Page:Apocryphal Gospels and Other Documents Relating to the History of Christ.djvu/353

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THE GOSPEL OF NICODEMUS.
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jure you, by the salvation of Cæsar, is that true which ye say, that he was not born of fornication? They say to Pilate, We have a law not to swear, because it is sin; but they will swear that it is not as we said, and we are liable to death. Pilate saith to Annas and Caiaphas, Answer ye nothing to these things? Annas and Caiaphas say to Pilate, These twelve believe that he was not born of fornication; all the multitude of us proclaim that he was born of fornication, and is a magician, and calleth himself the Son of God and a king, and we believe him not.

And Pilate commanded all the multitude to go out, except the twelve men who said that he was not born of fornication, and commanded Jesus to be taken out. And Pilate saith to them, On what account wish they to slay him? They say unto him, They are jealous because he healeth on the sabbath. Pilate saith, For a good work do they wish to slay him? They say unto him, Yea.

CHAPTER III.

And Pilate was filled with anger, and went out of the prætorium and saith to them, I call the sun to witness that I find no fault in this man. The Jews answered and said to the governor, If this man was not an evil doer, we should not have delivered him to thee. And Pilate said, Take ye him and judge