Judas actually loyal

[mycatis]

I read something recently that I thought was very interesting.
This guy said that he thought that Judas, far from being a traitor, was actually the biggest believer of all the disciples. His theory was that Judas didn't betray Jesus for the money, but rather that he knew that they (the soldiers) would be coming for him very soon anyway, so that it didn't matter if it was that night, but more to the point, that because he totally believed Jesus to be Divine and the son of God, that they would not be able to take him or kill him. And that the reason that he killed himself wasn't out of guilt but out of despair because he thought that if Jesus was so easily taken and killed then he couldn't really be the Messiah.
Does anyone else think that this is a facinating theory? I'm not saying that it is right or wrong, just a very interesting idea. (Sorry if it's a bit long winded)

[jno]

wasn't that how Jesus Christ Superstar interpreted it?

[mycatis]

I've absolutely no idea jno!, but I'll go and try and find out.  

[mycatis]

ok from what I can find in JCS Judas seems to think that Jesus isn't the son of God and He shouldn't be distracted by the rumours or "belief his own hype" So no, I don't think that is how they interpreted it

[Chessman]

Its a good theory, but how did Judas know the Romans were coming in the first place, if he wasn't a traitor?.

[mycatis]

I don't think it was a secret that there was anger about Jesus and that people in authority wanted him removed and dealt with. I could be wrong though

[mycatis]

sorry wasn't finished..
also I don't think the guy was saying that Judas didn't tell the soldiers where Jesus was, but that Judas totally expected Jesus to somehow "get out of it" maybe perform a miricle?

[jno]

yes, I think you're right about JCS mycatis, I was misremembering; sorry.

It might be worth asking, nonetheless, if Judas wasn't doing God's work. If Christ had not been betrayed, he would not have been crucified; where would that leave Christians?

[pepepe000]

i doubt your theory because the bible spells  out clearlly  that judas sold jesus. also all the desciples knew what happened at ressurrection hence judas wouldnt doubt jesus` credebility.

your theory would be vallied if there were gapes on the knowledge provided by the source(bible).

[ursula62]

Judas Iscariot is a saint in the Eastern Orthodox churches - this is probably what you heard. The reason is because he followed God's plan by handing Jesus over to be killed.

[mycatis]

No problem jno :-) 
pepepe000 - I see what you are saying but hadn't Judas already hanged himself before the ressurrection ?

[WaldoMcFroog]

Umberto Eco deals with the issue of Judas' guilt/non-guilt in an interesting way in his excellent The Island of the Day Before.

[Octavius]

Judas may have enjoyed a privileged position among Jesus� apostles � John describes him as the band�s treasurer and he is often present at important times. John also describes him as a thief, but it seems implausible that a thief would have joined such a group or that Jesus would have made a thief their treasurer.

Judas Iscariot is known as the companion of Jesus who betrayed him � but what and how did he betray? That isn�t clear. He points out Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. This is hardly an action worthy of payment because Jesus wasn�t exactly in hiding. In John, he doesn�t even do that much. Judas doesn�t actually do anything except fulfill the narrative and eschatological need for the Messiah to be betrayed by someone.  It is therefore questionable whether he acted on his own free will.

According to the apocalyptic determinism which runs through all the gospels, and especially Mark he was chosen by God to be the betrayer and had no option. If that is the case, then it�s difficult to imagine how or why Judas can even be criticized, much less condemned.

Mark accuses Judas of being motivated by greed. Matthew agrees with Mark but Luke claims that Judas was led astray by Satan. John, on the other hand, attributes the motivation to both Satan and a penchant for theft.

All of the apostles are depicted has having been unfaithful to Jesus or failing in some manner.