Date of composition

• Late 100s to early 200s.
• Possible reference by Hegesippus (d. 180) and a stronger reference by Origen (d. 253).

Biography of Jesus?

• Yes.

Type of Apocrypha (heretical or in error (made up))

• Error.

Length

• All we have are various quotes or references from different early church and medieval sources.

Summary

• See "Biography of Jesus" above.
• The Nazarenes (or Nazoreans) were Jewish Christians who followed the Covenant and Law of Moses but also accepted Jesus.

Noteworthy from the book

1. Jesus' mother and brothers encouraged Jesus to be baptized by John the Baptist. Jesus refused, stating that he had not sinned.
2. Matthew 12:13 describes the healing of a man with a withered hand. This gospel describes that man as a mason who asked for his hand to be healed so he could return to work.
3. At Jesus' death, the wooden lintel (the piece of wood over a door) in the Temple collapsed instead of the veil being torn.