The Gospel of Barnabas · Chapter 185
False Pharisees and the Example of Gehazi
Jesus answered: 'Brother, it is not time that hath done this, but rather the wicked world. For in every time it is possible to serve God in truth, but by companying with the world, that is with the evil manners in each time, men become bad.
'Now knowest thou not that Gehazi, servant of Elisha the prophet, lying, and shaming his master, took the money and the raiment of Naaman the Syrian? And yet Elisha had a great number of Pharisees to whom God made him to prophesy.
'Verily I say unto thee, that men are so inclined to evil working, and so much doth the world excite them thereto, and Satan entice them to evil, that the Pharisees of the present day avoid every good work and every holy example: and the example of Gehazi is sufficient for them to be reprobated of God.'
The scribe answered: 'It is most true': whereupon Jesus said: 'I would that thou wouldst narrate to me the example of Haggai and Hosea both prophets of God, in order that we may behold the true Pharisee.'
The scribe answered: 'O master what shall I say? Of a surety many believe it not, although it is written by Daniel the prophet; but in obedience to thee I will narrate the truth.
'Haggai was fifteen years old when, having sold his patrimony and given it to the poor, he went forth from Anathoth to serve Obadiah the prophet. Now the aged Obadiah, who knew the humility of Haggai, used him as a book wherewith to teach his disciples. Wherefore he oftentimes presented him raiment and delicate food, but Haggai ever sent back the messenger, saying: "Go, return to the house, for thou hast made a mistake. Shall Obadiah send me such things? Surely not: for he knoweth that I am good for naught, and only commit sins."
'And Obadiah, when he had anything bad used to give it to the one next to Haggai in order that he might see it. Whereupon Haggai, when he saw it, would say to himself: "Now, behold, Obadiah hath certainly forgotten thee, for this thing is suited to me alone, because I am worse than all. And there is nothing so vile but that, receiving it from Obadiah, by whose hands God granteth it to me, it were a treasure."
Jesus answered: 'Brother, time itself has not caused this, but the wicked world has. In every age it is possible to serve God sincerely, but by keeping company with the world—that is, with the evil customs of each age—people become corrupt.'
'Do you not know that Gehazi, the servant of the prophet Elisha, lied, brought shame upon his master, and took the money and clothing of Naaman the Syrian? Yet Elisha had many Pharisees to whom God enabled him to prophesy.'
'Truly, I tell you, human beings are so inclined to evil, the world urges them toward it so strongly, and Satan entices them so persistently, that the Pharisees of the present day avoid every good work and every holy example. The example of Gehazi alone is enough for them to be rejected by God.'
The scribe answered: 'It is entirely true.' Then Jesus said: 'I would like you to tell me the examples of Haggai and Hosea, both prophets of God, so that we may see what a true Pharisee is like.'
The scribe answered: 'O Master, what can I say? Many certainly do not believe it, although it is written by the prophet Daniel; but in obedience to you I will tell the truth.'
'Haggai was fifteen years old when he sold his inheritance, gave the money to the poor, and left Anathoth to serve the prophet Obadiah. The aged Obadiah knew Haggai's humility and used him as a living lesson with which to teach his disciples. He therefore often offered him fine clothing and delicate food, but Haggai always sent the messenger back, saying: "Return home, for you have made a mistake. Would Obadiah send such things to me? Surely not, for he knows that I am good for nothing and do nothing but sin."'
'Whenever Obadiah had something of poor quality, he would give it to the disciple next to Haggai so that Haggai might see it. When Haggai saw it, he would say to himself: "Surely Obadiah has forgotten you, for this alone is suitable for me, since I am worse than everyone else. Yet nothing is so worthless that, if I received it from Obadiah, through whose hands God grants it to me, it would not become a treasure."'
Jesus answered: 'Brother, it is not time that hath done this, but rather the wicked world. For in every time it is possible to serve God in truth, but by companying with the world, that is with the evil manners in each time, men become bad.
'Now knowest thou not that Gehazi, servant of Elisha the prophet, lying, and shaming his master, took the money and the raiment of Naaman the Syrian? And yet Elisha had a great number of Pharisees to whom God made him to prophesy.
'Verily I say unto thee, that men are so inclined to evil working, and so much doth the world excite them thereto, and Satan entice them to evil, that the Pharisees of the present day avoid every good work and every holy example: and the example of Gehazi is sufficient for them to be reprobated of God.'
The scribe answered: 'It is most true': whereupon Jesus said: 'I would that thou wouldst narrate to me the example of Haggai and Hosea both prophets of God, in order that we may behold the true Pharisee.'
The scribe answered: 'O master what shall I say? Of a surety many believe it not, although it is written by Daniel the prophet; but in obedience to thee I will narrate the truth.
'Haggai was fifteen years old when, having sold his patrimony and given it to the poor, he went forth from Anathoth to serve Obadiah the prophet. Now the aged Obadiah, who knew the humility of Haggai, used him as a book wherewith to teach his disciples. Wherefore he oftentimes presented him raiment and delicate food, but Haggai ever sent back the messenger, saying: "Go, return to the house, for thou hast made a mistake. Shall Obadiah send me such things? Surely not: for he knoweth that I am good for naught, and only commit sins."
'And Obadiah, when he had anything bad used to give it to the one next to Haggai in order that he might see it. Whereupon Haggai, when he saw it, would say to himself: "Now, behold, Obadiah hath certainly forgotten thee, for this thing is suited to me alone, because I am worse than all. And there is nothing so vile but that, receiving it from Obadiah, by whose hands God granteth it to me, it were a treasure."