Judas The Misunderstood
Vatican moves to clear reviled disciple’s name

 
JUDAS ISCARIOT, the disciple who betrayed Jesus with a kiss, is to be given a makeover by Vatican scholars.
The proposed “rehabilitation” of the man who was paid 30 pieces of silver to identify Jesus to Roman soldiers in the Garden of Gethsemane, comes on the ground that he was not deliberately evil, but was just “fulfilling his part in God’s plan”.

 
 
Christians have traditionally blamed Judas for aiding and abetting the Crucifixion, and his name is synonymous with treachery. According to St Luke, Judas was “possessed by Satan”.

FULL STORY at
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0%2C%2C13509-1981591%2C00.html
 
Luke 22:1  ¶Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover.
2  And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people.
3  Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve.
4  And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them.
5  And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money.
6  And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray him unto them in the absence of the multitude.

John 19:10  Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee?
11  Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.

Matthew 27:2  And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor.
3  Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,
4  Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.
5  And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.
6  And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood.
7  And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter's field, to bury strangers in.
8  Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day.
9  Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value;
10  And gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord appointed me.
 
Acts 1:15  ¶And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,)
16  Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus.
17  For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry.
18  Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.
19  And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood.
20  For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take.