Lost Books of the Bible (207 page)

               The seller was offered a price that was an order of magnitude lower than the asking price. This, the seller took as an insult and the deal stalled.

               Due to the frustration brought about by not having his greed satisfied, the dealer stored the codex in a safe in a Hicksville, N.Y. bank for 16 years. There, away from the dry desert air, in the box with higher humidity, it deteriorated and crumbled until Zurich-based antiquities dealer Frieda Nussberger-Tchacos purchased it in 2000 for  a sum much less than the original asking price. The codex was then acquired by the Maecenas Foundation for Ancient Art in Switzerland in 2001.

               The foundation invited National Geographic to help with the restoration in 2004.

               Over the next 5 years thousands of pieces of papyrus were placed back together like a jigsaw puzzle. Thousands of pieces, some so small they contained only a letter or two were restored to their position in the text using tweezers and computer imaging.

               Once completed, a team of scholars translated the document into English, as best they could, considering the condition of the document and the number of pieces missing. The restored original is now housed in Cairo's Coptic Museum. A rendering of the text in Coptic can be seen at:

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/lostgospel/_pdf/CopticGospelOfJudas.pdf

               Because of the extreme age and ill-treatment of the text much of it is illegible. There are gaps and holes in the codex. Entire lines are missing. Some parts of the translation were done on a “best-guess” basis. If there were letters missing from common words of phrases the translators could assume and replace letters and even words or phrases. When the gaps became larger  or the meaning of the phrase was uncertain the translators simple noted the absence of data.

               In this rendering we have attempted two bold moves. We wished to present a more engaging interpretation for the public, which necessarily demanded notes and explanations available at the point the ideas were encountered. We also wished to attempt to fill in some of the gaps in the text if possible.

               As a matter of a disclaimer, it should be understood that the original translators did a remarkable job with the thousands of slivers and chips of papyrus that made up the codex. Once reconstructed, it became obvious that much of the text was simply missing, having disintegrated into dust and powder, never to be read again.

               The text presented here takes the work done by many others and places the Gospel of Judas into a more readable language and format along with in-line commentary. It then expands the text, filling in the gaps  as best it could be done, based on an understanding of the Gnostic theology, historical information, textual references, and logical flow of conversation.

               All words or phases in parentheses indicate those additions made to the text, either as a matter of filling in the missing letters, words, or lines; or as a matter of clarification of ambiguous wording in the original text or its translation. When a word could be translated in more than one way, a slash “/” was used to note the various choices.

               Commentary are marked clearly as “Notes” and are place in italic font within the text.

               The reader should keep the probable function of the text in mind. The title gives some hint. It is not “The Gospel According to Judas”, but it is instead, “The Gospel of Judas.” This indicates that the writer wanted to exalt Judas, his position and contribution according to the theology being espoused and propagated by the text.

                Knowing these things, the words and lines missing in the text can be a matter of educated and reasonable assumptions. They are, however, assumptions nonetheless.

               Let us look now at the Gospel of Judas.

This is the proclamation, which was secretly revealed to Judas Iscariot by Jesus during that eight-day period that included (that was) the three days before he (Jesus) celebrated Passover (one translator has “celebrated his passion / suffering).

Note: The proclamation is not the logos, word  or Christ for the orthodox church. The word here is a proclamation of judgment as in a court verdict.

1. Jesus appeared on earth to perform miracles and wondrous acts in order to save humanity.

Because some conducted themselves in a righteous way and others continued in their sins, he decided to call the twelve disciples.

2. He began to talk to them about the mysteries that lay beyond this world and what would happen at this world’s end (at the end). He often changed his appearance and was not seen as himself but looked like a child (some translators have  apparition or spirit) when he was with his disciples.

3. He came upon his disciples in Judea once when they were sitting together piously (training their piety – training in godliness). As he got closer to the disciples he saw they were sitting together, giving thanks and saying a prayer over the bread  (Eucharist / thanksgiving). He laughed.

4. The disciples asked Him, “Rabbi, why are you laughing at our prayer of thanks? Have we not acted appropriately?”

He said, “I am not laughing at you. It is just that you are not doing this because you want to. You are doing this because your god (has to be / will be) praised.”

5. They said, “Rabbi, you are the (earthly / only) son of our god.”

Jesus answered, “How do you know me? (Do you think you know me?)  I say to you truly, no one among you in this generation (in this race) will understand me.”

6. His disciples heard this and became enraged and began mumbling profanities and mocking him in their hearts. When Jesus saw their inability (to understand what he said to them (their stupidity), he said,) “Why did you get so upset that you became angry? Your god, who is inside of you, (and your own lack of understanding guides you and) have instigated this anger in your (mind / soul). (I challenge) any man among you to show me who is (understanding enough) to bring out the perfect man and stand and face me.”

7. They all said, “We are strong enough.”

But in their (true being) spirits none dared to stand in front of him except for Judas Iscariot. Judas was able to stand in front of him, but even he could not look Jesus in the eyes, and he turned his face away.

Note: It is uncertain as to the reason Judas did not look at Jesus. It was a custom of respect not to look a superior in the eyes. Either Judas was unable to look at Jesus or was constrained by the position of Jesus as his Rabbi. 

8. Judas said to Him, “I know who you are and where you came from. You are from the everlasting (eternal) aeon (realm or kingdom) of Barbelo (Barbelo’s everlasting kingdom). I am not worthy to speak the name of the one who sent you.”

9. Jesus knew that Judas was  capable of understanding (showing forth / thinking about) something that was glorious, so Jesus said to him, “Walk away  (step a distance away) from the others and I will tell you about the mysteries of  God (the reign of God / kingdom of God).

10. It is possible for you to get there, but the path will cause you great grief because you will be replaced so that the twelve may be complete with their god again.”

Judas asked him, “When will you tell me how the great day of light will dawn for this generation (race)? When will you explain these things?”

But as he asked these things, Jesus left him.

 11. At the dawn of the next day after this happened, Jesus appeared to his disciples.

They asked Him, “Rabbi, where did you go and what did you do when you left us?”

Jesus said to them, “I went to another generation (race) that is a greater and holier generation (race).”

12. His disciples asked him, “Lord, what is this great race that is superior to us and holier than us, that is not now in this realm (kingdom)?”

When Jesus heard this, he laughed and said to them, “Why are you thinking in your hearts about the mighty and holy race (generation)?  So be it - I will tell you. No one born in this age (realm / aeon) will see that (generation / race), and not even the multitude (army) of angels (controlling) the stars will rule over that generation (race), and no mortal (corruptible) person can associate (belong) with it.

13. That generation does not come from (a realm) which has become (mortal / corrupted). The generation of people among (you) is from the generation of humanity (of inferior / without) power, which (cannot associate with the) other powers (above) by (whom) you rule / are ruled.”

When (the /his) disciples heard this, they were all troubled in (their heart / spirit). They were speechless (could not utter a word).

Note: This begins a distinction drawn between the generation or race of mankind, which is inferior, decaying, and unenlightened, and the “great generation or race,” which is enlightened, incorruptible, and eternal. There are only two races; those who have gnosis and those who do not. Interestingly, Jesus does not place the disciples in the great generation.

14. On another day Jesus came up to (them). They said to (him), “Rabbi, we have seen you in a (dream), because we all had weighty (dreams about a night you were taken away / arrested).”

(He said), “Why have (you come to me when you have) gone into hiding?”

15. They said, “There was (an imposing building with a great altar in it and twelve men, (which we would say were) the priests, and there was a name, and a crowd of people waiting (enduring because of their perseverance) at that altar, (for) the priest (to come and receive) the offerings. (However) we kept waiting (we were tenacious also).”

(Jesus asked), “What were (the priests) like?”

They said, “Some (of them would fast) for two weeks; (others would) sacrifice their own children, others their wives, (all the while) in praise (offered in) humility with each other; some have sex with other men; some murder; some commit a plethora of sins and acts of crime. And the men who stand in front of the altar call upon your (name / authority), and in all the acts springing from their lack of knowledge (lack of light), the sacrifices are brought to completion (by their hands) (the alter remained full through their handiwork of slaughtering the sacrifices).”

After they said these things they became uneasy and quiet.

16. Jesus asked them, “Why are you bothered? So be it, I tell you that all the priests who have stood before that altar call upon my name. I have told I you many times that my name has been written on the (judgment) of this race (and on) the stars through the human generations. In my name (these people) have planted barren trees, (and have done so)  without any honor.”

17. Jesus said to them, “You are like those men you have seen conducting the offerings at the altar. That is the god you serve, and the twelve men you have seen represent you. The cattle you saw that were brought for sacrifice represent the many people you have led (will lead) astray before that altar. (You) will stand (lead /  represent) and use my name in that way, as will the generations of the pious and you all will remain loyal to “him.” (Some translations have- “The lord of chaos will establish his place in this way.”) After “him” another man will lead from (the group of fornicators), and another (will lead at the alter from those who) murder children, and another from those who are homosexuals, and (another) those who fast, and (one will stand from) the rest of those who pollution themselves and who are lawlessness and who sin, and (from) those who say, ‘We are like the angels’; they are the stars that (make everything happen / bring everything to an end).