The Gospel of Barnabas · Chapter 20 Jesus sails to “his city of Nazareth.” Whether “his own city” in Matthew 9:1 could be Nazareth, two early Christian witnesses, and the objection itself:
The Storm at Sea and Nazareth
Jesus went to the sea of Galilee, and having embarked in a ship sailed to his city of Nazareth; whereupon there was a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was nigh unto sinking. And Jesus was sleeping upon the prow of the ship.
Then drew near to him his disciples, and awoke him, saying: 'O master, save thyself, for we perish!' They were encompassed with very great fear, by reason of the great wind that was contrary and the roaring of the sea.
Jesus arose, and raising his eyes to heaven, said: 'O Elohim Sabaoth, have mercy upon thy servants.' Then, when Jesus had said this, suddenly the wind ceased, and the sea became calm. Wherefore the seamen feared, saying: 'And who is this, that the sea and the wind obey him?'
Having arrived at the city of Nazareth the seamen spread through the city all that Jesus had wrought, whereupon the house where Jesus was, was surrounded by as many as dwelt in the city. And the scribes and doctors having presented themselves unto him, said: 'We have heard how much thou hast wrought in the sea and Judea: give us therefore some sign here in thine own country.'
Jesus answered: 'This faithless generation seek a sign, but it shall not be given them, because no prophet is received in his own country. In the time of Elijah there were many widows in Judea but he was not sent to be nourished save unto a widow of Sidon. Many were the lepers in the time of Elisha in Judea, nevertheless only Naaman the Syrian was cleansed.'
Then were the citizens enraged, and seized him and carried him to the brow of a precipice to cast him down. But Jesus walking through the midst of them, departed from them.
Jesus went to the Sea of Galilee, boarded a boat, and sailed toward his city of Nazareth. A great storm arose on the sea, so that the boat was close to sinking, while Jesus was sleeping in the bow.
His disciples came to him and woke him, saying: 'O master, save yourself, for we are perishing!' They were overcome with fear because of the contrary wind and the roaring sea.
Jesus arose, raised his eyes to heaven, and said: 'O Elohim Sabaoth, have mercy upon your servants.' As soon as Jesus had said this, the wind suddenly ceased and the sea became calm. The sailors were afraid and said: 'Who is this, that the sea and the wind obey him?'
When they arrived at Nazareth, the sailors spread throughout the city the news of all that Jesus had done. The house where Jesus was staying was then surrounded by the city's inhabitants. The scribes and teachers of the Law came to him and said: 'We have heard all that you have done at sea and in Judea; therefore, give us some sign here in your own country.'
Jesus answered: 'This faithless generation seeks a sign, but no sign will be given to them, because no prophet is received in his own country. In the time of Elijah there were many widows in Judea, but he was sent to none of them, only to a widow of Sidon. There were many lepers in Judea in the time of Elisha, yet only Naaman the Syrian was cleansed.'
The citizens became enraged, seized Jesus, and carried him to the edge of a precipice to throw him down. But Jesus passed through their midst and departed from them.
Jesus went to the sea of Galilee, and having embarked in a ship sailed to his city of Nazareth; whereupon there was a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was nigh unto sinking. And Jesus was sleeping upon the prow of the ship.
Then drew near to him his disciples, and awoke him, saying: 'O master, save thyself, for we perish!' They were encompassed with very great fear, by reason of the great wind that was contrary and the roaring of the sea.
Jesus arose, and raising his eyes to heaven, said: 'O Elohim Sabaoth, have mercy upon thy servants.' Then, when Jesus had said this, suddenly the wind ceased, and the sea became calm. Wherefore the seamen feared, saying: 'And who is this, that the sea and the wind obey him?'
Having arrived at the city of Nazareth the seamen spread through the city all that Jesus had wrought, whereupon the house where Jesus was, was surrounded by as many as dwelt in the city. And the scribes and doctors having presented themselves unto him, said: 'We have heard how much thou hast wrought in the sea and Judea: give us therefore some sign here in thine own country.'
Jesus answered: 'This faithless generation seek a sign, but it shall not be given them, because no prophet is received in his own country. In the time of Elijah there were many widows in Judea but he was not sent to be nourished save unto a widow of Sidon. Many were the lepers in the time of Elisha in Judea, nevertheless only Naaman the Syrian was cleansed.'
Then were the citizens enraged, and seized him and carried him to the brow of a precipice to cast him down. But Jesus walking through the midst of them, departed from them.