NBC news on its April 7, 2006 broadcast stated that “It has been a tough week for Christians” (see post on May 4, 2006). This statement was based on three news stories that week. Yesterday, I discussed two of those three stories. Tonight, I’ll deal with the third one. This story dealt with the newly discovered “Book of Judas.” According to the news story, this book claims that Judas, one of the twelve apostles, did not really betray JESUS. JESUS had ordered him to turn HIM over to the religious leaders of that day.
If Judas was ordered to betray JESUS, the implication is that it calls into question the accounts of the events recorded in the Bible. And indeed it would. In fact, either the account in the “Book of Judas” is incorrect or the account as recorded in the Bible is incorrect. Of course, the existence of a “Book of Judas” does not mean that the material within it is true.
Few historians agree with everything that is generally accepted as the true accounts of history. Even today, there are scholars who disagree with the holocaust conclusion that about 6 million Jews were slaughtered by the Nazi regime of Hitler. A researcher recently claimed that Abraham Lincoln was involved in homosexual behavior. A number of people believe conspiracy theories in relation to past events. Some people have declared that the United States was responsible for 9/11. Some still believe that John F. Kennedy was not assassinated by Lee Harvey Oswald. Writing something in book form does not make it true. That’s true for the accounts in the Bible as well as the account given in the “Book of Judas.”
What are the accounts of these events as given in the Bible? “Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests and asked, ‘What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?’ So they counted out for him thirty silver coins. From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.” (Matthew 26: 14-16) “When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve. And while they were eating, he said, ‘I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me.’” (Matthew 26: 20-21) “Jesus replied, ‘The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.’” (Matthew 26: 23-24) “Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, ‘Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour is near, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us go! Here comes my betrayer!’
While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: ‘The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.’ Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, ‘Greetings, Rabbi!’ and kissed him.” (Matthew 26: 45-50) “When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders. ‘I have sinned,’ he said, ‘for I have betrayed innocent blood.’” (Matthew 27: 3-4a)
“Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them. They were delighted to hear this and promised to give him money. So he watched for an opportunity to hand him over.” (Mark 14: 10-11) “When evening came, Jesus arrived with the Twelve. While they were reclining at the table eating, he said, ‘I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me—one who is eating with me.’” (Mark 14: 17-18) “Returning the third time, he said to them, ‘Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise! Let us go! Here comes me betrayer!’
Just as he was speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, appeared. With him was a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders.
Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: ‘The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.’ Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, ‘Rabbi!’ and kissed him. The men seized Jesus and arrested him.” (Mark 14: 41-46) (To be continued)
If Judas was ordered to betray JESUS, the implication is that it calls into question the accounts of the events recorded in the Bible. And indeed it would. In fact, either the account in the “Book of Judas” is incorrect or the account as recorded in the Bible is incorrect. Of course, the existence of a “Book of Judas” does not mean that the material within it is true.
Few historians agree with everything that is generally accepted as the true accounts of history. Even today, there are scholars who disagree with the holocaust conclusion that about 6 million Jews were slaughtered by the Nazi regime of Hitler. A researcher recently claimed that Abraham Lincoln was involved in homosexual behavior. A number of people believe conspiracy theories in relation to past events. Some people have declared that the United States was responsible for 9/11. Some still believe that John F. Kennedy was not assassinated by Lee Harvey Oswald. Writing something in book form does not make it true. That’s true for the accounts in the Bible as well as the account given in the “Book of Judas.”
What are the accounts of these events as given in the Bible? “Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests and asked, ‘What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?’ So they counted out for him thirty silver coins. From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.” (Matthew 26: 14-16) “When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve. And while they were eating, he said, ‘I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me.’” (Matthew 26: 20-21) “Jesus replied, ‘The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.’” (Matthew 26: 23-24) “Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, ‘Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour is near, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us go! Here comes my betrayer!’
While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: ‘The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.’ Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, ‘Greetings, Rabbi!’ and kissed him.” (Matthew 26: 45-50) “When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders. ‘I have sinned,’ he said, ‘for I have betrayed innocent blood.’” (Matthew 27: 3-4a)
“Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them. They were delighted to hear this and promised to give him money. So he watched for an opportunity to hand him over.” (Mark 14: 10-11) “When evening came, Jesus arrived with the Twelve. While they were reclining at the table eating, he said, ‘I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me—one who is eating with me.’” (Mark 14: 17-18) “Returning the third time, he said to them, ‘Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise! Let us go! Here comes me betrayer!’
Just as he was speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, appeared. With him was a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders.
Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: ‘The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.’ Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, ‘Rabbi!’ and kissed him. The men seized Jesus and arrested him.” (Mark 14: 41-46) (To be continued)
posted by Christian Gunslinger at 12:16 AM
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