Lady Gaga- Judas Video and Song Meaning

By Cathy H - 4:39 PM

JUDAS: VIDEO MEANING

The theme of the video is a portrayal of modern-day Jerusalem. Lady Gaga plays Mary Magdalene, leading into the town where Jesus is. Beginning with the motorcycle scene, she is happy riding with the Jesus- the man with the crucifix crown (representing good/heaven.)Then Judas( the man with black sunglasses) comes along and seduces her into the dark/satanic side.

As the dancing scene begins, she at first pushes Judas down but he keeps coming towards her. Jesus saves her (the crowd scene) and she follows him. Though from here, she tries to fight temptation and begins sinning by falling for Judas. As she points the lipstick gun towards him ( the irony being that guns are usually dangerous weapons & meant to destroy, but instead only portudes an harmless lipstick), she cannot bring herself to harm him/destroy her love for Judas. As a result, she sinks down in agony from distraught after smearing lipstick on his face.

The scenes then switch between her standing by the ocean waves & sitting in the tub middle of Jesus [good] & Judas[evil]. She is choosing which side she will serve. Her decision is made as she choose to cling to the leg of Jesus later on-Jesus is my virtue, but Judas is the demon I cling to. She gives herself to the good, and Jesus forgives her. But because she had sinned by giving in to Judas earlier on, she is punished as she stands in her white dress and falls to the ground being stoned to death. This suggests that just because one shows repent or remorse, doesn't mean their wrong actions won't result in consequences.

This video incorporates parallels between biblical figures and the question of faith.

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JUDAS: SONG MEANING

As usual, Lady Gaga has succeeded into making a catchy styled pop tune. But, behind the song beats hold a much deeper meaning. There are many opinions that this song represents her contradiction against Christianity. Looking at the song as a whole, it seems to center around the theme of love and forgiveness.

The story of Judas comes from the bible—him being the apostle that betrayed Jesus and handed him over to the Jewish authorities, causing Christ's death. This song seems to represent a metaphor with the man she loves being a Judas-like type of of character (maybe someone who betrayed her or an ex lover.) . I'm just a holy fool/ Oh baby, he's so cruel, but I'm still in love with Judas, baby." She is in love with someone, though he treats her badly, being sinful and full of imperfection.

" In the most Biblical sense,

I am beyond repentance

Fame hooker, prostitute wench, vomits her mind

But in the cultural sense

I just speak in future tense

Judas kiss me if offenced,

Or wear an ear condom next time"

Here, Gaga is speaking as if she is Mary Magdalene . In the new testament, Jesus had cleansed her of the 7 demons- and she was the first to see Jesus after his resurrection as well as being saved by Jesus as a former prostitute. Because Mary knew from experience that forgiveness was there for everybody, Gaga speaks as if she is Mary. She'd treat the person she loves (in this case alluding to Judas) without discrimination, whether he repented for his sins for not. She cannot judge him (Mary sinned as being former prostitute herself, so she has no right to judge others who've sinned.)

CONCLUSION:

What Judas did was a horrid act. But, the bible says to love thy neighbor, therefore none of us are in a position to judge others for who they are - no matter a different race, religion, or sexual orientation.