But that view was written hundreds of years after the events, so it was a product of the new interpretations of a later era in history.

The Gospels on the New Testament were written much closer to the events — Mark within decades of the crucifixion. They suggest that Judas was not acting to help Jesus, but from some misguided desire to push Jesus and his ministry in a different direction. It’s frankly hard to know exactly what was on Judas’ mind, except that he clearly regrets his actions after the fact and kills himself. I don’t think the church sees Judas as bad, so much as pitiable.

Jesus’ ministry was entirely public, so he could have been arrested at any time the authorities desired. The betrayal of Judas was entirely unnecessary — it didn’t “help him do what he had to do” as you put it. It’s clear that the religious establishment felt threatened by Jesus’ popularity and were planning to arrest him, with Judas’ help or not.

The crucifixion of Christ was inevitable because of the weaknesses of human nature. Jealousy and the lust for power blinded the religious authorities, a greater trust in politics than in God blinded the public, the riches of imperialism blinded the Roman leaders, perhaps arrogance blinded Judas. In the end, it was the combined effects of all of this sin that brought Jesus to his death.

Which only underlines the message of his ministry: all of us are blinded by sin and in need of God’s forgiveness and renewal.

or was he the only one who understood that Jesus had to die…

The only one of the apostles that loved Jesus enough to help him do what he had to?