The Gospel of Judas: A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary (The Anchor Yale Bible Commentaries)

Description

A new translation and commentary on the extracanonical Coptic text that describes Judas’ special status among Jesus’ disciples   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 text’s 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 work’s genre and structure, and the commentary and notes provide thorough discussions of the text’s grammar and numerous lacunae and ambiguities. Series Page Title Page Copyright Dedication Contents Preface Acknowledgments List of Abbreviations and Editorial Signs Introduction I. The Testimonia to and Coptic Text of The Gospel of Judas A. Ancient Testimonia to a Gospel of Judas B. The Coptic Gospel of Judas C. The Correspondence Between the Coptic Text and the Testimonia II. The Date and Sectarian Context III. The Literary Background A. Dialogue Gospels and Other Genres B. Structure IV. Major Themes in the Interpretation of The Gospel of Judas A. Aeons, Angels, Rulers, and Stars: The Gnostic Myth(s) B. The Mighty and Holy Race: Ethnic Reasoning and Soteriology C. Eucharist, Sacrifice, and Priesthood: Intra-Christian Polemic D. The Thirteenth Demon: The Character and Role of Judas Bibliography Translation Notes and Comments Incipit (33.1–6) Notes Comments Prologue: The Earthly Ministry of Jesus (33.6–21) Notes Comments Four Appearances of Jesus First Appearance: Judas’s Recognition of Jesus (33.22–36.10) Notes Comments Second Appearance: The Mighty and Holy Race (36.11–37.20) Notes Comments Third Appearance: The Disciples’ Dream and Its Interpretations (37.20–44.14) Notes Comments The Sins of the Disciples (41.9–42.22) Notes Comments The Races of Human Beings (42.22–44.14) Notes Comments Fourth Appearance: Judas’s Vision (44.15–46.4) Notes Comments Erotapokriseis (Questions and Answers) 1. The Domination of the Rulers and the Rule of Judas (46.5–53.7) Notes Comments The Primary Aeons (47.1–48.21) Notes Comments Adamas, the Incorruptible Race of Seth, and Their Luminaries and Heavens (48.21–49.24) Notes Comments The 360 Firmaments and the Corruptible World (49.25–51.3) Notes Comments Nebrō, Saklas, and Their Rulers and Angels (51.3–52.14) Notes Comments Creation and Mortality of Adam and Eve (52.14–53.7) Notes Comments 2. The Life Span of Humanity (53.8–16) Notes Comments 3. The Fate of the Human Spirit (53.16–54.12) Notes Comments 4. The Corruption of Humanity (54.13–55.14) Notes Comments 5. The Destruction of the Stars (55.15–22) Notes Comments 6. The Fate of the Baptized (55.23–57.15) Notes Comments Conclusion of the Dialogues (57.16–58.6) Notes Comments Epilogue: Judas Hands Jesus Over (58.6–26) Notes Comments Index of Subjects Index of Modern Authors Index of Ancient Sources