil Rathbone, who most may remember as the movies' and radio's Sherlock Holmes in the 1940's, conceived and carried out a play in 1929 that examined the motivations of Judas and, as a result, recasts the light in which Jesus must be viewed (at least in the context of his presentation.) This is LONG before the Gospel of Judas, and Rathbone was a devout and thoughtful Catholic; this subject is something that opens itself to interpretation once thought is applied to it.

Basically, Rathbone's premise is "why would Jesus choose a betrayer to be a disciple?" It goes on to paint Judas as an idealist who becomes disillusioned with the way Jesus is handling things and forces the situation by betraying him. It would be interesting, in these modern times, to adapt this one to film...no doubt it would be just as controversial as it was in 1929.

Answer 4

that's authentic that the prophecies foretold Jesus could be betrayed. there became no desire, whether, for God to supply the skill of that betrayal. All too many anyone is totally prepared to betray somebody else. it is not precise to describe Judas as one with an lively social experience of right and incorrect - John 12:6 it seems that states that Judas became unconcerned bearing directly to the detrimental - his reason became based on the actuality that he used to scouse borrow money from the treasury container. If he weren't an evil guy, Mark 14:21 does not have condemned him and his act of betrayal. This additionally underscores the modus operandi of devil. devil watched Judas and while Judas used to scouse borrow the money, that habit betrayed the greed that became incredibly in his coronary heart. devil pounced on that greed and used it as a weapon against Judas. All that Judas suffered became introduced upon him by Judas himself.

Answer 5

First of all, the gospel of Judas is a fake. So is Thomas. All found to be too young. Fakes. Remember,if a manuscript contradicts the bible it is prob. fake. God is in charge. he got into his bible what he wanted!

I've often wondered if Judas was born just to betray Jesus. He is foretold in the old test-the pieces of silver he betraying Jesus. The potters field. But he was already a thief.
How could he betray him after seeing all of his miracles? And did Satan have to "ask" permission from God to enter him? Jesus told Peter that Satan was requesting him.
This is very deep and interesting. Guess we won't know till we die.

Answer 6

I've always wondered about this, I have also a pondering thought on whether he will go to heaven, he commited suicide after he betrayed christ because he could no longer live with the guilt of what he'd done......for the sake of some money.

He did know that Jesus was God's son, he knew God and he saw all the miricales, he had more faith than anyone alive today!

I think he will be forgiven and in heaven on his judgement day God will be fair. I think we just have to be glad that God wanted to forgive us for our sins against him and he is a fair judge.

Do you think people who commit suicide go to heaven? I'm going to ask that too.....

Answer 7

Jesus did not NEED Judas to betray him to do the will of God and be killed. He betrayed Jesus because his heart condition was wicked. He was an apostate and his actions were blasphemous. He does not deserve a second chance.

Answer 8

Good point. If 'god works in mysterious ways' then who is to say that Judas was not part of god's plan.

Answer 9

I've loads of thoughts but thanks for asking, and yeah Judas not only got stitched up but he was only paid 30 pieces of silver hardly more than the price of a beer back in biblical days bet hes kicking himself

Answer 10

My first answer before reading your detailed question was that Jesus got the worse end of the deal - but you have opened valid debate. The answer is God knows! quite literally.