Archive Notes
For a more detailed edition of Marcion: The Gospel of the Lord, please see the Marcion Section.
This document contains five of the original total twenty-one chapters. For historical material on Marcion, see G.R.S. Mead: An Introduction to Marcion.
The Gospel of the Lord.
The written account of the life of Jesus Christ, preserved in its original Greek by Marcion, son of Philologus, bishop of Sinope. (Anno Domine 130)
I.
1. In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar,
2. [Pontius Pilatus being the Governor of Judaea,] Jesus came down to Capernaum, a city in Galilee, and was
3. teaching on the sabbath days: and they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was in authority.
4. And in the synagogue there was a man which had a spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud
5. voice, Saying, "let us alone; what have we to do with thee, Jesus? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee
6. who thou art: the Holy One of God." And Jesus rebuked him, saying; "Hold thy peace, and come out of him." And when the demon had thrown him into the midst,
7. he came out of him, having done no hurt. And amazement came upon all, and they spake together saying to one another, what is this word? For in authority and power he commandeth the unclean spirits,
8. and they come out. And a rumour of him went out into every place of the country round about,
9. And he arose out of the synagogue, and entered into the house of Simon. And Simon`s mother in law was taken with a great fever: and they besought him for her.
10. And he stood over her, and rebuked the fever: and it left her: and immidately she arose and ministered unto them.
11. And he came to Nazareth, and went into the
12. synagogue [on the Sabbath day] and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue fastened on him,
13-14. And he began to speak to them; and all wondered
15. at the words which proceedeth from his mouth. And he said unto them, " Ye will surely say unto me this parable, Physician, heal thyself; whatsoever we have
16. heard done at Capernaum, do also here. But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months,
17. when great famine occured throughout all the land: and unto none of them was Elijah sent, but only to Sarepta,
18. a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow. And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet: and none of them was cleansed, but only
19. Naaman the syrian". And they were all filled with wrath
20. in the synagogue, when they heard these things, and rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, to cast
21. him down headlong. But he passing through the midst of them went his way.
22. And when the sun was setting, all as many as had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them.
23. And demons also came out of many, crying out, saying, "Thou art Son of God" and he rebuked them suffered them not to speak; for they knew that he was the Christ.
24. And when it was day, he departed and went into a desert place: and the multitudes sought him, and came unto him, and stayed him, that he should not depart from
25. them. And he said unto them, "I must announce as good tidings the kingdom of God to the other cities also: for therefore am i sent.
26. And he was preaching in the synagogues of Galilee.II.
Now it came to pass, that, as the multitude pressed upn him to hear the word of God, he was standing by
2. the lake of Gennesaret, and saw two boats standing by the lake: but the fdishermen were gone out of them,
3. and were washing their nets. And he entered into one of the boats, which was Simon`s, and asked him to thrust out a litle from land. And he sat down, and
4. taught the multitudes out of the boat. Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, "Put put into the
5. deep, and let down your nets a draught". And Simon answering said unto him, "Master, we have toiled all the night, and taken nothing; but at thy word I will let down
6. the net." When they had this done, they inclosed a
7. great multitude of fishes: and their nets were breaking. And they beckoned unto their partners, in the other boat, that they should come and help them out. And they came, and
8. filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus` knees, saying,
9. "Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord." For amazement overcame him, and all that were with him, at
10. the draught of the fishes which they had taken: which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, "fear not; from henceforth thou shalt be taking men
11. alive." And when they had brought their boats to land, they left all, and followed him.
12. And it came to pass, when he was in one of the cities, behold a man full of leprosy: who seeing Jesus fell on his face, and besought him, saying; "Lord, if thou wilt, thou
13. canst make me clean." And he put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, " I will: be thou cleansed" And
14. immediately the leprosy departed from the man. And he charged him to tell no man; but go, and shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing, according as Moses
15. commanded, that this may be a testimony to you. But so much the more went there a fame abroad of him: and many multitidues came together to hear, and to be healed
16. by him for their infirmities. And he himself was withdrawing in the wilderness, praying.
17. And it came to pass on one of the days that he was teaching, and there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting vtm which were come out of every village of Galilee, Judaea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the
18. Lord was with Him toheal them. And behold, men brought in a bed a man that was palsied; and they sought
19. to bring him in, and to lay him before him. And not finding by what way they might bring him in because of the multitude, they went up to the housetop, and let him down through the tiles with his couch into the midst before
20. Jesus. And seeing their faith, he said unto him, "Man, thy
21. sins are forgiven thee." And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, "Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sin, but God alone?
22. But Jesus perceiving their reasoning answered and said unto them, "What reasen ye in your hearts?
23. Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins are forgiven thee; or
24. to say; Rise up and walk? But that ye may know that the Son of man hath authority upon earth to forgive sins (he said unto the palsied man) I say unto thee, Arise
25. and take up they couch, and go to thine house. And immediately he rose up before them, and took up that whereon he lay, and departed to his house, glorifying
26. God. And amazement took hold on all, and they glorified God, and were filled with fear, saying, "We have seen strange things today".
27. And after these things he went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the place of toll: and he
28. said unto him, "Follow me." And he left all, rose up, and
29. followed him. And Levi made him a great feast in his hourse: and there was a great company of publicans and
30. of others that were reclining with them. And their scribes and the Pharisees murmured against his disciples, 30. saying, "Why do ye year and drink with publicans and
31. sinners?" And Jesus answering said unto them, "They that are whole have no need of a physiciian; but they
32. that are sick. I am not come to call the righteous, but
33. sinners to repentance. And they said unto him, "Why do the disciples of John fast often, and make prayers, and likewise the disciples of the Pharisees; but thine eat and
34. drink? And he said unto them, "Can ye make the sons of the bridal chamber fast, while the bridegroom is with
35. them? But the days will come; and when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, then will they fast in
36. those days." And he spake also a parable unto them; "No man putteth a piece of new garment upon an old garment; else both the new maketh a rent, and the piece that was taken out of the new agreeth not with the
37. old. And no man puttteth new wine into old wine-skins, else the new wine will burst the skins; and itself will be
38. spilled, and the skins will perish. But new wine must be put into new wine-skins, and both are preserved.
39. No man also having drunk old wine straigtway desireth new; for he saith, the old is better.III.
And it came to pass on the second sabbath after the first, that he was going through the corn fields: and his disciples plucked the ears of cornm and did eat, rubbing them in
2. their hands. And certain of the Pharisees said unto them, "Why do ye that which is not lawful to do
3. on the sabbath day?" And Jesus answering them, said, "Have ye not read even this what David did, when himself was
4. an hungered, and they which were with him; how they went into the house of God, and did take and eat the shewbread, and gave also to them that were with him; which it is not lawful to eat but for the priests alone?"
5. And he said unto them, "That the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath"
6. And it came to pass also on another Sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue and taught; and there were a
7. a man there and his right hand was withered. And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath day; that they might find an
8. accusation against him. But he knew their reasonings, and said to the man which had the withered man, "Rise up, and stand forth in the midst. And he rose and stood
9. forth. Then said Jesus unto them, "I will ask you something; Is it lawful on the sabbath to do good
10. or to do evil? To save life, or to destroy it?" And looking round about upon them all, he said unto the man, "stretch forth thy hand." and he did so: and his hand was
11. restored as the other. And they were filled with madness; and commanded one with another what they might do to Jesus.
12. And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into the mountains to pray, and was passing the whole night
13. in prayer to God. And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and he chose from them twelve.
14. whom he also named; apostles; Simon (whom was also named Peter), and Andrew his brother, James and John, Phillip
15. and Bartholomew, Matthew and Thomas, James the son
16. of Alphaeas, and Simon whom they called Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscarioth, which also became a
17. traitor. And he came down among them, and stood on a level place, and the multitude of his disciples, and a great number of people out of all Judaea and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, which came to hear
18. him, and to be healed of their diseases; and they that were troubled by unclean spirits: and they were healed.
19. And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for power went out of him, and healed them all.
20. And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said: "Blessed are ye poor: for your`s is the kingdom of God.
21. Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laught.
22. Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man`s
23. sake. Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for you: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for according to
24. these things did their fathers unto the prophets. But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have consolation
25. in full. Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye
26. shall mourn and weep. Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for according to these things did their fathers to the false prophets.
27. But I say unto you that hear, Love your enemies, do
28. good to them which hate you, bless them that curse you,
29. and pray for them which despitefully use you.Unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek, offer also the other; and from him that taketh away thy cloke, withhold
30. not thy coat also. Give every man that asketh of thee: and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them.
31. not again. and as ye would that men should do to you,
32. do ye also to them likewise. And if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those
33. that love them. And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do
34. the same. And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to 35. sinners, to receive equal things.But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again: and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be sons of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to
36. the evil. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is
37. merciful. And Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: release
38. and ye shall be released: Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall they give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again."
39. And he spake a parable unto them, "Can the blind lead
40. the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch? The disciple is not above his teacher: but every one that is
41 perfect shall be as his teacher. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brothers eye, but perceivest
42. not the beam that is in thine won eye? Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shall you see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother`s eye!.
43. For there is no good tree that maketh corrupt fruit; nor
44. corrupt tree that maketh good fruit. For each tree is known by its fruit. For of thorns do they not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.
45. The good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is truely good: and the evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for out of the abundance of the heart his
46. mouth speaketh. And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and
47. do not do the things which I say? Everyone that cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will
48. shew you to whom he is like: He is like a man building a house, who digged and went deep, and laid a foundation on the rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemtly upon the house, and had not strenght to shake it: for it was founded upon the
49. rock. But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built a house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.IV.
Now when he had completed all his sayings in the ears of the people, he entered into Capernaum.
2. And a certain centurion`s servant was sick, and going to
3. die; and he was precious unto him. And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto him elders of the Jews
4. asking him that he would come and save his servant. And when they came to Jesus, they besought him earnestly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this:
5. "For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us the
6. synagogue". Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him,saying unto him: "Lord, trouble not thyself; for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof.
7. Wherefore neither thoughtr I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my boy shall be healed.
8. For I aslo am a man set under authority, having under me soliders, and I say unto this one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do
9. this, and he doeth it". And when Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turned, and said unto the multitude that followed him, "I say unto you, not even in
10. Israel have I found so great faith." And they that were sent, returned to the house, and found the sick servant whole.
11. And it came to pass the day after, that he was going into a city called Nain,; and many of his disciples were
12. going with him, and a great multitude. Now when he came night to the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and a considerable multitude of the
13. city was with her. And when the Lord saw her, he had
14. compassion on her, and said unto her, "Weep not." And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, "Young man, I say unto thee, Arise!"
15. And the dead man sat up, and began to speak. And
16. he delivered him to his mother. And fear took hold on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath
17. visited his people. And this rumour of him went forth in the whole of Judaea, and in all region round about.
18. And the disciples of John told him of all these
19. things. And John calling unto him a certain two of his disciples sent them to Jesus, saying, "Art thou he that
20. cometh? or are we to look for another?" And when the men were come unto him, they said, "John the Baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying; Art thou he that cometh?
21. or are we to look for another?" And in that same hour he cured many infirmities and plagues and of evil spirits;
22. and unto many blind he gave sight. And Jesus answering said unto them, "Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard: that the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have good tidings
23. announced to them. And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me."
24. And when the messengers of John were departed, he began to say unto the multitudes concerning John What are ye come into the wilderness to gaze at? A reed
25. shaken with the wind? But what are ye come out to see? A man clothed in soft rainment? Behold, they which are in gorgeous apparel, and delicacy, are kings`
26. courts. But what are ye come out to see? A Prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet.
27. This is he, of whom it is written, "Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way
28. before thee." For I say unto you, Among those that are born from women, a greater prophet than John the Baptist, there is none: but he that is less in the Kingdom of God
29. is greater than he". And all the people when they heard it, and the publicans, justified God, being baptised with
30. the baptism of John. But the Pharisees and lawyer rejected the counsel of God unto themselves, being not
31. baptised of him. And the Lord said, "Whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation? and to what are
32. they like? They are like unto children sitting in the marketplace, and calling to one another, and saying: We piped unto you, and ye did not dance, we mourned 33. you, and ye did not weep. For John the Baptist is come neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and ye say, He
34. hath a demon. The Son of man is coming eating and drinking, and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a
35. winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners! And wisdom was justified of all her children".
36. And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee`s house, and
37. reclined to meat. And behold, a woman of the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that he was reclining in the Pharisee`s house, brought an alabaster box of ointment
38. and stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wet his feet with the tears,, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed
39. them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake to himself, saying, "This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner manner of woman this is that touched him:
40. for she is a sinner. And Jesus answering said unto him, "Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee." And he saith,
41. "Teacher, say on." "A certain money-lender had two debtors: the one owed five hundred denarii, and
42. the other fifty. And when they had not whewewith to pay, he forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which
43. of them will love him more?" Simon answered and said, "I suppose that he, to whom he forgave the more." And he said unto
44. him, "Thou hast rightly judged"And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, "Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house: water for my feet thou gavest me not: but she hath wetted my feet with tears, and wiped
45. them with the hairs of her head. A kiss thou gavest me not: but she since the time I came hath not ceased
46. kissing my feet. My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.
47. For the sake of which I say unto thee; Her sins which are many are forgiven; for she loved much: but to
48. whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little". And he
49. said unto her, " Thy sins are forgiven." And they that were reclining with him began to say among themselves,
50. "Who is this that even forgiveth sins?" And he said to the woman "Thy faith has saved thee, go in peace."V.
And it came to pass afterward, that he made his way through city and village, preaching and announcing as good tidings the kingdom of God: and the twelve were
2. with him. And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, from
3. whom seven demons had gone out, and Joannah the wife of Chuza, Herod`s steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their possessions.
4. And when a great multitude were coming together, and they of every city were come to him, he spake by a
5. parable: "The sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side: and it was trodden
6. down, and the fowls of the heaven devoured it. And other fell upon the rock, and when sprung up, it withered away,
7. because it lacked moisture. And other fell in the midst of the thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and
8. choked it. And other fell on the good ground, and when sprung up, it made fruit and hundredfold". And when he said these things, he cried," He that hath ears to hear, let him hear!"
9. And his disciples asked him, saying, "What might this
10. parable be?" And he said, "Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of God: but to the rest in parables; that seeing they may not see, and hearing
11. that they may not understand. Now the parable is this:
12. The seed is the word of God. Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word from their hearts, lest they should believe and
13. be saved. Those on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall
14. away. And that which fell among thorns, these are they, which, when they have heard, go, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring
15. no fruit of perfection. But that on the good ground, these are, whoever in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep hold of it, and bring forth fruit in patience.
16. No man, when he hath lighted a lamp, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a lamp-stand, that they which enter in may see the light.
17. For there is no secret thing, that shall not be made manifest; nor hidden, that shall not be known and come
18. into view. Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given: and whosoever hath not, even what he seemed to have shall be taken from him."
19. And it was told him by certain which said, "Thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to see thee"
20. And he answered and said unto them, " Who is my mother and who is my brethren? My mother and my brethren are these, which hear the word of God, and do it!"
21. Now it came to pass on one of the days, that he went into a boat and his disciples: and he said unto them, "Let us go over unto the other side of the lake". And they
22. launched forth. But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filling with water, and were in jeopardy,
23. And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, "Master, master, we perish" And he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there
24. was a calm. And he said unto them, " Where is your faith?" And they were frightened and wondered, saying one to another, "Who then is this? for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him?"
25. And they sailed down to the country of the Gandarenes,
26. which is over against Galilee. And when he went forth to land, there met him out of the city a certain man, which had demons long time, and wore no cloke, neither abode
27. in a house, but among the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said, "What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of
28. God most high? I beseech thee, torment me not." (For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For oftentimes it had caught him: and he was guarded and bound with chains and in fetters: and he brake the bands asunder, and was driven of the demon
29. into the deserts) And Jesus asked him, saying, "What is
30. thy name?" And he said, "Legion" because many demons were entered into him. And they besought him that he
31. would not command them to go out into the abyss. And there was an herd of many swine feeding of the mountain: and they besought him that he would suffer them to enter into them. And he suffered them.
32. Then went the demons out of the man, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down the
33. steep place into the lake, and were drowned. When they that fed them saw what was done, they fled, and went and told it
34. in the city and in the country. Then they went out to see what was done; and came to Jesus, and found the man, from whom the demons were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind: and they
35. were afraid. They also which saw it told them by what means he that was possessed of the demons was saved.
36. Then the whole multitude of the country of the Gandarenes round about him asked him to depart from them; for they were holden with great fear: and he entered into the
37. boat, and returned back again. Now the man, from whom the demons had departed, besought him that he might be with him: but Jesus sent him away, saying 38. "Return to thine house, and recount how great things God hath done unto thee." And he went his way, publishing throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him.
39. And it came to pass, that, when Jesus returned, the multitude welcomed him: for they were all waiting for
40. him. And, behold, there came a man whose name was Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue: and he fell down at Jesus` feet, and besought him that he would
41. come into his house: For he had an only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she was dying. But as he went the multitudes thronged him.
42. And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither
43. could be healed if any, came behind him, and touched the border of his garment; and immediately her issue of
44. blood stanched. And Jesus said, "Who touched me?" When all denied, Peter and they that were with him said, "Master, the multitude throng thee, and press thee, and
45. sayest thou, "Who touched me?" And Jesus said, "Somebody touched me: for I perceived that power had gone
46. out of me." And when the woman saw that shw was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what reason she touched him, and how she was healed immediately.
47. And he said unto her, "Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath saved thee; go into peace"
48. While he yet spake, theere cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue`s house, saying to him, "The daughter is
49. dead; trouble not the Teacher." But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, "Fear not, believe only,
50. and she shall be saved." And when he came into the house, he suffered no man to go in, save Peter, and James, and John, and the father and the mother of the maiden.
51. And all were weeping, and bewailing her, but he said:
52. "Weep not: she is not dead, but sleepeth." And they
53. laughed to scorn him, knowing that she was dead. And he put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called
54. saying, "Maid, arise". And her spirit came again, and she arose staightway; and he commanded that something be
55. given her to eat. And her parents were astonished: but he charged them to tell no man what was done.