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Iscariot
Judas Iscariot is the most infamous and most perplexing character in religious history.
He accepts the offer to follow Jesus, hoping he might be the long-awaited Messiah who will liberate his people from Roman rule. But in the end, his actions seal both their fates. What led Judas to betray his friend and teacher, then fall into complete despair?
If Judas' father was Simon the Pharisee of Bethany, then Judas was likely the cousin of Martha, Mary and Lazarus. A very different picture suddenly emerges of the events in the last weeks of the life of Judas Iscariot. It is a story as tragic as it is compelling.
He accepts the offer to follow Jesus, hoping he might be the long-awaited Messiah who will liberate his people from Roman rule. But in the end, his actions seal both their fates. What led Judas to betray his friend and teacher, then fall into complete despair?
If Judas' father was Simon the Pharisee of Bethany, then Judas was likely the cousin of Martha, Mary and Lazarus. A very different picture suddenly emerges of the events in the last weeks of the life of Judas Iscariot. It is a story as tragic as it is compelling.
172 pages, Print on Demand
Published October 4, 2018
9 people want to read
About the author
Mark Worthing
34 books16 followersMark Worthing is a historian of science and a senior researcher with Lutheran Education Australia, Adelaide.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 16, 2019
Mark Worthing has written a captivating novel about Judas Iscariot, one of the most tragic of Biblical characters. I would guess that most people familiar with the scriptural portrayal of Judas would regard him as probably one of the most despised people in the entire Bible narrative because of his friendship with, and ultimate betrayal of, Jesus Christ. Worthing has, however, researched the life of Judas and has come to view Judas in a completely different way. This fictional portrayal of a person we think we know so well makes us rethink the account in a compellingly new way.
November 30, 2018
I don’t normally read Biblical fiction, as I get distracted thinking about whether the version of events is plausible. However, Mark Worthing has done a good job of explaining his assumptions in the introduction, which sets the tone of the book. I’m a little more cautious about the conclusions Mark appears to be making regarding Judas’ innocence. Nevertheless, Judas’ actions are significantly more understandable when we consider this book’s perspective.
It isn’t hard to imagine Judas misunderstanding the nature of God’s kingdom when Jesus’ other disciples didn’t understand it, even with the benefit of the resurrection. This can be seen from their question: “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6). As Mark says we probably all have been guilty of misunderstanding God’s plans and pursuing our own agendas at one time or another. In the end perhaps, Judas’ real problem was his selfishness and lack of humility, which left him unable to repent.
Iscariot covers many of the incidents that occurred during Jesus ministry. Mark looks at these in a down to earth way in keeping with the context and culture of the time. This is quite enlightening in itself.
Iscariot is well written and raises interesting insights into Judas’ motives. Worth a read.
It isn’t hard to imagine Judas misunderstanding the nature of God’s kingdom when Jesus’ other disciples didn’t understand it, even with the benefit of the resurrection. This can be seen from their question: “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6). As Mark says we probably all have been guilty of misunderstanding God’s plans and pursuing our own agendas at one time or another. In the end perhaps, Judas’ real problem was his selfishness and lack of humility, which left him unable to repent.
Iscariot covers many of the incidents that occurred during Jesus ministry. Mark looks at these in a down to earth way in keeping with the context and culture of the time. This is quite enlightening in itself.
Iscariot is well written and raises interesting insights into Judas’ motives. Worth a read.
January 17, 2019
Stunning.
You have to read it. Your favourite myths, suspicions and resentment of Judas will blow away like a puff of desert dust.
And like me you might even see yourself in Judas’ way of thinking and find yourself equally guilty of his behaviour.
This historical fiction at its most authentic. It often felt like reading a fifth Gospel.
You have to read it. Your favourite myths, suspicions and resentment of Judas will blow away like a puff of desert dust.
And like me you might even see yourself in Judas’ way of thinking and find yourself equally guilty of his behaviour.
This historical fiction at its most authentic. It often felt like reading a fifth Gospel.
April 6, 2022
Historical fiction well written and thought provoking. Definitely worth a read and even a re-read.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews