Gospel of the Holy Twelve

1AND it came to pass while Iesus yet spake, behold there came a multitude, and Judas that was called Iscariot went before them. For Judas, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.

2Iesus therefore, knowing all things that should a come upon him, went forth and said unto them, Whom seek ye? They answered him, Iesus of Nazareth. Iesus saith unto them, I am he.

3As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward and fell to the ground. And when they arose, then asked he them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Iesus of Nazareth. And Iesus answered, I have told you, I am he; if therefore ye seek me let these go their way.

4Now he that betrayeth him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast.

5And forthwith he came to Iesus and said, Hail, Master; and kissed him. And Iesus said unto him. Friend, wherefore art thou come? Is it with a kiss that thou betrayest the Son of man?

6Then Iesus said unto the chief priests and captains of the temple and the elders, which were come to him, Why ye come out as against a thief, with swords and staves? When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me; but this is your hour, and the power of darkness.

7Then came they and laid hands on Iesus. And Simon Peter stretched forth his hand, and drew his sword and struck a servant of the high priest’s and smote off his ear.

8Then said Iesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into its place; all they that take the sword shall perish by the sword. And Iesus touched his ear and healed him.

9And he said unto Peter, Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Parent, and He shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?

10Then all the disciples forsook him and fled. And they that had laid hands on Iesus led him away to Caiaphas, the high priest. But they brought him to Annas first because he was father-in-law to Caiaphas, who was the high priest for that same year.

11Now Caiaphas was he who gave council to the Jews that it was expedient that one man should die for the sins of the people.

12And the scribes and the elders were assembled together, but Peter and John and Simon and Jude followed far off unto the high priest’s palace, and they went in and sat with the servants to see the end.

13And they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and when they were set down together, Peter sat down among them and warmed himself, and Simon also sat by him.

14But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him and said, This man was also with him. And he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not.

15And after a little while, another saw him and said, Thou art also of them. And Simon said, Man, I am not.

16And about the space of one hour another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow was with Iesus of Nazareth for his speech betrayeth him.

17And Simon denied the third time with an oath, saying, I know not the man. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew.

18And the Lord turned and looked upon Simon. And Simon remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow this day thou shalt deny me thrice. And Simon went out and wept bitterly. LECTION 78. 12-18. -The belief that Peter denied his Master is probably owing to two of the Apostles bearing the same name, Simon Peter and Simon the Canaanite. Here we are given the right version. The error is one that might have been easily made. It is worthy of notice, that this ancient Gospel attributes to Simon (not to Simon Peter) the thrice denial of Iesus, and his fully exonerates Peter from the baseness generally attributed to him, and to which there is no allusion in his writings, but rather the reverse in the accepted gospel, where he was first to draw the sword in defense of his Master.