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April 7, 2006
Now Published: The Lost Gospel of Judas
The National Geographic Society published a translation of the much anticipated Gospel of Judas. You can download a PDF of the translation or go to Lost Gospel website to learn more. If you prefer the original Coptic it is also available as a PDF.
Back in June of last year, I posted a very preliminary translation of the last leaf of the manuscript by Charles Hedrick who had a few brief moments with it some years ago and was able to take a few notes. So how does Hedrick's translation compare with that "official" translation of that page?
Hedrick translated it as follows,
[ ]they ] watched closely so that they might seize him in the [ ] because they feared the people. We said, "He is in all their hands as prophesied." And they advance toward Judas. They said to him "Although you are wicked in this place you are the disciple of Jesus." And he answered them according to their wish. And Judas took some money and he delivered [him] over to them. The Gospel of Judas
The "official" translation reads,
[…] Their high priests murmured because [he] had gone into the guest room for his prayer. But some scribes were there watching carefully in order to arrest him during the prayer, for they were afraid of the people, since he was regarded by all as a prophet. They approached Judas and said to him, “What are you doing here? You are Jesus’ disciple.” Judas answered them as they wished. And he received some money and handed him over to them. THE GOSPEL OF JUDAS
The last part is clearly identical. What appears to be significant differences in the first portion of the leaf are not as great as one might think. It is clear that the translation team was able to reconstruct a considerable portion of this leaf in a way the Hedrick could not given the brief time he had with the text..
So what does it all mean? Not much. Having read the whole thing I think what I said back in March of 2005 still stands..
Like the Gospel of Thomas and other non-canonical gospels, the Gospel of Judas will shed additional light on early sectarian Christianity. It will not shake beliefs.
Via PaleoJudaica
Update:
Jim West directs us to the Tertullian Project where there is still more on the Gospel of Judas and a good modern history of some of the scholarship surrounding it, including some of Charles Hendricks notes and photos from 2001.
Further Update:
Suzanne E. McCarthy at ABECEDARIA has some good stuff on Coptic fonts and the Gospel of Judas.
Posted by Duane Smith at April 7, 2006 9:42 AM | Read more on Archaeology |
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