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In Matthew, Jesus says it would be better for his betrayer never to have been born. The Shepherd of Hermas echoes a similar tradition when a woman in Hermas' vision says the same of anyone who hears her warning about disasters to come and disobeys it.
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2500 BCE
1000+ CE
Matthew 26:24
New Testament
20 When it was evening, he took his place at the table with the 12. 21 And while they were eating he said, “I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me.” 22 They became greatly distressed and each one began to say to him, “Surely not I, Lord?” 23 He answered, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. 24 The Son of Man will go as it is written about him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would be better for him if he had never been born.” 25 Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, “Surely not I, Rabbi?” Jesus replied, “You have said it yourself.”
Shepherd of Hermas 23:6
Early Christian
5 So go and declare His mighty works to God’s chosen, and tell them that this beast is an image of the great tribulation to come. So if you prepare yourselves in advance, and repent and turn to the Lord with your whole heart, you will be able to escape it, if your heart is made pure and without fault, and if for the rest of your days you serve the Lord blamelessly. Cast your cares on the Lord and He will set them right. 6 Trust in the Lord, you who are of two minds, for He can do all things—yes, He turns His anger away from you, and again He sends His plagues on you who are double-minded. Woe to those who hear these words and disobey; it would have been better for them if they had not been born.”
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Notes and References
“... Verses 5-6 are in the form of a prophetic oracle, containing a commissioning formula (v. 5a), a conditional promise (v. 5b), an admonition (vv. 5c-6a), and a conditional threat in the form of a "woe" saying (v. 6b). [...] The final words of v. 6 recall Matt 26:24 par. Mark 14:21, one of the few possible Synoptic allusions in Hermas. ...”
* The use of references are not endorsements of their contents. Please read the entirety of the provided reference(s) to understand the author's full intentions regarding the use of these texts.
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