The Judas of the Canonical Gospels

In the canonical gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, Judas Iscariot appears as the betrayer. For example, in Matthew 26:24, Jesus declares: “Woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man; it would be better for him not to have been born.” Thus, Christian tradition shaped Judas as a symbol of infidelity. However, the Gospel of Judas presents a radically different narrative.

The Enlightened Disciple

In the Gnostic text, Judas understands the true mission of Jesus. During a dialogue, Jesus rebukes the disciples for celebrating the Eucharist and says: “No generation of the people among you will know me.” All become angry, except Judas, who responds: “I know who you are and where you came from. You belong to the immortal realm of Barbelo.” Therefore, Judas emerges as the most faithful and conscious disciple.

Jesus Reveals the Mysteries to Judas

According to the gospel, Jesus entrusts Judas with secrets that he does not share with the other apostles. He tells him: “You will be the thirteenth, cursed by generations, but you will rule over them.” Thus, Judas receives the mission to collaborate in salvation. Meanwhile, the other disciples remain bound to the material world. Consequently, Judas’s act does not represent betrayal but fulfillment of a divine purpose.

Comparison with the Traditional Bible

In the canonical gospels, Judas betrays Jesus for money and falls under Satan’s influence. However, in the Gospel of Judas, his act fulfills a divine mission: “You will sacrifice the man who clothes me.” In other words, Judas liberates Jesus from the prison of his physical body. Therefore, his action becomes necessary for transcendence. In contrast, the traditional Bible condemns him, while the Gnostic text elevates him.

The Inferior God and the Supreme God

The gospel also introduces a Gnostic cosmology. It claims that an inferior god created the material world, while above him exists a supreme God. Thus, Jesus’s mission was not only to redeem sins but to reveal hidden knowledge. In this context, Judas comprehends and collaborates with the spiritual mission. Consequently, he becomes the guardian of revelation.

Judas as Guardian of Revelation

In one passage, Jesus instructs Judas: “Lift up your eyes and look at the cloud, at the light within it, and at the stars surrounding it. The star that leads the way is your star.” Therefore, Judas assumes the role of guardian of revelation. Moreover, he participates directly in humanity’s spiritual liberation. Consequently, his figure transforms from villain into essential ally.

Gnostic Conclusion

The Gospel of Judas challenges the official narrative and proposes a vision in which the “betrayer” becomes the enlightened disciple. Thus, Judas ceases to symbolize curse and begins to represent spiritual fidelity. Therefore, his figure becomes central to understanding the Gnostic dimension of Christian faith, where knowledge transcends the physical world. Finally, Judas appears not as Christ’s enemy but as collaborator in salvation.

CTA: Want to explore how Gnostic texts reinterpret central figures of Christianity? Read other articles by Pedro Freitas and discover how Judas can be seen in a new light.

Sources:

• Transcript on the Gospel of Judas – Gnostic document
• Comparisons with canonical gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John)
• Academic studies on Gnosticism and apocryphal texts