# Gospel of Judas

> Gnostic gospel

**Wikidata**: [Q185129](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q185129)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gospel_of_Judas)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/gospel-of-judas

## Summary
The Gospel of Judas is a Gnostic gospel and a non-canonical Christian text that presents a unique narrative of Jesus's relationship with Judas Iscariot. It is part of the 4th-century Codex Tchacos and is classified among the New Testament apocrypha.

## Key Facts
- It is a **Gnostic gospel**, distinct from canonical Christian texts.
- It is part of the **Codex Tchacos**, a 4th-century Coptic manuscript.
- It is classified as a **New Testament apocryphon** and an **apocryphal gospel**.
- It is **not part of the Biblical canon**.
- It was **discovered in 1970**, though its original composition is dated to approximately **+0200-00-00T00:00:00Z** (3rd century CE).
- It is **written in Coptic**, though it is believed to be a translation from a Greek original.
- It is **part of the literary work** category and is considered a **religious text**.
- It is **distinct from canonical gospels** and is associated with Gnostic Christian traditions.
- It is **referenced in scholarly literature** and has multiple identifiers across databases:
  - VIAF ID: 182230755
  - GND ID: 4502985-4
  - LCCN: no2006038920
  - BnF ID: 15085408k
  - SUDOC ID: 114642583
  - NDL ID: 001152987
  - Wikidata ID: Q34274
  - Wikipedia title: Gospel of Judas
  - Sitelink count: 55
  - P1476 (title in Coptic): Ⲉⲩⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲓⲟⲛ ̀ⲛⲭⲏⲙⲓ ⲕⲁⲧⲁ Ⲓⲟⲩⲇⲁⲥ
- It is **linked to the University of Barcelona authority ID**, the Encyclopedia of China, and other institutional archives.

## FAQs

**What is the Gospel of Judas?**  
The Gospel of Judas is a non-canonical Christian text, classified as a Gnostic gospel. It presents an alternative narrative of Jesus and Judas, differing significantly from the four canonical Gospels.

**When was the Gospel of Judas discovered?**  
It was discovered in **1970** and is preserved in the **Codex Tchacos**, a 4th-century Coptic manuscript.

**Is the Gospel of Judas part of the Bible?**  
No, it is not part of the Biblical canon. It is considered **New Testament apocrypha** and is excluded from mainstream Christian scripture.

**What is the Codex Tchacos?**  
Codex Tchacos is a 4th-century Coptic manuscript that contains the Gospel of Judas and other Gnostic texts. It is one of the key sources for studying early Christian apocrypha.

**What does the Gospel of Judas say about Judas Iscariot?**  
It portrays Judas not as a betrayer, but as Jesus’s favored disciple, chosen to betray him as part of a divine plan.

**What is the genre of the Gospel of Judas?**  
It is classified as a **Gnostic gospel** and an **apocryphal gospel**, associated with Gnostic Christian traditions.

**What languages was the Gospel of Judas written in?**  
It survives in **Coptic**, but scholars believe it was originally composed in **Greek**.

**What is the significance of the Gospel of Judas in religious studies?**  
It provides insight into the diversity of early Christian beliefs, particularly Gnostic interpretations of Jesus’s teachings and the role of his disciples.

**What is the relationship between the Gospel of Judas and canonical texts?**  
It is **distinct from the canonical Gospels** and is not accepted as scripture in mainstream Christianity. It reflects alternative theological perspectives.

**What is the scholarly importance of the Gospel of Judas?**  
It contributes to the understanding of early Christian diversity and Gnostic thought, offering a counter-narrative to traditional Christian theology.

## Why It Matters
The Gospel of Judas is significant for its portrayal of Judas Iscariot as a collaborator rather than a betrayer, challenging traditional Christian narratives. It offers a window into the theological diversity of early Christianity, particularly Gnostic beliefs that were later marginalized. Its discovery and translation have enriched scholarly understanding of non-canonical Christian texts and the broader religious landscape of the 2nd and 3rd centuries. It also plays a role in modern discussions about religious orthodoxy and the formation of the Biblical canon.

## Notable For
- Being one of the **few surviving Gnostic gospels**.
- Its **unique theological perspective** on Judas Iscariot.
- Its inclusion in the **Codex Tchacos**, a significant manuscript discovery.
- Its **critical role in the study of early Christian apocrypha**.
- Its **non-canonical status**, which distinguishes it from the four Gospels of the New Testament.
- Its **scholarly value** in understanding Gnostic Christianity.
- Its **association with multiple institutional archives and databases**, including the Library of Congress and the Bibliothèque nationale de France.

## Body

### Origin and Discovery
The Gospel of Judas was originally composed in the **3rd century CE**, likely in **Greek**, though it survives in a **4th-century Coptic translation**. It was discovered in **1970** as part of the **Codex Tchacos**, a manuscript containing several Gnostic texts. The codex itself is dated to the **4th century CE** and was found in Egypt.

### Content and Themes
The text presents a **Gnostic Christian narrative** in which **Judas Iscariot** is not the betrayer of Jesus but is instead chosen by Jesus to help fulfill a divine mission. This contrasts sharply with the portrayal of Judas in the canonical Gospels. The Gospel of Judas explores themes of **divine knowledge (gnosis)**, **spiritual election**, and **the nature of sacrifice**.

### Classification and Context
It is classified as:
- A **Gnostic gospel**
- A **New Testament apocryphon**
- An **apocryphal gospel**
- A **literary work** and **religious text**

It is part of the broader category of **non-canonical Christian texts** and is excluded from the Biblical canon. It is not recognized as authoritative by mainstream Christian denominations.

### Preservation and Codex Tchacos
The Gospel of Judas is preserved in **Codex Tchacos**, which also contains the **Letter of Peter to Philip**, the **Book of Allogenes**, and the **Book of Barbelo**. The manuscript was likely produced in Egypt and is written in **Coptic**, though its original language is believed to be **Greek**. The codex was discovered in the 20th century and has been crucial in expanding the study of Gnostic literature.

### Scholarly and Institutional Recognition
The Gospel of Judas is referenced in numerous academic databases and institutional archives:
- **VIAF ID**: 182230755
- **GND ID**: 4502985-4
- **LCCN**: no2006038920
- **BnF ID**: 15085408k
- **SUDOC ID**: 114642583
- **NDL ID**: 001152987
- **Wikidata ID**: Q34274
- **Wikipedia title**: Gospel of Judas
- **P1476 (title in Coptic)**: Ⲉⲩⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲓⲟⲛ ̀ⲛⲭⲏⲙⲓ ⲕⲁⲧⲁ Ⲓⲟⲩⲇⲁⲥ

It is also linked to:
- **Encyclopedia of China** (third edition) ID: 223088
- **University of Barcelona authority ID**: 981060927480506706
- **Dictionary of Archives Terminology** ID: literary-works
- **Nomenclature for Museum Cataloging** ID: 13535

### Religious and Theological Significance
The Gospel of Judas is notable for its **Gnostic theological framework**, which emphasizes **esoteric knowledge** and **spiritual enlightenment**. It challenges traditional Christian narratives and provides a counterpoint to the canonical Gospels. Its portrayal of Judas as a collaborator rather than a traitor has sparked debate and reinterpretation in both academic and popular contexts.

### Modern Reception and Influence
Since its discovery and translation, the Gospel of Judas has been the subject of significant academic and media attention. It has been cited in discussions about **early Christian diversity**, **Gnostic theology**, and the **formation of the New Testament**. It is also used in **interfaith dialogue** and **modern theological discourse** to explore alternative Christian traditions.

### Digital and Cultural Archives
The Gospel of Judas is cataloged in:
- **Google Knowledge Graph ID**: /m/05p6yk
- **Thesaurus Linguae Aegyptiae ID**: R5CMB55TONDPPKYZCQSNGMQASA
- **Open Library ID**: OL32245091W
- **Quora topic**: Literary-Works

Its preservation and study are maintained by institutions such as the **Library of Congress**, the **Bibliothèque nationale de France**, and the **National Diet Library** of Japan.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. Library of Congress
3. [Source](https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/2006/04/gospel-judas-pages-long-strange-journey/)
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
5. Quora