1. Greek, only in late manuscripts of Recension B. Tischendorf used three.
2. Latin A, found in the majority, perhaps, of the Latin manuscripts. Be it noted that all the Latin manuscripts have both parts of the Acts of Pilate.
3. Latin B, rather an abridged text in the account of the Descent, differing in order of contents and in setting from A.But the opening section is far longer than either of the others.
There are no early versions except the Latin. The Coptic, Syriac, and Armenian contain Part I only.
The order of the story in the three recensions demands a note. Latin A and Greek go together. Latin B differs.
| i. | The two men (nameless in Greek) are found and induced to write their story. | i. | The two men are found, write their story, and return to their tombs. |
| ii. | The story. A light shines in Hell. Adam, Esaias, Simeon speak (not in B). (In Greek, Abraham and Esaias.) John Baptist comes. | ii. | The story. A light shines. A voice: Lift up the gates. Satan has the doors secured. |
| iii. | Seth’s story of the oil of mercy. | iii. | Dialogue of Hell and Satan (A. iv). |
| iv. | Satan’s dialogue with Hell. | iv. | Seth’s story. |
| v. | First cry: Lift up the gates. David and Isaiah speak. Second cry. David speaks. Christ enters. (Greek, David speaks only once.) | v. | Isaiah and John Baptist (A. ii). |
| vi. | Address of Hell to Christ (not in B). Satan bound. | vi. | David and Jeremiah. Satan not allowed to leave hell. |
| vii. | Hell derides Satan. | vii. | Cry: Lift up the gates. The good thief appears (A. x). Second cry. |
| viii. | Christ greets Adam and takes all saints out of hell. David, Habacuc, Micheas speak (not in B). (Greek omits the prophecies.) | viii. | Doors broken. Christ enters. Satan bound. |
| ix. | They meet Enoch and Elias (not in B.). | ix. | Christ greets Adam and Eve (not in A). |
| x. | They meet the thief. | x. | Sets up his cross in hell (not in A). Leaves hell. Conclusion. |
| xi. | Conclusion. | ||
| xii. | The two men vanish, &c. | ||
In order to place the material fairly before readers it seems necessary to give all three texts. Here the Greek, which, like the rest of Recension B, is of late type, shall be relegated to the second place, and preference given to Latin A. The chapter and verse-numberings are those of Tischendorf.
