This year (2016) we have probably taken notice that Easter
and Passover are nearly a month apart. While that might seem weird, there is
something even stranger that we never look at, the actual three day and three
night time period regarding Jesus’ death and resurrection. What took place
during the three days and nights, and why did the graves open? We have three
accounts recorded by Pontius Pilate during the time of Jesus’ crucifixion and
his resurrection. What we notice is an interesting correlation to Matthew’s
account as well as many other scriptures about what Jesus was doing those three
days and three nights. No one can make sense of three days and three nights
being Friday to Sunday morning, so we will dissect that time period and why
there were some people in the first century who celebrated Jesus’ death on the
14th of Nisan, and why there were some people who celebrated Jesus’
Resurrection on the 17th of Nisan. The historian Josephus tells us
that Jesus appeared alive again on the third day, just as the prophets have
said.
Josephus, Antiquities, 18:3:3. Now there was about this
time Jesus, a wise man, if it be lawful to call him a man; for he was a doer of
wonderful works, a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure. He
drew over to him both many of the Jews and many of the Gentiles. He was [the]
Christ. And when Pilate, at the suggestion of the principal men amongst us, had
condemned him to the cross, those that
loved him at the first did not forsake him; for he appeared to them alive
again the third day; as the divine
prophets had foretold these and ten thousand other wonderful things concerning
him. And the tribe of Christians, so named from him, are not extinct at this
day.
Josephus notes that Jesus is the Messiah, the
Christ, and he also points out that Jesus rose the third day. We know that
traditions from the Romans and the Nicaean Counsel changed our dates/days and
which day we should celebrate Jesus. Jesus told us that he would be in the
grave for three days and three nights, so let’s re-count. If he was crucified
on Friday he would have still been in the grave on Sunday morning. Instead, the actual Passover day was the 14th
of Nisan, which in the present year of 2016 falls on April 22nd.
Matt 12:40 For as Jonas was three days and
three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and
three nights in the heart of the earth.KJV
Matt 27:62-63 Now the next day, that followed
the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto
Pilate,63 Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet
alive, After three days I will rise again.KJV
Mark 8:31 And he began to teach them, that the
Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the
chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.KJV
John 2:19-21 Jesus answered and said unto
them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.20 Then said
the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear
it up in three days?21 But he spake of the temple of his body.KJV
Jesus’ crucifixion happened on Nisan 14. At
the time of the first century church, first century believers in Christ
celebrated the Lord’s Death on the 14th of Nisan at sundown. These
people later became known as the Quartodecimens because they recognized the
last supper, the day of preparation on the 14th. Quarto is “4” in Latin, deci is “10”. In the first century they
were known as “celebrators of the 14th of Nisan”. These believers
were not concerned as to when Jesus arose, but on his last supper. This was the
common practice of the Asian believers in the first century because they observed
the command, “this do”. This is why they were conscious to keep the 14th
of Nisan as their date for observance. Paul also reminds us of this as well.
Luke 22:19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake
it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this
do in remembrance of me. KJV
1 Cor 11:24-26 And when he had given thanks, he brake it,
and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do
in remembrance of me.25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had
supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye,
as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.26 For as often as ye eat this
bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. KJV
The Quartodecimens kept the observance of the
14th, the Lords Death, and the Passover feast of Unleavened Bread. As
we have studying the Therapeutaes from Alexandria Egypt, we find that those believers
during the first century started celebrating Jesus overcoming the grave on the
third day after the crucifixion. They were not partial to the day of the week,
as in Sunday, but rather were focused on the third day. There was really little
contention between these two groups until we get to the council of Nicaea. At
that time Eusebius preferred a celebration on a Sunday. Polycarp opposed this, but
neither made the decision. Constantine delivered a scathing anti-Semitic
discourse and refused to put a holiday on a day that the Jews already had set
aside as a holiday. Therefore the decision was made to have a holiday called
Easter that combined the spring equinox and the Sunday holiday of Eusebius, and
to put it after the Jewish Passover so as not to be contaminated by the Jews. The
Quartodecimans were overridden by politics and a dislike for the Jews. However,
if the Therapeutaes/Essenes/Nazarenes celebrated on resurrection day, it would
not be harmful to observe both the 14th and the 17th of
Nisan, rather than a made up date of Easter Sunday, irrespective of the genuine
Passover. Let’s look at those actual three days and nights.
On the Friday before the Passover, the 9th
of Nisan, Jesus was in Bethany. At sundown the Sabbath started. On Saturday the
10th of Nisan, Jesus entered Jerusalem, this being the triumphal
entry. Sunday the 11th of Nisan Jesus was in Jerusalem publicly
teaching. On Monday, the 12th of Nisan Jesus was again in Bethany. Tuesday
was the 13th of Nisan, and they returned from Bethany. Wednesday was
the 14th of Nisan. The Last Supper was Tuesday night after sundown
which is part of the same day in the Jewish day as Wednesday evening up to
sundown. Jesus was crucified before sundown Wednesday. It was also the start of
Passover (Wednesday night after sundown) and Jesus had to be buried before
sundown when the Passover would begin. In haste he was laid in a tomb by Joseph
of Arimathea. This was Jesus’ first night in the tomb. Thursday, the 15th
of Nisan, (Wednesday sundown to Thursday sundown) was the Passover. No one did
anything on this day but observe Passover. This was Jesus’ first full day in
the tomb. Friday the 16th of Nisan (Thursday sundown to Friday
sundown) was the day of preparation for the weekly Sabbath. On this day
everyone had until sundown to get prepared. The women would have gone out to
buy the spices to anoint Jesus’ body. The burial cloth consisted of long strips
of material soaked in scented oil. That would have all been prepared so that
after the weekly Sabbath they could properly anoint his body. This was Jesus’
second day in the tomb. Saturday the 17th of Nisan, (Friday sundown
to Saturday sundown) the weekly Sabbath, day of rest was observed and concluded
at sundown. This was Jesus’ third day in the tomb. Sometime after sundown
Saturday night Jesus arose. Sunday morning, the 18th of Nisan and
the first day of the week, the women found the tomb empty.
Lev 23:5 In the fourteenth day of the first
month at even is the Lord's passover. KJV
This is the actual three days and three nights
we have missed. We have to recognize that the command of the 14th of
Nisan written in Leviticus was irrespective of the day of the week, but
respective of the date of the month. The special high holy day of Passover was
the 14th, the weekly Sabbath was the 17th. Both of those
days, by sundown, people did not do any work in observance of the day. Tuesday
sundown to Wednesday sundown Jesus ate His Last Supper, then was beaten and
accused of violating the Sabbath. Wednesday day was preparation for the
Passover which began Wednesday evening. That was the day Jesus was enduring the
beatings for our sins. By the time Jesus died, people had to get ready for
Passover. This leaves Thursday after sundown to Friday sundown for people to
prepare for Jesus’ burial. Thursday night, markets were not open which means
burial cloths, oils, and spices would have been bought Friday morning; but by
sundown, all work would have to stop. Saturday after sundown the weekly Sabbath
would end, but again no markets would be open and it would be dark which is why
the women waited until Sunday morning to anoint Jesus’ body.
Matt 27:50-60 Jesus, when he had cried
again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.51 And, behold, the veil of the
temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and
the rocks rent;52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints
which slept arose,53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection,
and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.54 Now when the
centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and
those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the
Son of God.55 And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed
Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him:56 Among which was Mary Magdalene, and
Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's children.57
When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who
also himself was Jesus' disciple:58 He went to Pilate, and begged the body of
Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered.59 And when Joseph had
taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,60 And laid it in his own
new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the
door of the sepulchre, and departed. KJV
American Standard Matt 27:52 and the tombs were opened;
and many bodies of the saints that had fallen asleep were raised; ASV
Darby Matt 27:52-53 and the tombs were opened; and many
bodies of the saints fallen asleep arose,53 and going out of the tombs after
his arising, entered into the holy city and appeared unto many. Darby
Douay-Rheims Matt 27:52-53 And the graves were
opened: and many bodies of the saints that had slept arose,53 And coming out of
the tombs after his resurrection, came into the holy city, and appeared to
many. Douay-Rheims
Youngs Literal Matt 27:52-53 and the tombs were
opened, and many bodies of the saints who have fallen asleep, arose, 53 and
having come forth out of the tombs after his rising, they went into the holy
city, and appeared to many.YLT
Webster Matt 27:52-53 And the graves were opened, and many
bodies of saints who slept, arose,53 And came out of the graves after his
resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared to many. Webster
New Living Translation Matt 27:51-53 At that moment the
curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The
earth shook, rocks split apart, 52 and tombs opened. The bodies of many godly
men and women who had died were raised from the dead. Holy Bible, New Living
Translation ®, copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust. Used by
permission of Tyndale House Publishers. All rights reserved.
THE MESSAGE Matt 27:51-53 At that moment, the
Temple curtain was ripped in two, top to bottom. There was an earthquake, and
rocks were split in pieces. 52 What's more, tombs were opened up, and many
bodies of believers asleep in their graves were raised. 53 (After Jesus'
resurrection, they left the tombs, entered the holy city, and appeared to
many.) (from THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language © 2002 by Eugene
H. Peterson. All rights re Matt 27:52-53
Weymouth Matt 27:52-53 the tombs opened; and many of God's
people who were asleep in death awoke.53 And coming out of their tombs after
Christ's resurrection they entered the holy city and showed themselves to many.
Weymouthserved.)
Clearly,
something happened when Jesus died that made the graves open up. Actually,
there is a modern day archeologist who is writing a book about where these
graves were. It should be published soon. This will be a wonderful read.
Meanwhile, during most Easter services, we don’t seem to even talk about this
event. There was no place in the grave for Jesus as he was sinless; instead he spoiled
death, bound principalities and powers, took back the keys to hell and death,
and set the captives free. Let’s read this excerpt from the Gospel of
Nicodemus.
The Gospel of Nicodemus, Formerly called
The Acts of Pontius Pilate
CHAP. VIII. 1 Miraculous appearance at his death. 10 The
Jews say the eclipse was natural. 12 Joseph of Arimathæa
embalms Christ's body and buries it.
AND it was about the sixth hour, and darkness was upon the face of the whole earth until
the ninth hour.2 And while the sun was eclipsed, behold the vail of the temple
was rent from the top to the bottom; and the rocks also were rent, and the
graves opened, and many bodies of saints, which slept, arose.3 And about the
ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, Hely, Hely, lama
zabacthani? which being interpreted, is, My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken
me?4 And after these things, Jesus said, Father, into thy hands I commend my
spirit; and having said this, he gave up the ghost.5 But when the centurion saw
that Jesus thus crying out gave up the ghost, he glorified God, and said, Of a
truth this was a just man.6 And all the people who stood by, were exceedingly
troubled at the sight; and reflecting upon what had passed, smote upon their
breasts, and then returned to the city of Jerusalem.7 The centurion went to the
governor, and related to him all that had passed;8 And when he had heard all
these things, he was exceeding sorrowful;9 And calling the Jews together, said
to them, Have ye seen the miracle of the sun's eclipse, and the other things
which came to pass, while Jesus was dying?10 Which when the Jews heard, they
answered to the governor, The eclipse of the sun happened according to its
usual custom.11 But all those who were the acquaintance of Christ, stood at a
distance, as did the women who had followed Jesus from Galilee, observing all
these things.12 And behold a certain man of Arimathæa,
named Joseph, who also was a disciple of Jesus, but not openly so, for fear of
the Jews, came to the governor, and entreated the governor that he would give
him leave to take away the body of Jesus from the cross.13 And the governor
gave him leave.14 And Nicodemus came, bringing with him a mixture of myrrh and
aloes about a hundred pound weight; and they took down Jesus from the cross
with tears, and bound him with linen cloths with spices, according to the
custom of burying among the Jews,15 And placed him in a new tomb, which Joseph
had built, and caused to be cut out of a rock, in which never any
man had been put; and they rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre.
Now Pontius Pilate wrote two letters, one to
Augustus Caesar one to Tiberius Caesar. The accounts are slightly different,
but pay special attention to the details. These are the events of the time.
The Report of Pilate the Governor, sent to
Augustus Caesar, in Rome
Now when he was crucified, there was darkness
over all the world, and the sun was obscured for half a day, and the stars
appeared, but no lustre was seen in them; and the moon lost its brightness, as
though tinged with blood; and the world of the departed was swallowed up; so
that the very sanctuary of the temple, as they call it, did not appear to the
Jews themselves at their fall, but they perceived a chasm in the earth, and the
rolling of successive thunders. And amid this terror the dead appeared rising
again, as the Jews themselves bore witness, and said that it was Abraham, and
Isaac, and Jacob, and the twelve patriarchs, and Moses, and Job, who had died
before, as they say, some three thousand five hundred years. And there were
very many whom I myself saw appearing in the body, and they made lamentation
over the Jews, because of the transgression which was committed by them, and
because of the destruction of the Jews and of their law.
And the terror of the earthquake continued
from the sixth hour of the preparation until the ninth hour; and when it was
evening on the first day of the week, there came a sound from heaven, and the
heaven became seven times more luminous than on all other days. And at the
third hour of the night the sun appeared more luminous than it had ever shone,
lighting up the whole hemisphere. And as lightning-flashes suddenly come forth
in a storm, so there were seen men, lofty in stature, and surpassing in glory,
a countless host, crying out, and their voice was heard as that of exceedingly
loud thunder, Jesus that was crucified is risen again: come up from Hades ye
that were enslaved in the subterraneous recesses of Hades. And the chasm in the
earth was as if it had no bottom; but it was so that the very foundations of
the earth appeared, with those that shouted in heaven, and walked in the body
among the dead that were raised. And He that raised up all the dead and bound
Hades said, Say to my disciples He goeth before you into Galilee, there shall
ye see Him.
And all that night the light ceased not
shining. And many of the Jews died in the chasm of the earth, being swallowed
up, so that on the morrow most of those who had been against Jesus were not to
be found. Others saw the apparition of men rising again whom none of us had
ever seen. One synagogue of the Jews was alone left in Jerusalem itself, for
they all disappeared in that ruin.
Therefore being astounded by that terror, and
being possessed with the most dreadful trembling, I have written what I saw at
that time and sent it to thine excellency; and I have inserted what was done
against Jesus by the Jews, and sent it to thy divinity, my lord.
The Report of Pontius Pilate, sent to Tiberius
Caesar in Rome
Now when he was crucified darkness came over
all the world; the sun was altogether hidden, and the sky appeared dark while
it was yet day, so that the stars were seen, though still they had their lustre
obscured, wherefore, I suppose your excellency is not unaware that in all the
world they lighted their lamps from the sixth hour until evening. And the moon,
which was like blood, did not shine all night long, although it was at the
full, and the stars and Orion made lamentation over the Jews, because of the
transgression committed by them.
And on the first day of the week, about the
third hour of the night, the sun appeared as it never shone before, and the
whole heaven became bright. And as lightnings come in a storm, so certain men
of lofty stature, in beautiful array, and of indescribable glory, appeared in
the air, and a countless host of angels, crying out and saying, Glory to God in
the highest, and on earth peace, good will among men: Come up from Hades, ye
who are in bondage in the depths of Hades. And at their voice all the mountains
and hills were moved, and the rocks were rent, and great chasms were made in
the earth, so that the very places of the abyss were visible.
And amid the terror dead men were seen rising
again, so that the Jews who saw it said, We beheld Abraham and Isaac, and
Jacob, and the twelve patriarchs, who died some two thousand five hundred years
before, and we beheld Noah clearly in the body. And all the multitude walked
about and sang hymns to God with a loud voice, saying, The Lord our God, who
hath risen from the dead, hath made alive all the dead, and Hades he hath
spoiled and slain.
Therefore, my lord king, all that night the
light ceased not. But many of the Jews died, and were sunk and swallowed up in
the chasms that night, so that not even their bodies were to be seen. Now I
mean, that those of the Jews suffered who spake against Jesus. And but one
synagogue remained in Jerusalem, for all the synagogues which had been against Jesus
were overwhelmed.
Through that terror, therefore, being amazed
and being seized with great trembling, in that very hour, I ordered what had
been done by them all to be written, and I have sent it to thy mightiness.
These are the
happenings during the time frame of Jesus death, the time he went into the
grave. After the events of the crucifixion, Pilate’s wife went to the tomb.
Pilate wrote this letter to Herod.
Letter of Pilate to
Herod
Pilate to Herod the Tetrarch: Peace.
KNOW and see, that in the day when thou didst
deliver Jesus unto me, I took pity on myself, and testified by washing my hands
(that I was innocent), concerning him who rose from the grave after three days,
and had performed thy pleasure in him, for thou didst desire me to be
associated with thee in his crucifixion. But I now learn from the executioners
and from the soldiers who watched his sepulchre that he rose from the dead. And
I have especially confirmed what was told me, that he appeared bodily in
Galilee, to the same form, and with the same voice, and with the same doctrine,
and with the sane disciples, not having changed in
anything, but preaching with boldness his resurrection, and an everlasting
kingdom.
And behold, heaven and earth rejoice; and
behold, Procla my wife is believing in the visions which appeared unto her,
when thou sentest that I should deliver Jesus to the people of Israel, because
of the ill-will they had.
Now when Procla, my wife, heard
that Jesus was risen, and had appeared in Galilee, she took with her Longinus
the centurion and twelve soldiers, the same that had watched at the sepulchre,
and went to greet the face of Christ, as if to a great spectacle, and saw him
with his disciples.
Now while they were standing, and wondering,
and gazing at him, he looked at them, and said to them, What is it? Do ye
believe in me? Procla, know that in the covenant which God gave to the fathers,
it is said that every body which had perished should live by means of my death,
which ye have seen. And now, ye see that I live, whom ye crucified. And I
suffered many things, till that I was laid in the sepulchre. But now, hear me,
and believe in my Father—God who is in me. For I loosed the cords of death, and
brake the gates of Sheol; and my coming shall be hereafter.
And when Procla my wife and the Romans heard
these things, they came and told me, weeping; for they also were against him,
when they devised the evils which they had done unto him. So that, I also was
on the couch of my bed in affliction, and put on a garment of mourning, and
took unto me fifty Romans with my wife and went into Galilee.
We see from Pilate’s letter, there were
activities that happened after Jesus rose.
Eph 4:8-10 Wherefore
he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts
unto men.9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first
into the lower parts of the earth?10 He that descended is the same also that
ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)KJV
Col 2:14-15 Blotting
out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to
us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;15 And having spoiled
principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them
in it.KJV
Rev 1:18 I am he
that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have
the keys of hell and of death. KJV
The Gospel of
Nicodemus, aka the Acts of Pontius Pilate, is a very interesting read that fills
in the gaps of the events in the underworld when Jesus went into Hades, so I
will end with this. It is a long read but well worth the time. This is why the
Masoretes tried to bury this text. They did not deem it worthy of their canon.
We can also see why there were many contentions between the Romans and the Jews,
as the Romans were building a national religion that was inclusive of Paganism
and Christianity, whereas the Jews rejected Jesus, the
Essenes/Nazarenes/Therapeutaes, and prophets, and stayed with the Pharisees and
temple service and works. But Jesus overcame the grave, which is the key point.
History is filled with people twisting and spinning ideas to promote their own
agenda. As we saw previously, we could stick with traditions that promote the
idea that Jesus died on Friday and rose on Sunday morning, but we will continue
to look stupid to the rest of the world. We can celebrate Jesus’ death on Nisan
14 or his Resurrection on Nisan 17, but if we celebrate Jesus’ resurrection a
month before Passover, we again look silly to the rest of the world. It doesn’t
take much to recognize that Christianity has a lot of growing up to do. It is
hard to be relevant to the world when in this day and age we cling to
traditions instead of the facts. Culture can dictate many things, but Christian
culture has to learn that there are not three days and three nights between Friday
night and Sunday morning, and many sources recognize that the graves were
opened.
The GOSPEL of
NICODEMUS, formerly called the ACTS of PONTIUS PILATE.
CHAP. XII.
1 The Jews astonished and
confounded. 17 Simeon's two sons, Charinus and Lenthius, rise
from the dead at Christ's crucifixion. 19 Joseph proposes to
get them to relate the mysteries of their resurrection. 21 They
are sought and found, 22 brought to the synagogue, 23 privately
sworn to secrecy,25 and undertake to write what they had seen.
WHEN the chief priests and heard all thesethings,
they were astonished, and fell down with their faces on the ground as dead men,
and crying out to one another said, What is this extraordinary sign which is
come to pass in Jerusalem? We know the father and mother of Jesus.2 And a
certain Levite said, I know many of his relations, religious persons, who are
wont to offer sacrifices and burnt-offerings to the God of Israel, in the
temple, with prayers.3 And when the high priest Simeon took him up in his arms.
he said to him, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according
to thy word; for mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared
before the face of all people: a light to enlighten the Gentiles, and the glory
of thy people Israel.4 Simeon in like manner blessed Mary the mother of Jesus,
and said to her, I declare to thee concerning that child; He is appointed for
the fall and rising again of many, and for a sign which shall be spoken
against.5 Yea, a sword shall pierce through thine own soul also, and the
thoughts of many hearts shall be revealed.6 Then said all the Jews, Let us send
to those three men, who said they saw him talking with his disciples in Mount
Olivet.7 After this, they asked them what they had seen; who answered with one
accord, In the presence of the God of Israel we affirm, that we plainly saw
Jesus talking with his disciples in Mount Olivet, and ascending up to heaven.8
Then Annas and Caiaphas took them into separate places, and examined them
separately; who unanimously confessed the truth, and said, they had seen
Jesus.9 Then Annas and Caiaphas said "Our law saith, By the mouth of two
or three witnesses every word shall be established." 10 But what have
we said? The blessed Enoch pleased God, and was translated by the word of God;
and the burying-place of the blessed Moses is known.11 But Jesus was delivered
to Pilate, whipped, crowned with thorns, spit upon, pierced with a spear,
crucified, died upon the cross, and was buried, and his body the honorable
Joseph buried in a new sepulchre, and he testifies that he saw him alive.12 And
besides these men have declared, that they saw him talking with his disciples
in Mount Olivet, and ascending up to heaven.13 ¶ Then Joseph rising up. said to
Annas and Caiaphas, Ye may be justly under a great surprise, that you have been
told, that Jesus is alive, and gone up to heaven.14 It is indeed a thing really
surprising, that he should not only himself arise from the dead, but also raise
others from their graves, who have been seen by many in Jerusalem. 15 And
now hear me a little: We all knew the blessed Simeon, the high-priest, who took
Jesus when an infant into his arms in the temple.16 This same Simeon had two
sons of his own, and we were all present at their death and funeral.17 Go
therefore and see their tombs, for these are open, and they are risen: and
behold, they are in the city of Arimathæa, spending their time together in
offices of devotion.18 Some, indeed, have heard the sound of their voices in
prayer, but they will not discourse with any one, but they continue as mute as
dead men.19 But come, let us go to them, and behave ourselves towards them with
all due respect and caution. And if we can bring them to swear, perhaps they
will tell us some of the mysteries of their resurrection.20 When the Jews heard
this, they were exceedingly rejoiced.21 Then Annas and Caiaphas, Nicodemus,
Joseph, and Gamaliel, went to Arimathæa, but did not find them in their graves;
but walking about the city, they bound them on their bended knees at their
devotions:22 Then saluting them with all respect and deference to God, they
brought them to the synagogue at Jerusalem: and having shut the gates, they
took the book of the law of the Lord,23 And putting it in their hands, swore
them by God Adonai, and the God of Israel, who spake to our fathers by the law
and the prophets, saying, If ye believe him who raised you from the dead, to be
Jesus, tell us what ye have seen, and how ye were raised from the dead.24
Charinus and Lenthius, the two sons of Simeon, trembled when they heard these
things, and were disturbed, and groaned; and at the same time looking up to
heaven, they made the sign of the cross with their fingers on their tongues.25
And immediately they spake, and said, Give each of us some paper, and we will
write down for you all those things which we have seen. And they each sat down
and wrote, saying,
CHAP. XIII.
1 The narrative of Charinus and
Lenthius commences. 3 A great light in hell. 7 Simeon
arrives, and announces the coming of Christ.
O LORD Jesus and Father, who art God, also the
resurrection and life of the dead, give us leave to declare thy mysteries,
which we saw after death, belonging to thy cross; for we are sworn by thy name.
2 For thou hast forbid thy servants to declare
the secret things, which were wrought by thy divine power in hell.3 ¶ When we
were placed with our fathers in the depth of hell, in the blackness of
darkness, on a sudden there appeared the colour of the sun like gold, and a
substantial purple-coloured light enlightening the place.4 Presently upon this,
Adam, the father of all mankind, with all the patriarchs and prophets, rejoiced
and said, That light is the author of everlasting light, who hath promised to
translate us to everlasting light.5 Then Isaiah the prophet cried out, and
said, This is the light of the Father, and the Son of God, according to my
prophecy, when I was alive upon earth.6 The land of Zabulon, and the land of
Nephthalim beyond Jordan, a people who walked in darkness, saw a great light;
and to them who dwelled in the region of the shadow of death, light is arisen.
And now he is come, and hath enlightened us who sat in death.7 And while we
were all rejoicing in the light which shone upon us, our father Simeon came
among us, and congratulating all the company, said, Glorify the Lord Jesus Christ
the Son of God.8 Whom I took up in my arms when an infant in the temple, and
being moved by the Holy Ghost, said to him, and acknowledged, That now
mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of
all people, a light to enlighten the Gentiles and the glory of thy people
Israel.9 All the saints who were in the depth of hell, hearing this, rejoiced
the more.10 Afterwards there came forth one like a little hermit, and was asked
by every one, Who art thou?11 To which he replied, I am the voice of one crying
in the wilderness, John the Baptist, and the prophet of the Most High, who went
before his coming to prepare his way, to give the knowledge of salvation to his
people for the forgiveness of sins.12 And I John, when I saw Jesus coming to
me, being moved by the Holy Ghost, I said, Behold the Lamb of God, behold him
who takes away the sins of the world.13 And I baptized him in the river Jordan,
and saw the Holy Ghost descending upon him in the form of a dove, and heard a
voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.14
And now while I was going before him, I came down hither to acquaint you, that
the Son of God will next visit us, and, as the day-spring from on high, will
come to us, who are in darkness and the shadow of death.
CHAP. XIV.
1 Adam causes Seth to relate what he heard
from Michael the archangel, when he sent him to Paradise to entreat God to
anoint his head in his sickness.
BUT when the first man our father Adam heard
these things, that Jesus was baptized in Jordan, he called out to his son,
Seth, and said,2 Declare to your sons, the patriarchs and prophets, all those
things, which thou didst hear from Michael, the archangel, when I sent thee to
the gates of Paradise, to entreat God that he would anoint my head when I was
sick.3 Then Seth, coming near to the patriarchs and prophets, said, I Seth,
when I was praying to God at the gates of Paradise, beheld the angel of the
Lord, Michael appear unto me saying, I am sent unto thee from the Lord; I am
appointed to preside over human bodies.4 I tell thee Seth, do not pray to God
in tears, and entreat him for the oil of the tree of mercy wherewith to anoint
thy father Adam for his head-ache;5 Because thou canst not by any means obtain
it till the last day and times, namely, till five thousand and five hundred
years be past.6 Then will Christ, the most merciful Son of God, come on earth
to raise again the human body of Adam, and at the same time to raise the bodies
of the dead, and when he cometh he will be baptized in Jordan:7 Then with the
oil of his mercy he will anoint all those who believe on him; and the oil of
his mercy will continue to future generations, for those who shall be born of
the water and the Holy Ghost unto eternal life.8 And when at that time the most
merciful Son of God, Christ Jesus, shall come down on earth, he will introduce
our father Adam into Paradise, to the tree of mercy.9 When all the patriarchs
and prophets heard all these things from Seth, they rejoiced more.
CHAP. XV.
1 Quarrel between Satan and the prince
of hell concerning the expected arrival of Christ in hell.
WHILE all the saints were vv rejoicing, behold
Satan, the prince and captain of death, said to the prince of hell, 2 Prepare
to receive Jesus of Nazareth himself, who boasted that he was the Son of God,
and yet was a man afraid of death, and said, My soul is sorrowful even to
death.3 Besides he did many injuries to me and to many others; for those whom I
made blind and lame and those also whom I tormented with several devils, he
cured by his word; yea, and those whom I brought dead to thee, he by force
takes away from thee.4 To this the prince of hell replied to Satan, Who is that
so-powerful prince, and yet a man who is afraid of death?5 For all the potentates
of the earth are subject to my power, whom thou broughtest to subjection by thy
power.6 But if be be so powerful in his human nature, I affirm to thee for
truth, that he is almighty in his divine nature, and no man can resist his
power.7 When therefore he said be was afraid of death, he designed to ensnare
thee, and unhappy it will be to thee for everlasting ages.8 Then Satan
replying, said to the prince of hell, Why didst thou express a doubt, and wast
afraid to receive that Jesus of Nazareth, both thy adversary and mine?9 As for
me, I tempted him and stirred up my old people the Jews with zeal and anger
against him?10 I sharpened the spear for his suffering; I mixed the gall and
vinegar, and commanded that he should drink it; I prepared the cross to crucify
him, and the nails to pierce through Ibis hands and feet; and now his death is
near at hand, I will bring him hither, subject both to thee and me.11 Then the
prince of hell answering, said, Thou saidst to me just now, that he took away
the dead from me by force.12 They who have been kept here till they should live
again upon earth, were taken away hence, not by their own power, but by prayers
made to God, and their almighty God took them from me.13 Who then is that Jesus
of Nazareth that by his word hath taken away the dead from me without prayer to
God?14 Perhaps it is the same who took away from me Lazarus, after he had been
four days dead, and did both stink and was rotten, and of whom I had possession
as a dead person, yet he brought him to life again by his power.15 Satan
answering, replied to the prince of hell, It is the very same person, Jesus of
Nazareth.16 Which when the prince of hell heard, he said to him, I adjure thee
by the powers which belong to thee and me, that thou bring him not to me.17 For
when I heard of the power of his word, I trembled for fear, and all my impious
company were at the same time disturbed;18 And we were not able to detain
Lazarus, but he gave himself a shake, and with all the signs of malice, he
immediately went away from us; and the very earth, in which the dead body of
Lazarus was lodged, presently turned him out alive.19 And I know now that he is
Almighty God who could perform such things, who is mighty in his dominion, and
mighty in his human nature, who is the Saviour of mankind.20 Bring not
therefore this person hither, for he will set at liberty all those whom I hold
in prison under unbelief, and bound with the fetters of their sins, and will
conduct them to everlasting life.
CHAP. XVI.
1 Christ's arrival at hell-gates; the
confusion thereupon. 10 He descends into hell.
AND while Satan and the prince of hell were
discoursing thus to each other, on a sudden there was a voice as of thunder and
the rushing of winds, saying, Lift up your gates, O ye princes; and be ye
lift up, O everlasting gates, and the King of Glory shall come in.2 When the
prince of hell heard this, he said to Satan, Depart from me, and begone out of
my habitations; if thou art a powerful warrior, fight with the King of Glory.
But what hast thou to do with him?3 And he cast him forth from his
habitations.4 And the prince said to his impious officers, Shut the brass gates
of cruelty, and make them fast with iron bars, and fight courageously, lest we
be taken captives.5 But when all the company of the saints heard this they
spake with a loud voice of anger to the prince of hell:6 Open thy gates that
the King of Glory may come in.7 And the divine prophet David, cried out saying, Did
not I when on earth truly prophesy and say, O that men would praise the Lord
for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men.8 For he
hath broken the gates of brass, and cut the bars of iron in sunder. He hath
taken them because of their iniquity, and because of their unrighteousness they
are afflicted.9 After this another prophet, namely, holy Isaiah, spake in
like manner to all the saints, did not I rightly prophesy to you when I was
alive on earth?10 The dead men shall live, and they shall rise again who are in
their graves, and they shall rejoice who are in earth; for the dew which is
from the Lord shall bring deliverance to them.11 And I said in another place, O
death, where is thy victory? O death, where is thy sting?12 When all the saints
heard these things spoken by Isaiah, they said to the prince of hell, Open
now thy gates, and take away thine iron bars; for thou wilt now be bound, and
have no power.13 Then there was a great voice, as of the sound of thunder
saying, Lift up your gates, O princes; and be ye lifted up, ye gates of hell,
and the King of Glory will enter in.14 The prince of hell perceiving the same
voice repeated, cried out as though he had been ignorant, Who is that King of
Glory?15 David replied to the prince of hell, and said, I understand the words
of that voice, because I spake them by his spirit. And now, as I have above
said, I say unto thee, the Lord strong and powerful, the Lord mighty in battle:
he is the King of Glory, and he is the Lord in heaven and in earth;16 He hath
looked down to hear the groans of the prisoners, and to set loose those that
are appointed to death. 17 And now, thou filthy and stinking prince of
hell, open thy gates, that the King of Glory may enter in; for he is the Lord
of heaven and earth.18 While David was saying this, the mighty Lord appeared in
the form of a man, and enlightened those places which had ever before been in
darkness,19 And broke asunder the fetters which before could not be broken; and
with his invincible power visited those who sate in the deep darkness by
iniquity, and the shadow of death by sin.
CHAP. XVII.
1 Death and the devils in great horror
at Christ's coming. 13 He tramples on death, seizes the prince
of hell, and takes Adam with him to heaven.
IMPIOUS Death and her cruel officers hearing
these things, were seized with fear in their several kingdoms, when they saw
the clearness of the light,2 And Christ himself on a sudden appearing in their
habitations; they cried out therefore, and said, We are bound by thee; thou
seemest to intend our confusion before the Lord.3 Who art thou, who hast no
sign of corruption, but that bright appearance which is a full proof of thy
greatness, of which yet thou seemest to take no notice?4 Who art thou, so
powerful and so weak, so great and so little, a mean and yet a soldier of the
first rank, who can command in the form of a servant as a common soldier?5 The
King of Glory, dead and alive, though once slain upon the cross?6 Who layest
dead in the grave, and art come down alive to us, and in thy death all the
creatures trembled, and all the stars were moved, and now hast thou thy liberty
among the dead, and givest disturbance to our legions?7 Who art thou, who dost
release the captives that were held in chains by original sin, and bringest
them into their former liberty8 Who art thou, who dost spread so glorious and
divine a light over those who were made blind by the darkness of sin?9 In like
manner all the legions of devils were seized with the like horror, and with the
most submissive fear cried out, and said,10 Whence comes it, O thou Jesus
Christ, that thou art a man so powerful and glorious in majesty, so bright as
to have no spot, and so pure as to have no crime? For that lower world of
earth, which was ever till now subject to us, and from whence we received
tribute, never sent us such a dead man before, never sent such presents as
these to the princes of hell.11 Who therefore art thou, who with such courage
enterest among our abodes, and art not only not afraid to threaten us with the
greatest punishments, but also endeavourest to rescue all others from the
chains in which we hold them?12 Perhaps thou art that Jesus, of whom Satan just
now spoke to our prince, that by the death of the cross thou wert about to receive
the power of death.13 Then the King of Glory trampling upon death, seized the
prince of hell, deprived him of all his power, and took our earthly father Adam
with him to his glory.
CHAP. XVIII.
1 Beelzebub, prince of hell,
vehemently upbraids Satan for persecuting Christ and bringing him to
hell. 4. Christ gives Beelzebub dominion over Satan for ever, as a
recompense for taking away Adam and his sons.
THEN the prince of hell took Satan, and with
great indication said to him, O thou prince of destruction, author of
Beelzebub's defeat and banishment, the scorn
of God's angels and loathed by all righteous persons! What inclined thee to act
thus?2 Thou wouldst crucify the King of Glory, and by his destruction, hast
made us promises of very large advantages, but as a fool wert ignorant of what
thou wast about.3 For behold now that Jesus of Nazareth, with the brightness of
his glorious divinity, puts to flight all the horrid powers of darkness and
death;4 He has broke down our prisons from top to bottom, dismissed all the
captives, released all who were bound, and all who were wont formerly to groan
under the weight of their torments have now insulted us, and we are like to be
defeated by their prayers.5 Our impious dominions are subdued, and no part of
mankind is now left in our subjection, but on the other hand, they all boldly
defy us;6 Though, before, the dead never durst behave themselves insolently
towards us, nor, being prisoners, could ever on any occasion be merry.7 ¶ O
Satan, thou prince of all the wicked, father of the impious and abandoned, why
wouldest thou attempt this exploit, seeing our prisoners were hitherto always
without the least hopes of salvation and life?8 But now there is not one of
them does ever groan, nor is there the least appearance of a tear in any of
their faces.9 O prince Satan, thou great keeper of the infernal regions, all
thy advantages which thou didst acquire by the forbidden tree, and the loss of
Paradise, thou hast now lost by the wood of the cross;10 And thy happiness all
then expired, when thou didst crucify Jesus Christ the King of Glory.11 Thou
hast acted against thine own interest and mine, as thou wilt presently perceive
by those large torments and infinite punishments which thou art about to
suffer.12 O Satan, prince of all evil, author of death, and source of all
pride, thou shouldest first have inquired into the evil crimes of Jesus of
Nazareth, and then thou wouldest have found that he was guilty of no fault
worthy of death.13 Why didst thou venture, without either reason or justice, to
crucify him, and hast brought down to our regions a person innocent and
righteous, and thereby hast lost all the sinners, impious and unrighteous
persons in the whole world?14 While the prince of hell was thus speaking to
Satan, the King of Glory said to Beelzebub, the prince of hell, Satan, the
prince shall be subject to thy dominion for ever, in the room of Adam and his
righteous sons, who are mine.
CHAP. XIX.
1 Christ takes Adam by the hand, the
rest of the saints join hands, and they all ascend with him to Paradise.
THEN Jesus stretched forth his hand, and said,
Come to me, all ye my saints, who were created in my image, who were condemned
by the tree of forbidden fruit, and by the devil and death;2 Live now by the
wood of my cross; the devil, the prince of this world, is overcome, and death
is conquered.3 Then presently all the saints were joined together under the
hand of the most high God; and the Lord Jesus laid hold on Adam's hand and said
to him, Peace be to thee, and all thy righteous posterity, which is mine.4 Then
Adam, casting himself at the feet of Jesus, addressed himself to him, with
tears, in humble language, and a loud voice, saying, 5 I will extol thee, O
Lord, for thou hast lifted me up, and hast not made my foes to rejoice over me.
O Lord my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me.6 O Lord thou hast
brought up my soul from the grave; thou hast kept me alive, that I should not
go down to the pit.7 Sing unto the Lord, all ye saints of his, and give thanks
at the remembrance of his holiness. For his anger endureth but for a moment; in
his favour is life.8 In like manner all the saints, prostrate at the feet of
Jesus, said with one voice, Thou art come, O Redeemer of the world, and hast
actually accomplished all things, which thou didst foretell by the law and thy
holy prophets.9 Thou hast redeemed the living by thy cross, and art come down
to us, that by the death of the cross thou mightest deliver us from hell, and
by thy power from death.10 O, Lord, as thou hast put the ensigns of thy glory
in heaven, and hast set up the sign of thy redemption, even thy cross on earth!
so, Lord, set the sign of the victory of thy cross in hell, that death may have
do minion no longer.11 Then the Lord stretching forth his hand, made the sign
of the cross upon Adam, and upon all his saints.12 And taking hold of Adam by
his right hand, he ascended from hell, and all the saints of God followed
him.13 Then the royal prophet David boldly cried, and said, O sing unto
the Lord a new song, for he hath done marvellous things; his right hand and his
holy arm have gotten him the victory.14 The Lord hath made known his salvation,
his righteousness hath he openly shewn in the sight of the heathen.15 And the
whole multitude of saints answered, saying, This honour have all his
saints, Amen, Praise ye the Lord.16 Afterwards, the prophet Habakkuk cried
out, and said, Thou wentest forth for the salvation of thy people, even for the
salvation of thy people.17 And all the saints said, Blessed is he who cometh
in the name of the Lord; for the Lord hath enlightened us. This is our God for
ever and ever; he shall reign over us to everlasting ages, Amen.18 In like
manner all the prophets spake the sacred things of his praise, and followed the
Lord.
CHAP. XX.
1 Christ delivers Adam to Michael the
archangel. 3. They meet Enoch and Elijah in heaven, 5 and
also the blessed thief, who relates how he cares to Paradise.
THEN the Lord holding Adam by the hand,
delivered him to Michael the archangel; and he led them into Paradise, filled
with mercy and glory;2 And two very ancient men met them, and were asked by the
saints, Who are ye, who have not yet been with us in hell, and have had your
bodies placed in Paradise?3 One of them answering, said, I am Enoch, who was
translated by the word of God: and this man who is with me, is Elijah the
Tishbite, who was translated in a fiery chariot. 4 Here we have hitherto
been, and have not tasted death, but are now about to return at the coming of
Antichrist, being armed with divine signs and miracles, to engage with him in
battle, and to be slain by him at Jerusalem, and to be taken up alive again
into the clouds, after three days and a half. 5 ¶ And while the holy Enoch
and Elias were relating this, behold there came another man in a miserable
figure carrying the sign of the cross upon his shoulders.6 And when all the
saints saw him, they said to him, Who art thou? For thy countenance is like a
thief's; and why dost thou carry a cross upon thy shoulders?7 To which he
answering, said, Ye say right, for I was a thief who committed all sorts of
wickedness upon earth.8 And the Jews crucified me with Jesus; and I observed
the surprising things which happened in the creation at the crucifixion of the
Lord Jesus.9 And I believed him to be the Creator of all things, and the
Almighty King; and I prayed to him, saying, Lord, remember me, when thou comest
into thy kingdom.10 He presently regarded my supplication, and said to me,
Verily I say unto thee, this day thou shalt be with me in Paradise. 111
And he gave me this sign of the cross saying, Carry this, and go to Paradise;
and if the angel who is the guard of Paradise will not admit thee, shew him the
sign of the cross, and say unto him: Jesus Christ who is now crucified, hath
sent me hither to thee.12 When I did this, and told the angel who is the guard
of Paradise all these things, and he heard them, he presently opened the gates,
introduced me, and placed me on the right-hand in Paradise,13 Saying, Stay here
a little time, till Adam, the father of all mankind, shall enter in, with all
his sons, who are the holy and righteous servants of Jesus Christ, who was
crucified.14 When they heard all this account from the thief, all the
patriarchs said with one voice, Blessed be thou, O Almighty God, the Father of
everlasting goodness, and the Father of mercies, who hast shewn such favour to
those who were sinners against him, and hast brought them to the mercy of
Paradise, and hast placed them amidst thy large and spiritual provisions, in a
spiritual and holy life. Amen.
CHAP. XXI.
1 Charinus and Lenthius being only
allowed three days to remain on earth, 7 deliver in their
narratives, which miraculously correspond; they vanish, 13 and
Pilate records these transactions.
THESE are the divine and sacred mysteries
which we saw and heard. I, Charinus and Lenthius are not allowed to declare the
other mysteries of God, as the archangel Michael ordered us,2 Saying, ye shall
go with my brethren to Jerusalem, and shall continue in prayers, declaring and
glorifying the resurrection of Jesus Christ, seeing he hath raised you from the
dead at the same time with himself.3 And ye shall not talk with any man, but
sit as dumb persons till the time come when the Lord will allow you to relate
the mysteries of his divinity.4 The archangel Michael farther commanded us to
go beyond Jordan, to an excellent and fat country, where there are many who
rose from the dead along with us for the proof of the resurrection of Christ.5
For we have only three days allowed us from the dead, who arose to celebrate
the passover of our Lord with our parents, and to bear our testimony for Christ
the Lord, and we have been baptized in the holy river of Jordan. And now they
are not seen by any one.6 This is as much as God allowed us to relate to you;
give ye therefore praise and honour to him, and repent, and he will have mercy
upon you. Peace be to you from the Lord God Jesus Christ, and the Saviour of us
all. Amen, Amen, Amen.7 And after they had made an end of writing and had wrote
in two distinct pieces of paper, Charinus gave what he wrote into the hands of
Annas, and Caiaphas, and Gamaliel.8 Lenthius likewise gave what he wrote into
the hands of Nicodemus and Joseph; and immediately they were changed into exceeding
white forms and were seen no more.9 But what they had wrote was found perfectly
to agree, the one not containing one letter more or less than the other.10 When
all the assembly of the Jews heard all these surprising relations of Charinus
and Lenthius, they said to each other, Truly all these things were wrought by
God, and blessed be the Lord Jesus for ever and ever, Amen.11 And they went
about with great concern, and fear, and trembling, and smote upon their breasts
and went away every one to his home.12 But immediately all these things which
were related by the Jews in their synagogues concerning Jesus, were presently
told by Joseph and Nicodemus to the governor.13 And Pilate wrote down all these
transactions, and placed all these accounts in the public records of his hall.
