The Gospel According to Judas by Benjamin Iscariot

Woe to you who are rich, for you have already enjoyed your consolation.

Woe to you who have more than enough to eat, for the time is coming when you will experience hunger.

Woe to you who simply live for pleasure, for you will soon mourn and weep.

Woe to you of whom everyone must speak well, because this only throws up false prophets.

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19. These words caused an even greater division among the crowd and Judas watched as several people walked away in protest.

20. Jesus waited until the clamour had died down before he asked his disciples to gather around him all those who still wished to hear his words.

21. Jesus sat on the ground and, showing an abundance of compassion and understanding, continued to explain the good news of the forthcoming reign of God in Israel.

see

Mark 1:14–15;

Matt 4:12–17

22. Judas wept when Jesus told the multitude: It is always easy to love those who love you, but it is far more difficult to bring compassion and unity where there is division. Be merciful, even as your Father in heaven is merciful.

see

Luke 6:33–36;

Matt 5:46–48

23. Jesus then went on to tell the people that they should never condemn their fellow men, as there was no one among them who was not guilty of some offence: Who are we to set ourselves up to judge others?

24. As Jesus spoke, Judas repeated his words for he wished to pass them on to those who had not been present to hear the Master. Why do you only see the speck in your brother’s eye, while being unaware of the splinter that is lodged in yours? Beware of hypocrisy. For first you must remove the splinter from your own eye, before you can see clearly enough to assist your brother and sister in removing the speck that is in theirs.

see

Luke 6:41;

Matt 7:3

25. All those who had remained were visibly moved by such wise and compassionate words, showing how good and full of authority Jesus’ ministry was.

26. Jesus then spoke another parable: A good tree does not produce corrupt fruit, neither does a corrupt tree produce good fruit. So it is with us. Out of the heart of a good person will come good deeds, while out of the heart of an evil person will come only evil.

see

Luke 6:43–45;

Matt 12:33–35

27. Judas, on hearing these words, whispered to his fellow disciples: ‘From this man comes only goodness and mercy for those who reach out and touch him. We are fortunate to have found our Rabbi, and Master.’

28. When Jesus heard Judas’ words, he turned to the other disciples and said: Be wary of calling me Master until you fully understand my purpose and are able to live by its true meaning. Any one of you who fulfils this will be like a man who builds his house on a foundation of rock. When violent storms rage, the house will remain safely in place. But if you call me Master, and do not live by the words I have taught you, then you will be building your house on sand. So that when the storms come, as they surely will, your house will collapse to the ground. Consider carefully the meaning of these words, otherwise your hopes may end in disappointment. Be therefore perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

see

Luke 6:46–49;

Matt 5:48