Apocrypha | Exploring the enigmatic apocryphal writings beyond the canon of Scripture.: The Pilate Cycle

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The Mors Pilati, otherwise known as The Death of Pilate, Who Condemned Jesus, is a late medieval work. The narrative offers a far less ancient and alternative explanation for the death of Pontius Pilate.

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Apocryphal Books > The Pilate Cycle > Mors Pilati

Vindicta Salvatoris (The Vengeance of the Savior) is a virulently anti-Jewish work, likely written in Latin in the 8th century. It is often included with the Acts of Pilate (Gospel of Nicodemus). The theology reflects medieval Roman Catholic and anti-Semitic sentiments and supersessionism. Differing from the Bible, which places the blame for Jesus’ death on Herod, Pontius Pilate, the Gentiles, and the Jews together (Acts 4:27)—a plan foreordained by God Himself for the salvation of all sinners who turn to God in faith (Acts 4:28; Jn. 3:14–18; 1 Jn. 2:2)—Vindicta Salvatoris places the blame collectively on the Jews and has been historically used to justify attacks on the Jewish people. It also contains numerous historical issues, compressing hundreds of years of history into a short span of time, including the reigns of Herod Archelaus, Tiberius Caesar, and Vespasian, as well as the conversion of the emperors to Christianity, which did not actually occur until the 4th century.

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Apocryphal Books > The Pilate Cycle > Vindicta Salvatoris

The Paradosis Pilati (“The Handing Over of Pilate”) is an account of Pilate being brought to Rome for judgment. While the earliest extant manuscripts are from the 12th century, it is speculated to date from the 4th or 5th centuries.

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Apocryphal Books > The Pilate Cycle > Paradosis Pilati

The so-called Correspondence of Pilate includes likely pseudepigraphal letters to and from Pontius Pilate. It includes letters, probably quite late, purportedly from Herod to Pilate and Pilate to Herod. More significantly, the Report of Pontius Pilate, also called the Anaphora Pilati, is a likely pseudepigraphal letter from Pilate to Tiberius which describes Jesus’ execution and the aftermath. It may originate from the 4th century.

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Apocryphal Books > The Pilate Cycle > Correspondence of Pilate

The Narrative of Joseph of Arimathea is a medieval apocryphal text told from Joseph’s perspective, a wealthy and righteous man who secretly supported Jesus. It focuses heavily on the two robbers crucified with Jesus, particularly Demas, an invented name for the thief who was promised Paradise.

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Apocryphal Books > The Pilate Cycle > Narrative of Joseph of Arimathea

Also known as the Gospel of Nicodemus, the Acts of Pilate consists of three parts: a retelling of the trial, crucifixion, and subsequent resurrection of Christ, a fanciful story of Christ’s descent into Hades, and an occasionally appended pseudepigraphal letter from Pontius Pilate to Emperor Claudius. It is found primarily in Greek and Latin with the Latin recensions perhaps offering a more antique text. It is, in its most primordial form, likely a 4th-century work, although the appended letter may date to the 2nd century.