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. So hath it occurred,
and will occur, in this great Cause. But it doth not matter, for it engendereth
loyalty in the rest, and maketh souls to arise who waver not, who are fixed and
unshakeable as the mountains in their love for the Manifest Light.
(‘Abdu’l-Baha,
‘Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Baha)
