Judas the Sanhedrist
One of the Sanhedrin members friends of Lazarus. This Judean from Betheron is a "descendant of the Assideans, the last, I believe, of that class," it was said of him when he appeared at Lazarus's funeral.[1] He is thus the last survivor of those fierce Jews, known as the Hassidim, who fought against Antiochus Epiphanes alongside the Maccabees (and sometimes against them). The Hassidim gave rise to two opposing groups: the Pharisees (Peroushïm) and the Essenes.
Although this Sanhedrin member remains in the shadows and his friendship is discreet, it is not out of indifference. Indeed, he is seen joining a group of high-ranking notables to go to the meeting against a banned Jesus who returns to Jerusalem to live his Passion.[2] This group consists of Joel of Abijah called Alamoth, Eliel, and Elkanah, the brothers of Johanna of Chuza.
The authors of the "Dictionary of Gospel Characters, Salton Maria Valtorta" suppose that he joins the group of the seventy-two Disciples at the great gathering of five hundred on Mount Tabor and that it is to him and his companion Philip that the risen Jesus says: "(Elijah, then Zacharias) come to me, take your place with The Seventy-Two Disciples (...). You too, Philip, and again you, his companion who no longer wants to be called by your name so horrible it seems to you[3]; take the name of your father who is a righteous man, even if he is not yet among those who openly follow me."[4]
Character and Appearance
Black eyes, very lively.[5]
Apostolic Path
This Sanhedrin member will confess his faith anonymously:"You are good, Master. Too late I knew you, O Word of God! But still in time to love you as you deserve, if not to serve you long as I would have wished, as I wish now."[6]
His Name
Jude or Judas (Iehouda) and its feminine Judith come from the Hebrew “yehoudi” meaning Judean, Jew. Historical reference: Judah, son of Jacob. Judas Maccabee, the craftsman of the liberation of the Jewish people.
Where is he mentioned in the work?
EMV 376 EMV 378
EMV 546 EMV 578 EMV 579 EMV 580 EMV 581
Notes and references
- ↑ EMV 546
- ↑ EMV 580
- ↑ The authors of the Dictionary of Gospel Characters, Salton Maria Valtorta suppose it is Philip the Sanhedrist at the end of his faith journey, accompanied by his colleague Judas (Jude the Sanhedrist), the Assidean not wanting to bear the same name as the traitor. He then took his father's name: Baba.
- ↑ EMV 634.14
- ↑ EMV 578
- ↑ EMV 578