Literal translation
he is false as Judas
Meaning
he's as false as Judas
Explanation
The expression names someone extremely hypocritical and treacherous, hiding bad intentions behind a friendly appearance. Literally, es faus coume Judas translates as he's false as Judas, a direct reference to Judas Iscariot, the apostle who, according to the Gospels, betrayed Jesus with a kiss in exchange for thirty pieces of silver, a gesture that has since become the very archetype of falseness and betrayal throughout Western Christian culture. This proper name functions in the expression as an absolute standard of duplicity, much as other biblical figures serve as points of comparison in Provençal, as with avé coume Sant Toumas for incredulity. The register is common, though not especially familiar, used to strongly denounce a betrayal or blatant hypocrisy, often after a long concealed falseness comes to light. The phrase recurs, almost identically, across many European languages shaped by Christian culture.