Page:Apocryphal Gospels and Other Documents Relating to the History of Christ.djvu/351

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THE GOSPEL OF NICODEMUS.
235

CHAPTER II.

And when Pilate saw it he was afraid and sought to rise up from the judgment seat. And while it was yet in his mind to rise, his wife sent to him, saying, Have nothing to do with this just man, for I have suffered very much because of him in the night.[1] And Pilate, having called the Jews, said to them, Ye know that my wife is religious, and inclined to practise Judaism with you. They said unto him, Yea, we know it. Pilate saith to them, Behold, my wife hath sent to me, saying, Have nothing to do with this just man, for I have suffered very much because of him in the night. But the Jews answered and said to Pilate, Did we not tell thee that he is a magician? Behold he hath sent a dream to thy wife.

And Pilate called Jesus and said to him, What do these testify against thee? Dost thou say nothing? And Jesus said, Except they had power they would have said nothing. For every one of them hath power over his own mouth to speak both good and evil. They will see.

And the elders of the Jews answered and said to Jesus, What shall we see? first, that thou wast born

  1. Matt. xxvii. 19. This message is hinted at in the letter of Pilate to Herod, which will be found lower down.