2012-03-22
Explanation
This comic is presented under the banner "SMBC Presents: Omitted Bible Passages," imagining a humorous exchange between Judas and Jesus that didn'''t make it into the scriptural canon. Judas awkwardly brings up an outstanding debt: "Hey, uh... Jesus? Remember when I loaned you that 30 pieces of silver and you said you'''d pay me back the next day." Jesus deflects with an equally petty retort: "Hey, uh... Judas? Remember when you had a stupid voice and were always annoying me with it?"
The humor works on multiple levels. The 30 pieces of silver is a direct reference to the biblical account in which Judas was paid 30 pieces of silver to betray Jesus (Matthew 26:15). Here, the comic inverts the story by suggesting Judas actually lent the money to Jesus, reframing the most infamous betrayal in Western history as a mundane dispute over an unpaid loan. Jesus'''s response is hilariously un-Christlike -- rather than offering wisdom or forgiveness, he resorts to a childish personal insult, suggesting their relationship had the same petty friction as any friendship.
The votey shows Jesus saying "I'''ll be right back," which works as a double meaning. On one level it'''s a casual remark about stepping away from the conversation, but it also alludes to the Christian doctrine of Jesus'''s resurrection and promised return -- turning a profound theological concept into a throwaway exit line from an awkward social situation.