The Gospel According to Judas by Benjamin Iscariot
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1. The celebration of the Passover was at hand, and many Jews had travelled from all the regions of Israel, some far beyond, so that they could be in the Holy City to celebrate the feast.
2. Jesus instructed two of his disciples to return to Jerusalem. He said: Go into the city and you will find a man carrying a pitcher of water. Follow him, and wherever he goes, say to the owner of that home, my Master says, ‘Where is the guest chamber? For there I shall eat the Passover with my disciples.’ He will show you a large room, furnished and prepared, and you will make ready.
see
Mark 14:12–15;
Matt 26:18;
Luke 22:8–12
3. A woman entered the home of Martha and Mary in Bethany, where Jesus was resting.
4. She fell at the feet of Jesus, but did not speak as she broke an alabaster jar open and poured its precious ointment over his feet. She then unbraided her hair and wiped Jesus’ feet with it. The whole house was filled with the sweet odour.
see
John 12:3–4
5. Judas grew angry, and could not hide his displeasure. Why had this woman been allowed to touch the body of Jesus, thus flouting the finest traditions of Israel?
6. Judas demanded of the Master: Why not sell this ointment for three hundred denarii?
John 12:5
7. Jesus responded: She did good work, as she performed this act for my burial, and it will be a memorial for her.
see
Mark 14:9;
Matt 26:10–13
8. The woman quickly left, but Judas remained racked with doubt.
9. One or two of the disciples even murmured that Judas wanted to keep the money for himself.
see
John 12:6
10. Judas remonstrated with Peter, saying: ‘The common purse holds barely enough for us to survive.’
11. Peter was unsure of Judas’ motives and walked away from him.
12. The Scribe attended the Sanhedrin and informed the Chief Priest of all that Judas had told him.
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13. A Pharisee said: ‘What shall we do if Jesus performs many miracles, because then we cannot be seen to oppose him?’
14. Caiaphas, who was the Chief Priest that year, said: He must die, but not on a feast day, as it will cause uproar among the people.
see
John 11:48,
Matt 26:1–5,