Judas : Betrayer Or Friend Of Jesus

1. The Name Of Our Sources
2. The Name And Its Identifying Role
3. The Act Of Judas: The Traditional Point Of View
4. Judas As An Informer
5. Judas As Seen Through The Eyes Of Mark
6. Judas As Portrayed By The Gospel Of Matthew
7. Judas Iscariot In The Writings Of Luke
8. The Fourth Gospel
9. The Death Of Judas
10. Theologians And Judas Iscariot
11. Judas As Seen By Jewish Interpreters

Additional Info
This fascinating books sifts the evidence and startlingly concludes that in the earliest sources Judas was not a traitor. While the name Judas Iscariot evokes horror among many people, Klassen argues persuasively that Judas may have meant no harm in handing over Jesus to the religious authorities. The book traces the ways in which Judas is portrayed by the four writers of the gospels, showing how the picture was increasingly demonized as the later gospels were written.

This is the most important study in English of Judas within the context of first-century Judaism. Klassen shows by rich reference to literature of both the ancient period and later times how the concept of Judas as traitor emerged