Lady Gaga’s newest music video, Judas, has finally made its debut – a highly-stylized and modernized retelling of the biblical story of betrayal, reports MTV.
A five-minute version of the video is now streaming online and can be accessed through Gaga’s official website. A seven-minute uncut version of the video premiered during E! News on Thursday night (May 5).
Both versions of the clip are filled with religious symbolism and allegory, and depict the biblical story of Jesus Christ’s betrayal by Judas Iscariot – portrayed here by actor Norman Raedus.
According to Gaga, the video is "a motorcycle Fellini movie, where the apostles are revolutionaries in a modern-day Jerusalem."
As Mary Magdalene, Gaga rides along with a motorcycle gang re-imagining of Christ and his apostles. When they come to a stop at an "Electric Chapel", Mary Magdalene tries to warn Christ about the impending betrayal, at which point everyone breaks into choreographed dance.
"The video, in essence, suggests that forgiveness and betrayal are hand in hand," explains Gaga. "The video puts destiny above all things and postures that the mistakes in your life are in fact not mistakes at all, they are just part of your overarching potential and your destiny."