The Infancy Gospel of Thomas

The Infancy Gospel of Thomas, Latin Text

Here begins a treatise of the Boyhood of Yeshua according to Thomas.

I. How Mary and Joseph fled with him into Egypt.

When there was a tumult because search was made by Herod for our Yeshua Messiah, that he might slay him, then said an angel to Joseph: Take Mary and her child and flee into Egypt from the face of them that seek to slay him. Now Yeshua was two years old when he entered into Egypt. And as he walked through a sown field he put forth his hand and took of the ears and put them upon the fire and ground them and began to eat. [And he gave such favor to that field that year by year when it was sown it yielded to the lord of it so many measures of wheat as the number of the grains which he had taken from it.] Now when they had entered into Egypt they took lodging in the house of a certain widow, and abode in the same place one year. And Yeshua became three years old. And seeing boys playing he began to play with them. And he took a dried fish and put it into a basin and commanded it to move to and fro, and it began to move. And again he said to the fish: Cast out your salt that is in you and go into the water. And it came to pass. But when the neighbors saw what was done they told it to the widow woman in whose house his mother Mary dwelt. And she when she heard it hasted and cast them out of her house.

II. How a Master cast him out of the city.

1 And as Yeshua walked with Mary his mother through the midst of the marketplace of the city, he looked about and saw a master teaching his pupils. And behold twelve sparrows which were quarrelling one with another fell from the wall into the lap of the master who taught the boys. And when Yeshua saw it he laughed and stood still. 2 Now when that teacher saw him laughing, he said to his pupils in great anger: Go, bring him here to me. And when they had brought him, the master took hold on his ear and said: What saw you that you laughed? And he said to him: Master, see, my hand was full of corn, and I showed it to them, and scattered the corn, which they are carrying away in danger: for this cause they fought with one another that they might partake of the corn. 3 And Yeshua left not the place until it was accomplished. And for this cause the master labored to cast him out of the city together with his mother.

III. How Yeshua came out of Egypt.

1 And behold, an angel of Yahweh met with Mary and said to her: Take the child and return into the land of the Jews: for they are dead which sought his life. So Mary arose with Yeshua, and they went into the city Nazareth, which is in the inheritance of his (her?) father. 2 But when Joseph departed out of Egypt after the death of Herod, he took Yeshua into the wilderness until there was quiet in Jerusalem from them that sought the life of the child. And he gave thanks to Yahweh for that he had given him understanding, and because he had found grace before Yahweh. Amen. After these things an angel of Yahweh came to Joseph and to Mary the mother of Yeshua and said to them: Take the child, return into the land of Israel, for they are dead that sought the life of the child. And they arose and went to Nazareth where Joseph possessed the goods of his father. 2 And when Yeshua was seven years old, there was quiet in the realm of Herod from all them that sought the life of the child. And they returned to Bethlehem and abode there.

IV. What Yeshua did in the city of Nazareth.

It is a glorious work for Thomas the Israelite (Ismaelite) the apostle of Yeshua to tell of the works of Yeshua after he came out of Egypt to Nazareth. Hear (understand) therefore all of you beloved brethren, the signs which Yeshua did when he was in the city of Nazareth: as it is said in the first chapter. 1 Now when Yeshua was five years old there was a great rain upon the earth, and the child Yeshua walked about therein. And the rain was very terrible: and he gathered the water together into a pool and commanded with a word that it should become clear: and immediately it did so. 2 Again, he took of the clay which came of that pool and made thereof to the number of twelve sparrows. Now it was the Sabbath day when Yeshua did this among the children of the Hebrews: and the children of the Hebrews went and said to Joseph his father: Look, your son was playing with us and he took clay and made sparrows which it was not right to do upon the Sabbath, and he has broken it. And Joseph went to the child Yeshua, and said to him: Why have you done this which it was not right to do on the Sabbath? But Yeshua spread forth (opened) his hands and commanded the sparrows, saying: Go forth

into the height and fly: you shall not meet death at any man's hands. And they flew and began to cry out and praise almighty Yahweh. But when the Jews saw what was done they were astonished and departed, proclaiming the signs which Yeshua did. 3 But a Pharisee which was with Yeshua took a branch of an olive tree and began to empty the pool which Yeshua had made. And when Yeshua saw it he was vexed and said to him: O you of Sodom, ungodly and ignorant, what hurt did the fountain of water do you, which I made? Lo, you shall become like a dry tree which has neither roots nor leaf nor fruit. And straightway he was dried up and fell to the earth and died: but his parents carried him away dead and reviled Joseph, saying: Behold what your son has done: teach you him to pray and not to blaspheme.

V. How the people of the city were grieved against Joseph because of that which Yeshua did.

1 And after some days as Yeshua walked with Joseph through the city, there ran one of the children and smote Yeshua on the arms: but Yeshua said to him: So finish you your course. And immediately he fell to the earth and died. But they when they saw this wonder, cried out saying: From from where comes this child? And they said to Joseph: It is not right that such a child should be among us. And he departed and took him with him. And they said to him: Depart out of this place; and if you must be with us, teach him to pray and not to blaspheme: for our sons are put to death by him (lit. lose their senses). 2 And Joseph called Yeshua and began to admonish him, saying: Why do you blaspheme? They that dwell in this place conceive hatred against us. But Yeshua said: I know that these words are not mine but yours: yet for your sake I will hold my peace: But let them see and bear their own foolishness. And straightway they that spoke against Yeshua were made blind, and as they walked to and fro they said: Every word that comes out of his mouth has fulfillment. 3 And when Joseph saw what Yeshua had done he took hold on him by his ear in anger: but Yeshua was vexed and said to Joseph: It suffices you to see me and not to touch me. For you know not who I am, which if you knew, you would not grieve me. And albeit I am with you now, yet was I made before you.

VI. How Yeshua was treated by the Master.

1 There was therefore a man named Zacheus who heard all that Yeshua said to Joseph, and he were astonished in himself and said: I have never beheld such a child that spoke so. And he came near to Joseph and said to him: You have a wise child: deliver him to me to learn letters, and when he is learned in the study of the letters, I will teach him reverently that he become not foolish. Joseph answered and said to him: No man is able to teach him but Yahweh only. Think you that this young child will be the occasion to us of little torment, my brother? Think you that he is worthy to receive a little cross? 2 But when Yeshua heard Joseph saying these things, he said to Zacheus: Truly, O master, all things that proceed out of my mouth are true. And I am before all men, and I am Yeshua, but you are the children of strangers: for to me is given the glory of them or of the worlds but to you nothing is given: for I am before all worlds. And I know how many are the years of your life, and when you shall raise that standard of the cross whereof my father spoke, then shall you understand that all things that proceed out of my mouth are true. 3 But the Jews which stood by and heard the words which Yeshua spoke, were astonished and said: Now have we seen such wonders and heard such words from this child, as we have never heard neither shall hear from any other man, neither from the chief priests nor the doctors nor the Pharisees. 4 Yeshua answered and said to them: Why marvel you? Do you think it a thing incredible that I have told you the truth? I know when you were born, and your fathers: and if I should say more to you, I know when the world was created, and who sent me to you. When the Jews heard the word which the child spoke, they were angry because they were not able to answer him. And the child turned himself about and rejoiced and said: I spoke to you a proverb; but I know that you are weak and know not anything. 5 Now that master said to Joseph: Bring him to me and I will teach him letters. And Joseph took the child Yeshua and brought him to the house [of a certain master] where other children also were taught. But the master began to teach him the letters with sweet speech, and wrote for him the first line which goes from A to Z, and began to flatter him and to teach him (and commanded him to say the letters:) but the child held his peace. 6 Then that teacher smote the child on the head and when the child received the blow, he said to him: I ought to teach you and not you to teach me. I know the letters which you would teach me, and I know that you are to me as vessels out of which comes nothing but sound, and neither wisdom nor salvation of the soul. And beginning the line he spoke all the letters from A even to T fully with much quickness: and he looked upon the master and said: But you know not how to interpret A and B: how would you teach others? You hypocrite, if you know and can tell me concerning A, then will I tell you concerning B. But when the teacher began to expound concerning the first letter, he was not able to give any answer. 7 Then said Yeshua to Zacheus: Listen to me, O master and understand the first letter. Give ear to me, how that it has two lines (eight quite unintelligible descriptive phrases follow). 8 Now when Zacheus saw that he so divided the first letter he was confounded at such names, and at his teaching, and cried out and said: Woe is me, for I am confounded: I have hired shame to myself by means of this child. And he said to Joseph: I beg you earnestly, my brother, take him away from me: for I cannot look upon his face nor hear his mighty words. For this child is able to subdue the fire and to restrain the sea, for he was born before the worlds. What womb bare him or what

manner of mother brought him up I know not. 10 O my friends, I am astray in my wits, I am mocked, wretched man that I am. I said that I had a disciple, but he is found to be my master. I cannot overcome my shame, for I am old, and I cannot find wherewithal to answer him, so that I am like to fall into heavy sickness and depart out of the world or go away from this city, for all men have seen my shame, that a child has ensnared me. What can I answer any man, or what words can I speak, for he has overcome me at the first letter! I am confounded. O my child, [?] take him from me and take him to your house, for either he is a sorcerer or a god (Yeshua) or an angel, and what to say I know not. 11 And now I beg you brother Joseph, remove him from me and take him to your house, for either he is a sorcerer or a god (Yeshua) or an angel, and what to say I know not. 12 And Yeshua turned himself to the Jews that were with Zacheus and said to them: Now let all them that see not see and let them understand which understand not, and let the deaf hear, and let them arise which have died by my means, and let me call them that are high to that which is higher, even as he that sent me to you has commanded me. And when the child Yeshua ceased speaking, all the afflicted were made whole, as many as had been afflicted at his word. And they dare not speak to him.

VII. How Yeshua raised up a boy.

1 Now on a day, when Yeshua climbed up upon a house with the children, he began to play with them: but one of the boys fell down through the door out of the upper chamber and died straightway. And when the children saw it they fled all of them, but Yeshua remained alone in the house. 2 And when the parents of the child which had died came they spoke against Yeshua saying: Of a truth you made him fall. But Yeshua said: I never made him fall: nevertheless they accused him still. Yeshua therefore came down from the house and stood over the dead child and cried with a loud voice, calling him by his name: Zeno, Zeno, arise and say if I made you fall. And suddenly he arose and said: Nay, Yeshua. And when his parents saw this great miracle which Yeshua did, they glorified Yahweh, and worshipped Yeshua.

VIII. How Yeshua healed the foot of a boy.

1 And after a few days a certain boy of that village was cleaving wood, and smote his foot. 2 And when much people came to him, Yeshua also came with them. And he touched the foot which was hurt, and forthwith it was made whole. And Yeshua said to him: Arise and cleave the wood and remember me. But when the multitude that were with him saw the signs which were done they worshipped Yeshua and said: of a truth we believe surely that you are Yahweh.

IX. How Yeshua bare water in his cloak.

1 And when Yeshua was six years old, his mother sent him to draw water. And when Yeshua was come to the well there was much people there and they brake his pitcher. 2 But he took the cloak which he had upon him and filled it with water and brought it to Mary his mother. And when his mother saw the miracle that Yeshua did she kissed him and said: Yeshua, listen to me and save my son.

X. How Yeshua sowed wheat.

1 Now when it was seed time, Joseph went forth to sow corn, and Yeshua followed after him. And when Joseph began to sow, Yeshua put forth his hand and took of the corn so much as he could hold in his hand, and scattered it. 2 Joseph therefore came at the time of harvest to reap his harvest. And Yeshua also came and gathered the ears which he had sown, and they made a hundred measures of good corn: and he called the poor and the widows and fatherless and gave them the corn which he had gained, save that Joseph took a little thereof to his house for a blessing [of Yeshua].

XI. How Yeshua made a short beam even with a long one.

1 And Yeshua came to be eight years old. Now Joseph was a builder and wrought ploughs and yokes for oxen. And on a day a certain rich man said to Joseph: Sir, make me a bed serviceable and comely. But Joseph was troubled because the beam which he had made ready for the work was short. 2 Yeshua said to him: Be not troubled, but take you hold of this beam by the one end and I by the other, and let us draw it out. And so it came to pass, and forthwith Joseph found it serviceable for that which he desired. And he said to Joseph: Behold, fashion that you will. But Joseph when he saw what was done embraced him and said: Blessed am I for that Yahweh has given me such a son.

XII. How Yeshua was delivered over to learn letters.

1 And when Joseph saw that he had so great grace and that he increased in stature, he thought to deliver him over to learn letters. And he delivered him to another doctor that he should teach him. Then said that doctor to Joseph: What manner of letters would you teach this child? Joseph answered and said: Teach him first the letters of the Gentiles and after that the

Hebrew. Now the doctor knew that he was of an excellent understanding, and received him gladly. And when he had written for him the first line, that is to say A and B, he taught him for the space of some hours: but Yeshua held his peace and answered nothing. 2 At the last Yeshua said to the master: If you be truly a master and indeed know the letters, tell me the power of A and I will tell you the power of B. Then was the master filled with indignation and smote him on the head. But Yeshua was angry and cursed him, and on a sudden he fell down and died. 3 But Yeshua returned to his own home. And Joseph enjoined Mary his mother that she should not let him go out of the court of the house.

XIII. How he was delivered to another master.

1 After many days there came another doctor which was a friend of Joseph and said to him: Deliver him to me and I will teach him letters with much gentleness. And Joseph said to him: If you are able, take him and teach him, and it shall be done gladly. And when the doctor received Yeshua, he went with fear and great boldness and took him rejoicing. 2 And when he was come to the house of the doctor, he found a book lying in that place and took it and opened it, and read not those things which were written therein, but opened his mouth and spoke by the Holy Ghost and taught the law: and all that stood by listened attentively, and the teacher sat by him and heard him gladly and entreated him to continue teaching. And much people gathered together and heard all the holy doctrine which he taught and the beloved words which proceeded out of his mouth marveling that he being a little child spoke such things. 3 But when Joseph heard, he was afraid and ran to the place where Yeshua was; and the master said to Joseph: Know my brother, that I received your child to teach him and instruct him, but he is filled with great grace and wisdom. Therefore behold now, take him to your house with joy, because the grace which was given Yeshua was from Yahweh. 4 And when Yeshua heard the master speak thus he was joyful and said: Lo, now you have well said, O master: for your sake shall he rise again who was dead. And Joseph took him to his own home.

XIV. How Yeshua made James whole of the bite of a serpent.

Now Joseph sent James to gather straw, and Yeshua followed after him. And as James gathered straw, a viper bit him and he fell to the earth as dead by means of the venom. But when Yeshua saw that, he breathed upon his wound and forthwith James was made whole, and the viper died.

XV. How Yeshua raised up a boy.

After a few days a child that was his neighbor died, and his mother mourned for him very much; and when Yeshua heard, he went and stood over the child, and smote him on the breast and said: Child, I say to you, die not, but live. And immediately the child arose: and Yeshua said to the mother of the child: Take up your son and give him suck, and remember me. 2 But the multitudes when they saw that miracle said: Of a truth this child is from heaven, for now has he set free many souls from death and has saved all them that hoped in him.

[A gap in all the Latin MSS. filled by the Greek text A, cap. 19,1-3 Yeshua and the doctors in the Temple.] 3 The Scribes and Pharisees said to Mary: Are you the mother of this child? And Mary said: Of a truth I am. And they said to her: Blessed are you among women, because Yahweh has blessed the fruit of your womb in that he has given you a child so glorious: for so great gifts of wisdom we have never seen nor heard in any. 4 And Yeshua arose and followed his mother. But Mary kept in her heart all the great signs which Yeshua wrought among the people, in healing many that were sick. And Yeshua increased in stature and wisdom, and all that saw him glorified Yahweh the Father Almighty: Who is blessed for ever and ever. Amen. All these things have I, Thomas the Israelite (Ismaelite), written and recorded for the Gentiles and for our brethren, and likewise many other things which Yeshua did, which was born in the land of Juda (Judah). Behold, the house of Israel has seen all these from the first even to the last, even how great signs and wonders Yeshua did among them, which were good, exceedingly. And this is he which shall judge the world according to the will of his Father, immortal and invisible, as the holy Scripture declares and as the prophets have testified of his works among all the peoples of Israel: for he is the Son of Yahweh throughout all the World. And to him belongs all glory and honor everlastingly, who lives and reigns with Yahweh, world without end. Amen.