The Gospel of Judas: A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary

The Gospel of Judas is an extracanonical Coptic text from the second century C.E. that describes Judas' special status among Jesus disciples. This new translation and commentary by David Brakke addresses interpretive questions and sheds light on gnostic mythology, Eucharist, and Christian appropriation of Jewish apocalyptic eschatology.

Format: Hardback
Length: 296 pages
Publication date: 05 April 2022
Publisher: Yale University Press

Since its publication in 2006, The Gospel of Judas has generated remarkable interest and debate among scholars and general readers alike. In this Coptic text from the second century C.E., Jesus engages in a series of conversations with his disciples and with Judas, explaining the origin of the cosmos and its rulers, the existence of another holy race, and the coming end of the current world order.

In this new translation and commentary, David Brakke addresses the major interpretive questions that have emerged since the texts discovery, exploring the ways that The Gospel of Judas sheds light on the origins and development of gnostic mythology, debates over the Eucharist and communal authority, and Christian appropriation of Jewish apocalyptic eschatology. The translation reflects new analyses of the works genre and structure, and the commentary and notes provide thorough discussions of the texts grammar and numerous lacunae and ambiguities.

The Gospel of Judas is a fascinating and controversial text that has shed new light on the origins and development of early Christianity. Its unique perspective and insights have challenged traditional interpretations of the Bible and have sparked a renewed interest in the study of gnosticism and other ancient religious traditions. As scholars continue to explore and interpret this text, it is likely to remain a hot topic of debate and discussion for years to come.

Dimension: 24 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780300173260