“Although the Gospel of Judas does not encourage martyrdom, ironically—or better, paradoxically—it portrays Judas himself as the first martyr. This gospel reveals that when Judas hands Jesus over, he seals his own fate. But he knows, too, that when the other disciples stone him, they kill only his mortal self. His spirit-filled soul has already found its home in the light world above. Although Christians may suffer and die when they oppose the powers of evil, the hope Christ brings will sustain them.” JesusGospelMartyrdomJudasGnosticismJudas IscariotEarly ChristianityGospel Of Judas Book:Reading Judas: The Gospel of Judas and the Shaping of Christianity Source: Reading Judas: The Gospel of Judas and the Shaping of Christianity