2025 - Judas

Our actor playing Judas has had that role for almost every play over the last 31 years! He also doubles up as Barrabas and in some years, as one of the thieves on the cross beside Jesus. The re-enactment starts slowly with Judas and his meeting with Caiaphus, leading on to the Last Supper, then Jesus' final prayers in the Garden of Gethsemane. Once Jesus is betrayed, the action progresses quickly.

Here he is checking the script. We haven't changed his lines for a while, but he just checks to make sure!

The first scene has Caiaphus asking what can be done about Jesus, who is causing trouble. He declares that it is better for one man to die rather than a whole nation.

Then Judas arrives with news that he is willing to provide information as to the whereabouts of Jesus at a time suitable for arrest.

Judas desired the glorious Messiah who would kick out the Romans and has now realised that this is not what Jesus has planned.

As the keeper of the common purse, Judas felt it was appropriate to get value out of every exchange. 30 pieces of silver seems fitting for such a small thing, just the location of Jesus.

At the Last Supper, Judas was back with the rest of the apostles. Jesus mentioned a number of times that someone would betray him. Judas knew it was himself that was being referred to and could have changed his mind, but continued with the charade.

"Is it I, Lord?" he asked.

"Your own lips have said it," Jesus replied.

"Be quick on your errand," commanded Jesus, so Judas got up and left.

The other apostles didn't know what was planned. They just thought that as Judas was the keeper of the common course, he was giving alms, or buying supplies. But Judas had other plans.

At the entrance to the Garden of Gethsemane, Judas instructed the guards that he would indicate the man they were looking for by giving him a kiss. After all, it was late at night in a garden only lit by the full moon, and all these men looked similar in the gloom.

Jesus welcomed Judas, giving him another chance to change his mind. But Judas came in and gave the sign - a kiss.

"Would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?" Jesus asked, staring directly into the eye of Judas, boring into his soul.

Judas staggers back and runs from the scene, leaving it to the Temple Guards to do their work.