One of those 'say whaaaaaat?' moments. . .

[madamesilverspurs]

In our local newspaper, this appeared in the comments appended to an opinion piece about the health care law:

The share the wealth idea is not new at all it was talked about 2000 years ago by Judas Iscariot in John 12:5-6. It seems that is who is being followed now, rather then Him.



Just when I think they can't get any weirder. . .

-

[tanyev]

1. Jesus was a big fan of the idea, too.

Matthew 19:21

Jesus told him, "If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."

[DefenseLawyer]

6. Supply Side Jesus disagrees!

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

2. The "I'll keep the wealth" is even older.

:think:

[Kennah]

3. Umm, OK, I don't get the connection

I used the KJV since we all know Jesus and the Disciples spoke the King's English.

http://bible.cc/john/12-5.htm

Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?

http://bible.cc/john/12-6.htm

This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.

[gratuitous]

4. Nice to know this chap reads the Bible

From the 25th chapter of Leviticus:

"In this Year of Jubilee, each of you shall return to his possession. And if you sell anything to your neighbor or buy from your neighbor’s hand, you shall not oppress one another . . .

"If one of your brethren becomes poor, and falls into poverty among you, then you shall help him, like a stranger or a sojourner, that he may live with you. Take no usury or interest from him; but fear your God, that your brother may live with you."

What would a world that followed that sort of economic system look like? "If your brother becomes poor . . . then you shall help him." What a strange concept!

[CBGLuthier]

5. It is a reference to Jesus neglecting the poor and having perfume

poured upon his feet. Judas suggested the perfume could have been sold and the money given to the poor. Jesus told him too bad there will always be poor people and there is nothing that can be done about them.

[drokhole]

7. Guess there is a long lost/suppressed Book of Judas...

...that suggests Judas was Jesus' most dedicated and trusted apostle, who in fact helped the Little Version of the Big Guy shed the "clothes of man" that bound him. Apparently they had a pow-wow before the Last Supper where Jesus told Judas as much. Off topic, I know, but it was on a History Channel special called "Banned from the Bible II".

On the subject at hand, that's fucking ridiculous.

[Bucky]

9. The Gospel of Judas

The Gospel of Judas

Reprinted here with permission from the author.

[walldude]

11. If you buy into that sort of thing it's true... Judas was

predestined to betray Jesus. He had no choice. It had to be done.


Reminds me of Severus Snape.

[Bucky]

8. Actually the author is citing "Jesus Christ, Superstar" rather than the Bible

The book of John credits Judas with the complaint that Jesus isn't giving enough to the poor. The other gospels are unclear on which apostle actually raised this point. Of course that hippie opera totally seized on the more dramatic interpretation of the event.

People who get worked up about communism and John 12:5 tend to just shut up when someone else points to Matthew 19:24.

Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.

[jwirr]

10. I looked up the verse - Judas was using the poor as a cover for

stealing the money. Whoever wrote that needs to go back to look at the context.