Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe these are the only two accounts of Judas' alleged death/suicide and they do not agree at face value. I've seen several attempts at reconciling these accounts ranging from creative stories (Not found or supported contextually) to a figurative understanding of Acts 1:18.
Such loose agreement and sparse mention among the NT texts suggests to me that the idea that Judas wrote a Gospel is not impossible. Although, of course if one was to accept the account of Matthew then the notion is foolhardy and impossible.
Whenever I read the accounts in the canonized NT I feel like something is missing. The pieces of the story seem to not fit neatly.
You are correct here in that the pieces don't all line up at face value. But one thing both accounts agree on is that Judas did in fact kill himself. Whether you except the account in Matthew or whether you prefer that he took a header off of a cliff. The fact is he dies before the resurrection.. If he lived after the resurrection wouldn't Jesus have just clear everything up? Why would Jesus let Judas take the fall for his death if he commanded Judas to have the Pharisees arrest him?
Judas's actions hasty or not tell a story of a man wrought with grief, and not that of repentance.. If in fact he were just following orders then why all the guilt?
He has to have known (If sent by Jesus) what sending the Pharisees after Jesus would have ment...
Now if he went on his own accord and struck a deal they could have lied and told him any number of things to get his cooperation. and then I could see the weight of guilt leading to his final actions..
1. Jesus knows he must die for our sins (Although his disciples remain ignorant to this very important detail while Jesus is with them.
I think The reason for this was of the reaction of Peter in the Garden, but on a much grander scale. If all of the disciples knew (not just the inner 12) there would have been alot of needless blood split.
2. Jesus chooses a man that will betray him.
Jesus simply knew of the man who would betray him, he did single anyone out (According to canonized scripture.)
3. The man betrays him and is today demonized for it.
This is unfortunate, because it does seem to send a mixed message, but at the same time I can see how love for someone can effect judgment even after time has passed.
Why does Jesus not just turn himself in? This question still applies even if Judas is given his secret mission or not.
Because if he turned himself in then there would have been a process and trial witnessed by all of Jerusalem.. In order for the Pharisees to give Jesus a "trial" and conviction they had to literally break every signal rule governing the Sanhedrin. This would have cause tremendous moral outrage if done in front of all Jerusalem.
Why did Jesus select an apostle that would betray him? If anything that might reduce his appeal, because people could reason he did not have the foresight to prevent the betrayal.
The betrayal was always apart of the plan, as recorded by prophesy from Isaiah, and David. (It was necessary to convict an innocent man)
Although the account given in the Gospel of Judas is interesting, there are still problems with it beyond the unknown author.
I Agree
