Gospel of Matthias Gospel of Matthias The Gospel of Matthias is a lost text from the New Testament apocrypha, ascribed to Matthias, the apostle chosen by lots to replace Judas Iscariot (Acts 1:15-26). The content has been surmised from various descriptions of it in ancient works by church fathers (see below). There is too little evidence to decide whether a Traditions of Matthias is the same work, according to J.B. Matthews, "The Anchor Bible Dictionary" (IV:644). Though the work is lost, Clement of Alexandria records a sentence urging asceticism that the Nicolaitanes ascribe to Matthias: "we must combat our flesh, set no value
Judas Iscariot the most famous depictions of Judas Iscariot and his kiss of betrayal of Jesus is "The Taking of Christ" by Italian Baroque artist, Caravaggio, done in 1602. In "Memoirs of Judas" (1867) by Ferdinando Petruccelli della Gattina, he is seen as a leader of the Jewish revolt against the rule of Romans. Edward Elgar's oratorio, "The Apostles", depicts Judas as wanting to force Jesus to declare his divinity and establish the kingdom on earth. In "Trial of Christ in Seven Stages" (1909) by John Brayshaw Kaye, the author did not accept the idea that Judas intended to betray Christ, and