IslamDraft · awaiting advisor review
Isn’t the Gospel of Barnabas the true Gospel?
In short
The book called the Gospel of Barnabas survives only in Italian and Spanish manuscripts from the late Middle Ages or later, more than 1,400 years after Barnabas. It contains medieval details, geographical mistakes, and even contradicts the Qur’an by denying that Jesus is the Messiah. Many Muslim scholars also doubt it.
The Objection
The Gospel of Barnabas, written by one of Jesus’ companions, says Jesus was not crucified (Judas died in his place), that Jesus was not the Son of God, and that he foretold Muhammad by name. The church suppressed it because it agrees with Islam.
Put as its strongest advocates would put it.
The Christian Case
- Historical evidence
The two known manuscripts, one Italian and one Spanish, date from the late sixteenth century or later. No Greek or early copy is known, and no early writer quotes it.
- Historical evidence
It contains details from medieval Europe, such as a jubilee every hundred years (a practice begun by the pope in 1300), and it says Jesus sailed to Nazareth, which is inland.
- Historical evidence
It has Jesus deny being the Messiah and give that title to Muhammad, while the Qur’an calls Jesus the Messiah (Qur’an 3:45).
- Historical evidence
It is not the early Epistle of Barnabas, a different second-century Christian letter, and early lists that mention a “Gospel of Barnabas” give only a title, not this text.
- Scripture
The real Barnabas appears in Acts as Paul’s companion, preaching Jesus as the crucified and risen Lord.
Where the Evidence Is Weaker
The exact date and author of the work are unknown, and scholars give different estimates within the late medieval period.
Arguments to Avoid
- Mocking Muslims who have been told the book is authentic: many have never seen it.
- Confusing it with the Epistle of Barnabas.
Read for Yourself
Acts 4:36–37
36And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, 37Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
1 Corinthians 15:3–8
3For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 5And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: 6After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. 7After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. 8And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.
Further Reading
- The Gospel of Barnabas (edition and translation) · Lonsdale and Laura Ragg (1907)
- Answering Islam (2nd edition) · Norman L. Geisler and Abdul Saleeb (2002)
Drafted with Opened AI and awaiting review by Opened’s apologetics advisors. Labels show the kind of support each point has: Scripture is what the Bible says; historical evidence and philosophical arguments can be checked by anyone; “Christians differ” marks questions on which faithful Christians disagree.
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