The Gospel According to Judas by Benjamin Iscariot
Page 18
see
Matt 8:5–13;
Luke 7:1–10
8. Although Jesus had instructed the waiting crowd to disperse and go home, wherever he turned, the multitude had increased in numbers.
9. While those around him were clearly tired and hungry, Jesus continued to walk among the crowd, showing compassion and concern. He turned to Peter and said: Give them something to eat.
Mark 6:37;
Matt 14:16;
Luke 9:13
10. Judas wanted to tell the Master that they had sufficient food for his immediate followers, and that as they were surrounded on all sides, with only the Sea of Galilee behind them, he should instruct them once again to return home.
11. Peter also could not understand his Master’s request, and warned Jesus: We only have five loaves and two fishes.
12. Then Jesus said to his disciples: I feel compassion for these people. They have followed me all day, and I fear that they have had nothing to eat. If I send them away, many will collapse, and some may not even survive the journey. Do not forget that those who have travelled from Tyre, Sid
on and the Decapolis are a long way from their homes.
see
Mark 8:1–3;
Matt 15:32
13. The celebration of the Passover was at hand, and it was that time of the year when there was much green grass upon the ground.
14. Jesus instructed his disciples to organize the crowd in the manner Moses had done when he prepared Israel for their march from the slavery of Egypt at the time of the first Passover.
Exod 18:21–25;
Num 31:14;
Deut 1:15
15. The crowd numbered about five thousand, and they gathered around Jesus to await his instructions.
16. Judas recalled that the masses awaiting the coming of the Messiah at Khirbet Qumran had been assembled as the chosen people of God into groups of one thousand, one hundred, fifty and ten.
Community Rule
[1Qs] 2:21–23;
Rule of the
Congregation [1QSa]
1:14–15, 28–29;
2:1; The War Scroll
[1QM] 4:1–5,
16–17