Prepare to have your perception challenged as we dive into the universally accepted image of Judas Iscariot, history's most vilified figure. In this foundational episode of Momentum Media Advertising's Misreading Judas series, we meticulously deconstruct the narrative that has dominated Western thought for two millennia. We explore Judas as the ultimate betrayer, driven by greed for thirty pieces of silver, whose infamous kiss in the Garden of Gethsemane sealed Jesus's fate. Join hosts Jessica and Wilbert as they examine how canonical accounts, cultural understanding, and artistic depictions have solidified Judas's reputation as a byword for treachery. This episode lays the crucial groundwork, establishing the conventional view of Judas, only to hint at the profound complexities and overlooked details that biblical scholars may have missed. What happens when the most unshakeable historical narrative starts to show cracks? Tune in to understand the powerful, pervasive story of Judas as you've always known it, before we embark on a journey to uncover the hidden truths that reshape our understanding of faith, history, and betrayal.

00:00 — The universal definition of betrayal: Judas Iscariot

04:30 — Reconstructing the dominant narrative of Judas

08:15 — The motive: The thirty pieces of silver and John's accusation of theft

12:45 — The iconic act: The kiss of betrayal in Gethsemane

17:00 — Judas's tragic end: Divergent accounts in Matthew and Acts

21:30 — The lasting cultural and theological impact of the Judas narrative

26:00 — Hinting at cracks: Why the dominant narrative might not be complete

30:00 — Outro and open loop: Textual discrepancies in the Gospels