User:Torkmusik/Jewish-Christian Gospels

Jewish-Christian Gospels, recognized historically by various titles throughout the Jewish Gospel tradition, were mentioned by several of the Early Church Fathers, particularly Irenaeus, Clement of Alexandria, Origen, Eusebius, Epiphanius and Jerome.

The evidence
Various patristic authors made reference to a Gospel According to the Hebrews, a gospel written in Hebrew characters, a gospel used by the Ebionites, and a gospel used by the Nazareans. Whether these are all references to the same work or to different works is a topic of debate.

Irenaeus
Irenaeus says nothing about a specifically Jewish-Christian gospel. He does, however, claim that Matthew wrote his gospel for the Hebrews "in their own language", and also that the Ebionites used Matthew only. Tertullian, Hippolytus, and Pseudo-Tertullian all base their accounts on Irenaeus.

Clement of Alexandria
Clement of Alexandria is the first author to write of a Gospel according to the Hebrews. He quotes one short saying from it, but otherwise tells us nothing about the work.

Origen
Origen likewise mentions a Gospel according to the Hebrews and quotes from it. Origen's way of quoting it indicates that he knows of people who use it, and therefore wishes to forestall objections that might come from that source.

Didymus
Didymus (late fourth century) likewise refers to a Gospel according to the Hebrews, and says that it identifies the New Testament figure Levi with the apostle Matthias.