The Gospel According to Judas by Benjamin Iscariot
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Luke 9:57–58
5. The Scribe was not able to comprehend what Jesus meant by this reference to the ‘Son of Man’, and departed that place.
6. Another came to Jesus and said: I wish to follow you, but first I must return to Galilee and bury my father.
7. Judas was astonished when the Master said: Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their dead.
see
Matt 8:21–22
8. Everyone who heard these words knew that it was a sacred duty for any son of Israel to bury his father, as the family is the centre of Jewish life and the father its head.
9. The man left Jesus and departed for Galilee.
10. Judas demanded of Peter: ‘Did not Moses include among the Ten Commandments passed down by God at Sinai: Honour your father and your mother so that you may live long in the land that YHWH your God is giving you?’
Exo 20:12
11. But Peter ignored him, and continued to remind his fellow disciples of the true meaning of Jesus’ warning, Get behind me, Satan, which only made Judas more fearful.
12. Jesus, aware of what was passing through their minds, gathered the disciples together and said: Why are you afraid? You are people of little faith.
see
Matt 8:26;
see
Mark 4:40–41;
Luke 8:25
13. Judas could not understand why Jesus was challenging them in this manner; had they not proved their commitment a thousand-fold? Had they ever questioned his authority?
14. By the evening of the third day, Jesus and his followers had reached the slopes of Mount Tabor, and were preparing to rest before nightfall.
[xxiv]
15. Judas was distributing food and blankets in preparation for the cold night ahead, when he saw Jesus take Peter, James and John to one side.
see
Matt 17:1
16. Without explanation, the four of them began to ascend the long, steep slope up the mountain.
17. Judas and the other disciples fell asleep, and did not wake again until dawn, when they found Jesus walking among them. He said: Let us rest a little longer, before we set out on the next part of our journey.
see
Mark 6:31
18. Judas observed that Peter, James and John were whispering among themselves.
19. He approached Peter and said: ‘What took place when you were with Jesus on the mountain?’
20. Peter was unable to hide his joy, and although the Master had instructed them not to reveal what had happened on the mountain, he hesitated only for a moment: