The Gospel of Barnabas · Chapter 3 Herod on the throne and Pilate as governor at the birth of Jesus — the most cited anachronism in this text. How it compares with the canonical Gospels' own difficulties:
The Birth of Jesus in Bethlehem
There reigned at that time in Judaea Herod, by decree of Caesar Augustus, and Pilate was governor in the priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas. Wherefore, by decree of Augustus, all the world was enrolled; wherefore each one went to his own country, and they presented themselves by their own tribes to be enrolled. Joseph accordingly departed from Nazareth, a city of Galilee, with Mary his wife, great with child, to go to Bethlehem (for that it was his city, he being of the lineage of David), in order that he might be enrolled according to the decree of Caesar. Joseph having arrived at Bethlehem, for that the city was small, and great the multitude of them that were strangers there, he found no place, wherefore he took lodging outside the city in a lodging made for a shepherds' shelter. While Joseph abode there the days were fulfilled for Mary to bring forth. The virgin was surrounded by a light exceeding bright, and brought forth her son without pain, whom she took in her arms, and wrapping him in swaddling-clothes, laid him in the manger, because there was no room in the inn. There came with gladness a great multitude of angels to the inn, blessing God and announcing peace to them that fear God. Mary and Joseph praised the Lord for the birth of Jesus, and with greatest joy nurtured him.
At that time Herod reigned in Judea by decree of Caesar Augustus, while Pilate was governor during the priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas. By decree of Augustus, the whole world was to be enrolled, so everyone went to his own country and presented himself with his own tribe for enrollment. Joseph therefore left Nazareth, a city of Galilee, with Mary his pregnant wife and went to Bethlehem, because it was his city and he was of the lineage of David, so that he might be enrolled according to Caesar's decree. When Joseph arrived at Bethlehem, he found no place to stay because the city was small and the number of strangers there was great. He lodged outside the city in a shelter made for shepherds. While Joseph remained there, the time came for Mary to give birth. The virgin was surrounded by an exceedingly bright light and gave birth to her son without pain. She took him in her arms, wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in the manger because there was no room in the inn. A great multitude of angels came joyfully to the inn, blessing God and announcing peace to those who fear him. Mary and Joseph praised the Lord for the birth of Jesus and raised him with the greatest joy.
There reigned at that time in Judaea Herod, by decree of Caesar Augustus, and Pilate was governor in the priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas. Wherefore, by decree of Augustus, all the world was enrolled; wherefore each one went to his own country, and they presented themselves by their own tribes to be enrolled. Joseph accordingly departed from Nazareth, a city of Galilee, with Mary his wife, great with child, to go to Bethlehem (for that it was his city, he being of the lineage of David), in order that he might be enrolled according to the decree of Caesar. Joseph having arrived at Bethlehem, for that the city was small, and great the multitude of them that were strangers there, he found no place, wherefore he took lodging outside the city in a lodging made for a shepherds' shelter. While Joseph abode there the days were fulfilled for Mary to bring forth. The virgin was surrounded by a light exceeding bright, and brought forth her son without pain, whom she took in her arms, and wrapping him in swaddling-clothes, laid him in the manger, because there was no room in the inn. There came with gladness a great multitude of angels to the inn, blessing God and announcing peace to them that fear God. Mary and Joseph praised the Lord for the birth of Jesus, and with greatest joy nurtured him.