Scholarship on Literary text: T-S NS 298.55 + T-S 8Ka7.4 + BL Or. 6197.7–8

that he was the son of [Yoḥanan? the] Dyer (?). Then [they] placed [in front of him?]

the book of magic, and said to him: “These books—are they new or old?”

And he said to them: “They are old, and they are the ones that Balaam son of Beor had.

I found them in the land of Egypt, and anything that is of the utmost attainment (?)—

it is with them that it is done. I cure the sick and heal the crippled.” They said to him: “Why

do you use magic and why do you teach people

teachings of evil?” Then they said to him: “Tell us in truth—

where did you get these books, or else we will kill you and not show you mercy and will throw

your body to the wild beasts.” He said to them: “My masters, know that these

books are not ancient and I did not find them in Egypt, and they are not by Balaam.

In fact, they are by Yoḥanan the Dyer and he is my teacher.” (Pilatus) the governor said

to Marinus the elder: “Do you know where Yoḥanan the Dyer is?” He said

to him: “He is in Kephar Naḥum.” And he (Pilatus) ordered to bring him over. He sent a guard (or, a courtier)

[              ] Shim[eʿon] Kepha and Binyamin Altagus and three

[       to K]ephar Naḥum after Yoḥanan the Dyer, and they found him imprisoned for

often misleading the people with magic. And they took him out (of jail) and he came

before the governor and Yehoshuʿa ben Peraḥiah and Marinus the elder

among the disciples. And Yehoshuʿa and Yehudah the gardener said to Yoḥanan and to Yeshu: “Who are these

five who are with you?” And Yeshu said: “They are my disciples.”

And Yehoshuʿa ben Peraḥiah said: “What are their names?” And they said: “Naqai,

and Matai, and Buni, and Netzer and Todah.” And Yehoshuʿa ben Peraḥiah said to them:

“Indeed it is necessary for you to be executed, because you use magic.” 

And they were brought forward to be executed. And Naqai was brought forward first. And Naqai said: “How

can you execute me, when Scripture says about me, ‘and do not kill a naqi (=an innocent person) and a righteous person’?”

“About you it was said, ‘in hiding places he (i.e., the wicked man) kills a naqi (=an innocent person)’.”

of Heaven and misled the people after him; and he was from [a town] called Nazareth.

It was written in the year four of Tiberinus Caesar that when

the king heard about him (i.e., Yeshu), he ordered Pelatus the governor to investigate

Pelatus the governor summoned Yehudah the gardener. And Yehoshuʿa

ben Peraḥiah and Marinus the great elder and a crowd of elders were present.

And Pelatus the governor said to Yehudah the gardener: “We received word of a man

called Yeshu. He is misleading the people with magic. Do you know him?”

And he (Yehudah) said to him: “Yes, I know him.” And he (Pilatus) said to him: “Where is he from?”.

And he (Yehudah) said to him: “From a town called Nazareth.” And he (Pilatus) ordered him to bring

And they found him sitting with a great crowd around him including sick persons

and cripples, whom he was claiming to heal. And they brought him to the governor and to (Marinus)

and he informed them

naqi (=an innocent person)’.” And it was ordered that he should be burned. Then Matai was [brought forw]ard [to be executed]

he said: “How can you execute me when it is said about me ‘Matai will I come and be s[een]

before God?’” And they said to him: “About you it was said ‘Matai will he die, and his name perish’.”

And it was ordered that he should be strangled. Then Buni was brought forward to be executed, and he said: “How can you execute me

when about me it was said, ‘Israel is beni, the firstborn’?” And they said to him: “About you it was said, ‘Behold 

I will kill binkha, the firstborn’.” And it was ordered that he should be stoned. Then Netzer was brought forward

to be executed, and he said: “How can you execute me when it was said about me ‘And a shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse,

of your tomb, like a detested netzer’.” And it was ordered that his neck should be cut off. Then

Todah was brought forward to be executed, and he said to them: “How can you execute me when about me it was said, ‘(A psalm) for todah’?”

And they said to him: “However, about you it was said, ‘He who sacrifices todah honors me’.” And it was ordered

that he should be executed. When the five disciples were executed, the governor said to Yehoshuʿa

ben Peraḥiah: