JCS: Damned for All Time/Blood Money

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113 - Damned for All Time/Blood Money

This is where the Judas meets the Pharisees and seals Jesus' fate, where Judas agrees to sell out Christ in order to, he believes, save Israel. This, of course meshes up beautifully with what the Pharisees believe so it's a match made in heaven. Sort of.

Looking at the lyrics, Judas seems admittedly reluctant to make this transaction. He is clear that he is not doing it for the money, he's doing it because it's the right thing to do it. He even attempts to refuse the money but the Pharisees convince him to take the money anyways. He has an inkling that no good is going to come of this arrangement and thus the title: "I really didn't come here / Of my own accord / Just don't say I'm / Damned for all time!"

The Gospels are kind of interesting here. Here's what we find in Matthew 26:14-16 "Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests and asked, 'What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?' So they counted out for him thirty silver coins. From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over." That version makes it sound like he was in it for the money. Interestingly in Matthew 27 he returns the money after he realizes Jesus is doomed.

In Luke 22:1-6 we get this story: "Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was approaching, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus, for they were afraid of the people. Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. They were delighted and agreed to give him money. He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present." Here he consents to taking the money, he doesn't ask for it. Interesting.

The idea of Satan entering Judas is a frightening thought. This is hinted at in the opera with the "Well done, Judas / Good ol' Judas" at the end from an unseen chorus. Nevertheless, the old adage is proved true again: the road to hell is paved with good intentions. There's still more Judas to be discussed before the end of the Opera so we'll end here today.