The Apocryphal Gospels

Texts and Translations

Bart Ehrman and Zlatko Plese

Features original language editions of all the texts (Greek, Latin, Coptic)
New English translations are both vibrant and accurate
Includes select apparatus and notes to help guide the reader
Incisive introductions that provide historical, literary, and textual issues
Makes available for the first time texts that have been virtually inaccessible in modern times, both in their original language and in translations

The Apocryphal Gospels

Texts and Translations

Bart Ehrman and Zlatko Plese

Description

Bart Ehrman-the New York Times bestselling author of Misquoting Jesus and a recognized authority on the early Christian Church-and co-editor Zlatko Plese here offer a groundbreaking, multi-lingual edition of the Apocryphal Gospels, one that breathes new life into the non-canonical texts that were once nearly lost to history.

In The Apocryphal Gospels, Ehrman and Plese present a rare compilation of over 40 ancient gospel texts and textual fragments that do not appear in the New Testament. This essential collection contains Gospels describing Jesus's infancy, ministry, Passion, and resurrection, as well as the most controversial manuscript discoveries of modern times, including the most significant Gospel discovered in the 20th century-the Gospel of Thomas-and the most recently discovered Gospel, the Gospel of Judas Iscariot. For the first time ever, these sacred manuscripts are featured in the original Greek, Latin, and Coptic languages, accompanied by fresh English translations that appear next to the original texts, allowing for easy line by line comparison. Also, each translation begins with a thoughtful examination of key historical, literary, and textual issues that places each Gospel in its proper context. The end result is a resource that enables anyone interested in Christianity or the early Church to understand-better than ever before-the deeper meanings of these apocryphal Gospels.

The Apocryphal Gospels is much more than an annotated guide to the Gospels. Through its authoritative use of both native text and engaging, accurate translations, it provides an unprecedented look at early Christianity and the New Testament. This is an indispensable volume for any reader interested in church history, antiquity, ancient languages, or the Christian faith.

The Apocryphal Gospels

Texts and Translations

Bart Ehrman and Zlatko Plese

Preface
Infancy Gospels
Infancy Gospel of Thomas
Infancy Gospel of Thomas C
Proto-Gospel of James
Gospel of Pseudo Matthew
Latin Infancy Gospels
Coptic History of Joseph the Carpenter
Ministry Gospels
Jewish Christian Gospels
Gospel of the Nazareans
Gospel of the Ebionites
Gospel according to the Hebrews
Gospel of the Egyptians
A Gospel Harmony: The Diatesseron
Papyrus Berlin 11710
Papyrus Cairensis 10735
Papyrus Egerton 2
Papyrus Merton 51
P Oxy 210
P Oxy 840
P Oxy 1224
P Oxy 2949
P Oxy 4009
P Vindob G 2325
Sayings Gospels and Agrapha
Gospel of Thomas
Gospel of Thomas: Greek fragments
Agrapha
Passion / Resurrection/ and Post-Resurrection Gospels
Gospel of Peter
Gospel of Judas
Abgar Legend
Gospel of Nicodemus A
Gospel of Nicodemus B
Report of Pilate
Handing over of Pilate
Letter of Pilate to Claudius
Letter of Pilate to Herod
Letter of Herod to Pilate
Letter of Tiberius to Pilate
Vindicta Salvatoris
Mors Pilati
Narrative of Joseph of Arimathea
Gospel of Mary
Gospel of Mary: Greek fragments
Greater Questions of Mary

The Apocryphal Gospels

Texts and Translations

Bart Ehrman and Zlatko Plese

Author Information

Bart Ehrman, James A. Gray Distinguished Professor, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and Zlatko Plese, Associate Professor of Ancient Mediterranean Religions, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Bart D. Ehrman is the James A. Gray Distinguished Professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is the author of numerous volumes on the early Christian Church, including Lost Scriptures, Lost Christianities, Peter, Paul, and Mary Magdalene, and The Gospel of Judas Iscariot. Zlatko Plese is Associate Professor of Ancient Mediterranean Religions at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is the author of Poetics of the Gnostic Universe: Narrative and Cosmology in the Apocryphon of John.

The Apocryphal Gospels

Texts and Translations

Bart Ehrman and Zlatko Plese

Reviews and Awards

"...this well-produced and welcome book will patently be of great value in affording easy access to texts in early Christian languages. Valuable as a reference point for individual apocrypha, the collection will also be, it is hoped, of use in stimulating further study, not just of the texts as such and their wider context, but of the influence of many of them throughout late antiquity and the Middle Ages." - Brian Murdoch, Literature and Theology

"The book should serve as a valued and valuable port of call for students needing ready and reliable access to this fascinating body of writings." - J. K. Elliott, Journal of Theological Studies

"this well-produced and welcome book will patently be of great value in affording easy access to texts in early Christian languages. Valuable as a reference point for individual apocrypha, the collection will also be, it is hoped, of use in stimulating further study, not just of the texts as such and their wider context, but of the influence of many of them throughout late antiquity and the Middle Ages." - Brian Murdoch, Literature and Theology

"I am very pleased with this collection; it is handy to have easy access to these texts." - Dirk Jongkind, Churchman