Gospel of Judas

About this text

Presents Judas as Jesus' most trusted disciple who alone understood the secret teaching. Jesus asks Judas to betray him to liberate his spirit from his body.

Significance

Offers a radically different perspective on the betrayal. Made international headlines when published in 2006.

Key excerpts

"You will exceed all of them. For you will sacrifice the man that clothes me."

"Step away from the others and I shall tell you the mysteries of the kingdom."

Scripture cross-references

• Matthew 26:14-16 — The canonical account of Judas' betrayal
• Acts 1:16-19 — Peter's account of Judas' fate

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This text is one of 16 in the Gnostic Texts (Nag Hammadi & Related) category, and one of 62 across the entire library.