The Infancy Of Jesus

In Egypt

By

The Twelve Apostles

The Sudden Flight

Now Herod, perceiving that the wise men did delay, and did not return to him, called together the priests and wise men and said, “Tell me in what place the Christ should be born?”

And when they replied, in Bethlehem, a city of Judea, he began to contrive in his own mind the death of the Lord Jesus Christ.

But an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in his sleep, and said, “Arise, take the child and his mother, and go into Egypt as soon as the cock crows.” So he arose, and went.

Baby Jesus Delivers A Boy Possessed By The Demons

In the length of the journey the girt s of the saddle broke. And now Joseph drew near to a great city, in which there was an idol, to which the other idols and gods of Egypt brought their offerings and vows.

And there was by this idol a priest ministering to it, who, as often as Satan spoke out of that idol, related the things Satan said to the inhabitants of Egypt, and other countries.

This priest had a son three years old, who was possessed with a great multitude of devils, who uttered many strange things, and when the devils seized him, walked about naked with his clothes torn, throwing stones at those whom he saw.

Near to that idol was the inn of the city, into which when Joseph and St Mary were come, and had turned into that inn, all the inhabitants of the city were astonished.

And all the magistrates and priests of the idols assembled before that idol, and made inquiry there, saying, “What means all this consternation, and dread, which has fallen upon all our country?”

The idol answered them, “The unknown God is come here, who is truly God; nor is there any one besides Him, who is worthy of divine worship; for He is truly the FirstSon of God.”

At his fame, this country trembled. And at His coming, the city is under the present commotion and consternation; and we ourselves are affrighted by the greatness of His power.”

And at the same instant, this idol fell down, and at his fall all the inhabitants of Egypt, besides others, ran together.

But the son of the priest, when his usual disorder came upon him, going into the inn, found there Joseph and St Mary, whom all the rest had left behind and forsook.

And when the Lady St Mary had washed the swaddling clothes of the Lord Christ, and hanged them out to dry upon a post, the boy possessed with the devil took down one of them, and put it upon his head.

And presently, the devils began to come out of his mouth, and fly away in the shape of crows and serpents.

From that time the boy was healed by the power of the Lord Christ, and he began to sing praises, and give thanks to the Lord who had healed him.

When his father saw him restored to his former state of health, he said, “My son, what has happened to you, and by what means were you cured?”

The son answered, “When the devils seized me, I went into the inn, and there found a very handsome woman with a boy, whose swaddling clothes she had just washed, and hung upon a post.

One of these I took, and put it upon my head, and immediately the devils left me, and fled away.”

At this, the father exceedingly rejoiced, and said, “My son, perhaps this boy is the son of the living God, who made the heavens and the earth. For as soon as he came among us, the idol was broken, and all the gods fell down, and were destroyed by a greater power.”

Then was fulfilled the prophecy which saith, “Out of Egypt, I have called my son.”

The Encounter With Robbers And Captives

Now Joseph and Mary, when they heard that the idol was fallen down and destroyed, were seized with fear and trembling, and said, “When we were in the land of Israel, Herod, intending to kill Jesus, slew for that purpose all the infants at Bethlehem, and that neighbourhood. And there is no doubt that the Egyptians, if they come to hear that this idol is broken and fallen down, will burn us with fire.” Therefore, they went to the secret places of robbers, who robbed travellers of their carriages and their clothes, and carried the loot away bound.

These thieves upon their coming heard a great noise, such as the noise of a king with a great army and many horses, and the trumpets sounding at his approach from his own city, at which they were so affrighted as to leave all their booty behind them, and fly away in haste.

Upon this, the captives arose, and loosed each other's bonds, and taking each man his bags, they went away, and saw Joseph and Mary coming towards them, and inquired, “Where is that king, the noise of whose approach the robbers heard, and left us, so that we are now come off safe?”

Joseph answered, “He will come after us.”

Baby Jesus Delivers A Woman From Evil Spirit

Then they went into another palace, where there was a woman possessed with a devil, and in whom Satan that caused rebel, had taken up his abode.

One night, when she went to fetch water, she could neither endure her clothes on, nor to be in any house. As often as they tied her with chains or cords, she broke the chains, and went out into desert places, and sometimes standing where roads crossed, and in churchyards, would throw stones at men.

When St Mary saw this woman, she pitied her; whereupon Satan presently left her, and fled away in the form of a young man, saying to Mary, “Woe to me, because of you your son.”

So the woman was delivered from her torment; but considering herself naked, she blushed, and avoided seeing any man, and having put on her clothes, went home, and gave au account of her case to her father and relations. Her father and relations were the best of the city, and they entertained St Mary and Joseph with the greatest respect.

Baby Jesus Heals A Bride

The next morning having received a sufficient supply of provisions for the road, they went from them, and about the evening of the day arrived at another town, where a marriage was then about to be solemnized; but by the wickedness of Satan and the practices of some sorcerers, the bride was become so dumb, that she could not so much as open her mouth.

But when this dumb bride saw the Lady St Mary entering into the town, and carrying the Lord Christ in her arms, she stretched out her hands to the Lord Christ, and took Him in her arms, and closely hugging Him, very often kissed Him, continually moving Him and pressing Him to her body.

Immediately, the string of her tongue was loosed, and her ears were opened, and she began to sing praises unto God, who had restored her.

So there was great joy among the inhabitants of the town that night, who thought that God and His angels were come down among them.

In this place they abode three days, meeting with the greatest respect and most splendid entertainment.

And being then furnished by the people with provisions for the road, they departed and went to another city, in which they were inclined to lodge, because it was a famous place.

Baby Jesus Delivers A Gentlewoman

There was in this city a gentlewoman, who, as she went down one day to the river to bathe, behold cursed Satan leaped upon her in the form of a serpent, and folded himself about her belly, and every night lay upon her.

This woman seeing the Lady St Mary, and the Lord Christ the infant in her bosom, asked the Lady St Mary, that she would give her the child to kiss, and carry in her arms.

When Mary had consented, and as soon as the woman had moved the child, Satan left her, and fled away, nor did the woman ever afterwards see him.

Hereupon all the neighbours praised the Supreme God, and the woman rewarded them with ample beneficence.

Baby Jesus Heals A God Of Leprosy

On the morrow, the same woman brought perfumed water to wash the Lord Jesus; and when she had washed him, she preserved the water.

And there was a girl there, whose body was white with a leprosy, who being sprinkled with this water, and washed, was instantly cleansed from her leprosy.

The people therefore said, “Without doubt, Joseph and Mary and that boy are Gods, for they do not look like mortals.”

And when they were making ready to go away, the girl, who had been troubled with the leprosy, came and desired they would permit her to go along with them; so they consented, and the girl went with them till they came to a city, in which was the palace of a great king, and whose house was not far from the inn. Here they stayed.

Baby Jesus Heals The Son Of A Prince’s Wife

One day, the girl went to the prince's wife, and found her in a sorrowful and mournful condition, she asked her the reason of her tears.

She replied, “Wonder not at my groans, for I am under a great misfortune, of which I dare not tell anyone.”

But the girl said, “If you will entrust me with your private grievance, perhaps I may find you a remedy for it.”

“You, therefore,” says the prince's wife, “shall keep the secret, and not disclose it to anyone alive!

I have been married to this prince, who rules as king over large dominions, and lived long with him, before he had any child by me.

At length I conceived by him, but alas! I brought forth a leprous son; which, when he saw, he would not own to be his, but said to me, ‘Either you kill the child, or send him to some nurse in such a place, that he may be never heard of. And henceforth, take care of yourself; I will never see you more.’

So I yearn and suffer here, lamenting my wretched and miserable circumstances. Alas, my son! Alas, my husband! Have I disclosed it to you?”

The girl replied, “I have found a remedy for your disease, which I promise you, for I also was leprous, but God has cleansed me, even He who is called Jesus, the son of the Lady Mary.”

The woman inquiring where that God was, whom she spoke of, the girl answered, “He lodges with you here in the same house.”

“But how can this be?” asked the woman. “Where is he?”

The girl replied, “Behold, Joseph and Mary; and the infant who is with them is called Jesus: and it is baby who delivered me from my disease and torment.”

“But by what means,” inquired the woman, “were you cleansed from your leprosy? Will you not tell me that?”

“Why not?” replied the girl, “I took the water with which the baby’s body had been washed, and poured it upon me, and my leprosy vanished.”

The prince's wife then arose and entertained them, providing a great feast for Joseph among a large company of men.

And the next day took perfumed water to wash the Lord Jesus, and afterwards poured the same water upon her son, whom she had brought with her, and her son was instantly cleansed from his leprosy.

Then she sang thanks and praises unto God, and said, “Blessed is the mother that bore you, O Jesus!

Thus you cure men with your nature, with the water with which your body is washed?”

She then offered very large gifts to the Lady Mary, and sent her away with all imaginable respect.

Baby Jesus Delivers A Newly Married Wife

They came afterwards to another city, and had a mind to lodge there. Accordingly they went to a man's house, who was newly married, but by the influence of sorcerers could not enjoy his wife:

But they lodging at his house that night, the man was freed of his disorder:

And when they were preparing early in the morning to go forward on their journey, the new married person hindered them, and provided a noble entertainment for them.

Baby Jesus Restores A Mule To Human Nature

But going forward on the morrow, they came to another city, and saw three women going from a certain grave with great weeping.

When St Mary saw them, she spoke to the girl who was their companion, saying, “Go and inquire of them, what is the matter with them, and what misfortune has befallen them?”

When the girl asked them, they gave her no answer, but asked her again, “Who are you? And where are you going? For the day is far spent, and the night is at hand.”

“We are travellers,” said the girl, “and are seeking for an inn to lodge at.”

They replied,” Go along with us, and lodge with us.”

Therefore, Joseph and his companions then followed them, and were introduced into a new house, well furnished with all sorts of furniture.

It was now winter-time, and the girl went into the parlour where these women were, and found them weeping and lamenting, as before.

By them stood a mule, covered over with silk, and an ebony collar hanging down from his neck, whom they kissed, and were feeding.

But when the girl said, “How handsome, ladies, that mule is!”

They replied with tears, and said, “This mule, which you see, was our brother, born of this same mother as we: For when our father died, and left us a very large estate, and we had only this brother, and we endeavoured to procure him a suitable match, and thought he should be married as other men, some giddy and jealous woman bewitched him without our knowledge. And we, one night, a little before day, while the doors of the house were all fast shut, saw this our brother was changed into a mule, such as you now see him to be.

“And we, in the melancholy condition in which you see us, having no father to comfort us, have applied to all the wise men, magicians, and diviners in the world, but they have been of no service to us.

As often therefore as we find ourselves oppressed with grief, we rise and go with this our mother to our father's tomb, where, when we have cried sufficiently we return home.”

When the girl had heard this, she said, “Take courage, and cease your fears, for you have a remedy for your afflictions near at hand, even among you and in the midst of your house, For I was also leprous; but when I saw this woman, and this little infant with her, whose name is Jesus, I sprinkled my body with the water with which his mother had washed him, and I was presently made well. And I am certain that he is also capable of relieving you from your distress. Wherefore, arise, go to my mistress, Mary, and when you have brought her into your own parlour, disclose to her the secret, at the same time, earnestly beseeching her to be compassionate with your case.”

As soon as the women had heard the girl's discourse, they hastened away to the Lady St Mary, introduced themselves to her, and sitting down before her, they wept and said, “O our Lady St Mary, pity your handmaids, for we have no head of our family, no one older than us; no father, or brother to go in and out before us. But this mule, which you see, was our brother, which some woman by witchcraft have brought into this condition which you see: we therefore entreat you to have compassion with us.”

Hereupon St Mary was grieved at their case, and taking the Lord Jesus, put Him upon the back of the mule. And said to her son, “O Jesus Christ, restore (or heal) according to your extraordinary power this mule, and grant him to have again the shape of a man and a rational creature, as he had formerly.” Before Lady St Mary finished speaking, the mule immediately changed into a human form, and became a young man without any deformity.

Then he and his mother and the sisters worshipped the Lady St Mary, and lifting baby Jesus upon their heads, they kissed him, and said, “Blessed is your mother, O Jesus, O Saviour of the world! Blessed are the eyes which are so happy as to see you.”

Then both the sisters told their mother, saying, “Of a truth, our brother is restored to his former shape by the help of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the kindness of that girl, who told us of Mary and her son. And inasmuch as our brother is unmarried, it is fit that we marry him to this girl their servant.”

When they had consulted Mary in this matter, and she had given her consent, they made a splendid wedding for this girl.

And so their sorrow being turned into gladness, and their mourning into laughter, they began to rejoice and to make merry, and sing, being dressed in their richest attire, with bracelets.

Afterwards they glorified and praised God, saying, “O Jesus, son of David, who changes sorrow into gladness, and mourning into laughter!”

After this Joseph and Mary tarried there ten days, then went away, having received great respect from those people. When Joseph and Mary were leaving, those people, especially the girl, wept.

The Encounter With The Two Thieves, Dumachus And Titus

In their journey from hence, they came into a desert country, and were told it was infested with robbers; so Joseph and St Mary prepared to pass through it in the night. And as they were going along, behold they saw two robbers asleep in the road, and with them a great number of robbers, who were their confederates, also asleep. The names of these two were Titus and Dumachus

And Titus said to Dumachus, “I beseech you, let these persons go along quietly, that our company may not perceive anything of them.”

But Dumachus refusing, Titus again said, “I will give you forty groats, and as a pledge take my girdle,” which he gave Dumachus after he had done speaking, that Dumachus might not open his mouth, or make a noise.

When the Lady St Mary saw the kindness which this robber showed to them, she said to him, “The Lord God will receive you to his right hand, and grant you pardon of your sins.”

Then the Lord Jesus answered, and said to his mother, “When thirty years are expired, O mother, the Jews will crucify me at Jerusalem. And these two thieves shall be with me at the same time upon the cross, Titus on my right hand, and Dumachus on my left, and from that time Titus shall go before me into paradise.”

And when she had said, “God forbid this should be your lot, O my son,” they went on to a city in which were several idols; which, as soon as they came near to it, was turned into hills of sands.

Miracles In Matarea

Hence they went to that sycamore tree, which is now called Matarea. And in Matarea the Lord Jesus caused a well to spring forth, in which St Mary washed His coat. And a balsam is produced, or grows, in that country from the sweat which ran down there from the Lord Jesus.

After Three Years In Egypt

Thence they proceeded to Memphis, and saw Pharaoh, and abode three years in Egypt. And the Lord Jesus did very many miracles in Egypt, which are neither to be found in the Gospel of the Infancy nor in the Gospel of Perfection.

At the end of three years, they returned from Egypt, and when they came near to Judas (Judea), Joseph was afraid to enter. For hearing that Herod was dead, and that Archelaus his son reigned in his stead, Joseph was afraid. And when they went to Judea, an angel of God appeared to Joseph, and said to him, “O Joseph, go into the city Nazareth, and abide there. It is strange indeed that He, who is the Lord of All Countries, should be thus carried backward and forward through so many countries.”