More than a decade ago, a new theory revealed a story of Judas that could transform how people remember the famous tale. In 2006, the National Geographic Society released an ancient papyrus called the Gospel of Judas. This text, which was translated and restored, was written in the second century and may reveal that Judas did not betray Jesus. In fact, he was only acting under his best friend’s orders, so he could satisfy his desire to reach heaven (via NPR).

According to author and researcher Herb Krosney, Judas was the closest friend to Jesus and his favorite disciple. The document also apparently shows that Jesus entrusted Judas and had a lot of faith in him. He supposedly asked Judas to sacrifice himself for a great mission, which is interpreted as Jesus asking Judas to betray him. When the day came, Judas planted the kiss of death on Jesus, who was identified and arrested.

Many stand conflicted on the matter of this theory that somewhat vindicates Judas. No one knows who the true author of the gospel is, but it does present another aspect of the famous story. However, some contend that the story we already know is the only truth, says an English reverend. “I don’t think it changes anything about the truth of the Christian faith. There has long been a theory that Judas wanted to flush Jesus out, to declare a rebellion and drive the Romans out and killed himself when he realized he had got it wrong, but we don’t know that and neither did whoever wrote this document decades after the event. This is not something to put your faith on,” said Reverend John Pritchard, per The Guardian.