The Gospel of Barnabas · Chapter 44 The sacrifice of Ishmael, and “Moses wrote it not… but our rabbis.” The promise as read in Abraham's firstborn, and why textual additions matter:
The Sacrifice of Ishmael
Thereupon said the disciples: 'O master, it is thus written in the book of Moses, that in Isaac was the promise made.'
Jesus answered, with a groan: 'It is so written, but Moses wrote it not, nor Joshua, but rather our rabbis, who fear not God. Verily I say unto you, that if ye consider the words of the angel Gabriel, ye shall discover the malice of our scribes and doctors. For the angel said: "Abraham, all the world shall know how God loveth thee; but how shall the world know the love that thou bearest to God? Assuredly it is necessary that thou do something for love of God." Abraham answered: "Behold the servant of God, ready to do all that which God shall will."'
'Then spake God, saying to Abraham: "Take thy son, thy firstborn Ishmael, and come up the mountain to sacrifice him." How is Isaac firstborn, if when Isaac was born Ishmael was seven years old?'
Then said the disciples: 'Clear is the deception of our doctors: Therefore tell us thou the truth, because we know that thou art sent from God.'
Then answered Jesus: 'Verily I say unto you, that Satan ever seeketh to annul the laws of God; and therefore he with his followers, hypocrites and evil-doers, the former with false doctrine, the latter with lewd living, to-day have contaminated almost all things, so that scarcely is the truth found. Woe to the hypocrites! for the praises of this world shall turn for them into insults and torments in hell.'
'I therefore say unto you that the messenger of God is a splendour that shall give gladness to nearly all that God hath made, for he is adorned with the spirit of understanding and of counsel, the spirit of wisdom and might, the spirit of fear and love, the spirit of prudence and temperance, he is adorned with the spirit of charity and mercy, the spirit of justice and piety, the spirit of gentleness and patience, which he hath received from God three times more than he hath given to all his creatures. O blessed time, when he shall come to the world! Believe me that I have seen him and have done him reverence, even as every prophet hath seen him: seeing that of his spirit God giveth to them prophecy. And when I saw him my soul was filled with consolation, saying: "O Mohammed, God be with thee, and may he make me worthy to untie thy shoelatchet, for obtaining this I shall be a great prophet and holy one of God."'
And having said this, Jesus rendered his thanks to God.
The disciples then said: 'O master, the book of Moses says that the promise was made through Isaac.'
Jesus answered with a groan: 'It is written that way, but neither Moses nor Joshua wrote it; rather, our rabbis, who do not fear God, did so. Truly, I tell you that if you consider the words of the angel Gabriel, you will discover the malice of our scribes and teachers of the Law. The angel said: "Abraham, the whole world will know how God loves you; but how will the world know the love you bear toward God? Certainly, you must do something for the love of God." Abraham answered: "Here is God’s servant, ready to do whatever God wills."'
'Then God said to Abraham: "Take your son, your firstborn Ishmael, and go up the mountain to sacrifice him." How, then, could Isaac be the firstborn when Ishmael was already seven years old at Isaac’s birth?'
The disciples said: 'The deception of our teachers of the Law is clear. Therefore, tell us the truth, for we know that God sent you.'
Jesus answered: 'Truly, I tell you that Satan always seeks to annul God’s laws. With his followers—the hypocrites through false doctrine and the evildoers through corrupt living—he has contaminated almost everything today, so that the truth is scarcely found. Woe to the hypocrites, for the praise they receive in this world will become insults and torment for them in hell.'
'I tell you, therefore, that the Messenger of God is a splendor who will bring gladness to nearly everything God has made, for he is adorned with the spirit of understanding and counsel, the spirit of wisdom and might, the spirit of fear and love, the spirit of prudence and self-control. He is adorned with the spirit of charity and mercy, the spirit of justice and piety, and the spirit of gentleness and patience. He has received these from God in a measure three times greater than God has given to all his creatures. O blessed time when he comes into the world! Believe me, I have seen him and shown him reverence, just as every prophet has seen him, for God gives them prophecy from his spirit. When I saw him, my soul was filled with consolation, and I said: "O Mohammed, may God be with you and make me worthy to untie your shoelace; for if I attain this, I will be a great prophet and a holy one of God."'
And having said this, Jesus gave thanks to God.
Thereupon said the disciples: 'O master, it is thus written in the book of Moses, that in Isaac was the promise made.'
Jesus answered, with a groan: 'It is so written, but Moses wrote it not, nor Joshua, but rather our rabbis, who fear not God. Verily I say unto you, that if ye consider the words of the angel Gabriel, ye shall discover the malice of our scribes and doctors. For the angel said: "Abraham, all the world shall know how God loveth thee; but how shall the world know the love that thou bearest to God? Assuredly it is necessary that thou do something for love of God." Abraham answered: "Behold the servant of God, ready to do all that which God shall will."'
'Then spake God, saying to Abraham: "Take thy son, thy firstborn Ishmael, and come up the mountain to sacrifice him." How is Isaac firstborn, if when Isaac was born Ishmael was seven years old?'
Then said the disciples: 'Clear is the deception of our doctors: Therefore tell us thou the truth, because we know that thou art sent from God.'
Then answered Jesus: 'Verily I say unto you, that Satan ever seeketh to annul the laws of God; and therefore he with his followers, hypocrites and evil-doers, the former with false doctrine, the latter with lewd living, to-day have contaminated almost all things, so that scarcely is the truth found. Woe to the hypocrites! for the praises of this world shall turn for them into insults and torments in hell.'
'I therefore say unto you that the messenger of God is a splendour that shall give gladness to nearly all that God hath made, for he is adorned with the spirit of understanding and of counsel, the spirit of wisdom and might, the spirit of fear and love, the spirit of prudence and temperance, he is adorned with the spirit of charity and mercy, the spirit of justice and piety, the spirit of gentleness and patience, which he hath received from God three times more than he hath given to all his creatures. O blessed time, when he shall come to the world! Believe me that I have seen him and have done him reverence, even as every prophet hath seen him: seeing that of his spirit God giveth to them prophecy. And when I saw him my soul was filled with consolation, saying: "O Mohammed, God be with thee, and may he make me worthy to untie thy shoelatchet, for obtaining this I shall be a great prophet and holy one of God."'
And having said this, Jesus rendered his thanks to God.