This representation actually gave me sympathy for Judas.(Nevermind sympathy for the Devil)
He seemed to just have misguided notions and motives, never really
intending to be a traitor to Jesus. This made him more than the 2 dimensional bad guy I was brought up to think of him as being, it made him a real human being. I like that.
I do too.
I agree. I've always liked the 'human' element to Jesus of Nazareth. This portrayal of Judas gives a credible reason rather than he was just evil, and therefore gives a more logical reason for wanting to hang himself. It also helps that he was portrayed by such a good actor as Ian McShane.
"Well she turned me in to a newt!... I got better."
Caiphas was also portrayed in a relatively sympathetic light too.
If you love Mary and Jesus Christ and are 100% proud of it, copy this and make your signature!
Judas, like all humans, had free will.
shareEven Peter had the "free will" to deny he ever knew Jesus three times. This portrayal doesn't show Judas to be either good or evil but a misguided member of the zealots who thought people would appreciate Jesus if they could only hear his message. When he found out he was wrong, he couldn't live with himself. I've always wrestled with whether Judas was merely playing a necessary role in Jesus's prophesied death and resurrection. Also, Jesus chose him to be a disciple and knew full well that he would betray him. (Even Jesus had free will and chose to give it up when he prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane: "O My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as Thou wilt.") In that sense I feel sorry for Judas, and this particular telling of the Gospels shows him as a misguided pawn of the zealots and a necessary part of God's plan to save humanity. (I hope he was forgiven, as Thomas was for doubting and Peter was for denying him, but in this miniseries, Judas reminds me of the saying, "The road to hell is paved with good intentions.")
shareCaiphas was also portrayed in a relatively sympathetic light too.
Anthony Quinn's Caiaphas was pretty unpleasant, but had little screen time. Are you sure you're not thinking of Zerah (Ian Holm)?
http://tinyurl.com/hxoedgj
This depiction of Judas, although I agree it was compelling from a cinematic perspective, was probably the single biggest scriptural problem with the film. The way he's depicted in this mini-series is not Biblically accurate. Scripture makes it clear that Judas was under Satan's control when he betrayed Christ (Luke 22:3).
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+22%3A3&version=NLT
The film also has Judas not even realizing the money was coming and one of the Pharisees simply throws it to him as an afterthought, which is not accurate. He agreed to the 30 pieces of silver before Christ was arrested (Matthew 26:15).
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+26%3A15&version=NLT
As for Judas being saved, it's safe to say he wasn't, as Jesus made it clear it would be better for the one that betrayed him if he'd never been born (Matthew 26:24).
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+26%3A24&version=NLT
+++by His wounds we are healed. - Isaiah 53:5+++
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08539a.htm More on Judas Iscariot.
shareI have a different take on Judas. Should we consider him guilty or was he sacrificed by God to fulfil the prophecy. Without Judas' fail, we have no capture of Jesus, no Christianity. He is the most important "actor" for the last moments before Jesus death and resurrection, which is the base of Christianity.
shareYou must belong in a sect that doesn't believe in free will.
share