The Lost Books of the Bible: The Great Rejected Texts

by Joseph B. Lumpkin

  4. The disciples asked Him, “Rabbi, why are you laughing at our prayer of thanks? Have we not acted appropriately?”

  He said, “I am not laughing at you. It is just that you are not doing this because you want to. You are doing this because your god (has to be / will be) praised.”

  5. They said, “Rabbi, you are the (earthly / only) son of our god.”

  Jesus answered, “How do you know me? (Do you think you know me?) I say to you truly, no one among you in this generation (in this race) will understand me.”

  6. His disciples heard this and became enraged and began mumbling profanities and mocking him in their hearts. When Jesus saw their inability (to understand what he said to them (their stupidity), he said,) “Why did you get so upset that you became angry? Your god, who is inside of you, (and your own lack of understanding guides you and) have instigated this anger in your (mind / soul). (I challenge) any man among you to show me who is (understanding enough) to bring out the perfect man and stand and face me.”

  7. They all said, “We are strong enough.”

  But in their (true being) spirits none dared to stand in front of him except for Judas Iscariot. Judas was able to stand in front of him, but even he could not look Jesus in the eyes, and he turned his face away.

  Note: It is uncertain as to the reason Judas did not look at Jesus. It was a custom of respect not to look a superior in the eyes. Either Judas was unable to look at Jesus or was constrained by the position of Jesus as his Rabbi.

  8. Judas said to Him, “I know who you are and where you came from. You are from the everlasting (eternal) aeon (realm or kingdom) of Barbelo (Barbelo’s everlasting kingdom). I am not worthy to speak the name of the one who sent you.”

  9. Jesus knew that Judas was capable of understanding (showing forth / thinking about) something that was glorious, so Jesus said to him, “Walk away (step a distance away) from the others and I will tell you about the mysteries of God (the reign of God / kingdom of God).

  10. It is possible for you to get there, but the path will cause you great grief because you will be replaced so that the twelve may be complete with their god again.”

  Judas asked him, “When will you tell me how the great day of light will dawn for this generation (race)? When will you explain these things?”

  But as he asked these things, Jesus left him.

  11. At the dawn of the next day after this happened, Jesus appeared to his disciples.

  They asked Him, “Rabbi, where did you go and what did you do when you left us?”

  Jesus said to them, “I went to another generation (race) that is a greater and holier generation (race).”

  12. His disciples asked him, “Lord, what is this great race that is superior to us and holier than us, that is not now in this realm (kingdom)?”

  When Jesus heard this, he laughed and said to them, “Why are you thinking in your hearts about the mighty and holy race (generation)? So be it - I will tell you. No one born in this age (realm / aeon) will see that (generation / race), and not even the multitude (army) of angels (controlling) the stars will rule over that generation (race), and no mortal (corruptible) person can associate (belong) with it.

  13. That generation does not come from (a realm) which has become (mortal / corrupted). The generation of people among (you) is from the generation of humanity (of inferior / without) power, which (cannot associate with the) other powers (above) by (whom) you rule / are ruled.”

  When (the /his) disciples heard this, they were all troubled in (their heart / spirit). They were speechless (could not utter a word).

  Note: This begins a distinction drawn between the generation or race of mankind, which is inferior, decaying, and unenlightened, and the “great generation or race,” which is enlightened, incorruptible, and eternal. There are only two races; those who have gnosis and those who do not. Interestingly, Jesus does not place the disciples in the great generation.

  14. On another day Jesus came up to (them). They said to (him), “Rabbi, we have seen you in a (dream), because we all had weighty (dreams about a night you were taken away / arrested).”

  (He said), “Why have (you come to me when you have) gone into hiding?”

  15. They said, “There was (an imposing building with a great altar in it and twelve men, (which we would say were) the priests, and there was a name, and a crowd of people waiting (enduring because of their perseverance) at that altar, (for) the priest (to come and receive) the offerings. (However) we kept waiting (we were tenacious also).”

  (Jesus asked), “What were (the priests) like?”

  They said, “Some (of them would fast) for two weeks; (others would) sacrifice their own children, others their wives, (all the while) in praise (offered in) humility with each other; some have sex with other men; some murder; some commit a plethora of sins and acts of crime. And the men who stand in front of the altar call upon your (name / authority), and in all the acts springing from their lack of knowledge (lack of light), the sacrifices are brought to completion (by their hands) (the alter remained full through their handiwork of slaughtering the sacrifices).”

  After they said these things they became uneasy and quiet.

  16. Jesus asked them, “Why are you bothered? So be it, I tell you that all the priests who have stood before that altar call upon my name. I have told I you many times that my name has been written on the (judgment) of this race (and on) the stars through the human generations. In my name (these people) have planted barren trees, (and have done so) without any honor.”

  17. Jesus said to them, “You are like those men you have seen conducting the offerings at the altar. That is the god you serve, and the twelve men you have seen represent you. The cattle you saw that were brought for sacrifice represent the many people you have led (will lead) astray before that altar. (You) will stand (lead / represent) and use my name in that way, as will the generations of the pious and you all will remain loyal to “him.” (Some translations have- “The lord of chaos will establish his place in this way.”) After “him” another man will lead from (the group of fornicators), and another (will lead at the alter from those who) murder children, and another from those who are homosexuals, and (another) those who fast, and (one will stand from) the rest of those who pollution themselves and who are lawlessness and who sin, and (from) those who say, ‘We are like the angels’; they are the stars that (make everything happen / bring everything to an end).

  18. It has been said to the human generations, ‘Look, God has received your sacrifice from the hands of a priest.’ But the priest is a minister of error (minister in error / ministers but is in sin). But it is the Lord, the Lord of all (the fullness of the divine), who commands, ‘On the last day (of time) they will be shamed (some have - “at the end of days”).’”

  Note: Jesus tells the disciples that they are loyal to the wrong god. He goes on to say that they are the ones who murder, fornicate, and sin. Furthermore, Jesus tells them that they will lead people into a spiritual slaughter like the cattle they saw sacrificed in their dream. At this time the 12 included Judas. This, along with other such verses has led many scholars to conclude that the Gospel of Judas was not depicting Judas to be the sanctified person the original translators thought him to be.

  19. Jesus (told them), “Stop (sacrificing that which) you have (and stop hovering) over the altar. The priests are over your stars and your angels. They have already come to their end there. So let them (be entrapped / quarrel / fight) before you, and leave them alone. (Do not be tainted by this generation but instead eat the food of knowledge given to you by the great one. )

  Note: We will see “stars” referred to often in the text. They are used to symbolize two unique concepts. It was thought that in the creation of the cosmos, luminaries were created which were powers controlling each person’s destiny. It was also thought that each person was assigned a star as his or her eternal home or resting place. A good person would ascend to his or her own star to rule and rest. Thu
s, stars were conscious powers, carrying out orders from God, and also were places of destiny for those who escape the material plane.

  20. A baker cannot feed all creation under (heaven). And (they will not give) to them (a food) and (give) to (those of the great generation the same food).

  Jesus said to them, “Stop struggling with (against) me. Each of you has his own star, and every (Lines are missing here. Text could read “ person has his own destiny.” Or possibly, “person who does well will dwell and rest on their star”).

  (All things happen in their own season and all seasons are appointed. And in (the season) which has come (it is spring) for the tree (of paradise) of this aeon / age (and it will produce) for a time (then wither) but he has come to water God’s paradise, and (also water this generation) that will last, because (he) will not corrupt / detour) the (path of life for) that generation, but (will guide it) from eternity to eternity.”

  21. Judas asked him, “Rabbi, what kind of fruit does this generation produce?”

  Jesus answered, “The souls of every human generation will die. However, when these people (of this kingdom) have completed the time in the kingdom and the living breath leaves them, their bodies will die but their souls will continue to be alive, and they will ascended (be lifted up / be taken up).”

  Judas asked, “What will the remainder of the human generations do?”

  Jesus said, “It is not possible to plant seeds in (rocky soil) and harvest its fruit. (This is also the way (of) the (corrupted) race (generation), (the children of this kingdom) and corruptible Sophia / wisdom) (is / are) not the hand that has created mortal people, so that their souls ascend to the eternal realms above. Amen, I say, (that no) angel (or / of ) power will be able to see that (kingdom of) these to whom (belong that) holy generations (above).”

  After Jesus said this, he departed.

  22. Judas said, “Rabbi, you have listened to all of those others, so now listen to me too. I have seen a great vision.”

  23. When Jesus heard this, he laughed and said to him, “You (are the) thirteenth spirit (daemon), why are you trying so hard / why do you excite yourself like this? However, speak up, and I will be patient with you.”

  Judas said to him, “In the vision I saw myself and the twelve disciples were stoning me and persecuting me very badly / severely / strongly. And I (was following you and I) arrived at a place where I saw (a large house in front me), and my eyes could not (take in / comprehend) its size. Many people were surrounding it, and the house had a roof of plants (grass / green vegetation), and in the middle of the house (there was a crowd) (and I was there with you), saying, ‘Rabbi, take me in (the house) along with these people.’”

  24. He responded and said, “Judas, your star has misled you. No person of mortal birth is worthy to enter the house you have seen. It is a place reserved for the saints. Not even the sun or the moon or day (light) will rule there. Only the saints will live there, in the eternal kingdom with the holy angels, always ( some have the text as – “will be firmly established with the holy angels forever”). Look, I have explained to you the mysteries of the kingdom and I have taught you about the error of the stars; and (I have) sent it (on its path) on the twelve ages (aeons).”

  Note: The Lost Book of Enoch tells of stars, which are the guiding forces of man and nature, erring. They become misplaced and out of order. They had to be placed or directed back into their proper paths. See The Lost Book of Enoch, by Joseph Lumpkin.

  Note: There are 12 Astrological Ages. The 12 signs of the zodiac make up a 360-degree ecliptic path around the Earth, and takes 25,920 years to make the Precession of the Equinoxes. Each sign is comprised of 30 degrees of celestial longitude. Each degree of the precession is equal to 72 Earth years, and each year is equal to 50 seconds of degrees of arc of celestial longitude. In a 24 hour Earth day, the Earth rotates the entire 360 degrees of the ecliptic, allowing a person to see all 12 signs.

  25. Judas said, “Rabbi, could it be that my (spiritual) seed will conquer the rulers of cosmic power (could also be rendered: “is under the control of the archons or rulers of cosmic power”?)”

  26. Jesus answered and said to him, “Come (with me so) that I (may show you the kingdom you will receive. I will show you what is to come of you and this generation), but you will be grieved when you see the kingdom and all its race (of people).”

  When Judas heard Him he said to him, “What good is it if I have received it seeing that you have set me apart from that race?”

  Jesus answered him and said, “You will become the thirteenth, and you will be cursed by the other generations, and you will come to rule over them. In the last days they will curse your ascent to the holy (race / kingdom).”

  Note: I have chosen the word, “daemon” and not “demon” because the meaning of the text is unclear. A daemon is a divinity or supernatural being of a nature between gods and humans. In verse 24 Jesus tells Judas that he will never be worthy to enter the house, which symbolizes the eternal kingdom. Later in verse 26 Jesus seems to indicate that Judas will be cursed by the other disciples but will be raised to enter the holy generation in the last days. It is possible the interim time will be spent in what the Bible calls, “his own place.”

  27. Jesus said, “(Follow / come with me), so that I may teach you the (secrets) that no person (has) ever seen.

  Note: This begins a creation myth based on certain Sethian Gnostic cosmology. The telling of the story appears to be an attempt to link the Gnostic cosmology to the teachings of Jesus in order to add validity and authority to the creation story and entities as well as assisting in the propagation of the sect.

  There is a great and limitless kingdom, whose scope no generation of angels has seen (and in it) The Great Invisible (Spirit) is, and no angel’s eye has ever seen, no thought of the heart (mind) has ever understood it, and no name can be assigned it (it cannot be named).

  28. “And a brightly glowing cloud appeared there. The Great Spirit said, ‘Let an angel come into being as my assistant (attendant / helper).’

  “A great angel, the enlightened, divine, Self-Generated (Self-Created) one emerged from the cloud. Because of him, four other angelic lights (luminaries), (Harmozel, Oroiael, Daveithai, and Eleleth) began to exist from another cloud, and they became assistants (helpers / attendants) to the Self-Generated angel (messenger). The Self-Created one proclaimed, ‘Let (there) come into being (a star / Adam),’ and it (he) came into being (at once). He (created) the first star (luminary / bright, shining being) to reign over him.

  Note: Here we have a garbled text, the translation of which can go one of two ways. The words missing in the middle of the text could be Adam, who is also known as Adamas, or it could refer to a star, since the next reference is to a luminary. The direction of the text is unclear except that it is agreed that the word “it” is used in the text.

  He said, ‘Let angels (messengers) begin existence to adore (worship) (him),’ and an innumerable plethora became existent. He said, ‘(Let there be) an aeon of light,’ and he began existence. He created the second star to rule over him, to render service together with the innumerable plethora of angels. That is how he created the rest of the aeons of light. He made them rulers over them, and he created for them an innumerable plethora of angels to assist them.

  29. “Adamas (Adam) was in the first luminous cloud (the initial divine expression) that no angel has ever seen, including all those called ‘God.’ He (was the one) that (created the enlightened aeon and beheld) the image and produced him after the likeness of (this) angel. He made the incorruptible (generation) of Seth appear (from) the twelve (aeons and) the twenty-four (stars / angelic lights / luminaries). He made seventy-two angelic lights appear in the imperishable generation, as the will of the Spirit dictated. The seventy-two angelic lights themselves made three hundred sixty angelic lights appear in the immortal race, by following the will of the Spirit, that their number should be five for each.

  Note: Seth is the son
of Adam and was considered to be divine as Adam was divine. Seth produced “that incorruptible generation.” He was thought to have received the knowledge that would bring freedom from the material realm, and thus, salvation.

  30. “The twelve realms (aeons) of the twelve angelic lights make up / appoint their Father, with six heavens for each aeon, so that there are seventy-two heavens for the seventy-two angelic lights, and for each (there are five) skies, (producing all) three hundred sixty (skies for the stars). They were given authority and a innumerable host of angels, for glory and adoration (worship), (and then he gave the) virgin (pure spirits), for glory and worship of all the aeons and the heavens and their firmaments (skies).

  Note: The numbers assigned to the various aeons, angels, and stars have significance in both biblical number symbolism and Pythagorean numerology.