Judas Iscariot was the greatest of the disciples, and he
summoned the people to Christ. Then it seemed to him that Jesus was showing
increasing regard to the Apostle Peter, and when Jesus said, ‘Thou art Peter,
and upon this rock I will build My church,’ these words addressed to Peter, and
this singling out of Peter for special honour, had a marked effect on the
Apostle, and kindled envy within the heart of Judas. For this reason he who had
once drawn nigh did turn aside, and he who had believed in the Faith denied it,
and his love changed to hate, until he became a cause of the crucifixion of that
glorious Lord, that manifest Splendour. Such is the outcome of envy, the chief
reason why men turn aside from the Straight Path.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘Selections
from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’)
