Without Judas, History Might Have Hijacked Another Villain – New York Times

From here:

Jewish and Christian scholars agree that the dynamic of early Christianity — a Jewish sect that failed to win over its own people — almost guaranteed a divorce with all the bitterness of a family feud.

At first, Jewish authorities had the upper hand. But very quickly, as the Romans waged war against the Jews and as Christianity drew huge numbers of converts from the Gentile world, the tables turned, and Christians became the dominant camp.

Even as a powerful force, however, Christian believers often adopted the victim’s posture and took every opportunity to batter the increasingly beleaguered Jews.

In this campaign, Judas Iscariot became the perfect foil.

David Gibson, Without Judas, History Might Have Hijacked Another Villain, NY Times, Apr. 9, 2006 (extra paragraphing added).