Bible Dictionary
JUDAS ISCARIOT, GOSPEL OF
The Gospel of Judas was a second-century writing associated with the Gnostic Cainites, who treated Judas as a hero. It is not part of the New Testament canon.
Definition
The Gospel of Judas was a writing associated with the Gnostic sect of the Cainites, who regarded Judas as a hero. It was known in the second century but is not part of the New Testament writings.
Biblical Usage
The work is not used as a canonical Gospel and is mentioned only in reports about the Cainites and their beliefs.
Historical Background
Irenaeus, Epiphanius, and Theodoret refer to it, but no quotation from the writing is preserved in the supplied material.
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>A "Gospel of Judas" is mentioned by Irenaeus (Adv. Haer., i.31), Epiphanius (Haer., xxxviii.1), Theodoret, etc., as current in the Gnostic sect of the Cainites, to whom Judas was a hero. It must have been in existence in the 2nd century, but no quotation is given from it (see Baring-Gould, Lost and Hostile Gospels, III, chapter v).</p>