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2:7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in
bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no
place for them in the inn. 8 In that region there were shepherds
living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9
Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the
Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel
said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see-- I am bringing you good
news of great joy for all the people: 11 to you is born this day in
the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This
will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of
cloth and lying in a manger." 13 And suddenly there was with the
angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, 14
"Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those
whom he favors!" 15 When the angels had left them and gone into
heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go now to
Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord
has made known to us." 16 So they went with haste and found Mary
and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 17 When they saw
this, they made known what had been told them about this child; 18
and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them.
(Luk 2:1-18 NRS)
Adoration of the new-born child according to Luke
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Nativity He Qi
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2:1 In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem
of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 asking,
"Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we
observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage."
3 When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem
with him; 4 and calling together all the chief priests and scribes
of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be
born. 5 They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been
written by the prophet: 6 'And you, Bethlehem, in the land of
Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from
you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.'" 7
Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them
the exact time when the star had appeared. 8 Then he sent them to
Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child; and
when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and
pay him homage.“ 9 When they had heard the king, they set out; and
there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its
rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10
When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with
joy. 11 On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his
mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening
their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold,
frankincense, and myrrh. (Mat 2:1-11 NRS)
Adoration of the new-born child according to Matthew
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1 Gospel and Gospels
Meaning of εὐαγγέλιον In general a) reward for bringing good
news to the emperor b) good news
NT: a) oral proclamation by Jesus (Matt 11:5) b) oral
proclamation concerning Jesus (Acts 21.8; Eph 4.11; 2 Tim 4.5)
In the 2nd century: written traditions, written stories about
Jesus’ words and deeds. The expression “in the Gospel” (ἐν τῷ
εὐαγγελίῳ) appears.
JUSTIN (Apology 66.3) is first to use the word in the plural to
describe written stories about Jesus’ words and deeds, suffering
and resurrection (ἐν τοῖς ... ἀπομνημονεύμασιν ἅ καλεῖται
εὐαγγελία, “in the recollections called gospels”).
End of 3rd century: a whole book (“Gospel according to … “, ex.
εὐαγγέλιον κατὰ Ιωάννην, P66)
By the 4th century: writers of gospels are called
“evangelists”.
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1 Gospel and Gospels 2 List of Gospels
Completely preserved Gospels Gospel acc. to Mark (canonical)
Gospel acc. to Matthew (canonical) Gospel acc. to Luke (canonical)
Gospel acc. to John (canonical) Gospel acc. to Thomas Gospel of the
Truth Coptic Gospel of the Egyptians Gospel acc. to Nicodemus (or
the "Acts of Pilate") Gospel acc. to Barnabas Gospel acc. to
Gamaliel
Infancy Gospels Gospel of the Nativity of Mary Gospel of
Pseudo-Matthew Infancy Gospel of Thomas Infancy Gospel of James
Arabic Infancy Gospel Syriac Gospel of the Boyhood of our Lord
Jesus
Partially preserved Gospels Gospel acc. to Judas Gospel acc. to
Peter Gospel acc. to Mary Gospel acc. to Philip
Fragmentary preserved Gospels Dialogue of the Savior Papyrus
Egerton 2 Gospel acc. to Eve Fayyum Fragment Gospel acc. to Mani
Oxyrhynchus Gospels Gospel of the Savior (or the Unknown Berlin
gospel) Gospel acc. to the Twelve
Reconstructed Gospels Gospel of the Ebionites Gospel of the
Egyptians Gospel of the Hebrews Secret Gospel of Mark Gospel acc.
to Matthias Gospel of the Nazoraeans The "Q document" Signs Gospel
Cross Gospel
Lost Gospels References in ancient sources indicate that there
were at least another 23 gospels
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1 Gospel and Gospels 2 List of Gospels
3 The early Church and the selection of four
3.1 Principles and the Priority of Matthew Augustine summarizes
why the Early Church considered Matthew to be the most important
Gospel: 1. The oldest Gospel, even with a predecessor in Hebrew,
according to a claim by the
church Father Papias (3rd cent), stated in Eusebius, Church
history. 2. Matthew was an Apostle 3. Especially suitable for
liturgical use 4. Strong anti-pharisaic tone (“useful“ as
Christendom wanted to distinguish itself from
Judaism) The Gospel acc. to Mark was considered an extract of
Matthew. According to Augustine “he [Mark] followed Matt like a
slave and produced a summary” (On the Agreement of the Evangelists,
1.2.4). The order of appearance of the Gospels in the New Testament
was decided on the assumption that Matt wrote first. Some
collections, however, put Matt and John at the beginning, on
account that they were both Apostles.
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1 Gospel and Gospels 2 List of Gospels 3 The early Church and
the selection of four
3.1 Principles and the Priority of Matthew 3.2 Harmonization
• Diatessaron – Gospel harmony (διὰ τεσσάρων = ”([one] through
four”). Written about 175-200 CE by Tatian, a disciple of Justin
Martyr. According to early traditions and legends embodied in the
Doctrine of Addai (~400 CE), the Syriac speaking Church had a “New
Testament” that consisted of
• The Diatesseron • The Epistles of Paul • The Book of Acts
In 423, Theodoret, bishop of Cyrrhus on the Euphrates in upper
Syria found more than two hundred copies of the Diatessaron, which
he "collected and put away, and introduced instead of them the
Gospels of the four evangelists".
• Allegorical and spiritual harmony – Introduced by Origen
Example: the cleansing of the temple, at the beginning in John, at
the end in the Synoptics:
1) the Holy Spirit is not concerned with chronology or worldly
accuracy, but with the deeper meaning;
2) the real, deeper meaning is independent of the historical
occurrence: the temple is a symbol for that which is to be
cleansed: the Church, Judaism or the human soul.
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1 Gospel and Gospels 2 List of Gospels 3 The early Church and
the selection of four
3.1 Principles and the Priority of Matthew 3.2 Harmonization
3.3 Arguments for the canonization of “The Four” • Age: the four
are among the oldest • Apostolicity: the four were considered to be
(somehow) connected to an apostle • Regional recognition • Relative
similarity
3.4 Why “Four”?
a) Irenaeus (c.120-202 CE), bishop of Lyon, was the first to
argue that there should be four gospels, no more no less, as there
are also: • four directions of the earth (north, south, east, west)
• four winds • four covenants (Adam, Noah, Moses, Christ) • four
cherubim
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1 Gospel and Gospels 2 List of Gospels
3 The early Church and the selection of four 3.5 The symbolism
of “The Four”
a) Irenaeus of Lyons (c.120-202 CE)
Against Heresies, 3.11.8:
"It is not possible that the Gospels can be either more or fewer
in number than they are. For, since there are four zones of the
world in which we live, and four principal winds, while the...
"pillar and ground" of the Church is the Gospel and the spirit of
life; it is fitting that she should have four pillars, breathing
out immortality on every side.... He who was manifested to men, has
given us the Gospel under four aspects, but bound together by one
Spirit....
For the cherubim, too, were four-faced, and their faces were
images of the dispensation of the Son of God. The first living
creature was like a lion, symbolizing His effectual working, His
leadership, and royal power; the second was like a calf, signifying
His sacrificial and sacerdotal order; but the third had, as it
were, the face as of a man - an evident description of His advent
as a human being; the fourth was like a flying eagle, pointing out
the gift of the Spirit hovering with His wings over the Church….
And therefore the Gospels are in accord with these things, among
which Christ Jesus is seated…
For this reason were four principal covenants given to the human
race: one, prior to the deluge, under Adam; the second, that after
the deluge, under Noah; the third, the giving of the law, under
Moses; the fourth, that which renovates man, and sums up all things
in itself by means of the Gospel, raising and bearing men upon its
wings into the heavenly kingdom."
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Background: The four living Creatures In a vision of the throne
of God, Ezekiel (ch 1) describes the Merkabah, -riding) as a four =
ֶמְרכַּבְְ)wheeled vehicle, the throne-chariot of God, driven by
four "chayot" ("living creatures"). Each creature has wings, their
faces are those of a man, a lion, an ox,
and an eagle.
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The heavenly
throne
Revelation 4.6-9f
Artist: William Blake
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The four living Creatures – Revelation (4.6-9ff),
Ottheinrich-Bible, Matthias Gerung, 1530-1532
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1 Gospel and Gospels 2 List of Gospels
3 The early Church and the selection of four 3.5 The symbolism
of “The Four”
a) Irenaeus of Lyons (c.120-202 CE) b) Augustine of Hippo
(354-430 AD)
De consensu evangelistarum 1.6.9 (in NPNF 1, 6.168-169):
“For these reasons, it also appears to me, that of the various
parties who have interpreted the living creatures in the Apocalypse
as significant of the four evangelists, those who have taken the
lion to point to Matthew, the man to Mark, the calf to Luke, and
the eagle to John, have made a more reasonable application of the
figures than those who have assigned the man to Matthew, the eagle
to Mark, and the lion to John. For, in forming their particular
idea of the matter, these latter have chosen to keep in view simply
the beginnings of the books, and not the full design of the several
evangelists in its completeness, which was the matter that should,
above all, have been thoroughly examined.
For surely it is with much greater propriety that the one who
has brought under our notice most largely the kingly character of
Christ, should be taken to be represented by the lion. Thus is it
also that we find the lion mentioned in conjunction with the royal
tribe itself, in that passage of the Apocalypse where it is said,
"The lion of the tribe of Judah hath prevailed" (Rev 5:5). For in
Matthew's narrative the magi are recorded to have come from the
east to inquire after the King, and to worship Him whose birth was
notified to them by the star. Thus, too, Herod, who himself also
was a king, is [said there to be] afraid of the royal child, and to
put so many little children to death in order to make sure that the
one might be slain. (Matt 2:1-18).
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St. Augustine of Hippo (354-430 AD) …
Again, that Luke is intended under the figure of the calf, in
reference to the pre-eminent sacrifice made by the priest, has been
doubted by neither of the two [sets of interpreters]. For in that
Gospel the narrator's account commences with Zacharias the priest.
In it mention is also made of the relationship between Mary and
Elisabeth (Luke 1:5, 36). In it, too, it is recorded that the
ceremonies proper to the earliest priestly service were attended to
in the case of the infant Christ (Luke 2:22-24); and a careful
examination brings a variety of other matters under our notice in
this Gospel, by which it is made apparent that Luke's object was to
deal with the part of the priest.
In this way it follows further, that Mark, who has set himself
neither to give an account of the kingly lineage, nor to expound
anything distinctive of the priesthood, whether on the subject of
the relationship or on that of the consecration, and who at the
same time comes before us as one who handles the things which the
man Christ did, appears to be indicated simply under the figure of
the man among those four living creatures. But again, those three
living creatures, whether lion, man, or calf, have their course
upon this earth; and in like manner, those three evangelists occupy
themselves chiefly with the things which Christ did in the flesh,
and with the precepts which He delivered to men, who also bear the
burden of the flesh, for their instruction in the rightful exercise
of this mortal life.
Whereas John, on the other hand, soars like an eagle above the
clouds of human infirmity, and gazes upon the light of the
unchangeable truth with those keenest and steadiest eyes of the
heart.”
(see also De consensu evangelistarum 4.10.11 and Tractatus in
Joannis evangelium 36.5)
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c) Jerome (ca. 347-420 AD)
Preface to the Commentary on Matthew (summary and excerpts from
NPNF 2, 6.1036-37)
“The first evangelist is Matthew, the publican, who was surnamed
Levi. He published his Gospel in Judaea in the Hebrew language,
chiefly for the sake of Jewish believers in Christ, who adhered in
vain to the shadow of the law, although the substance of the Gospel
had come.
The second is Mark, the amanuensis of the Apostle Peter, and
first bishop of the Church of Alexandria. He did not himself see
our Lord and Savior, but he related the matter of his Master's
preaching with more regard to minute detail than to historical
sequence.
The third is Luke, the physician, by birth a native of Antioch,
in Syria, whose praise is in the Gospel. He was himself a disciple
of the Apostle Paul, and composed his book in Achaia and Boeotia.
He thoroughly investigates certain particulars and, as he himself
confesses in the preface, describes what he had heard rather than
what he had seen.
The last is John, the Apostle and Evangelist, whom Jesus loved
most, who, reclining on the Lord's bosom, drank the purest streams
of doctrine, and was only one thought worthy of the words from the
cross, 'Behold! thy mother' [John 19:27]. When he was in Asia, at
the time when the seeds of heresy were springing up … he was urged
by almost all the bishops of Asia then living, and by deputations
from many Churches, to write more profoundly concerning the
divinity of the Savior, and to break through all obstacles so as to
attain to the very Word of God (if I may so speak) with a boldness
as successful as it appears audacious. Ecclesiastical history
relates that, when he was urged by the brethren to write, he
replied that he would do so if a general fast were proclaimed and
all would offer up prayer to God; and when the fast was over, the
narrative goes on to say, being filled with revelation, he burst
into the heaven-sent Preface: 'In the beginning was the Word, and
the Word was with God, and the Word was God: this was in the
beginning with God' [John 1:1-2].”
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1 Gospel and Gospels 2 List of Gospels 3 The early Church and
the selection of four
3.1 The Priority of Matthew 3.2 Harmonization 3.3 Arguments for
the canonization of “The Four” 3.4 Why “Four”?
3.5 The symbolism of “The Four” fluctuates among the Fathers
Man Lion Ox Eagle
Irenaeus Matthew John Luke Mark
Augustine Mark Matthew Luke John
Jerome Matthew Mark Luke John
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Mark’s Jesus – the roaring lion
Matthew’s Jesus – the teacher of Israel Luke’s Jesus – The
bearer of burdens
John’s Jesus – The high flying eagle
Jerome's interpretation is the one that stuck and has been used
in Christian art throughout history.
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Codex Amiatinus
692 CE
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The Book of Kells (around 800 CE)
Folio 27V
Beautifully illuminated
manuscript that
contains the four
Gospels in Latin.
Written on vellum (calf-
skin) with insular
majuscules.
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Carolingian miniature c. 820
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Entrance Arch Relief St Trophime in Arles, 12th to 15th
Century
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Four evangelists Bloemaert, 1615
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The Four Doctors of the Western Church St Augustine, Pope
Gregory I, St Jerome and St Ambrose with the symbols of the four
Evangelists Pier Francesco Sacchi Dottori della Chiesa ca 1516
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1 Gospel and Gospels 2 List of Gospels 3 The early Church and
the selection of four 4 Other Gospels
4.1. High Regard in the Church Besides the four, other early
“Gospels” were kept in high regard in the early Church and up to
the Middle Ages. Most prominent:
• The Infancy Gospel of Thomas (~100-130 CE): containing
information about the child Jesus
• James’ Protoevangelion (~150 CE): containing detailed
information about events preceding the birth of Jesus: the birth of
Mary, Joseph’s previous marriage, etc.
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Excerpt from The Infancy Gospel of Thomas (~100-130 CE)
1:1-5
1 When the boy Jesus was five years old, he was playing at the
ford of a rushing stream. And he gathered the disturbed water into
pools and made them pure and excellent, commanding them by the
character of his word alone and not by means of a deed. 2 Then,
taking soft clay from the mud, he formed twelve sparrows. It was
the Sabbath when he did these things, and many children were with
him. 3 And a certain Jew, seeing the boy Jesus with the other
children doing these things, went to his father Joseph and falsely
accused the boy
Jesus, saying that, on the Sabbath he made clay, which is not
lawful, and fashioned twelve sparrows. 4 And Joseph came and
rebuked him, saying, “Why are you doing these things on the
Sabbath?” But Jesus, clapping his hands, commanded the birds with a
shout in front of everyone and said, “Go, take flight, and remember
me, living ones.” And the sparrows, taking flight, went away
squawking. 5 When the Pharisee saw this he was amazed and reported
it to all his friends.
Illumination from an Ambrosian manuscript
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Excerpt from The Infancy Gospel of Thomas (~100-130 CE) 8:1-3 1
And again, after many days, Jesus was playing with other children
on a certain roof of an upstairs room. And one of the children fell
and died. The other children, seeing this, went to their homes. And
they left Jesus alone. 2 The parents of the dead child came and
accused Jesus saying, “You knocked down our child.” But Jesus said,
“I did not knock him down.”
Illumination from an Ambrosian manuscript
3 And while they were raging and shouting, Jesus came down from
the roof and stood beside the body and cried out in a loud voice
saying, “Zeno, Zeno—for this was his name—rise and say if I knocked
you down.” And he rose and said, “No, Lord.” When they saw, they
were amazed and the parents of the child praised God for these
wonders.
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Excerpt from James’ Protoevangelion (~150 CE)
2.3 And Anna was sore grieved …. And she saw a laurel-tree and
sat down underneath it and besought the Lord saying: O God of our
fathers, bless me, and hearken unto my prayer, as you did bless the
womb of Sarah, and gave her a son, even Isaac.
3.1 And looking up to the heaven she espied a nest of sparrows
in the laurel-tree, and made a lamentation within herself, saying:
Woe unto me … even this earth brings forth her fruits in due season
and blesses thee, O Lord.
4.1 And behold an angel of the Lord appeared, saying unto her:
Anna, Anna, the Lord has hearkened unto your prayer, and you shall
conceive and bear, and your seed shall be spoken of in the whole
world.… Behold Joachim thy husband comes with his flocks: for an
angel of the Lord came down unto him saying: Joachim, Joachim, the
Lord God has hearkened unto thy prayer. Get down hence, for behold
your wife Anna hath conceived. 3 And Joachim sat him down and
called his herdsmen saying: Bring me ten lambs without blemish and
without spot, and they shall be for the Lord my God; and bring me
twelve tender calves, and they shall be for the priests and for the
assembly of the elders; and an hundred kids for the whole people. 4
And behold Joachim came with his flocks, and Anna stood at the gate
and saw Joachim coming, and ran and hung upon his neck, saying: Now
know I that the Lord God has greatly blessed me: for behold the
widow is no more a widow, and she that was childless shall
conceive. And Joachim rested the first day in his house…. 5.2 And
her months were fulfilled, and in the ninth month Anna brought
forth. And she said unto the midwife: what have I brought forth And
she said: A female. And Anna said: My soul is magnified this day,
and she laid herself down. And when the days were fulfilled, Anna
purified herself and gave suck to the child and called her name
Mary.
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4 Other Gospels 4.1. High Regard in the Church
4.2 Recently discovered • The Gospel acc. to Thomas
some scholars argue that it may be the earliest Gospel
Excerpt: 12. The disciples said to Jesus, "We know that you are
going to leave us. Who will be our leader?“ Jesus said to them, "No
matter where you are you are to go to James the Just, for whose
sake heaven and earth came into being.“ 13. Jesus said to his
disciples, "Compare me to something and tell me what I am like.“
Simon Peter said to him, "You are like a just messenger.“ Matthew
said to him, "You are like a wise philosopher.“ Thomas said to him,
"Teacher, my mouth is utterly unable to say what you are like.“
Jesus said, "I am not your teacher. Because you have drunk, you
have become intoxicated from the bubbling spring that I have
tended." And he took him, and withdrew, and spoke three sayings to
him. When Thomas came back to his friends they asked him, "What did
Jesus say to you?" Thomas said to them, "If I tell you one of the
sayings he spoke to me, you will pick up rocks and stone me, and
fire will come from the rocks and devour you.“ 77. Jesus said, "I
am the light that is over all things. I am all: from me all came
forth, and to me all attained. Split a piece of wood; I am there.
Lift up the stone, and you will find me there."
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4 Other Gospels 4.1. High Regard in the Church
4.2 Recently discovered • The Gospel acc. to Thomas
• The Gospel acc. to Judas late 2nd century CE, discovered in
the 1970s; Cited by Irenaeus of Lyons; Gnostic influence; Portrays
Judas's actions as done in obedience to instructions given by
Christ.
Excerpt: “Truly [I] say to you, Judas, [those who] offer
sacrifices to Saklas, the great fool, [... exemplify ...]
everything that is evil. But you will exceed all of them. For you
will sacrifice the man that clothes me. Already your horn has been
raised, your wrath has been kindled, your star has shone brightly,
and your heart has [been hardened...]” “… When he heard this, Judas
said to him, “What good is it that I have received it? For you have
set me apart for that generation.” Jesus answered and said, “You
will become the thirteenth, and you will be cursed by the other
generations—and you will come to rule over them. In the last days
they will curse your ascent to the holy [generation].”
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4 Other Gospels 4.1. High Regard in the Church
4.2 Recently discovered • The Gospel acc. to Thomas • The Gospel
acc. to Judas
• The Gospel acc. to Philip a so-called Gnostic Gospels, dating
back to around the third century lost but rediscovered in 1945 by
accident by an Egyptian peasant it. It had been buried in a cave
near Nag Hammadi.
There were three who always walked with the Lord: Mary, his
mother, and her sister, and Magdalene, the one who was called his
companion. His sister and his mother and his companion were each a
Mary. … As for the Wisdom who is called 'the barren', she is the
mother of the angels. And the companion of [the savior was Mar]y
Ma[gda]lene. [Christ loved] M[ary] more than [all] the disci[ples,
and used to] kiss her [often] on her [mouth]. The rest of [the
disciples were offended by it and expressed disapproval]. They said
to him "Why do you love her more than all of us?" The Savior
answered and said to them, "Why do I not love you like her? When a
blind man and one who sees are both together in darkness, they are
no different from one another. When the light comes, then he who
sees will see the light, and he who is blind will remain in
darkness.
NT 3009: Four Gospels – One Jesus?
Gospels in the Early Church Dieter Mitternacht
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4 Other Gospels 4.1. High Regard in the Church
4.2 Recently discovered • The Gospel acc. to Thomas • The Gospel
acc. to Judas • The Gospel acc. to Philip
• The Gospel acc. to Peter a so-called anti-Jewish gospel,
practically forgotten in all but name until a fragment was
discovered near the end of the 19th cent. in the tomb of a
Christian monk in Egypt. The fragment narrates the events of Jesus’
passion and resurrection with the principal concern to incriminate
Jews for the death of Jesus.
Excerpt vv. 34-42: Early in the morning, as the Sabbath dawned,
a crowd came from Jerusalem and the surrounding area to see the
sealed crypt. 35 But during the night on which the Lord’s day
dawned, while the soldiers stood guard two by two on their watch, a
great voice came from the sky. 36 They saw the skies open and two
men descend from there; they were very bright and drew near to the
tomb. 37 The stone cast before the entrance rolled away by itself
and moved to one side; the tomb was open and both young men
entered. 38 When the soldiers saw these things, they woke up the
centurion and the elders— for they were also there on guard.
39 As they were explaining what they had seen, they saw three
men emerge from the tomb, two of them supporting the other, with a
cross following behind them. 40 The heads of the two reached up to
the sky, but the head of the one they were leading went up above
the skies. 41 And they heard a voice from the skies, “Have you
preached to those who are asleep?” 42 And a reply came from the
cross, “Yes.”
NT 3009: Four Gospels – One Jesus?
Gospels in the Early Church Dieter Mitternacht
-
4 Other Gospels 4.1. High Regard in the Church 4.2 Recently
discovered
4.3 Jewish-Christian Gospels None of these gospels survives
today, all we know is from references in the Church Fathers
• The Gospel of the Hebrews known from quotation by Cyril of
Jerusalem, Origen and Jerome. Quotation from Jerome, Of illustrious
men, 2.
Also the Gospel according to the Hebrews, lately translated by
me into Greek and Latin speech, which Origen often uses, tells,
after the resurrection of the Savior: 'Now the Lord, when he had
given the linen cloth to the servant of the priest, went to James
and appeared to him (for James had sworn that he would not eat
bread from that hour wherein he had drunk the Lord's cup until he
should see him risen again from among them that sleep)', and again
after a little, 'Bring, says the Lord, a table and bread', and
immediately it is added, 'He took bread and blessed and broke and
gave it to James the Just and said to him: My brother, eat thy
bread, for the Son of Man is risen from among them that sleep'.
Note that Jesus gives the linen to the servant of the (high)
priest, which may imply that priests were appraised of the
resurrection as early as the apostles. Was the servant of the
priest Malchus? Also, if the servant was at the grave, this implies
that it was being guarded by Jews as well as Roman soldiers (as in
the Gospel of Peter).
NT 3009: Four Gospels – One Jesus?
Gospels in the Early Church Dieter Mitternacht
-
4 Other Gospels 4.1. High Regard in the Church 4.2 Recently
discovered
4.3 Jewish-Christian Gospels
• The Gospel acc. to the Hebrews
• The Gospel of the Nazoreans more than 30 quotations mainly
from Jerome, some from Origen. Quotation from Origen, Commentary on
Matthew 15.14 [on Matthew 19:16-30]):
The other of the two rich men said to him: Master, what good
thing must I do that I may live? He said to him: Man, fulfill the
law and the prophets. He answered him: That have I done. He said to
him: Go and sell all that you possess and distribute it among the
poor, and then come and follow me. But the rich man then began to
scratch his head and it (the saying) pleased him not. And the Lord
said to him: How can you say, I have fulfilled the law and the
prophets? For it stands written in the law: Love your neighbor as
yourself; and behold, many of the brethren, sons of Abraham, are
begrimed with dirt and die of hunger - and your house is full of
many good things and nothing at all comes forth from it to them!
And he turned and said to Simon, his disciple, who was sitting by
him: Simon, son of Jonah, it is easier for a camel to go through
the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom
of heaven.
NT 3009: Four Gospels – One Jesus?
Gospels in the Early Church Dieter Mitternacht
-
4 Other Gospels 4.1. High Regard in the Church 4.2 Recently
discovered
4.3 Jewish-Christian Gospels
• The Gospel acc. to the Hebrews • The Gospel acc. to the
Nazoreans
• The Gospel of the Ebionites known by 7 quotations in
Epiphanius’ Panarion
And on this account they say that Jesus was begotten of the seed
of a man, and was chosen; and so by the choice of God he was called
the Son of God from the Christ that came into him from above in the
likeness of a dove. And they deny that he was begotten of God the
Father, but say that he was created as one of the archangels, yet
greater, and that he is Lord of the angels and of all things made
by the Almighty, and that he came and taught, as the Gospel (so
called) current among them contains, that, 'I came to destroy the
sacrifices, and if ye cease not from sacrificing, the wrath of God
will not cease from you'.
NT 3009: Four Gospels – One Jesus?
Gospels in the Early Church Dieter Mitternacht