Role in apocrypha Judas Iscariot

during 1970s, coptic papyrus codex (book) discovered near beni masah, egypt appeared 3rd- or 4th-century-ad copy of 2nd-century original, relating series of conversations in jesus , judas interact , discuss nature of universe gnostic viewpoint. discovery given dramatic international exposure in april 2006 when national geographic magazine published feature article entitled gospel of judas images of fragile codex , analytical commentary relevant experts , interested observers (but not comprehensive translation). article s introduction stated: ancient text lost 1,700 years says christ s betrayer truest disciple. article points evidence original document extant in 2nd century: around a.d. 180, irenaeus, bishop of lyon in roman gaul, wrote massive treatise called against heresies [in attacked] fictitious history, style gospel of judas.

before magazine s edition circulated, other news media gave exposure story, abridging , selectively reporting it.

in december 2007, new york times op-ed article april deconick asserted national geographic s translation badly flawed: example, in 1 instance national geographic transcription refers judas daimon, society’s experts have translated spirit. however, universally accepted word spirit pneuma — in gnostic literature daimon taken mean demon. national geographic society responded virtually issues april d. deconick raises translation choices addressed in footnotes in both popular , critical editions. in later review of issues , relevant publications, critic joan acocella questioned whether ulterior intentions had not begun supersede historical analysis, e.g., whether publication of gospel of judas attempt roll ancient anti-semitic imputations. concluded ongoing clash between scriptural fundamentalism , attempts @ revision childish because of unreliability of sources. therefore, argued, people interpret, , cheat. answer not fix bible fix ourselves. other scholars have questioned initial translation , interpretation of gospel of judas national geographic team of experts.

gospel of barnabas

according medieval copies (the earliest copies 15th century) of gospel of barnabas judas, not jesus, crucified on cross. work states judas s appearance transformed of jesus , when former, out of betrayal, led roman soldiers arrest jesus ascended heavens. transformation of appearance identical masses, followers of christ, , mother of jesus, mary, thought 1 arrested , crucified jesus himself. gospel mentions after 3 days since burial, judas body stolen grave, , rumors spread of jesus being risen dead. when jesus informed in third heaven happened, prayed god sent earth, , descended , gathered mother, disciples, , followers, , told them truth of happened. ascended heavens, , come @ end of times king.

this gospel considered majority of christians late , pseudepigraphical; however, academics suggest may contain remnants of earlier apocryphal work (perhaps gnostic, ebionite or diatessaronic), redacted bring more in line islamic doctrine. muslims consider surviving versions transmitting suppressed apostolic original. islamic organizations cite in support of islamic view of jesus.