#105

The Abridged Gospel of Judas

What is the Gospel of Judas?

An alternative description of the betrayal of Judas. Whether or not it portrays Judas (or even Jesus) as "good" is questionable, but it's certainly different.

Summary - Top

Pt 1

Ch 1.

Summary and Background

Stats

Other Names
Judas

Author
Pseudapigrapha by Judas Iscariot

Setting Range
33CE

Categories
Gnosticism

Academic Composition Range
130CE-170CE

Historical Preservation
Partially Complete

Public Domain Translations
PDT

Abridged Status
Finished- 0% Remaining

Original Verse Count
65

Original Word Count
3,082

Abridged Word Count
1,327

Abridged Length
43%

Part 1

Chapter 1

1:1. These are the secrets passed from Jesus to Judas over 8 days, 3 days before Passover.

1:1. This is the secret message of judgment Jesus spoke with Judas Iscariot over a period of eight days, three days before he celebrated Passover.

1:2. When Jesus was on Earth, he did many great things to help humanity. But he couldn't do it alone, so he called the twelve apostles. He started to tell them many mysteries about death and the end of time. Often, he didn't directly reveal himself, but you would find him in their midst as a child.

1:2. When he appeared on earth, he did signs and great wonders for the salvation of humanity. Some [walked] in the way of righteousness, but others walked in their transgression, so the twelve disciples were called. He started to tell them about the mysteries beyond the world and what would happen at the end. Often he didn't reveal himself to his disciples, but you'd find him in their midst as a child.

1:3. One day he was with his disciples. They were sitting together praying. He walked up to them and started laughing.

1:3. One day he was with his disciples in Judea. He found them sitting together practicing their piety. When he [came up to] his disciples sitting together praying over the bread, [he] laughed.

1:4. Wait, what? they said, "Aren't we doing it right?"

1:4. The disciples said to him, 'Master, why are you laughing at [our] prayer? What have we done? [This] is what's right.'

1:5. Jesus said, "I'm not laughing at you. You're only doing this because you think your God will like it."

1:5. He answered and said to them, 'I'm not laughing at you. You're not doing this because you want to, but because through this your God [will be] praised.'

1:6. But our God is your God!

1:6. They said, 'Master, you […] are the Son of our God!'

1:7. Jesus said, "How do you even know you know me or God? None of you do."

1:7. Jesus said to them, 'How do [you] know me? Truly [I] say to you, no generation of the people among you will know me.'

1:8. Then they got angry and grumpy.

1:8. When his disciples heard this, [they] started to get angry and furious and started to curse him in their hearts.

1:9. Jesus noticed this and said, "Seriously, if any of you are bothered by such a little statement, you need to grow up. Why are you letting that bother you? If any of your faith matches mine, stand up to me now."

1:9. But when Jesus noticed their ignorance, [he said] to them, 'Why are you letting your anger trouble you? Has your God within you and [his stars] become angry with your souls? If any of you is [strong enough] among humans to bring out the perfect Humanity, stand up and face me.'

1:10-11. All of them wanted to say they were good enough, but their spirits would not let them speak up. Except for Judas- he was able to stand up, but could not look Jesus in the eyes, so he looked away, but spoke, "I know who you are and where you're from. You come from the immortal realm, and I'm not worthy to speak the name of the one who sent you."

1:10. All of them said, 'We're strong enough.' But their spirits weren't brave enough to stand before [him] – except Judas Iscariot. He was able to stand before him, but he couldn't look him in the eye, so he looked away.

1:11. Judas [said] to him, 'I know who you are and where you've come from. You've come from the immortal realm of Barbelo, and I'm not worthy to utter the name of the one who's sent you.'

1:12. Jesus nodded. "Very well- come with me. I will tell you extra secrets."

1:12. Then Jesus, knowing that he was thinking about what's exalted, said to him, 'Come away from the others and I'll tell you the mysteries of the kingdom. Not so that you'll go there, but you'll grieve much because someone else will replace you to complete the twelve [elements] before their God.'

1:13. Judas asked, "When?"

1:13. Judas said to him, 'When will you tell me these things, and when will the great day of light dawn for the generation […]?'

1:14. Jesus did not answer and walked away.

1:14. But when he said these things, Jesus left him.

1:15. The next morning, he joined back up with friends.

1:15. The next morning, he appeared to his disciples. [And] they said to him, 'Master, where did [you] go and what did you do when you left us?'

1:16. Where did you go? they asked.

1:16. Jesus said to them, 'I went to another great and holy generation.'

1:17. Jesus said, "I went to go hang out with my other friends."

1:17. His disciples said to him, 'Lord, what great generation is better and holier than us, that's not in these realms?'

1:18. Wait, you have other friends? Who's better than us? they said.

1:18. Now when Jesus heard this, he laughed. He said to them, 'Why are you wondering in your hearts about the strong and holy generation? Truly I say to you, no one born [of] this realm will see that [generation], no army of angels from the stars will rule over it, and no person of mortal birth will be able to join it, because that generation doesn't come from […] that has become […] the generation of the people among [them] is from the generation of the great people […] the powerful authorities who […] nor the powers […] those by which you rule.'

1:19. Jesus laughed, "What are you worried about? No one here is worth shit."

1:19. When his disciples heard these things, they were each troubled in their spirit. They couldn't say a thing.

1:20. They were deeply troubled and unable to speak.

1:20. Another day Jesus came up to them. They said to him, 'Master, we've seen you in a dream, because we had great [dreams last] night.'

1:21. Jesus came back randomly one day.

1:21. But Jesus said, 'Why […] hidden yourselves?'

1:22. His disciples told him they saw him in a dream, "We saw a great house, with 12 people, who were probably priests. A crowd of people was there. We watched for a while."

1:22. And they [said, 'We saw] a great [house, with a great] altar [in it, and] twelve people – we'd say they were priests – and a name. And a crowd of people was waiting at the altar [until] the priests [finished receiving] the offerings. We kept waiting too.'

1:23. Jesus asked, "What was everyone like?"

1:23. [Jesus said], 'What were they like?'

1:24. Some were fasting going on two weeks. Some sacrificed their children, others their spouses, and they were all proud of each other. There were murders and many evil things. They were chanting your name while they were doing this. They fell silent.

1:24. And they said, '[Some] fast [for] two weeks. Others sacrifice their own children; others their wives, praising and humbling themselves among each other. Others sleep with men; others murder; yet others commit many sins and do criminal things. [And] the people standing [before] the altar invoke your [name]! And in all their sacrificing, they fill the [altar] with their offerings.' When they said this, [they] fell silent because they were troubled.

1:25. Jesus said, "Why are you worried about this? Yes, my name will be said often. Yes, they are doing bad things. But this is your religion doing this. How is sacrificing humans different from sacrificing animals? Stop doing that, too. People will promote many evil things- claiming they are equal to angels. But God will set things straight."

1:25. Jesus said to them, 'Why are you troubled? Truly I say to you, all the priests standing before that altar invoke my name. And [again], I say to you, my name has been written on this [house] of the generations of the stars by the human generations. [And they] have shamefully planted fruitless trees in my name.' Jesus said to them, 'You're the ones receiving the offerings on the altar you've seen. That's the God you serve, and you're the twelve people you've seen. And the animals you saw brought in to be sacrificed are the crowd you lead astray before that altar. [Your minister] will stand up and use my name like that, and [the] generations of the pious will be loyal to him. After him, another person will present [those who sleep around], and another those who murder children, and another those who sleep with men, and those who fast, and the rest of impurity, crime, and error. And those who say, 'We're equal to the angels' – they're the stars that finish everything. It's been said to the human generations, 'Look, God has accepted your sacrifice from the hands of priests,' that is, the minister of error. But the Lord who commands is the Lord over everything. On the last day, they'll be found guilty.'

1:26. They said they were sorry and asked Jesus to forgive them.

1:26. Jesus said [to them], 'Stop [sacrificing animals]. You've [offered them] over the altar, over your stars with your angels where they've already been completed. So let them become […] with you and let them [become] clear.'

1:27. Not even I have that much power, Jesus said, "One fountain cannot put out a fire that spreads the world, neither can one lamp light up the whole world, or one baker cook for everyone in the world."

1:27. His disciples [said to him], 'Cleanse us from our [sins] that we've committed through the deceit of the angels.'

1:28. They cried, "Please help us!"

1:28. Jesus said to them, 'It's not possible […], nor [can] a fountain quench the fire of the entire inhabited world. Nor can a [city's] well satisfy all the generations, except the great, stable one. A single lamp won't illuminate all the realms, except the second generation, nor can a baker feed all creation under [heaven].'

1:29. Jesus said, "Stop thinking it's about me. Each one of you has the power within you. I wasn't sent to those who are weak, but those who are strong enough to handle me."

1:29. And [when the disciples heard] these [things], they said to [him], 'Master, help us and save us!'

1:30. Then Jesus left with Judas.

1:30. Jesus said to them, 'Stop struggling against me. Each one of you has his own star, [and …] of the stars will […] what belongs to it […] I wasn't sent to the corruptible generation, but to the strong and incorruptible generation, because no enemy has ruled [over] that generation, nor any of the stars. Truly I say to you, the pillar of fire will fall quickly and that generation won't be moved by the stars.'

1:31. Jesus said, "There is a magic water that comes from Heaven and waters the fruit of the people."

1:31. And when Jesus [said] these things, he left, [taking] Judas Iscariot with him. He said to him, 'The water on the exalted mountain is [from] […] it didn't come to [water … the well] of the tree of [the fruit …] of this realm […] after a time […], but came to water God's paradise and the enduring [fruit], because [it] won't corrupt that generation's [walk of life], but [it will exist] for all eternity.'

1:32. Judas asked, "What is the fruit of the people of the modern day like?"

1:32. Judas said to [him, 'Tell] me, what kind of fruit does this generation have?'

1:33. Jesus asked, "Everyone will die at some point. The body dies, but the soul goes to Heaven."

1:33. Jesus said, 'The souls of every human generation will die; however, when these people have completed the time in the kingdom and the spirit leaves them, their bodies will die but their souls will live, and they'll be taken up.'

1:34. Judas asked, "What about everyone else?"

1:34. Judas said, 'What will the rest of the human generations do?'

1:35. Jesus said, "It's not possible to grow crops on top of rocks.
In the same way, I cannot force anyone to see Heaven. And no ruler or power will ever be able to see Heaven." Jesus turned to leave.

1:35. Jesus said, 'It's not possible to sow on [rock] and harvest its fruit. In the same way, it's [not possible to sow on] the [defiled] race along with the perishable wisdom [and] the hand which created mortal humans so that their souls may go up to the realms above. [Truly] I say to you, [no ruler], angel, [or] power will be able to see the [places] that [this great], holy generation [will see].' When Jesus said this, he left.

1:36. Judas stopped him, "Wait, I had a vision too, will you hear about it?"

1:36. Judas said, 'Master, just as you've listened to all of them, now listen to me too, because I've seen a great vision.'

1:37. Jesus laughed. "Sure, I guess, whatever, go ahead," he said.

1:37. But Jesus laughed when he heard this. He said to him, 'Why are you all worked up, you thirteenth demon? But speak up, and I'll bear with you.'

1:38. Judas said, "Well, in the vision, I saw myself. The 12 disciples are stoning me and chasing me, so I ran to your house. It was huge- and there were tons of people around it. Please, take me to that house one day!"

1:38. Judas said to him, 'In the vision, I saw myself. The twelve disciples are stoning me and chasing [me rapidly]. And I also came to the place where [I had followed] you. I saw [a house in this place], and my eyes couldn't [measure] its size. Great people surrounded it, and that house had a roof of greenery. In the middle of the house was [a crowd …]. Master, take me in with these people!'

1:39. Jesus said, "You have been led astray. No one is able to go to that house. Especially you."

1:39. [Jesus] answered and said, 'Your star has led you astray, Judas,' and that 'no person of mortal birth is worthy to enter the house you've seen, because that place is reserved for those who are holy. Neither the sun nor the moon will rule there, nor the day, but those who are holy will always stand in the realm with the holy angels. Look, I've told you the mysteries of the kingdom and I've taught you about the error of the stars and […] sent [on high] over the twelve realms.'

1:40. Judas said, "I'm not that bad, am I?"

1:40. Judas said, 'Master, surely my seed doesn't dominate the rulers, does it?'

1:41. Jesus sighed. "Fine, I'll tell you what's going on, even though no, you won't get to go."

1:41. Jesus answered and said to him, 'Come, let me [tell] you [about the holy generation. Not so that you'll go there], but you'll grieve much when you see the kingdom and all its generation.'

1:42. Judas asked, "Yeah, why?"

1:42. When Judas heard this, he said to him, 'What good has it done me that you've separated me from that generation?'

1:43. Jesus said, "You will be forced to be outcast, and watch over everyone else- you'll be like the gatekeeper."

1:43. Jesus answered and said, 'You'll become the thirteenth, and will be cursed by the other generations and will rule over them. In the last days they'll […] to you and you won't go up to the holy generation.'

1:44. Jesus said, "I will now teach you about a whole bunch of crazy mythological shit."

1:44. Jesus said, '[Come] and I'll teach you about the [mysteries that no] human [will] see, because there exists a great and boundless realm whose horizons no angelic generation has seen, [in] which is a [great] invisible Spirit, which no [angelic] eye has ever seen, no heart has ever comprehended, and it's never been called by any name.

1:45. There is a great and boundless realm where God is, which no eyes have ever seen, no heart has ever comprehended, and it's never been called by any name.
There are bright clouds there. God wanted some help, so the Light created itself and emerged from the cloud. Then four angels came into being and helped both God and the Light.
Then the Light said, Let there be space." And there was."

1:45. And a luminous cloud appeared there. And he (the Spirit) said, 'Let an angel come into being to attend me.' And a great angel, the Self-Begotten, the God of the Light, emerged from the cloud. And because of him, another four angels came into being from another cloud, and they attended the angelic Self-Begotten. And said the [Self-Begotten], 'Let [a realm] come into being,' and it came into being [just as he said]. And he [created] the first luminary to rule over it. And he said, 'Let angels come into being to serve [it,' and myriads] without number came into being. And he said, '[Let a] luminous realm come into being,' and it came into being. He created the second luminary to rule over it, along with myriads of angels without number to offer service. And that's how he created the rest of the realms of light. And he made them to be ruled, and created for them myriads of angels without number to assist them.

1:46. Then the Light created the first Angel to rule over it, along with many other angels.

1:46. And Adamas was in the first cloud of light that no angel could ever see among all those called 'God.' And [Adamas begat Seth in] that [place after the] image [of …] and after the likeness of [this] angel. He made the incorruptible [generation] of Seth appear to the twelve androgynous [luminaries. And then] he made seventy-two luminaries appear in the incorruptible generation according to the Spirit's will. Then the seventy-two luminaries themselves made three hundred sixty luminaries appear in the incorruptible generation according to the Spirit's will so that there'd be five for each. And the twelve realms of the twelve luminaries make up their father, with six heavens for each realm so there are seventy-two heavens for the seventy-two luminaries, and for each one [of them five] firmaments [for a total of] three hundred sixty [firmaments. They] were given authority and a [great] army of angels without number for honor and service, along with virgin spirits [too] for the honor and [service] of all the realms and the heavens with their firmaments.

1:47. Then the Light said, "Let there be a realm of light." And there was, and there was a second Angel created to rule over it, along with many more angels.

1:47. Now the crowd of those immortals is called 'cosmos' – that is, 'perishable' – by the father and the seventy-two luminaries with the Self-Begotten and his seventy-two realms. That's where the first human appeared with his incorruptible powers. In the realm that appeared with his generation is the cloud of knowledge and the angel who's called [Eleleth …] After these things [Eleleth] said, 'Let twelve angels come into being [to] rule over Chaos and [Hades]. And look, from the cloud there appeared an [angel] whose face flashed with [fire] and whose likeness was [defiled] by blood. His name was Nebro, which means 'Rebel.' Others call him Yaldabaoth. And another angel, Saklas, came from the cloud too. So Nebro created six angels – and Saklas (did too) – to be assistants. They brought out twelve angels in the heavens, with each of them receiving a portion in the heavens.

1:48. Then there were many more realms of light created, among with many more luminaries and realms.

1:48. And the twelve rulers spoke with the twelve angels: 'Let each of you […] and let them […] generation [… five] angels:

1:49. This is what we call the "Cosmos"- or "Reality", that which is created by God and the Light and the luminaries.

1:49. The first [is Yaoth], who's called 'the Good One.'\nThe second is Harmathoth, [the eye of fire].\nThe [third] is Galila.\nThe fourth [is] Yobel.\nThe fifth is Adonaios.

1:50. An angel appeared and created twelve other angels to watch over Chaos and the Afterlife.

1:50. These are the five who ruled over Hades and are the first over Chaos.

1:51. One of the angels created Adam and Eve, and put limits on their lifespan."

1:51. Then Saklas said to his angels, 'Let's create a human being after the likeness and the image.' And they fashioned Adam and his wife Eve, who in the cloud is called 'Life,' because by this name all the generations seek him, and each of them calls her by their names. Now Saklas didn't [command …] give birth, except […] among the generations […] which this […] and the [angel] said to him, 'Your life will last for a limited time, with your children.''

1:52. Judas asked, "What is the longest a person can live?"

1:52. Then Judas said to Jesus, '[How] long can a person live?'

1:53. Jesus said, "Everyone has to die at some point."

1:53. Jesus said, 'Why are you amazed that the lifespans of Adam and his generation are limited in the place he's received his kingdom with his ruler?'

1:54. Judas said to Jesus, "Do we really have to, though?"

1:54. Judas said to Jesus, 'Does the human spirit die?'

1:55. Jesus said, "Yeah, it's just how it is. God let Michael give people spirits so that they can live. Gabriel gave spirits to the greatest. Bring to life that spirit and you will live after death. God gave this knowledge to Adam so that the spirits of Chaos and the Afterlife would not make them afraid."

1:55. Jesus said, 'This is how it is. God commanded Michael to loan spirits to people so that they might serve. Then the Great One commanded Gabriel to give spirits to the great generation with no king – the spirit along with the soul. So the [rest] of the souls […] light [… the] Chaos […] seek [the] spirit within you which you've made to live in this flesh from the angelic generations. Then God caused knowledge to be brought to Adam and those with him, so that the kings of Chaos and Hades might not rule over them.'

1:56. Judas said to Jesus, "How do you know if you are one of the greatest?"

1:56. [Then] Judas said to Jesus, 'So what will those generations do?'

1:57. Jesus said, "No one knows. Cycles come and go. The twelve tribes of Israel will unite, and you will be the 13th to watch over them." Jesus laughed.

1:57. Jesus said, 'Truly I say to you, the stars complete all these things. When Saklas completes the time span that's been determined for him, their first star will appear with the generations, and they'll finish what's been said. Then they'll sleep around in my name, murder their children, and [they'll …] evil and […] the realms, bringing the generations and presenting them to Saklas. [And] after that […] will bring the twelve tribes of [Israel] from […], and the [generations] will all serve Saklas, sinning in my name. And your star will [rule] over the thirteenth realm.' Then Jesus [laughed].

1:58. Judas asked why he was laughing at him.

1:58. [Judas] said, 'Master, why [are you laughing at me?'

1:59. Jesus said, "I'm not laughing at you, but at how the universe tends to fuck with us all, and then we just die."

1:59. Jesus] answered [and said], 'I'm not laughing [at you but] at the error of the stars, because these six stars go astray with these five warriors, and they'll all be destroyed along with their creations.'

1:60. Judas said, "But what about those who were baptized in your name?"

1:60. Then Judas said to Jesus, 'What will those do who've been baptized in your name?'

1:61. Jesus said, "The baptism they receive will begin to work its magic. They will torture me tomorrow, but they will not be able to hurt me. They only do evil, and you'll do more than any of them, because you will be the one who turns me in to them. Your path is well underway. The time is right. The fruit of humanity will be prized on earth, as it is in heaven. You now know everything. Look up, and see the cloud surrounded by stars. One star is yours, and it leads the way."

1:61. Jesus said, 'Truly I say [to you], this baptism [which they've received in] my name […] will destroy the whole generation of the earthly Adam. Tomorrow they'll torture the one who bears me. Truly I [say] to you, no hand of a mortal human [will fall] upon me. Truly [I say] to you, Judas, those who offer sacrifices to Saklas […] everything that's evil. But you'll do more than all of them, because you'll sacrifice the human who bears me. Your horn has already been raised, your anger has been kindled, your star has ascended, and your heart has [strayed]. Truly [I say to you], your last [… and] the [… the thrones] of the realm have [been defeated], the kings have grown weak, the angelic generations have grieved, and the evil [they sowed …] is destroyed, [and] the [ruler] is wiped out. [And] then the [fruit] of the great generation of Adam will be exalted, because before heaven, earth, and the angels, that generation from the realms exists. Look, you've been told everything. Lift up your eyes and see the cloud with the light in it and the stars around it. And the star that leads the way is your star.'

1:62. Judas looked up to see the cloud, and entered into it. Everyone watched from the ground.

1:62. Then Judas looked up and saw the luminous cloud, and he entered it. Those standing on the ground heard a voice from the cloud saying, '[ . . . the] great [generation . . . ] and [ . . . ].' And Judas didn't see Jesus anymore.

1:63. Judas didn't see Jesus anymore.

1:63. Immediately there was a disturbance among [the] Jews, more than […] Their high priests grumbled because he'd gone into the guest room to pray. But some scribes were there watching closely so they could arrest him during his prayer, because they were afraid of the people, since they all regarded him as a prophet.

1:64. There was a ruckus in the room, and guards approached Judas, asking him, "Why are you here? You know Jesus, don't you?"

1:64. And they approached Judas and said to him, 'What are you doing here? Aren't you Jesus' disciple?'

1:65. Judas said, "Yes," and pointed at the room Jesus was in. They gave Judas some money.

1:65. Then he answered them as they wished. Then Judas received some money and handed him over to them.

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