Page:Apocryphal Gospels and Other Documents Relating to the History of Christ.djvu/112

cviii to be a mediæval Latin production, and as such it was largely used by the editor of the "Legenda Aurea." It was very likely written in France.

This is probably not so modern as the "Death of Pilate." The writer seems to have had his eye upon the Nicodemus, but he borrowed from his own fancy and other sources. No particular interest attaches to the details, which are palpably fictitious. Thus Pilate is said to have had a daughter, but she is also said to have had the Hebrew name of Sarah. The author's dispositions and tendencies have given an apocalyptic turn to certain parts of the composition. The principal favorite of the author was Saint Good-thief (Sanctus Bonus Latro), as he is called in the proper office for his day (April 24th), and who is here called Demas — a modification of the earlier Dysmas. Tischendorf very properly added this to the pieces which he regards as supplementary to the Acts of Pilate. Some of the notions are decidedly original, such as Christ's writing a letter to the Cherubim and giving it to the deceased robber.