The Gospel of Barnabas - Index
Islam
The Gospel of Barnabas
trans. Lonsdale and Laura Ragg
[London, 1907]
The Gospel of Barnabas is an apocryphal gospel. That is, it is a life of Jesus purportedly written by a first-hand observer that is at variance with the picture(s) presented in the Bible. However, it is unique among apocrypha in that it is a Muslim gospel; that is, it presents Jesus as a human prophet, not the son of God, and as a forerunner of Muhammad. According to western scholarship, it is a fourteenth-century forgery, extant now only in Spanish and Italian manuscripts, but even among scholars there is disagreement as to whether or not some some of the material contained in the book is older. The Gospel has been picked up by some modern Muslims, though, as an authentic and ancient record of events, and there are many different printed versions available from various Muslim publishing houses, all based heavily on the version by the Raggs presented here. It must be stressed, however, that belief in this Gospel is in no way an article of Islamic faith, and this site is not the place to discuss either the authenticity of the book or how widespread belief in or even knowledge of it is in the Islamic world. A search on Google will turn up dozens of pages and even entire sites devoted to discussion of the Gospel of Barnabas from all manner of perspectives—Christian, Muslim, and scholarly—to which sites we must defer for discussion of the topic. Regardless of the provenance of the document, it is an interesting read, similar to the many religious romances of the Mediterranean world, such as the apocryphal acts of the apostles (located here at the Noncanonical homepage) and the books of sacred history from the east, a few of which are located here at .
Prologue
1. In this first chapter is contained the annunciation of the angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary concerning the birth of Jesus.
2. The warning of the angel Gabriel given to Joseph concerning the conception of the Virgin Mary.
3. Wonderful birth of Jesus and appearance of angels praising God.
4. Angels announce to the shepherds the birth of Jesus, and they, after having found him, announce him.
5. Circumcision of Jesus.
6. Three magi are led by a star in the east to Judaea, and, finding Jesus, make obeisance to him and gifts.
7. The visitation of Jesus by magi, and their return to their own country, with the warning of Jesus given to them in a dream.
8. Jesus is carried in flight to Egypt, and Herod massacres the innocent children.
9. Jesus, having returned to Judaea, holds a wondrous disputation with the doctors, having come to the age of twelve years.
10. Jesus, at the age of thirty years, on Mount Olives, miraculously receiveth the gospel from the angel Gabriel.
11. Jesus miraculously healeth a leper, and goeth into Jerusalem.
12. First sermon of Jesus delivered to the people: wonderful in doctrine concerning the name of God.
13. The remarkable fear of Jesus and his prayer, and the wonderful comfort of the angel Gabriel.
14. After the fast of forty days, Jesus chooseth twelve apostles.
15. Miracle wrought by Jesus at the marriage, turning the water into wine.
16. Wonderful teaching given by Jesus to his apostles concerning conversion from the evil life.
17. In this chapter is clearly perceived the unbelief of Christians, and the true faith of Mumin.
18. Here is shown forth the persecution of the servants of God by the world, and God's protection saving them.
19. Jesus foretelleth his betrayal, and, descending from the mountain, healeth ten lepers.
20. Miracle on the sea wrought by Jesus, and Jesus declares where the prophet is received.
21. Jesus healeth a demoniac, and the swine are cast into the sea. Afterwards he healeth the daughter of the Canaanites.
22. Miserable condition of the uncircumcised in that a dog is better than they.
23. Origin of circumcision, and covenant of God with Abraham, and damnation of the uncircumcised.
24. Notable example how one ought to flee from banqueting and feasting.
25. How one ought to despise the flesh, and how one ought to live in the world.
26. How one ought to love God. And in this chapter is contained the wonderful contention of Abraham with his father.
27. In this chapter is clearly seen how improper is laughter in men: also the prudence of Abraham.
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