The Gospel According to Judas by Benjamin Iscariot
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Matt 4:19;
Mark 1:17;
Luke 5:10
14. Simon and Andrew left their boat and followed Jesus.
15. As the three of them walked along the shore together, they came across James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They too were fishermen, who were repairing their nets and separating their catch after a night’s work.
16. Jesus also called on them to follow him, and they immediately abandoned their boats and followed in his footsteps without question.
17. These four fishermen were the first followers of Jesus of Nazareth.
see
Mark 1:16–20;
Matt 4:18–22;
Luke 5:1–11
18. They gave up their livelihoods, leaving behind their families, their hired servants and all their possessions in order to follow Jesus.
19. From Jesus of Nazareth’s early days as a wandering teacher, his authority inspired confidence and passion among those who gave up everything to follow him.
20. Jesus returned to Capernaum with his four disciples, Simon, Andrew, James and John.
21. It being the Sabbath, they made their way straight to the Synagogue in order to worship, and found the sacred place in turmoil.
22. A man possessed of a demon had entered the building, and was screaming profanities and disrupting the worshippers as they gathered to hear the Torah read and explained.
23. Jesus walked towards the man.
24. The man panicked, and started waving his arms and shouting: Go away, Jesus. I know who you are, God’s Holy messenger.
see
Mark 1:24;
Luke 4:34
25. Jesus, exercising the same authority that his disciples had experienced when he called them away from their boats, said firmly: Be silent, and come out of him!
Mark 1:25;
Luke 4:35
26. The possessed man fell to the ground, and all around stared down at him, assuming that he must be dead. No one dared to approach Jesus, as they were fearful that he might also be possessed by demons.
27. Jesus bent down and took the man by the hand, and instructed him to return to his home
28. Some who had witnessed what had taken place turned to his disciples and asked: Who is this man? And by what authority does he cast out demons?
Mark 1:21–28;
Luke 4:31–37
29. The disciples were unable to answer their questions, and news of what had taken place quickly spread throughout Galilee.