T H E G O S P E L O F

NICODEMUS
T H E G O S P E L O F N I C O D E M U S , F O R M E R LY C A L L E D T H E A C T S O F P O N T I U S P I L AT E .

Although this Gospel is, by some among the learned, supposed to have
been really written by Nicodemus, who became a disciple of Jesus Christ,
and conversed with him; others conjecture that it was a forgery towards the
close of the third century by some zealous believer, who, observing that
there had been appeals made by the Christians of the former age, to the
acts of Pilate, but that such acts could not be produced, imagined it would
be of service to Christianity to fabricate and publish this Gospel; as it
would both confirm the Christians under persecution, and convince the
Heathens of the truth of the Christian religion. The Rev. Jeremiah Jones
says, that such pious frauds were very common among Christians even in
the first three centuries; and that a forgery of this nature, with the view
above-mentioned, seems natural and probable. The same author, in noticing
that Eusebius in his Ecclesiastical History, charges the Pagans with having
forged and published a book, called "The Acts of Pilate," takes occasion to
observe that the internal evidence of this Gospel shows it was not the work
of any Heathen, but that if in the latter end of the third century we find it
in use among Christians (as it was then certainly in some churches), and
about the same time find a forgery of the Heathens under the same title, it
seems exceedingly probable that some Christians, at that time, should
publish such a piece as this, in order partly to confront the spurious one of
the Pagans, and partly to support those appeals which had been made by
former Christians to the Acts of Pilate; and Mr. Jones says, he thinks so
more particularly as we have innumerable instances of forgeries by the
faithful in the primitive ages, grounded on less plausible reasons. Whether
it be canonical or not, it is of very great antiquity, and is appealed to by
several of the ancient Christians. The present translation is made from the
Gospel, published by Grynaeus in the Orthodoxographa, vol, i, tom, ii, p.
613.
Notwithstanding the diversity of opinions here alluded to, the majority of
the learned believe that the internal evidence of the authenticity of this
Gospel is manifested in the correct details of that period of Christ's life on
which it treats, while it far excels the canonical Evangelists narrative of
the trial of our Saviour before Pilate, with more minute particulars of
persons, evidence, circumstance, &c.

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The Gospel of NICODEMUS, the an unclean spirit, but to proceed
disciple, concerning the Sufferings from the power of God.
and Resurrection of our Master and 7 The Jews replied to Pilate, We
Saviour, JESUS CHRIST. entreat your highness to summon
him to appear before your tribunal,
CHAPTER I. and hear him yourself.
1 Christ accused to Pilate by the 8 Then Pilate called a messenger,
Jews of healing on the Sabbath. 9 and said to him, By what means
Summoned before Pilate by a will Christ be brought hither?
messenger who does him honour. 20 9 Then went the messenger forth,
Worshipped by the standards and knowing Christ, worshipped
bowing down to him. him; and having spread the cloak
ANNAS and Caiphas, and Summas, which he had in his hand upon the
and Datam, Gamaliel, Judas, Levi, ground, he said, Lord, walk upon
Nepthalim, Alexander, Cyrus, and this, and go in, for the governor
other Jews, went to Pilate about calls thee.
Jesus, accusing him with many bad 10 When the Jews perceived what
crimes. the messenger had done, they
2 And said, We are assured that exclaimed (against him) to Pilate,
Jesus is the son of Joseph, the and said, Why did you not give him
carpenter, and born of Mary, and his summons by a beadle, and not
that he declares himself the Son of by a messenger?—For the
God, and a king; and not only so, messenger, when he saw him,
but attempts the dissolution of the worshipped him, and spread the
Sabbath, and the laws of our cloak which he had in his hand
fathers. upon the ground before him, and
3 Pilate replied, What is it which said to him, Lord, the governor
he declares? and what is it which he calls thee.
attempts dissolving? 11 Then Pilate called the
4 The Jews told him, We have a messenger, and said, Why hast thou
law which forbids doing cures on done thus?
the Sabbath day; but he cures both 12 The messenger replied, When
the lame and the deaf, those thou sentest me from Jerusalem to
afflicted with the palsy, the blind, Alexander, I saw Jesus sitting in a
the lepers, and demoniacs, on that mean figure upon a she-ass, and the
day, by wicked methods. children of the Hebrews cried out,
5 Pilate replied, How can he do Hosannah, holding boughs of trees
this by wicked methods? They in their hands.
answered He is a conjurer, and casts 13 Others spread their garments in
out devils by the prince of the the way, and said, Save us, thou
devils; and so all things, become who art in heaven; blessed is he
subject to him. who cometh in the name of the
6 Then said Pilate, Casting out Lord.
devils seems not to be the work of 14 Then the Jews cried out, against
the messenger, and said, The

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children of the Hebrews made their 24 Then the governor called the
acclamations in the Hebrew ensigns, and said unto them, Why
language; and how couldst thou, did you do thus?
who art a Greek, understand the 25 The ensigns said to Pilate, We
Hebrew? are all Pagans and worship the gods
15 The messenger answered them in temples; and how should we
and said, I asked one of the Jews think anything about worshipping
and said, What is this which the him? We only held the standards in
children do cry out in the Hebrew our hands, and they bowed
language? themselves and worshipped him.
16 And he explained it to me, 26 Then said Pilate to the rulers of
saying, they cry out, Hosannah, the synagogue, Do ye yourselves
which being interpreted, is, O Lord, choose some strong men, and let
save me; or, O Lord, save. them hold the standards, and we
17 Pilate then said to them, Why shall see whether they will then
do you yourselves testify to the bend of themselves.
words spoken by the children, 27 So the elders of the Jews sought
namely, by your silence? In what out twelve of the most strong and
has the messenger done amiss? And able old men, and made them hold
they were silent. the standards, and they stood in the
18 Then the governor said unto the presence of the governor.
messenger, Go forth and endeavour 28 Then Pilate said to the
by any means to bring him in. messenger, Take Jesus out, and by
19 But the messenger went forth some means bring him in again.
and did as before; and said, Lord And Jesus and the messenger went
come in, for the governor calleth out of the hall.
thee. 29 And Pilate called the ensigns
20 And as Jesus was going in by who before had borne the standards,
the ensigns, who carried the and swore to them, that if they had
standards, the tops of them bowed not borne the standards in that
down and worshipped Jesus. manner when Jesus before entered
21 Whereupon the Jews exclaimed in, he would cut off their heads.
more vehemently against the 30 Then the governor commanded
ensigns. Jesus to come in again.
22 But Pilate said to the Jews, I 31 And the messenger did as he
know it is not pleasing to you that had done before, and very much
the tops of the standards did of entreated Jesus that he would go
themselves bow and worship Jesus; upon his cloak, and walk on it; and
but why do ye exclaim against the he did walk upon it, and went in.
ensigns, as if they had bowed and 32 And when Jesus went in, the
worshipped? standards bowed themselves as
23 They replied to Pilate, We saw before, and worshipped him.
the ensigns themselves bowing and
worshipping Jesus. CHAPTER II.
2 Is comppassionated by Pilate's
wife, 7 charged with being born in

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fornication. 12 Testimony to the not true, seeing there was a

betrothing of his parents. 15 Hatred betrothment, as they testify who are
of the Jews to him. of your own nation.
NOW when Pilate saw this, he was 10 Annas and Caiphas spake to
afraid, and was about to rise from Pilate, All this multitude of people
his seat. is to be regarded, who cry out, that
2 But while he thought to rise, his he was born through fornication,
own wife who stood at a distance, and is a conjurer; but they who
sent to him, saying, Have thou deny him to be born through
nothing to do with that just man; fornication, are his proselytes and
for I have suffered much concerning disciples.
him in a vision this night. 11 Pilate answered Annas and
3 When the Jews heard this they Caiphas, Who are the proselytes?
said to Pilate, Did we not say unto They answered, They are those who
thee, He is a conjuror? Behold, he are the children of Pagans, and are
hath caused thy wife to dream. not become Jews, but followers of
4 Pilate then calling Jesus, said, him.
thou hast heard what they testify 12 Then replied Eleazer, and
against thee, and makest no answer? Asterius, and Antonius, and James,
5 Jesus replied, If they had not a Caras and Samuel, Isaac and
power of speaking, they could not Phinees, Crispus and Agrippa,
have spoke; but because every one Annas and Judas, We are not
has the command of his own proselytes, but children of Jews,
tongue, to speak both good and bad, and speak the truth, and were
let him look to it. present when Mary was betrothed.
6 But the elders of the Jews 13 Then Pilate addressing himself
answered, and said to Jesus, What to the twelve men who spake this,
shall we look to? said to them, I conjure you by the
7 In the first place, we know this life of Caesar, that ye faithfully
concerning thee, that thou wast declare whether he was born
born through fornication; secondly, through fornication, and those
that upon the account of thy birth things be true which ye have
the infants were slain in Bethlehem; related.
thirdly, that thy father and mother 14 They answered Pilate, We have
Mary fled into Egypt, because they a law whereby we are forbid to
could not trust their own people. swear, it being a sin: Let them
8 Some of the Jews who stood by swear by the life of Caesar that it is
spake more favourably, We cannot not as we have said, and we will be
say that he was born through contented to be put to death.
fornication; but we know that his 15 Then said Annas and Caiphas to
mother Mary was betrothed to Pilate, Those twelve men will not
Joseph, and so he was not born believe that we know him to be
through fornication. basely born, and to be a conjurer,
9 Then said Pilate to the Jews who although he pretends that he is the
affirmed him to be born through Son of God, and a king: which we
fornication, This your account is

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are so far from believing, that we thee up to me. What hast thou
tremble to hear. done?
16 Then Pilate commanded every 9 Jesus answering, said, My
one to go out except the twelve men kingdom is not of this world: if my
who said he was not born through kingdom were of this world, then
fornication, and Jesus to withdraw would my servants fight, and I
to a distance, and said to them, should not have been delivered to
Why have the Jews a mind to kill the Jews: but now my kingdom is
Jesus? not from hence.
17 They answered him, They are 10 Pilate said, Art thou a king
angry because he wrought cures on then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest
the sabbath day. Pilate said, Will that I am a king: to this end was I
they kill him for a good work? They born, and for this end came I into
say unto him, Yes, Sir. the world; and for this purpose I
came, that I should bear witness to
CHAPTER III. the truth; and every one who is of
1 Is exonerated by Pilate. 11 the truth, heareth my voice.
Disputes with Pilate concerning 11 Pilate saith to him, What is
truth. truth?
THEN Pilate, filled with anger, 12 Jesus said, Truth is from
went out of the hall, and said to the heaven.
Jews, I call the whole world to 13 Pilate said, Therefore truth is
witness that I find no fault in that not on earth.
man. 14 Jesus saith to Pilate, Believe
2 The Jews replied to Pilate, If he that truth is on earth among those,
had not been a wicked person, we who when they have the power of
had not brought him before thee. judgment, are governed by truth,
3 Pilate said to them, Do ye take and form right judgment.
him and try him by your law.
4 Then the Jews said, It is not CHAPTER IV.
lawful for us to put any one to 1 Pilate finds no fault in Jesus. 16
death. The Jews demand his crucifixion.
5 Pilate said to the Jews, The THEN Pilate left Jesus in the hall,
command, therefore, thou shalt not and went out to the Jews, and said,
kill, belongs to you, but not to me. I find not any one fault in Jesus.
6 And he went again into the hall, 2 The Jews say unto him, But he
and called Jesus by himself, and said, I can destroy the temple of
said to him, Art thou the king of the God, and in three days build it up
Jews? again.
7 And Jesus answering, said to 3 Pilate saith to them, What sort of
Pilate, Dost thou speak this of temple is that of which he
thyself, or did the Jews tell it thee speaketh?
concerning me? 4 The Jews say unto him, That
8 Pilate answering, said to Jesus, which Solomon was forty-six years
Am I a Jew? The whole nation and in building, he said he would
rulers of the Jews have delivered destroy, and in three days build up.

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5 Pilate said to them again, I am 15 Pilate saith unto them, If that

innocent from the blood of that speech of his was blasphemy, do ye
man! do ye look to it. try him according to your law.
6 The Jews say to him, His blood 16 The Jews say to Pilate, Our law
be upon us and our children. Then command us not to put any one to
Pilate calling together the elders death. We desire that he may be
and scribes, priests and Levites, crucified, because he deserves the
saith to them privately, Do not act death of the cross.
thus; I have found nothing in your 17 Pilate saith to them, It is not fit
charge (against him) concerning his he should be crucified: let him be
curing sick persons, and breaking only whipped and sent away.
the sabbath, worthy of death. 18 But when the governor looked
7 The priests and Levites replied to upon the people that were present
Pilate, By the life of Caesar, if any and the Jews, he saw many of the
one be a blasphemer, he is worthy Jews in tears, and said to the chief
of death; but this man hath priests of the Jews, All the people
blasphemed against the Lord. do not desire his death.
8 Then the governor again 19 The elders of the Jews answered
commanded the Jews to depart out to Pilate, We and all the people
of the hall; and calling Jesus, said came hither for this very purpose,
to him, What shall I do with thee? that he should die.
9 Jesus answered him, Do 20 Pilate saith to them, Why
according as it is written. should he die?
10 Pilate said to him, How is it 21 They said to him, Because he
written? declares himself to be the Son of
11 Jesus saith to him, Moses and God and a King.
the prophets have prophesied
concerning my suffering and CHAPTER V.
resurrection. 1 Nicodemus speaks in defence of
12 The Jews hearing this, were Christ, and relates his miracles. 12
provoked, and said to Pilate, Why Another Jew, 26 with Veronica, 34
wilt thou any longer hear the Centurio, and others, testify of
blasphemy of that man? other miracles.
13 Pilate saith to them, If these BUT Nicodemus, a certain Jew,
words seem to you blasphemy, do stood before the governor, and said,
ye take him, bring him to your I entreat thee, O righteous judge,
court, and try him according to your that thou wouldst favour me with
law. the liberty of speaking a few words.
14 The Jews reply to Pilate, Our 2 Pilate said to him, Speak on.
law saith, he shall be obliged to 3 Nicodemus said, I spake to the
receive nine and thirty stripes, but elders of the Jews, and the scribes,
if after this manner he shall and priests and Levites, and all the
blaspheme against the Lord, he multitude of the Jews, in their
shall be stoned. assembly; What is it ye would do
with this man?

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4 He is a man who hath wrought 12 Then another certain Jew rose

many useful and glorious miracles, up, and desired leave of the
such as no man on earth ever governor to hear him a few words.
wrought before, nor will ever work. 13 And the governor said, Speak,
Let him go, and do him no harm; if what thou hast a mind.
he cometh from God, his miracles, 14 And he said, I lay for thirty-
(his miraculous cures) will eight years by the sheep-pool at
continue; but if from men, they will Jerusalem, labouring under a great
come to nought. infirmity, and waiting for a cure
5 Thus Moses, when he was sent by which should be wrought by the
God into Egypt, wrought the coming of an angel, who at a
miracles which God commanded certain time troubled the water: and
him, before Pharaoh king of Egypt; whosoever first after the troubling
and though the magicians of that of the water stepped in, was made
country, Jannes and Jambres, whole of whatsoever disease he
wrought by their magic the same had.
miracles which Moses did, yet they 15 And when Jesus saw me
could not work all which he did; languishing there, he said to me,
6 And the miracles which the Wilt thou be made whole? And I
magicians wrought, were not of answered, Sir, I have no man, when
God, as ye know, O Scribes and the water is troubled, to put me into
Pharisees; but they who wrought the pool.
them perished, and all who believed 16 And he said unto me, Rise, take
them. up thy bed and walk. And I was
7 And now let this man go; because immediately made whole, and took
the very miracles for which ye up my bed and walked.
accuse him, are from God; and he is 17 The Jews then said to Pilate,
not worthy of death. Our Lord Governor, pray ask him
8 The Jews then said to what day it was on which he was
Nicodemus, Art thou become his cured of his infirmity.
disciple, and making speeches in 18 The infirm person replied, It
his favour? was on the sabbath.
9 Nicodemus said to them, Is the 19 The Jews said to Pilate, Did we
governor become his disciple also, not say that he wrought his cures on
and does he make speeches for him? the sabbath, and cast out devils by
Did not Caesar place him in that the prince of devils?
high post? 20 Then another certain Jew came
10 When the Jews heard this they forth, and said, I was blind, could
trembled, and gnashed their teeth at hear sounds, but could not see any
Nicodemus, and said to him, Mayest one; and as Jesus was going along,
thou receive his doctrine for truth, I heard the multitude passing by,
and have thy lot with Christ! and I asked what was there?
11 Nicodemus replied, Amen; I 21 They told me that Jesus was
will receive his doctrine, and my passing by: then I cried out, saying,
lot with him, as ye have said. Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on
me. And he stood still, and

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commanded that I should be of Nazareth? Art thou come to

brought to him, and said to me, destroy us? I know that thou art the
What wilt thou? Holy One of God.
22 I said, Lord, that I may receive 31 And Jesus rebuked him, saying,
my sight. Hold thy peace, unclean spirit, and
23 He said to me, Receive thy come out of the man; and presently
sight: and presently I saw, and he came out of him, and did not at
followed him, rejoicing and giving all hurt him.
thanks, 32 The following things were also
24 Another Jew also came forth, said by a Pharisee: I saw that a
and said, I was a leper, and he great company came to Jesus from
cured me by his word only, saying, Galilee and Judea, and the sea-cost,
I will, be thou clean; and presently and many countries about Jordan;
I was cleansed from my leprosy. and many infirm persons came to
25 And another Jew came forth, him, and he healed them all.
and said I was crooked, and he 33 And I heard the unclean spirits
made me straight by his word. crying out, and saying, Thou art the
26 And a certain woman named Son of God. And Jesus strictly
Veronica, said, I was afflicted with charged them, that they should not
an issue of blood twelve years, and make him known.
I touched the hem of his garment, 34 After this another person, whose
and presently the issue of blood name was Centurio, said, I saw
stopped. Jesus in Capernaum, and I entreated
27 The Jews then said, We have a him, saying, Lord, my servant lieth
law, that a woman shall not be at home sick of the palsy.
allowed as an evidence. 35 And Jesus said to me, I will
28 And, after other things, another come and cure him.
Jew said, I saw Jesus invited to a 36 But I said, Lord, I am not
wedding with his disciples, and worthy that thou shouldst come
there was a want of wine in Cana of under my roof; but only speak the
Galilee; word, and my servant shall be
29 And when the wine was all healed.
drank, he commanded the servants 37 And Jesus said unto me, Go thy
that they should fill six pots which way; and as thou hast believed so
were there with water, and they be it done unto thee. And my
filled them up to the brim, and he servant was healed from that same
blessed them and turned the water hour.
into wine, and all the people drank, 38 Then a certain nobleman said, I
being surprised at this miracle, had a son in Capernaum, who lay at
30 And another Jew stood forth, the point of death; and when I heard
and said, I saw Jesus teaching in that Jesus was come into Galilee, I
the synagogue at Capernaum; and went and besought him that he
there was in the synagogue a would come down to my house, and
certain man who had a devil; and he heal my son, for he was at the point
cried out, saying, let me alone; of death.
what have we to do with thee, Jesus

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39 He said to me, Go thy way, thy 2 They say unto him, We know not;
son liveth. let them look to it who raise the
40 And my son was cured from that tumult.
hour. 3 Pilate then called the multitude
41 Besides these, also many others again, and said to them, Ye know
of the Jews, both men and Women, that ye have a custom, that I should
cried out and said, He is truly the release to you one prisoner at the
Son of God, who cures all diseases feast of the passover:
only by his word, and to whom the 4 I have a noted prisoner, a
devils are altogether subject. murderer, who is called Barabbas,
42 Some of them farther said, This and Jesus who is called Christ, in
power can proceed from none but whom I find nothing that deserves
God. death; which of them, therefore,
43 Pilate said to the Jews, Why are have you a mind that I should
not the devils subject to your release to you?
doctors? 5 They all cry out, and say,
44 Some of them said, The power Release to us Barabbas.
of subjecting devils cannot proceed 6 Pilate saith to them, What then
but from God. shall I do with Jesus who is called
45 But others said to Pilate, That Christ?
he had raised Lazarus from the 7 They all answer, Let him be
dead, after he had been four days in crucified.
his grave. 8 Again they cry out and say to
46 The governor hearing this, Pilate, You are not the friend of
trembling, said to the multitude of Caesar, if you release this man; for
the Jews, What will it profit you to he hath declared that he is the Son
shed innocent blood? of God, and a king. But are you
inclined that he should be king, and
CHAPTER VI. not Caesar?
1 Pilate dismayed by the turbulence 9 Then Pilate filled with anger said
of the Jews, 5 who demand to them, Your nation hath always
Barabbas to be released, and Christ been seditious, and you are always
to be crucified. 9 Pilate warmly against those who have been
expostulates with them, 20 washes serviceable to you.
his hands of Christ's blood, 23 and 10 The Jews replied, Who are those
sentences him to be whipped and who have been serviceable to us?
crucified. 11 Pilate answered them, Your God
THEN Pilate having called who delivered you from the hard
together Nicodemus, and the fifteen bondage of the Egyptians, and
men who said that Jesus was not brought you over the Red Sea as
born through fornication, said to though it had been dry land, and fed
them, What shall I do, seeing there you in the wilderness with manna
is like to be a tumult among the and the flesh of quails, and brought
people. water out of the rock, and gave you
a law from heaven.

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12 Ye provoked him all ways, and 20 Then Pilate taking water,

desired for yourselves a molten washed his hands before the people
calf, and worshipped it, and and said, I am innocent of the blood
sacrificed to it, and said, These are of this just person; look ye to it.
thy Gods, O Israel, which brought 21 The Jews answered and said,
thee out of the land of Egypt: His blood be upon us and our
13 On account of which your God children.
was inclined to destroy you; but 22 Then Pilate commanded Jesus to
Moses interceded for you, and your be brought before him, and spake to
God heard him, and forgave your him in the following words;
iniquity. 23 Thy own nation hath charged
14 Afterwards ye were enraged thee as making thyself a king;
against, and would have killed your wherefore I, Pilate, sentence thee to
prophets, Moses and Aaron, when be whipped according to the laws of
they fled to the tabernacle, and ye former governors; and that thou be
were always murmuring against first bound, then hanged upon a
God and his prophets. cross in that place where thou art
15 And arising from his judgment now a prisoner; and also two
seat, he would have gone out; but criminals with thee, whose names
the Jews all cried out, We are Dimas and Gestas.
acknowledge Caesar to be king, and
not Jesus; CHAPTER VII.
16 Whereas this person, as soon as 1 Manner of Christ's crucifixion
he was born, the wise men came with the two thieves.
and offered gifts unto him; which THEN Jesus went out of the hall,
when Herod heard, he was and the two thieves with him.
exceedingly troubled, and would 2 And when they came to the place
have killed him: which is called Golgotha, they
17 When his father knew this, he stript him of his raiment, and girt
fled with him and his mother Mary him about with a linen cloth, and
into Egypt. Herod, when he heard put a crown of thorns upon his
he was born, would have slain him; head, and put a reed in his hand.
and accordingly sent and slew all 3 And in like manner did they to
the children which were in the two thieves who were crucified
Bethlehem, and in all the coasts with him, Dimas on his right hand
thereof, from two years old and and Gestas on his left.
under. 4 But Jesus said, My Father,
18 When Pilate heard this account, forgive them, For they know not
he was afraid; and commanding what they do.
silence among the people, who 5 And they divided his garments,
made a noise, he said to Jesus, Art and upon his vesture they cast lots.
thou therefore a king? 6 The people in the mean time
19 All the Jews replied to Pilate, stood by, and the chief priests and
he is the very person whom Herod elders of the Jews mocked him,
sought to have slain. saying, He saved others, let him
now save himself if he can; if he be

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the son of God, let him now come 2 And while the sun was eclipsed,
down from the cross. behold the veil of the temple was
7 The soldiers also mocked him, rent from the top, to the bottom;
and taking vinegar and gall, offered and the rocks also were rent, and
it to him to drink, and said to him, the graves opened, and many bodies
If thou art king of the Jews, deliver of saints, which slept, arose.
thyself. 3 And about the ninth hour Jesus
8 Then Longinus, a certain soldier, cried out with a loud voice, Eli, Eli,
taking a spear,' pierced his side, lama sabacthani? which being
and presently there came forth interpreted is, My God, My God,
blood and water. why hast thou forsaken me?
9 And Pilate wrote the title upon 4 And after these things, Jesus
the cross in Hebrew, Latin, and said, Father, into thy hands I
Greek letters, viz., THIS IS THE commend my spirit; and having said
KING OF THE JEWS. this, he gave up the ghost.
10 But one of the two thieves who 5 But when the centurion saw that
were crucified with Jesus, whose Jesus thus crying out gave up the
name was Gestas, said to Jesus, If ghost, he glorified God, and said,
thou art the Christ, deliver thyself Of a truth this was a just man.
and us. 6 And all the people who stood by,
11 But the thief who was crucified were exceedingly troubled at the
on his right hand, whose name was sight; and reflecting upon what had
Dimas, answering, rebuked him, passed, smote upon their breasts,
and said, Dost not thou fear God, and then returned to the city of
who art condemned to this Jerusalem.
punishment? We indeed receive 7 The centurion went to the
rightly and justly the demerit of our governor, and related to him all that
actions; but this Jesus, what evil had passed:
hath he done. 8 And when he had heard all these
12 After this, groaning, he said to things, he was exceedingly
Jesus, Lord, remember me when sorrowful;
thou comest into thy kingdom. 9 And calling the Jews together,
13 Jesus answering, said to him, said to them, Have ye seen the
Verily I say unto thee, that this day miracle of the sun's eclipse, and the
thou shalt be with me in Paradise. other things which came to pass,
while Jesus was dying?
CHAPTER VIII. 10 Which when the Jews heard,
1 Miraculous appearance at his they answered to the governor, The
death. 10 The Jews say the eclipse eclipse of the sun happened
was natural. 12 Joseph of according to its usual custom.
Arimathcea embalms Christ's body 11 But all those who were the
and buries it. acquaintance of Christ, stood at a
AND it was about the sixth hour, distance, as did the women who had
and darkness was upon the face of followed Jesus from Galilee,
the whole earth until the ninth hour. observing all these things.

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12 And behold a certain man of who wast a confederate with

Arimathaea, named Joseph, who Christ? Let thy lot be along with
was also a disciple of Jesus, but not him in the other world.
openly so, for fear of the Jews, 4 Nicodemus answered, Amen; so
came to the governor, and entreated may it be, that I may have my lot
the governor that he would give him with him in his kingdom.
leave to take away the body of 5 In like manner Joseph, when he
Jesus from the cross. came to the Jews, said to them,
13 And the governor gave him Why are ye angry with me for
leave. desiring the body of Jesus of
14 And Nicodemus came, bringing Pilate? Behold, I have put him in
with him a mixture of myrrh and my tomb, and wrapped him up in
aloes about a hundred pounds clean linen, and put a stone at the
weight; and they took down Jesus door of the sepulchre:
from the cross with tears, and 6 I have acted rightly towards him;
bound him in linen cloths with but ye have acted unjustly against
spices, according to the custom of that just person, in crucifying him,
burying among the Jews; giving him vinegar to drink,
15 And placed him in a new tomb, crowning him with thorns, tearing
which Joseph had built, and caused his body with whips, and praying
to be cut out of a rock, in which down the guilt of his blood upon
never any man had been put; and you.
they rolled a great stone to the door 7 The Jews at the hearing of this
of the sepulchre. were disquieted and troubled; and
they seized Joseph, and commanded
CHAPTER IX. him to be put in custody before the
1 The Jews angry with Nicodemus: Sabbath, and kept there till the
5 and with, Joseph of Arimathaea, 7 Sabbath was over.
whom they imprison. 8 And they said to him, Make
WHEN the unjust Jews heard that confession; for at this time it is not
Joseph had begged and buried the lawful to do thee any harm, till the
body of Jesus, they sought after first day of the week come. But we
Nicodemus, and those fifteen men know that thou wilt not be thought
who had testified before the worthy of a burial; but we will give
governor, that Jesus was not born thy flesh to the birds of the air, and
through fornication, and other good the beasts of the earth.
persons who had shown any good 9 Joseph answered, That speech is
actions towards him. like the speech of proud Goliath,
2 But when they all concealed who reproached the living God in
themselves through fear of the speaking against David. But ye
Jews, Nicodemus alone showed scribes and doctors know that God
himself to them, and said, How can saith by the prophet, Vengeance is
such persons as these enter into the mine, and I will repay to you evil
synagogue? equal to that which ye have
3 The Jews answered him, But how threatened to me.
durst thou enter into the synagogue,

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10 The God whom you have hanged because they found the same seal
upon the cross, is able to deliver me upon the lock of the chamber, and
out of your hands. All your could not find Joseph.
wickedness will return upon you. 2 Then Annas and Caiaphas went
11 For the governor, when he forth, and while they were all
washed his hands, said, I am clear admiring at Joseph's being gone,
from the blood of this just person. behold one of the soldiers, who
But ye answered and cried out, His kept the sepulchre of Jesus, spake
blood be upon us and our children. in the assembly,
According as ye have said, may ye 3 That while they were guarding
perish for ever. the sepulchre of Jesus, there was an
12 The elders of the Jews hearing earthquake; and we saw an angel of
these words, were exceedingly God roll away the stone of the
enraged; and seizing Joseph, they sepulchre and sit upon it;
put him into a chamber where there 4 And his countenance was like
was no window; they fastened the lightning and his garment like
door, and put a seal upon the lock; snow; and we became through fear
13 And Annas and Caiaphas placed like persons dead.
a guard upon it, and took counsel 5 And we heard an angel saying to
with the priests and Levites, that the women at the sepulchre of
they should all meet after the Jesus, Do not fear; I know that you
Sabbath, and they contrived to what seek Jesus who was crucified; he is
death they should put Joseph. risen as he foretold;
14 When they had done this, the 6 Come and see the place where he
rulers, Annas and Caiaphas, ordered was laid; and go presently, and tell
Joseph to be brought forth. (In this his disciples that he is risen from
place there is a portion of the the dead; and he will go before you
Gospel lost or omitted. which into Galilee; there ye shall see him
cannot be supplied. It may, as he told you.
nevertheless, be surmised from the 7 Then the Jews called together all
occurrence related in the next the soldiers who kept the sepulchre
chapter, that the order of Annas and of Jesus, and said to them, Who are
Caiaphas were rendered those women, to whom the angel
unnecessary by Joseph's miraculous spoke? Why did ye not seize them.
escape, and which was announced 8 The soldiers answered and said,
to an assembly of people.) We know not who the women were;
besides we became as dead persons
CHAPTER X. through fear, and how could we
1 Joseph's escape. 2 The soldiers seize those women?
relate Christ's resurrection. 18 9 The Jews said to them, As the
Christ is seen preaching in Galilee. Lord liveth, we do not believe you;
21 The Jews repent of their cruelty 10 The soldiers answering said to
to him. the Jews, when ye saw and heard
WHEN all the assembly heard this Jesus working so many miracles,
(about Joseph's escape), they and did not believe him, how
admired and were astonished, should ye believe us? Ye well said,

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As the Lord liveth, for the Lord disciples, and sitting in the midst of
truly does live. them in Mount Olivet, and saying to
11 We have heard that ye shut up them,
Joseph, who buried the body of 20 Go forth into the whole world,
Jesus, in a chamber, under a lock preach the Gospel to all nations,
which was sealed; and when ye baptizing them in the name of the
opened it, found him not there. Father, and the Son, and the Holy
12 Do ye then produce Joseph Ghost; and whosoever shall believe
whom ye put under guard in the and be baptized, shall be saved.
chamber, and we will produce Jesus 21 And when he had said these
whom we guarded in the sepulchre. things to his disciples, we saw him
13 The Jews answered and said, We ascending up to heaven.
will produce Joseph, do ye produce 22 When the chief priests and
Jesus. But Joseph is in his own city elders, and Levites heard these
of Arimathaea. things, they said to these three men,
14 The soldiers replied, If Joseph Give glory to the God of Israel, and
be in Arimathaea, and Jesus in make confession to him, whether
Galilee, we heard the angel inform those things are true, which ye say
the women. ye have seen and heard.
15 The Jews hearing this, were 23 They answering said, As the
afraid, and said among themselves, Lord of our fathers liveth, the God
If by any means these things should of Abraham, and the God of Isaac,
become public, then everybody will and the God of Jacob, according as
believe in Jesus. we heard Jesus talking with his
16 Then they gathered a large sum disciples, and according as we saw
of money, and gave it to the him ascending up to heaven, so we
soldiers, saying, Do ye tell the have related the truth to you.
people that the disciples of Jesus 24 And the three men farther
came in the night when ye were answered, and said, adding these
asleep, and stole away the body of words, If we should not own the
Jesus; and if Pilate the governor words which we heard Jesus speak,
should hear of this, we will satisfy and that we saw him ascending into
him and secure you. heaven, we should be guilty of sin.
17 The soldiers accordingly took 25 Then the chief priests
the money, and said as they were immediately rose up, and holding
instructed by the Jews; and their the book of the law in their hands,
report was spread abroad among all conjured these men, saying, Ye
the people. shall no more hereafter declare
18 But a certain priest Phinees, those things which ye have spoken
Ada a schoolmaster, and a Levite, concerning Jesus.
named Ageus, they three came from 26 And they gave them a large sum
Galilee to Jerusalem, and told the of money, and sent other persons
chief priests and all who were in along with them, who should
the synagogues, saying, conduct them to their own country,
19 We have seen Jesus, whom ye that they might not by any means
crucified, talking with his eleven make any stay at Jerusalem.

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27 Then the Jews did assemble all 3 And the sons of the prophets said
together, and having expressed the to him, Perhaps the spirit hath
most lamentable concern said, What carried him into one of the
is this extraordinary thing which is mountains of Israel, there perhaps
come to pass in Jerusalem? we shall find him. And they
28 But Annas and Caiaphas besought Elisha, and he walked
comforted them, saying, Why about with them three days, and
should we believe the soldiers who they could not find him.
guarded the sepulchre of Jesus, in 4 And now hear me, O sons of
telling us, that an angel rolled away Israel, and let us send men into the
the stone from the door of the mountains of Israel, lest perhaps
sepulchre? the spirit hath carried away Jesus,
29 Perhaps his own disciples told and there perhaps we shall find
them this, and gave them money him, and be satisfied.
that they should say so, and they 5 And the counsel of Nicodemus
themselves took away the body of pleased all the people; and they
Jesus. sent forth men who sought for
30 Besides, consider this, that Jesus, but could not find him; and
there is no credit to be given to they returning, said, We went all
foreigners, because they also took a about, but could not find Jesus, but
large sum of us, and they have we have found Joseph in his city of
declared to us according to the Arimathaea.
instructions which we gave them. 6 The rulers hearing this, and all
They must either be faithful to us the people, were glad, and praised
or to the disciples of Jesus. the God of Israel, because Joseph
was found, whom they had shut up
CHAPTER XI. in a chamber, and could not find.
1 Nicodemus counsels the Jews. 6 7 And when they had formed a
Joseph found. 11 Invited by the large assembly, the chief priests
Jews to return. 19 Relates the said, By what means shall we bring
manner of his miraculous escape. Joseph to us to speak with him?
THEN Nicodemus arose, and said, 8 And taking a piece of paper, they
Ye say right, O sons of Israel; ye wrote to him, and said, Peace be
have heard what those three men with thee, and all thy family, We
have sworn by the Law of God, who know that we have offended against
said, We have seen Jesus speaking God and thee. Be pleased to give a
with his disciples upon mount visit to us, your fathers, for we
Olivet, and we saw him ascending were perfectly surprised at your
up to heaven. escape from prison.
2 And the scripture teacheth us that 9 We know that it was malicious
the blessed prophet Elijah was counsel which we took against thee,
taken up to heaven, and Elisha and that the Lord took care of thee,
being asked by the sons of the and the Lord himself delivered thee
prophets, Where is our father from our designs. Peace be unto
Elijah? He said to them, that he is thee, Joseph, who art honourable
taken up to heaven. among all the people.

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10 And they chose seven of 19 Then Joseph answering, said Ye

Joseph's friends, and said to them, did indeed put me under
When ye come to Joseph, salute him confinement, on the day of
in peace, and give him this letter. preparation, till the morning.
11 Accordingly, when the men 20 But while I was standing at
came to Joseph, they did salute him prayer in the middle of the night,
in peace, and gave him the letter. the house was surrounded with four
12 And when Joseph had read it, he angels; and I saw Jesus as the
said, Blessed be the Lord God, who brightness of the sun, and fell down
didst deliver me from the Israelites, upon the earth for fear.
that they could not shed my blood. 21 But Jesus laying hold on my
Blessed be God, who hast protected hand, lifted me from the ground,
me under thy wings. and the dew was then sprinkled
13 And Joseph kissed them, and upon me; but he, wiping my face,
took them into his house. And on kissed me, and said unto me, Fear
the morrow, Joseph mounted his not, Joseph; look upon me for it is
ass, and went along with them to I.
Jerusalem. 22 Then I looked upon him, and
14 And when all the Jews heard said, Rabboni Elias! He answered
these things, they went out to meet me, I am not Elias, but Jesus of
him, and cried out, saying, Peace Nazareth, whose body thou didst
attend thy coming hither, father bury.
Joseph. 23 I said to him, show me the tomb
15 To which he answered, in which I laid thee.
Prosperity from the Lord attend all 24 Then Jesus, taking me by the
the people. hand, led me unto the place where I
13 And they all kissed him; and laid him, and showed me the linen
Nicodemus took him to his house, clothes, and napkin which I put
having prepared a large round his head. Then I knew that it
entertainment. was Jesus, and worshipped him, and
17 But on the morrow, being a said; Blessed be he who cometh in
preparation-day, Annas, and the name of the Lord.
Caiaphas, and Nicodemus, said to 25 Jesus again taking me by the
Joseph, Make confession to the God hand, led me to Arimathaea, to my
of Israel, and answer to us all those own house, and said to me, Peace
questions which we shall ask thee; be to thee; but go not out of thy
18 For we have been very much house till the fortieth day; but I
troubled, that thou didst bury the must go to my disciples.
body of Jesus; and that when we
had locked thee in a chamber, we CHAPTER XII.
could not find thee; and we have 1 The Jews astonished and
been afraid ever since, till this time confounded. 16 Simeon's two sons,
of thy appearing among us. Tell us Charinus and Lenthius, rise from
therefore before God, all that came the dead at Christ's crucifixion. 19
to pass. Joseph proposes to get them to
relate the mysteries of their

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resurrection. 21 They are sought 7 After this, they asked them what
and found, 22 brought to the they had seen; who answered with
synagogue, 23 privately sworn to one accord, In the presence of the
secrecy, 25 and undertake to write God of Israel we affirm, that we
what they had seen. plainly saw Jesus talking with his
WHEN the chief priests and disciples in Mount Olivet, and
Levites heard all these things, they ascending up to heaven.
were astonished, and fell down with 8 Then Annas and Caiaphas took
their faces on the ground as dead them into separate places, and
men, and crying out to one another, examined them separately; who
said, What is this extraordinary unanimously confessed the truth,
sign which is come to pass in and said, they had seen Jesus.
Jerusalem? We know the father and 9 Then Annas and Caiaphas said
mother of Jesus. "Our law saith, By the mouth of
2 And a certain Levite said, I know two or three witnesses every word
many of his relations, religions shall be established."
persons, who are wont to offer 10 But what have we said? The
sacrifices and burnt-offerings to the blessed Enoch pleased God, and
God of Israel, in the temple, with was translated by the word of God;
prayers. and the burying-place of the blessed
3 And when the high-priest Simeon Moses is known.
took him up in his arms, he said to 11 But Jesus was delivered to
him, Lord, now lettest thou thy Pilate, whipped, crowned with
servant depart in peace, according thorns, spit upon, pierced with a
to thy word; for mine eyes have spear, crucified, died upon the
seen thy salvation, which then halt cross, and was buried, and his body
prepared before the face of all the honourable Joseph buried in a
people; a light to enlighten the new sepulchre, and he testifies that
Gentiles, and the glory of thy he saw him alive.
people Israel. 12 And besides, these men have
4 Simeon in like manner blessed declared, that they saw him talking
Mary the Mother of Jesus, and said with his disciples in Mount Olivet,
to her, I declare to thee concerning and ascending up to heaven.
that child; He is appointed for the 13 Then Joseph rising up, said to
fall and rising again of many, and Annas and Caiaphas, Ye may be
for a sign which shall be spoken justly under a great surprise, that
against; you have been told, that Jesus is
5 Yea, a sword shall pierce through alive, and gone up to heaven.
thine own soul also, and the 14 It is indeed a thing really
thoughts of many hearts shall he surprising, that he should not only
revealed. himself arise from the dead, but
6 Then said all the Jews, Let us also raise others from their graves,
send to those three men, who said who have been seen by many in
they saw him talking with his Jerusalem.
disciples in mount Olivet. 15 And now hear me a little We all
knew the blessed Simeon, the high-

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priest, who took Jesus when an 24 Charinus and Lenthius, the two
infant into his arms in the temple. sons of Simeon, trembled when they
16 This same Simeon had two sons heard these things, and were
of his own, and we were all present disturbed, and groaned; and at the
at their death and funeral. same time looking up to heaven,
17 Go therefore and see their they made the sign of the cross with
tombs, for these are open, and they their fingers on their tongues,
are risen: and behold, they are in 25 And immediately they spake,
the city of Arimathaea, spending and said, Give each of us some
their time together in offices of paper, and we will write down for
devotion. you all those things which we have
18 Some, indeed, have heard the seen. And they each sat down and
sound of their voices in prayer, but wrote, saying:—
they will not discourse with
anyone, but they continue as mute CHAPTER XIII.
as dead men. 1 The narrative of Charinus and
19 But come, let us go to them, and Lenthius commences. 3 A great light
behave ourselves towards them with in hell. 7 Simeon arrives, and
all due respect and caution. And if announces the coming of Christ.
we can bring them to swear, O LORD Jesus and Father, who art
perhaps they will tell us some of God, also the resurrection and life
the mysteries of their resurrection. of the dead, give us leave to declare
20 When the Jews heard this they thy mysteries, which we saw after
were exceedingly rejoiced. death, belonging to thy cross; for
21 Then Annas and Caiaphas, we are sworn by thy name.
Nicodemus, Joseph, and Gamaliel, 2 For thou hast forbidden thy
went to Arimathaea, but did not servants to declare the secret
find them in their graves; but things, which were wrought by thy
walking about the city, they found divine power in hell.
them on their bended knees at their 3 When we were Placed with our
devotions: fathers in the dept of hell, in the
22 Then saluting them with all blackness of darkness, on a sudden
respect and deference to God, they there appeared the colour of the sun
brought them to the synagogue at like gold, and a substantial purple-
Jerusalem; and having shut the coloured light enlightening the
gates, they took the book of the law place.
of the Lord, 4 Presently upon this, Adam, the
23 And putting it in their hands, father of all mankind, with all the
swore them by God Adonai, and the patriarchs and prophets, rejoiced
God of Israel, who spake to our and said, That light is the author of
fathers by the law and the prophets, everlasting light, who hath
saying, If ye believe him who promised to translate us to
raised you from the dead, to be everlasting light.
Jesus, tell us what ye have seen, 5 Then Isaiah the prophet cried out
and how ye were raised from the and said, This is the light of the
dead. Father, and the Son of God,

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according to my prophecy, when I descending upon him in the form of

was alive upon earth. a dove, and heard a voice from
6 The land of Zabulon, and the heaven saying, This is my beloved
land of Nephthalim, beyond Jordan, Son, in whom I am well pleased.
a people who walked in darkness, 14 And now while I was going
saw a great light; and to them who before him, I came down hither to
dwelled in the region of the shadow acquaint you, that the Son of God
of death, light is arisen. And now will next visit us, and, as the day-
he is come, and hath enlightened us spring from on high, will come to
who sat in death. us, who are in darkness and the
7 And while we were all rejoicing shadow of death.
in the light which shone upon us,
our father Simeon came among us, CHAPTER XIV.
and congratulating all the company, 1 Adam causes Seth to relate what
said, Glorify the Lord Jesus Christ he heard from Michael the
the Son of God. archangel, when he sent him to
8 Whom I took up in my arms when Paradise to entreat God to anoint
an infant in the temple, and being his head in his sickness.
moved by the Holy Ghost, said to BUT when the first man our father
him, and acknowledged, That now Adam heard these things, that Jesus
mine eyes have seen thy salvation, was baptized in Jordan, he called
which thou hast prepared before the out to his son Seth, and said,
face of all people; a light to 2 Declare to your sons, the
enlighten the Gentiles, and the patriarchs and prophets, all those
glory of thy people Israel. things, which thou didst hear from
9 All the saints who were in the Michael, the archangel, when I sent
depth of hell, hearing this, rejoiced thee to the gates of Paradise, to
the more. entreat God that he would annoint
10 Afterwards there came forth one my head when I was sick.
like a little hermit, and was asked 3 Then Seth, coming near to the
by every one, Who art thou? patriarchs and prophets, said, I,
11 To which he replied, I am the Seth, when I was praying to God at
voice of one crying in the the gates of Paradise, beheld the
wilderness, John the Baptist, and angel of the Lord, Michael, appear
the prophet of the Most High, who unto me, saying, I am sent unto thee
went before his coming to prepare from the Lord; I am appointed to
his way, to give the knowledge of preside over human bodies.
salvation to his people for the 4 I tell thee, Seth, do not pray to
forgiveness of sins. God in tears, and entreat him for
12 And I, John, when I saw Jesus the oil of the tree of mercy
coming to me, being moved by the wherewith to anoint thy father
Holy Ghost, I said, Behold the Adam for his head-ache;
Lamb of God, behold him who takes 5 Because thou canst not by any
away the sins of the world. means obtain it till the last day and
13 And I baptized him in the river times, namely, till five thousand
Jordan, and saw the Holy Ghost and five hundred years be past.

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6 Then will Christ, the most prince, and yet a man who is afraid
merciful Son of God, come on earth of death?
to raise again the human body of 5 For all the potentates of the earth
Adam, and at the same time to raise are subject to my power, whom thou
the bodies of the dead, and when he broughtest to subjection by thy
cometh he will be baptized in power.
Jordan; 6 But if he be so powerful in his
7 Then with the oil of his mercyhe human nature, I affirm to thee for
will anoint all those who believe in truth, that he is almighty in his
him; and the oil of his mercy will divine nature, and no man can resist
continue to future generations, for his power:
those who shall be born of the 7 When therefore he said he was
water and the Holy Ghost unto afraid of death, he designed to
eternal life. ensnare thee, and unhappy it will be
8 And when at that time the most to thee for everlasting ages,
merciful Son of God, Christ Jesus, 8 Then Satan replying, said to the
shall come down on earth, he will prince of hell, Why didst thou
introduce our father Adam into express a doubt, and wast afraid to
Paradise, to the tree of mercy. receive that Jesus of Nazareth, both
9 When all the patriarchs and thy adversary and mine?
prophets heard all these things from 9 As for me, I tempted him and
Seth, they rejoiced more. stirred up my old people the Jews
with zeal and anger against him;
CHAPTER XV. 10 I sharpened the spear for his
1 Quarrel between Satan and the suffering; I mixed the gall and
prince of hell, concerning the vinegar, and commanded that he
expected arrival of Christ in hell. should drink it; I prepared the cross
WHILE all the saints were to crucify him, and the nails to
rejoicing, behold Satan, the prince pierce through his hands and feet;
and captain of death, said to the and now his death is near at hand, I
prince of hell, will bring him hither, subject both
2 Prepare to receive Jesus of to thee and me.
Nazareth himself, who boasted that 11 Then the prince of hell
he was the Son of God, and yet was answering, said, Thou saidst to me
a man afraid of death, and said, My just now, that he took away the
soul is sorrowful even to death. dead from me by force.
3 Besides he did many injuries to 12 They who have been kept here
me and to many others; for those till they should live again upon
whom I made blind and lame and earth, were taken away hence, not
those also whom I tormented with by their own power, but by prayers
several devils, he cured by his made to God, and their almighty
word; yea, and those whom I God took them from me.
brought dead to thee, he by force 13 Who then is that Jesus of
takes away from thee. Nazareth that by his word hath
4 To this the prince of hell replied taken away the dead from me
to Satan, Who is that so powerful without prayer to God?

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14 Perhaps it is the same who took other, on a sudden there was a voice
away from me Lazarus, after he had as of thunder, and the rushing of
been four days dead, and did both winds, saying, Lift up your gates, O
stink and was rotten, and of whom I ye princes; and be ye lift up, O
had possession as a dead person, everlasting gates, and the King of
yet he brought him to life again by Glory shall come in.
his power. 2 When the prince of hell heard
15 Satan answering, replied to the this, he said to Satan, Depart from
prince of hell, It is the very same me, and begone out of my
person, Jesus of Nazareth. habitations; if thou art a powerful
16 Which when the prince of hell warrior, fight with the King of
heard, he said to him, I adjure thee Glory. But what hast thou to do
by the powers which belong to thee with him?
and me, that thou bring him not to 3 And he cast him forth from his
me. habitations.
17 For when I heard of the power 4 And the prince said to his
of his word, I trembled for fear, and impious officers, Shut the brass
all my impious company were at the gates of cruelty, and make them fast
same disturbed; with iron bars, and fight
18 And we were not able to detain courageously, lest we be taken
Lazarus, but he gave himself a captives.
shake, and with all the signs of 5 But when all the company of the
malice he immediately went away saints heard this they spake with a
from us; and the very earth, in loud voice of anger to the prince of
which the dead body of Lazarus was hell,
lodged, presently turned him out 6 Open thy gates, that the King of
alive. Glory may come in.
19 And I know now that he is 7 And the divine prophet David
Almighty God who could perform cried out, saying, Did not I, when
such things, who is mighty in his on earth, truly prophesy and say, O
dominion, and mighty in his human that men would praise the Lord for
nature, who is the Saviour of his goodness, and for his wonderful
mankind. works to the children of men!
20 Bring not therefore this person 8 For he hath broken the gates of
hither, for he will set at liberty all brass, and cut the bars of iron in
those whom I hold in prison under sunder. He hath taken them because
unbelief, and bound with the fetters of their iniquity, and because of
of their sins, and will conduct them their unrighteousness they are
to everlasting life. afflicted.
9 After this, another prophet,
CHAPTER XVI. namely, holy Isaiah, spake in like
1 Christ's arrival at hell-gates; the manner to all the saints, Did not I
confusion thereupon. 19 He rightly prophesy to you when I was
descends into hell. alive on earth?
AND while Satan and the Prince of 10 The dead men shall live, and
hell were discoursing thus to each they shall rise again who are in

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their graves, and they shall rejoice 19 And broke asunder the fetters
who are in the earth; for the dew which before could not be broken;
which is from the Lord, shall bring and with his invincible power
deliverance to them. visited those who sate in the deep
11 And I said in another place, O darkness by iniquity, and the
grave, where is thy victory? O shadow of death by sin.
death, where is thy sting?
12 When all the saints heard these CHAPTER XVII.
things spoken by Isaiah, they said 1 Death and the devils in great
to the prince of hell, Open now thy horror at Christ's coming. 13 He
gates, and take away thine iron tramples on death, seizes the prince
bars; for thou wilt now be bound, of hell, and takes Adam with him to
and have no power. Heaven.
13 Then was there a great voice, as IMPIOUS death and her cruel
of the sound of thunder, saying, officers hearing these things, were
Lift up your gates, O princes; and seized with fear in their several
be ye lifted up, ye gates of hell, and kingdoms, when they saw the
the King of Glory will enter in. clearness of the light,
14 The prince of hell perceiving 2 And Christ himself on a sudden
the same voice repeated, cried out, appearing in their habitations, they
as though he had been ignorant, cried out therefore, and said, We
Who is that King of Glory? are bound by thee; thou seemest to
15 David replied to the prince of intend our confusion before the
hell, and said, I understand the Lord.
words of that voice, because I spake 3 Who art thou, who has no signs
them in his spirit. And now, as I of corruption, but that bright
have before said, I say unto thee, appearance which is a full proof of
the Lord strong and powerful, the thy greatness, of which yet thou
Lord mighty in battle: he is the seemest to take no notice?
King of Glory, and he is the Lord in 4 Who art thou, so powerful, and
heaven and in earth. so weak, so great and so little;
16 He hath looked down to hear the mean, and yet a soldier of the first
groans of the prisoners, and to set rank, who can command in the form
loose those that are appointed to of a servant and a common soldier?
death. 5 The king of Glory, dead and
17 And now, thou filthy and alive, though once slain upon the
stinking prince of hell, open thy cross?
gates, that the King of Glory may 6 Who layest dead in the grave,
enter in; for he is the Lord of and art come down alive to us, and
heaven and earth. in thy death all the creatures
18 While David was saying this, trembled, and all the stars were
the mighty Lord appeared in the moved; and now hast thy liberty
form of a man, and enlightened among the dead, and givest
those places which had ever before disturbance to our legions?
been in darkness. 7 Who art thou, who dost release
the captives that were held in

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chains by original sin, and bringest forever, as a recompence for taking

them into their former liberty? away Adam and his sons.
8 Who art thou, who dost spread so THEN the prince of hell took
glorious and divine a light over Satan, and with great indignation
those who were made blind by the said to him, O thou prince of
darkness of sin? destruction, author of Beelzebub's
9 In like manner all the legions of defeat and banishment, the scorn of
devils were seized with the like God's angels and loathed by all
horror, and with the most righteous persons! What inclined
submissive fear cried out, and said, thee to act thus?
10 Whence comes it, O thou Jesus 2 Thou wouldst crucify the King of
Christ, that thou art a man so Glory, and by his destruction, hast
powerful and glorious in majesty so made us promises of very large
bright as to have no spot, and so advantages, but as a fool wert
pure as to have no crime? For that ignorant of what thou wast about.
lower world of earth, which was 3 For behold now that Jesus of
ever till now subject to us, and Nazareth, with the brightness of his
from whence we received tribute, glorious divinity, puts to flight all
never sent us such a dead man the horrid powers of darkness and
before, never sent such presents as death;
these to the princes of hell. 4 He has broke down our prisons
11 Who therefore art thou, who from top to bottom, dismissed all
with such courage enterest among the captives, released all who were
our abodes, and art not only not bound, and all who were wont
afraid to threaten us with the formerly to groan under the weight
greatest punishments, but also of their torments, have now insulted
endeavourest to rescue all others us, and we are like to be defeated
from the chains in which we hold by their prayers.
them? 5 Our impious dominions are
12 Perhaps thou art that Jesus, of subdued, and no part of mankind is
whom Satan just now spoke to our now left in our subjection, but on
prince, that by the death of the the other hand, they all boldly defy
cross thou wert about to receive the us;
power of death. 6 Though, before, the dead never
13 Then the King of Glory durst behave themselves insolently
trampling upon death, seized the towards us, nor being prisoners,
prince of hell, deprived him of all could ever on any occasion be
his power, and took our earthly merry.
father Adam with him to his glory. 7 O Satan, thou prince of all the
wicked, father of the impious and
CHAPTER XVIII. abandoned, why wouldest thou
1 Beelzebub, prince of hell, attempt this exploit, seeing our
vehemently upbraids Satan for prisoners were hitherto always
persecuting Christ and bringing without the least hope of salvation
him to hell. 14 Christ gives and life?
Beelzebub dominion over Satan

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8 But now there is not one of them THEN Jesus stretched forth his
does ever groan, nor is there the hand, and said, Come to me, all ye
least appearance of a tear in any of my saints, who were created in my
their faces. image, who were condemned by the
9 O prince Satan, thou great keeper tree of the forbidden fruit, and by
of the infernal regions, all thy the devil and death;
advantages which thou didst acquire 2 Live now by the wood of my
by the forbidden tree, and the loss cross; the devil, the prince of this
of Paradise, thou hast now lost by world, is overcome, and death is
the wood of the cross; conquered,
10 And thy happiness all then 3 Then presently all the saints were
expired, when thou didst crucify joined together under the hand of
Jesus Christ the King of Glory. the most high God; and the Lord
11 Thou hast acted against thine Jesus laid hold on Adam's hand, and
own interest and mine, as thou wilt said to him, Peace be to thee, and
presently perceive by those large all thy righteous posterity, which is
torments and infinite punishments mine.
which thou art about to suffer. 4 Then Adam, casting himself at
12 O Satan, prince of all evil, the feet of Jesus, addressed himself
author of death, and source of all to him with tears, in humble
pride, thou shouldest first have language, and a loud voice, saying,
inquired into the evil crimes of 5 "I will extol thee, O Lord, for
Jesus of Nazareth, and then thou thou halt lifted me up, and hast not
wouldest have found that he was made my foes to rejoice over me. O
guilty of no fault worthy of death. Lord my God, I cried unto thee, and
13 Why didst thou venture, without thou hast healed me."
either reason or justice, to crucify 6 "O Lord thou hast brought up my
him, and hast brought down to our soul from the grave; thou hast kept
regions a person innocent and me alive, that I should not go down
righteous, and thereby hast lost all to the pit."
the sinners, impious and 7 "Sing unto the Lord, all ye saints
unrighteous persons in the whole of his, and give thanks at the
world? remembrance of his holiness, for
14 While the prince of hell was his anger endureth but for a
thus speaking to Satan, the King of moment; in his favour is life."
Glory said to Beelzebub the prince 8 In like manner all the saints,
of hell, Satan the prince shall he prostrate at the feet of Jesus, said
subject to thy dominions for ever, with one voice, Thou art come, O
in the room of Adam and his Redeemer of the world, and hast
righteous sons, who are mine, actually accomplished all things,
which thou didst foretell by the law
CHAPTER XIX. and thy holy prophets.
1 Christ takes Adam by the hand, 9 Thou hast redeemed the living by
the rest of the saints join hands, thy cross, and art come down to us,
and they all ascend with him to that by the death of the cross thou
Paradise.

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mightest deliver us from hell, and 1 Christ delivers Adam to Michael

by thy power from death. the archangel. 3 They meet Enoch
10 O Lord, as thou hast put the and Elijah in heaven, 5 and also the
ensigns of thy glory in heaven, and blessed thief, who relates how he
hast set up the sign of thy came to Paradise.
redemption, even thy cross on THEN the Lord, holding Adam by
earth; so, Lord, set the sign of the the hand, delivered him to Michael
victory of thy cross in hell, that the archangel; and he led them into
death may have dominion no longer. Paradise, filled with mercy and
11 Then the Lord stretching forth glory;
his hand, made the sign of the cross 2 And two very ancient men met
upon Adam, and upon all his saints. them, and were asked by the saints,
12 And taking hold of Adam by his Who are ye, who have not yet been
right hand, he ascended from hell, with us in hell, and have had your
and all the saints of God followed bodies placed in Paradise?
him. 3 One of them answering, said, I
13 Then the royal prophet, David, am Enoch, who was translated by
boldly cried, and said, O sing unto the word of God: and this man who
the Lord a new song, for he hath is with me, is Elijah the Tishbite,
done marvellous things; his right who was translated in a fiery
hand and his holy arm have gotten chariot.
him the victory. 4 Here we have hitherto been, and
14 The Lord hath made known his have not tasted death, but are now
salvation, his righteousness hath he about to return at the coming of
openly shewn in the sight of the Antichrist, being armed with divine
heathen. signs and miracles, to engage with
15 And the whole multitude of him in battle, and to be slain by
saints answered, saying, This him at Jerusalem, and to be taken
honour have all his saints, Amen, up alive again into the clouds, after
Praise ye the Lord. three days and a half.
16 Afterwards, the prophet 5 And while the holy Enoch and
Habbakuk cried out, and said, Thou Elias were relating this, behold
wentest forth for the salvation of there came another man in a
thy people, even for salvation with miserable figure, carrying the sign
thine anointed. of the cross upon his shoulders.
17 And all the saints said, Blessed 6 And when all the saints saw him,
is he who cometh in the name of the they said to him, Who art thou? For
Lord; for the Lord hath enlightened thy countenance is like a thief's;
us. This is our God for ever and and why dost thou carry a cross
ever; he shall reign over us to upon thy shoulders?
everlasting ages. Amen. 7 To which he answering, said, Ye
18 In like manner all the prophets say right, for I was a thief, who
spake the sacred things of his committed all sorts of wicked. ness
praise, and followed the Lord. upon earth.
8 And the Jews crucified me with
CHAPTER XX. Jesus; and I observed the surprising

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things which happened in the

creation at the crucifixion of the CHAPTER XXI.
Lord Jesus. 1 Charinus and Lenthius being only
9 And I believed him to be the allowed three days to remain on
Creator of all things, and the earth, 7 deliver in their narratives,
Almighty King; and I prayed to which miraculously correspond;
him, saying, Lord remember me, they vanish, 13 and Pilate records
when thou comest into thy these transactions.
kingdom. THESE are the divine and sacred
10 He presently regarded my mysteries which we saw and heard.
supplication, and said to me, Verily We, Charinus and Lenthius are not
I say unto thee, this day thou shalt allowed to declare the other
be with me in Paradise. mysteries of God, as the archangel
11 And he gave me this sign of the Michael ordered us,
cross, saying, Carry this, and go to 2 Saying, ye shall go with my
Paradise; and if the angel who is brethren to Jerusalem, and shall
the guard of Paradise will not admit continue in prayers, declaring and
thee, show him the sign of the glorifying the resurrection of Jesus
cross, and say unto him Jesus Christ Christ, seeing he hath raised you
who is now crucified, hath sent me from the dead at the same time with
hither to thee. himself.
12 When I did this and told the 3 And ye shall not talk with any
angel who is the guard of Paradise man, but sit as dumb persons till
all these things, and he heard them, the time come when the Lord will
he presently opened the gates, allow you to relate the mysteries of
introduced me, and placed me on his divinity.
the right hand in Paradise, 4 The archangel Michael farther
13 Saying, Stay here a little time, commanded us to go beyond Jordan,
till Adam, the father of all mankind, to an excellent and fat country,
shall enter in, with all his sons, where there are many who rose
who are the holy and righteous from the dead along with us for the
servants of Jesus Christ, who was proof of the resurrection of Christ.
crucified. 5 For we have only three days
14 When they heard all this allowed us from the dead, who
account from the thief, all the arose to celebrate the passover of
patriarchs said with one voice, our Lord with our parents, and to
Blessed be thou, O Almighty God, bear our testimony for Christ the
the Father of everlasting goodness, Lord, and we have been baptized in
and the Father of mercies, who hast the holy river of Jordan. And now
shown such favour to those who they are not seen by any one.
were sinners against him, and hast 6 This is as much as God allowed
brought them to the mercy of us to relate to you; give ye
Paradise, and hast placed them therefore praise and honour to him,
amidst thy large and spiritual and repent, and he will have mercy
provisions, in a spiritual and holy upon you. Peace be to you from the
life. Amen. Lord God Jesus Christ, and the

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Saviour of us all. Amen, Amen, that they crucified Christ in

Amen. ignorance, and that they now know
7 And after they had made an end him to be the Son of God, according
of writing, and had written on two to the testimony of the Scriptures;
distinct pieces of paper, Charinus which, after they put him to death,
gave what he wrote into the hands were examined.
of Annas, and Caiaphas, and AFTER these things Pilate went to
Gamaliel. the temple of the Jews, and called
8 Lenthius likewise gave what be together all the rulers and scribes,
wrote into the hands of Nicodemus and doctors of the law, and went
and Joseph; and immediately they with them into a chapel of the
were changed into exceeding white temple.
forms and were seen no more. 2 And commanding that all the
9 But what they had written was gates should be shut, said to them, I
found perfectly to agree, the one have heard that ye have a certain
not containing one letter more or large book in this temple; I desire
less than the other. you, therefore, that it may be
10 When all the assembly of the brought before me.
Jews heard all these surprising 3 And when the great book, carried
relations of Charinus and Lenthius, by four ministers of the temple, and
they said to each other, Truly all adorned with gold and precious
these things were wrought by God, stones, was brought, Pilate said to
and blessed be the Lord Jesus for them all, I adjure you by the God of
ever and ever, Amen. your Fathers, who made and
11 And they went all out with great commanded this temple to be built,
concern, and fear, and trembling, that ye conceal not the truth from
and smote upon their breasts and me.
went away every one to his home. 4 Ye know all the things which are
12 But immediately all these things written in that book; tell me
which were related by the Jews in therefore now, if ye in the
their synagogues concerning Jesus, Scriptures have found any thing of
were presently told by Joseph and that Jesus whom ye crucified, and
Nicodemus to the governor. at what time of the world he, ought
13 And Pilate wrote down all these to have come: show it me.
transactions, and placed all these 5 Then having sworn Annas and
accounts in the public records of Caiaphas, they commanded all the
his hall. rest who were with them to go out
of the chapel.
CHAPTER XXII. 6 And they shut the gates of the
1 Pilate goes to the temple; calls temple and of the chapel, and said
together the rulers, and scribes, to Pilate, Thou hast made us to
and doctors. 2 Commands the gates swear, O judge, by the building of
to be shut; orders the book of the this temple, to declare to thee that
Scriptures; and causes the Jews to which is true and right.
relate what they really knew 7 After we had crucified Jesus, not
concerning Christ. 14 They declare knowing that he was the Son of

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God, but supposing he wrought his Old Testament, we perceived and

miracles by some magical arts, we knew that in five thousand years
summoned a large assembly in this and half (one thousand) years, Jesus
temple. Christ was to come in the ark or
8 And when we were deliberating tabernacle of a body;
among one another about the 14 And so our Scriptures testify
miracles which Jesus had wrought, that he is the Son of God, and the
we found many witnesses of our Lord and King of Israel.
own country, who declared that they 15 And because after his suffering,
had seen him alive after his death, our chief priests were surprised at
and that they heard him discoursing the signs which were wrought by
with his disciples, and saw him his means, we opened that book to
ascending into the height of the search all the generations down to
heavens, and entering into them; the generation of Joseph and Mary
9 And we saw two witnesses, the mother of Jesus, supposing him
whose bodies Jesus raised from the to be of the seed of David;
dead, who told us of many strange 16 And we found the account of the
things which Jesus did among the creation, and at what time he made
dead, of which we have a written the heaven and the earth, and the
account in our hands. first man Adam, and that from
10 And it is our custom annually to thence to the flood, were two
open this holy book before an thousand seven hundred and forty-
assembly, and to search there for eight years.
the counsel of God. 17 And from the flood to Abraham,
11 And we found in the first of the nine hundred and twelve. And from
seventy books, where Michael the Abraham to Moses, four hundred
archangel is speaking to the third and thirty. And from Moses to
son of Adam the first man, an David the King, five hundred and
account that after five thousand ten.
five hundred years, Christ the most 18 And from David to the
beloved son of God was to come on Babylonish captivity five hundred
earth, years. And from the Babylonish
12 And we further considered, that captivity to the incarnation of
perhaps he was the very God of Christ, four hundred years.
Israel who spoke to Moses, Thou 19 The sum of all which amounts
shalt make the ark of the testimony; to five thousand and half (a
two cubits and a half shall be the thousand.)
length thereof, and a cubit and a 20 And so it appears, that Jesus
half the breadth thereof, and a cubit whom we crucified, is Jesus Christ
and a half the height thereof. the Son of God, and true Almighty
13 By these five cubits and a half God. Amen.
for the building of the ark of the

In the name of the Holy Trinity, thus end the acts of our Saviour Jesus
Christ, which the Emperor Theodosius the Great found at Jerusalem, in the

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hall of Pontius Pilate, among the public records; the things were acted in
the nineteenth year of Tiberius Caesar, Emperor of the Romans, and in the
seventeenth year of the government of Herod, the son of Herod and of
Galilee, on the eighth of the calends of April, which is the twenty-third day
of the month of March, in the CCIId Olympiad, when Joseph and Caiaphas
were rulers of the Jews; being a History written in Hebrew by Nicodemus,
of what happened after our Saviour's crucifixion.

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