phrases, sayings, idioms and expressions at

Judas Priest

Posted by ESC on April 12, 2002

In Reply to: Judas Priest posted by Horvath on April 12, 2002

: What's the origin, meaning of "Judas Priest." I'm assuming it has something to do Judas of biblical times.

I am away from my library. So this is a guess. "Judas Priest" is a "swear." It's used on the theory that it is better to swear using the name of Judas Iscariot (see below) who betrayed Jesus rather than saying "Jesus Christ," taking the Lord's name in vain. I found this paragraph that sheds some light on another use of the phrase "Judas Priest":

he decision to leave was anything but easy. Rome's claim that there are no objective reasons for leaving 'the one true church' was something to be carefully considered. Traditional Catholics would still consider me to be a 'Judas priest,' 'damned, excommunicated, and to be avoided.'"

From Encyclopedia.com
Judas Iscariot, Jesus' betrayer, possibly from the village of Kerioth, the only Judaean disciple among the Twelve, and, according to the Gospel of St. John, their treasurer. Judas went to the chief priests and offered to betray Jesus, for which he was paid the sum of 30 pieces of silver.

© 1997 – 2024 Phrases.org.uk. All rights reserved.