A LOOK AT JUDAS
by Karl E. Wagner
© 2003 by Karl E. Wagner
A Look at Judas© Page 1 ©Copyright Karl E. Wagner, published with permission by DramaShare® 2003
CAST *DENOTES SPEAKING PART *MALCHIEL
a Jewish-born follower of Christ
*TIMON
A Greek-born follower of Christ
*JESUS *SIMON PETER or PETER ANDREW
Peter’s brother
JAMES (Zebedee’s son) *JOHN
James’ brother
PHILLIP BARTHOLOMEW THOMAS *MATTHEW JAMES (son of Alphaeus) THADDEUS SIMON the Zealot *JUDAS ISCARIOT LAZARUS MARTHA MARY *DISCIPLE 1 *DISCIPLE 2 *HIGH PRIEST *PRIEST TEMPLE GUARDS
A Look at Judas© Page 2 ©Copyright Karl E. Wagner, published with permission by DramaShare® 2003
NOTES The purpose of this was to take a look at the actions of Judas, without attempting to guess at motivation other than the greed shown specifically in the scriptures. SETTING The time is approximately 67 AD. The last disciple, John, is still alive. The main action is centered around a well somewhere in the Middle East. The additional vignettes are explained further in the text. There is an open road, Lazarus’ home, the Temple, the upper room (Passover meal), the Garden of Gethsemane, etc. PROPS Some props are mentioned. A bundle for MALCHIEL and TIMON. Staffs for the disciples while walking. The alabaster jar. Lanterns, swords, etc. for the guards. Things for the meal. The wash basin and towel, etc. COSTUMING Costumes would still be what we would call Biblical times.
A Look at Judas© Page 3 ©Copyright Karl E. Wagner, published with permission by DramaShare® 2003
I-1 (At LIGHTS UP, MALCHIEL ENTERS STAGE RIGHT and comes to the well. He is carrying a bundle. MALCHIEL sets the bundle down, and then sits down to rest his feet. As MALCHIEL is resting TIMON ENTERS STAGE LEFT. Recognizing an old friend, TIMON speaks.) TIMON Malchiel, is that you? MALCHIEL (Rises to greet TIMON) Timon! How are you, my friend! (The two meet, and hug each other in greeting.) TIMON I am good! How long has it been? MALCHIEL Three years, but who’s counting? (Gestures to TIMON) Come, sit down, and rest. (Both men sit) TIMON So, three years…It’s hard to believe it has been that long, except that so much has happened. MALCHIEL (Nodding his head in understanding) Yes, a lot has happened. First Peter was martyred and then Paul. (Timon also nods in agreement.) TIMON Yes, but there is good news… A Look at Judas© Page 4 ©Copyright Karl E. Wagner, published with permission by DramaShare® 2003
I-2 MALCHIEL Good news? Tell me, I would love to hear some good news. TIMON John wrote a Gospel! MALCHIEL (A look of joy) The last living disciple who saw Jesus? TIMON The same. And my friend, he had some additional insight into our favorite discussion topic… MALCHIEL (Shaking his head in disbelief) You’re still debating over Judas, the traitor? TIMON I am not debating. There is no debate. But I do feel there are aspects to Judas we must understand. Things that can serve as reminders that we, too, can fail Jesus, and become essentially traitors. MALCHIEL (A long sigh) Okay, Timon. We can do this one more time, especially so I can hear this new information. TIMON Good, let’s start with what we know we agree on. MALCHIEL Agreed. Let’s see…First, Judas was chosen by Jesus as one of the original twelve… (At this point FADE TO BLACK, the scene changes to JESUS and the disciples. LIGHTS UP, as JESUS is addressing the twelve Apostles.) JESUS I have called you twelve especially… (JESUS begins to walk from man to man)
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I-3 JESUS [Continued] Simon… Simon Peter, and your brother Andrew. James, Zebedee’s son, and … (Affectionately) John. (Continuing) Phillip…and Bartholomew. collector…
Thomas…and Matthew, the tax
MATTHEW Former tax collector… (All laugh) JESUS …of course, the former tax collector. James, son of Alphaeus, and Thaddeus. Simon the Canaanite… (A long look into JUDAS ISCARIOT’S eyes) …and Judas, from the town of Kerioth…Judas Iscariot. (JESUS turns to address them all) I give you power over unclean spirits, to cast them out. I also give you power to heal all kinds of sickness and disease. Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, and cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. Provide neither gold nor silver nor copper in your money belts, nor bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor staffs, for a worker is worthy of his food. Now whatever city or town you enter, inquire who in it is worthy, and stay there till you go out. And when you go into a household, greet it. If the household is worthy, let your peace come upon it. But if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet.
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I-4 (As JESUS finishes FADE TO BLACK, and LIGHTS UP on TIMON and MALCHIEL) TIMON It’s hard to believe, isn’t it? Judas had been given the power to cast out demons and to heal people. MALCHIEL I know. Judas may have healed people and brought people to the Lord, yet still in the end… (A long sigh) The words Jesus spoke seem all too clear, when you think of that… TIMON and MALCHIEL (Overlapping) “Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” MALCHIEL The line is easy to cross…We must always remember that. TIMON That is the very thing I meant, when I said, “There are many lessons for us to learn from Judas’ life.” MALCHIEL I do see your point. TIMON Now, my friend, here is where John has added some additional information in his Gospel. I have been carrying a copy of it since I left Ephesus. John tells of a time when many disciples left the Lord. MALCHIEL Disciples left the Lord? TIMON Yes. Jesus had been speaking in the synagogue in Capernaum… A Look at Judas© Page 7 ©Copyright Karl E. Wagner, published with permission by DramaShare® 2003
I-5 (As TIMON finishes his line, FADE TO BLACK. LIGHTS UP on JESUS and his disciples, walking slowly. Specifically the twelve, but at least two additional disciples should be present.) DISCIPLE 1 (Talking to DISCIPLE 2) Eat His flesh, and drink His blood? He is bread that came down from heaven? DISCIPLE 2 This is a hard saying; who can understand it? (JESUS does not hear the statements but is aware of them.) JESUS (Stopping to address all the disciples) Are you still confused by what I said in the synagogue? (Inquiring, looking from one to another) Does it offend you? It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words I speak to you are spirit and they are life. (JESUS looks long at DISCIPLE 1 and 2 and JUDAS ISCARIOT, then looks away) But there are some of you who do not believe… (JUDAS ISCARIOT looks down) JESUS That is why I said to you that no one can come to me, unless it is granted to them from My Father. (DISCIPLES 1 and 2 and other “extras”, if you have them, turn and walk away. After a long pause, JESUS, confronts the remaining twelve.) A Look at Judas© Page 8 ©Copyright Karl E. Wagner, published with permission by DramaShare® 2003
I-6 JESUS Do you also want to go away? SIMON PETER Lord, to whom should we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also, we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. JESUS (A long pause) Did I not choose you, the twelve,… (Sadly) …and one of you is a devil. (As JESUS finishes His line, FADE TO BLACK. LIGHTS UP on TIMON and MALCHIEL.) MALCHIEL That is information I did not know! TIMON I told you as much, but there is more.
More?
MALCHIEL More to the story, or more that I don’t know?
TIMON Both, my friend. John tells of a miracle where Jesus raised a man named Lazarus from the dead, four days after he had been buried! MALCHIEL (Excitedly) I have heard of this story! It happened just before the Lord was betrayed. Before that final Passover! TIMON That is true, but something else happened after that. Six days before Passover, Jesus and the twelve came to Bethany, where Lazarus had been raised from the dead. Lazarus’ sisters, Martha and Mary, had prepared a meal for them… (As TIMON finishes his lines, FADE TO BLACK.) A Look at Judas© Page 9 ©Copyright Karl E. Wagner, published with permission by DramaShare® 2003
I-7 (LIGHTS UP on the interior of a home. All the men are lying around on various cushions eating. MARTHA is serving. LAZARUS is also present. As MARTHA serves, MARY comes to JESUS with an alabaster jar, containing fragrant oil. MARY anoints JESUS’ (feet or head if you want Gospel of John or Matthew, etc). Most of the others are unaware until they begin to smell the fragrance as it fills the room. JUDAS ISCARIOT, however has been watching, growing more angry. Finally, JUDAS can stand it no longer and speaks.) JUDAS ISCARIOT (Snaps at MARY) Why wasn’t this fragrant oil sold? It would have brought at least three hundred denari! Think of how much we could have helped the poor with that much money! JESUS (Sternly, to JUDAS) Let her alone! (Kindly looking at MARY.) She has saved it for my burial day. (Then to JUDAS and the others) For the poor you have you with you always, but Me, you do have always. (As JESUS finishes, the scene changes back to TIMON and MALCHIEL) MALCHIEL (Deeply in thought) Judas had a point there…
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I-8 TIMON Well, he could have had a point. But John states specifically, that Judas only cared because he kept the money box. John goes on to say that Judas was a thief, and used to take what was in the box for himself! MALCHIEL (A realization) Oh, a lot is beginning to come together more clearly now. The whole picture makes more sense. Greed! In the other Gospels it wasn’t clear that it was Judas who inquired about the waste of the oil! (As MALCHIEL finishes his line, FADE TO BLACK. LIGHTS UP as the scene changes to JUDAS ISCARIOT, outside of the Temple.) JUDAS ISCARIOT (Basically mumbling to himself) Why would Jesus turn on me so fast? He chose me just like he chose the others. That was a waste of that oil, a waste of a lot of money. Money that could help… (JUDAS looks up at the Temple) JUDAS ISCARIOT (A thought begins to form) Perhaps, the Temple authorities would offer money for some help… (FADE TO BLACK. The scene changes to JUDAS standing before the HIGH PRIEST and other SCRIBES, PRIESTS, etc.) JUDAS ISCARIOT What are you willing to give me if I deliver Jesus to you? HIGH PRIEST (There is a long pause as He holds JUDAS long in his unblinking gaze. He then slowly nods to another PRIEST) Go ahead…
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I-9 (The PRIEST begins to count out thirty pieces of silver, deliberately.)
We have a bargain?
HIGH PRIEST You will take us to Jesus? JUDAS ISCARIOT (Takes the money, lovingly)
We have a bargain. (JUDAS, takes the bag and EXITS. There is a long pause as the HIGH PRIEST and the others attending slowly nod in agreement. There are no smiles from them. FADE TO BLACK. LIGHTS UP on TIMON and MALCHIEL.) MALCHIEL So, that is pretty much the same as all of the other Gospels read. Matthew included the price, however. TIMON Yes, but remember the book of Zechariah? “Then I said to them, "If it is agreeable to you, give me my wages; and if not, refrain." So they weighed out for my wages thirty pieces of silver…”
Yes, YES! betrayal…
MALCHIEL I do remember that. The prophecy of the Tell me, is there more?
There is my friend. meal was finished…
TIMON The Passover meal had come, and the
(FADE TO BLACK. LIGHTS UP on JESUS and the other disciples. The men are reclining on cushions eating the Passover meal. They are dressed, with their staffs handy or in their hand. Headgear on many. They are still in accordance with the A Look at Judas© Page 12 ©Copyright Karl E. Wagner, published with permission by DramaShare® 2003
I-10 ([Continued] traditional Jewish observance of Passover. JESUS rises and begins to wash THE DISCIPLE’S feet. JUDAS watches with distain, PETER is amazed. JESUS begins to wash PETER’s feet.) PETER Lord, are You washing my feet? JESUS What I am doing, you do not understand now, but you will know after this. PETER You shall never wash my feet! JESUS If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me. PETER Lord, then not my feet only, but also my hands and my head! JESUS He who is bathed, needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean… (JESUS gets a distant look) but not all of you… (FADE TO BLACK. LIGHTS UP on TIMON and MALCHIEL)
Jesus washed their feet?
MALCHIEL Even Judas?
TIMON Yes, I am sure even Judas…John tells us that Jesus did this as an example to the disciples to be a servant to others and not to consider themselves better than anyone. MALCHIEL Yet, Jesus still knew Judas would betray Him. still wash his feet? A Look at Judas© Page 13 ©Copyright Karl E. Wagner, published with permission by DramaShare® 2003
Why would He
I-11 TIMON I believe it is because Jesus’ love extends to all. Judas could have changed his mind, it wasn’t too late, yet. MALCHIEL But Judas was needed to fulfill the scriptures regarding the betrayal… TIMON Needed by Satan, not by God! God doesn’t need any of us to accomplish anything. He uses what we do, but He doesn’t need us. God chose to use Judas’ actions… (FADE TO BLACK. LIGHTS UP on JESUS and the DISCIPLES, still at the Passover meal. PETER is to JESUS’ right and JOHN TO his left.) JESUS For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. I do not speak concerning all of you. I know whom I have chosen; but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘He who eats bread with Me has lifted up his heel against Me.’ Now, I tell you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe that I am He. Most assuredly, I say to you, he who receives whomever I send receives Me; and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me. (JESUS becomes noticeably disturbed in His spirit.) Most assuredly, I say to you that one of you shall betray Me. (At this line all the disciples begin to look astonished at one another and begin to all ask, “Lord is it me?”. JUDAS does not ask that, yet. JOHN leans in to JESUS’ chest in disbelief. PETER motions for JOHN to ask JESUS who it is.)
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I-12 JOHN Who is it, Lord? JESUS It is he to whom I shall give a piece of bread to when I have dipped it. (JESUS dips a piece of bread and hands it to JUDAS who is just beyond JOHN to JESUS’ left.) JUDAS Is it me? JESUS What you do, do quickly. (JUDAS rises and exits immediately. There is some confusion to the others, as to this action on JUDAS’ part. Understand it is the Passover, and think of the Jewish traditional observance. FADE TO BLACK. LIGHTS UP on TIMON and MALCHIEL.) MALCHIEL I still find it hard to believe how much Jesus obviously still loved Judas. No anger, just the disappointment… TIMON Yes, Jesus’ love never ended. He knew full well what was to come, yet He loved Judas even to the end. MALCHIEL So the disciples and Jesus went out to the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus prayed and asked the others to stand watch… (FADE TO BLACK. LIGHTS UP on JESUS, JOHN, PETER, and JAMES, in the garden. JESUS has just come back to the disciples who were sleeping.) A Look at Judas© Page 15 ©Copyright Karl E. Wagner, published with permission by DramaShare® 2003
I-13 JESUS (To PETER and the others) Are you still sleeping? Behold the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners… (JUDAS and Temple guards and PRIESTS enter. JUDAS hesitantly comes forward and kisses JESUS on the cheek.) JUDAS Greetings, Rabbi… JESUS Judas, do you betray the Son of Man with a kiss? (Then to the assembled guards) Who are you seeking? PRIEST Jesus of Nazareth! JESUS I am He. (At these words the guards and priests fall back to the ground. JUDAS is amazed at the power of just JESUS’ voice, and begins to question within himself, his actions. The guards get up and seize JESUS and take Him offstage. PETER draws his sword and cuts off MALCHUS’ ear. JESUS, moves forward and heals the ear. JUDAS looks on in amazement, as do the assembled guards, etc. PETER, JOHN, and JAMES flee. FADE TO BLACK. LIGHTS UP on TIMON and MALCHIEL.) MALCHIEL What a horrible night. Imagine taking the Son of God to a series of mock trials and then the eventual crucifixion. A Look at Judas© Page 16 ©Copyright Karl E. Wagner, published with permission by DramaShare® 2003
I-14 TIMON I have always wondered why Judas kissed Jesus. Why would they need a sign? Jesus was one of the most well-known men in all Judea, maybe in all of Israel. MALCHIEL You know it is just Satan trying to say that Jesus couldn’t keep those God entrusted to Him. A foul deceit, used to try and trick people into believing that Jesus failed to keep that one disciple. But over and over, it is clear that Judas was never a true disciple. TIMON As if Satan had snatched one of Jesus’ own disciples from out of His very hands! MALCHIEL But it is clear, that although Judas had the opportunity, he had never taken that real step of faith and committed himself to Jesus. TIMON Exactly. He went through the motions. He traveled with Jesus, ate with Jesus, saw, and perhaps participated in the miracles and signs, but never quite made the commitment required of him, or of us. MALCHIEL He was later remorseful… (FADE TO BLACK. LIGHTS UP on JUDAS in the Temple, with the HIGH PRIEST, ETC.) JUDAS (Offering back the money) I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.
What is that to us?
HIGH PRIEST You see to it, it’s your problem. (JUDAS throws down the money bag, spilling its contents on the floor and exits. The attending PRIESTS gather up the money. FADE TO BLACK SLOWLY as the HIGH PRIEST’S)
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I-15 ([Continued] voice is still heard. Continue the line even if in full BLACK.) HIGH PRIEST It is unlawful to put it back in the treasury, because it is the price of blood… (After this line is heard, LIGHTS UP on TIMON and MALCHIEL) TIMON Judas may have been remorseful, but he was NOT repentant! Peter failed the Lord, but he repented. He cried out to God for forgiveness, with an open heart. Judas confessed his sin to men, but didn’t go to God for forgiveness. Instead, he took his own life. MALCHIEL (Beginning to pick up his belongings) Matthew says that the priests took the money and bought the potter’s field. Luke later says in Acts that Judas purchased the field… TIMON (Also preparing to leave) Probably a little of both happened. Either way it was Judas’ money that paid for the Potter’s Field. And it also fulfilled the prophecy in Zechariah… “And the LORD said to me, "Throw it to the potter" —that princely price they set on me. So I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them into the house of the LORD for the potter.” MALCHIEL How many of us are treacherously close to being a traitor, I wonder? Going through the right motions, knowing the truth, yet still, haven’t truly opened our hearts to Jesus. Being so close, yet an eternity away… TIMON (Reminding him) And eventually turn out to be a tool for Satan. We must be ever diligent to guard our hearts and minds. We may fail in our actions, but pray that we never fail in our faith in Jesus.
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I-16 MALCHIEL The Psalm says, “He that keepeth you, will not sleep…” I pray that we always remember that. God will provide a way out of temptation, if we will only take it. Paul taught us that…, seven days a week, twenty-four hours a day, God is always on the job. TIMON (Ready to leave, a little fidgety) Well, my friend, it is time for us to depart once again. I pray that it will not be another three years. (Reaches out to shake MALCHIEL’S hand.) MALCHIEL (Taking his hand) Me, too, Timon, me, too. I thank you for the valuable lesson learned today. It is easy to think we are following Jesus, when, perhaps, we may have not have ever known Him. We can be closer to being Judas ourselves, than we ever wish to believe. TIMON Or ever dared to believe…We must search our hearts daily, and be sure that, we, too, have not turned our backs on Jesus, or on His commandment to take His message to the world. Remember Paul’s words, “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes…” (A long sigh) And so, Malchiel, I pray that you will fare well… (TIMON EXITS. MALCHIEL stares for a long pause.) MALCHIEL The Lord bless you and keep you, my friend. The Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you. The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace. (MALCHIEL turns and EXITS. FADE TO BLACK.) THE END A Look at Judas© Page 19 ©Copyright Karl E. Wagner, published with permission by DramaShare® 2003
