Archives:Parabiblical literature

Deuterocanon

Books considered canonical by Catholic or Orthodox Christians but not by Protestants.

Catholic and Orthodox

Books and additions accepted as Scripture in both Catholic and Eastern Orthodox traditions.

Letter of Jeremiah / Epistle of Jeremiah (3rd–2nd c. BCE, commonly) -- A Jewish anti-idolatry discourse framed as Jeremiah’s letter to exiles.
Tobit (3rd–2nd c. BCE) -- A Jewish didactic tale about Tobit, Tobias, Sarah, and the angel Raphael, preserved in several textual forms but treated here as one work.
Wisdom of Jesus Son of Sirach / Sirach / Ecclesiasticus (early 2nd c. BCE; Greek translation late 2nd c. BCE) -- A Jewish wisdom collection attributed to Jesus ben Sira, extant in Hebrew and ancient translations.
1 Maccabees (late 2nd c. BCE) -- A Jewish historiographic account of the Maccabean revolt and Hasmonean rise, canonical in Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Christianity.
Prayer of Azariah and Song of the Three Young Men (2nd–1st c. BCE) -- Additions to Daniel 3 expanding the furnace episode with prayers and hymnic material.
Susanna (2nd–1st c. BCE, though possibly earlier) -- A Danielic court tale in which the young Daniel exposes two false witnesses against Susanna.
Bel and the Dragon (2nd–1st c. BCE, with older narrative material possible) -- Two Danielic tales ridiculing idol worship and recounting Daniel’s destruction of Bel and a dragon.
Additions to Esther / Greek Additions to Esther (ca. 2nd–1st c. BCE overall; individual additions may differ in date) -- Six Greek expansions to Esther adding Mordecai’s dream, prayers, royal edicts, and explicit references to God; canonical in Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Christianity.
Judith (late 2nd–early 1st c. BCE, commonly) -- A Jewish historical novella about Judith’s deliverance of Bethulia through the killing of Holofernes.
2 Maccabees (late 2nd–early 1st c. BCE, epitomizing Jason of Cyrene) -- A Greek Jewish theological history of the Maccabean crisis emphasizing martyrdom, resurrection, and the Temple, canonical in Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Christianity.
Baruch / 1 Baruch (1st c. BCE–1st c. CE; composite date disputed) -- A Jewish penitential and wisdom work attributed to Baruch son of Neriah.
Wisdom of Solomon / Wisdom (late 1st c. BCE–early 1st c. CE) -- A Greek Jewish wisdom work written in the persona or conceptual orbit of Solomon.

Orthodox only

Books and additions accepted in the Eastern Orthodox longer canon but not in the Catholic canon.

1 Esdras / Greek Ezra / 3 Esdras in the Vulgate tradition (2nd–1st c. BCE) -- A Greek retelling of material from Chronicles, Ezra, and Nehemiah with the independent contest of the three bodyguards, included in the Eastern Orthodox longer canon.
Prayer of Manasseh (2nd c. BCE–1st c. CE, uncertain) -- A penitential prayer placed in the mouth of King Manasseh and linked to 2 Chronicles 33, included in the Eastern Orthodox biblical tradition.
Psalm 151 (Hellenistic period; Greek form probably 2nd–1st c. BCE, with related Hebrew psalmic material at Qumran) -- A short Davidic psalm outside the Jewish and Protestant canons but included in the Eastern Orthodox biblical tradition.
3 Maccabees (1st c. BCE, commonly) -- A Greek Jewish persecution-and-deliverance narrative set under Ptolemy IV, included in the Eastern Orthodox longer canon but not the Catholic canon.

Old Testament apocrypha

Apocrypha and parabiblica best classified as Old Testament-aligned.

Main corpus

Extant or substantially recoverable texts that do not fall into a more specific preservation or translation-status category below.

1 Enoch / Ethiopic Enoch (3rd c. BCE–1st c. CE, composite) -- The Ethiopic Enoch collection joins several originally independent Enochic compositions, many also attested in Aramaic at Qumran.
Book of the Luminaries / Astronomical Book / 1 Enoch 72–82 (3rd c. BCE, with an earlier Aramaic form) -- An Enochic astronomical-calendrical revelation attributed to Uriel.
Book of the Watchers / 1 Enoch 1–36 (3rd c. BCE, with compositional layers) -- The earliest major Enochic apocalypse, recounting the descent of the Watchers, the giants, and Enoch’s heavenly journeys.
Psalm 152 (composition date uncertain, probably Second Temple or late antique) -- A Syriac apocryphal psalm attributed to David, concerning his conflict with the lion and wolf, preserved in the Five Apocryphal Psalms tradition.
Psalm 153 (composition date uncertain, probably Second Temple or late antique) -- A Syriac Davidic apocryphal psalm on thanksgiving after victory, transmitted with Psalms 151–155.
Psalm 154 (Second Temple period; Hebrew witness at Qumran, 11Q5) -- A sapiential-hymnic psalm preserved in Syriac and in Hebrew among the Qumran Psalms Scroll material.
Psalm 155 (Second Temple period; Hebrew witness at Qumran, 11Q5) -- A penitential Davidic psalm preserved in Syriac and in Hebrew in the Qumran Psalms Scroll.
Testament of Naphtali / Hebrew Testament of Naphtali (Hellenistic–Roman period; relationship to Greek Testament of Naphtali disputed) -- A Hebrew testamentary work or recension associated with Naphtali that overlaps but is not simply identical with the Greek Twelve Patriarchs text.
Apocalypse of Weeks / 1 Enoch 93:1–10; 91:11–17 (2nd c. BCE or earlier) -- A schematic Enochic apocalypse dividing world history into ten “weeks.”
Apocryphon of Joshua / Psalms of Joshua / 4Q378–379 (2nd–1st c. BCE) -- A Qumran rewritten-Joshua composition combining narrative, speech, and prayer.
Dream Visions / Book of Dreams / 1 Enoch 83–90 (2nd c. BCE) -- Two Enochic dream revelations, the second presenting history as an animal allegory.
Epistle of Enoch / 1 Enoch 91–108 (2nd–1st c. BCE, composite) -- Enochic exhortations and eschatological teachings incorporating older units.
Genesis Apocryphon / 1QapGen (2nd–1st c. BCE) -- An Aramaic rewritten Genesis narrative expanding the stories of Lamech, Noah, and Abraham.
Jubilees / Little Genesis (mid-2nd c. BCE) -- A rewritten Genesis–Exodus narrative organized by jubilees and revealed to Moses by an angel.
Letter of Aristeas / Letter to Philocrates (2nd c. BCE) -- A Hellenistic Jewish work narrating the translation of the Torah into Greek and praising Jewish law and wisdom.
Martyrdom of Isaiah (2nd c. BCE–1st c. CE for underlying Jewish narrative; later Christian transmission) -- The martyrdom narrative forming the earliest layer of the Ascension of Isaiah and recounting Isaiah’s death under Manasseh.
Prayer of Nabonidus / 4Q242 (2nd–1st c. BCE manuscript; underlying tradition earlier) -- An Aramaic tale of Nabonidus’s affliction and healing closely related to Danielic court-legend traditions.
Sibylline Oracles (2nd c. BCE–7th c. CE, composite) -- A large Jewish and Christian pseudepigraphic oracle collection placed in the mouth of the Sibyl.
Temple Scroll / 11Q19–20, 4Q524 (2nd c. BCE or earlier) -- A long rewritten-Torah work presenting divine legal revelation in the first person.
Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs (2nd c. BCE–2nd c. CE; Jewish materials with substantial Christian redaction debated) -- Twelve farewell discourses attributed to Jacob’s sons combining ethics, prophecy, and eschatology.
Animal Apocalypse / 1 Enoch 85–90 (ca. 165–160 BCE, commonly) -- The historical allegory embedded in the Dream Visions and often treated as an independently analyzable apocalypse.
Joseph and Aseneth (1st c. BCE–2nd c. CE; date and Jewish/Christian provenance debated) -- A romance-like conversion and marriage narrative about Joseph and Aseneth.
Parables of Enoch / Similitudes of Enoch / 1 Enoch 37–71 (late 1st c. BCE–1st c. CE; dating disputed) -- Three Enochic parables centered on heavenly judgment and the Elect One or Son of Man.
Psalms of Solomon (mid–late 1st c. BCE) -- Eighteen Jewish pseudepigraphic psalms reflecting Jerusalem’s crisis under Roman power and messianic hope.
Pseudo-Phocylides (1st c. BCE–1st c. CE) -- A Jewish ethical poem written under the name of the archaic Greek poet Phocylides.
Testament of Job (1st c. BCE–1st c. CE) -- A Jewish testamentary retelling of Job featuring his philanthropy, sufferings, daughters, and heavenly revelations.
Treatise of Shem (1st c. BCE, commonly) -- An astrological prognostication attributed to Shem; catalogued as pseudepigrapha but borderline because its dominant genre is divinatory.
2 Baruch / Syriac Apocalypse of Baruch (late 1st–early 2nd c. CE) -- A Jewish apocalypse responding to Jerusalem’s destruction through Baruch’s visions, prayers, and eschatological revelations.
2 Enoch / Slavonic Enoch / Book of the Secrets of Enoch (composition date highly disputed, proposals range from 1st c. CE to medieval; extant Slavonic witnesses medieval) -- An Enochic ascent and cosmological apocalypse surviving in Slavonic, whose original date and language remain among the most disputed questions in pseudepigrapha studies.
3 Baruch / Greek Apocalypse of Baruch (1st–3rd c. CE; Christian redaction debated) -- An otherworld apocalypse in which Baruch tours the heavens with an angelic guide.
4 Baruch / Paraleipomena Jeremiou / Things Left Out of Jeremiah (1st–2nd c. CE, commonly) -- A Jewish or Christian pseudepigraphic narrative about Jeremiah, Baruch, Abimelech, and the exile.
4 Maccabees (late 1st c. CE, commonly) -- A Greek Jewish philosophical discourse on reason and the Maccabean martyrs; its Eastern Orthodox status is variable, with Greek editions commonly placing it in an appendix and Russian tradition not accepting it as canonical.
Apocalypse of Abraham (late 1st–early 2nd c. CE, commonly) -- A Jewish apocalypse preserved in Slavonic describing Abraham’s rejection of idolatry and ascent with the angel Yahoel.
Apocalypse of Elijah (1st–4th c. CE; Jewish and Christian layers debated) -- An apocalyptic work preserved chiefly in Coptic, featuring eschatological adversaries, signs, and deliverance.
Ascension of Isaiah (1st–4th c. CE, composite) -- A Christian composite combining the Martyrdom of Isaiah, a Jewish-Christian apocalypse often called the Testament of Hezekiah, and the Vision of Isaiah.
History of the Rechabites / Story of Zosimus (1st–5th c. CE; Jewish core versus Christian composition disputed) -- A pseudepigraphic paradise narrative about the descendants of the Rechabites, transmitted in Greek, Syriac, Ethiopic, Armenian, Georgian, and Slavonic.
Ladder of Jacob (1st–4th c. CE; Jewish core with Christian transmission) -- An apocalypse expanding Jacob’s ladder vision with angelic interpretation and eschatological prophecy.
Liber Antiquitatum Biblicarum / Pseudo-Philo / Biblical Antiquities (late 1st c. CE, commonly) -- A Jewish rewritten biblical history from Adam to Saul with extensive expansions, speeches, and legends.
Life of Adam and Eve / Apocalypse of Moses / Vita Adae et Evae / Penitence of Adam / Book of Adam (1st–4th c. CE; underlying work and recensional history disputed) -- A multilingual family of Adam-and-Eve narratives about repentance, death, burial, and the fall, treated here as one work-family rather than duplicating its language versions.
Lives of the Prophets (1st c. CE, Jewish core with Christian editing) -- Short legendary biographies and death traditions for Israelite prophets.
Odes of Solomon (late 1st–2nd c. CE, probably Christian) -- A collection of early Christian hymnic poems transmitted under a Solomonic title and often included with pseudepigrapha despite uncertain direct biblical rewriting.
Testament of Abraham (1st–2nd c. CE, with recensions) -- A Jewish or Jewish-Christian death-and-afterlife narrative in which Abraham resists death and tours judgment.
Testament of Hezekiah / Apocalypse of Hezekiah (late 1st–2nd c. CE, commonly) -- A Christian apocalyptic unit incorporated into the Ascension of Isaiah and concerned with Nero/Beliar and the end time.
Testament of Moses / Assumption of Moses (early 1st c. CE; surviving text incomplete) -- A Jewish farewell prophecy attributed to Moses; whether the lost Assumption of Moses was the same work or a separate continuation remains disputed.
Testament of Solomon (1st–3rd c. CE with later accretions) -- A Christianized Solomonic demonological testament narrating Solomon’s control of demons during construction of the Temple.
4 Ezra / Jewish Apocalypse of Ezra / 2 Esdras 3–14 (ca. 100 CE, commonly after 70 CE) -- A Jewish apocalypse in which Ezra receives seven revelations addressing the destruction of Jerusalem and the problem of evil.
Apocalypse of Sedrach (2nd–5th c. CE; substantially Christian in its surviving Greek form, exact date disputed) -- A Greek dialogue-apocalypse in which Sedrach questions God about mercy, death, and the fate of sinners, belonging to the Christian Ezra-apocalypse orbit despite its Old Testament pseudonymous seer.
Greek Apocalypse of Ezra (2nd–9th c. CE; exact composition date uncertain) -- A Christian Greek apocalypse in which Ezra tours the otherworld and questions God about judgment.
Testament of Adam (2nd–5th c. CE, composite) -- A Syriac Christian Adam pseudepigraphon combining horarium, prophecy, and hierarchical material.
Testament of Isaac (2nd–5th c. CE; Christian redaction likely) -- A testamentary death narrative in which Isaac receives visions and ethical instruction.
Testament of Jacob (2nd–5th c. CE; Christian redaction likely) -- A testamentary narrative of Jacob’s death and revelations, transmitted with the Testaments of Abraham and Isaac.
Vision of Isaiah (2nd–3rd c. CE, commonly) -- The Christian heavenly-ascent section of the Ascension of Isaiah in which Isaiah journeys through the heavens.
Life of Abel by Symmachus (composition date uncertain; Syriac witness edited from late antique/medieval tradition) -- A Syriac apocryphal life of Abel attributed to Symmachus and separately catalogued in the CAVT.
3 Enoch / Hebrew Book of Enoch / Sefer Hekhalot (5th–6th c. CE for core, with later accretions) -- A Hebrew hekhalot apocalypse in which Rabbi Ishmael ascends and encounters Metatron, identified with transformed Enoch.
Conflict of Adam and Eve with Satan / First Book of Adam and Eve (probably 5th–6th c. CE in antecedent form; Ethiopic transmission later) -- A Christian Adamic narrative expanding the lives of the first couple after expulsion from Eden.
Cave of Treasures (ca. 6th c. CE, Syriac core) -- A Syriac Christian world history rewriting biblical narrative from Adam to Christ with extensive Adamic and patriarchal traditions.
Sefer Zerubbabel / Book of Zerubbabel (early 7th c. CE, commonly) -- A Hebrew Jewish apocalypse in which Zerubbabel receives revelations about Armilus, the messiahs, and final redemption.
1 Meqabyan / Ethiopic 1 Maccabees (medieval Ethiopic; precise composition date uncertain) -- The first of three Ethiopian biblical books called Meqabyan, unrelated in content to Greek 1 Maccabees.
2 Meqabyan / Ethiopic 2 Maccabees (medieval Ethiopic; precise composition date uncertain) -- The second independent Ethiopic Meqabyan book, not a translation or recension of Greek 2 Maccabees.
3 Meqabyan / Ethiopic 3 Maccabees (medieval Ethiopic; precise composition date uncertain) -- The third Ethiopic Meqabyan book, distinct from Greek 3 Maccabees and from the first two Meqabyan books.
5 Maccabees / Arabic 5 Maccabees (composition date and literary history uncertain; medieval Arabic form) -- A Jewish historical work surviving in Arabic whose relationship to Josippon and earlier materials remains debated.
Apocryphon of Zerubbabel / Slavonic Zerubbabel Apocryphon (medieval Slavonic; relationship to Sefer Zerubbabel uncertain) -- A Slavonic Zerubbabel apocalypse or adaptation whose independence from the Hebrew Sefer Zerubbabel requires case-by-case textual comparison.
Sea of Tiberias / Tiberias Sea (medieval Slavonic; earlier Greek or Jewish antecedents disputed) -- A Slavonic cosmogonic and biblical apocryphon concerning creation and primordial history.
Apocalypse of Daniel / Greek Apocalypse of Daniel (9th c. CE in extant form) -- A Byzantine Christian Daniel apocalypse forecasting imperial and eschatological events.
Revelation of Ezra (before the 9th c. CE; composition date uncertain) -- A short Christian Ezra apocalypse known especially from Latin tradition and concerned with eschatological signs.
Conversation of Moses with God (composition date uncertain; Syriac/Arabic transmission) -- A Moses dialogue text expanding biblical conversations between Moses and God, catalogued among Syriac Old Testament pseudepigrapha.
Death of Aaron / Motä Aron (composition date uncertain; Ethiopic transmission) -- An Ethiopic apocryphal narrative of Aaron’s death.
History of Job (composition date uncertain; Syriac/Arabic transmission) -- An extracanonical Job narrative distinct from the Testament of Job.
History of Joseph / Ethiopic Joseph Narrative (composition date uncertain; Ethiopic transmission) -- An Ethiopic Joseph story that is not merely a translation of Joseph and Aseneth and is separately catalogued in Ethiopic pseudepigraphic tradition.
Legend of Habakkuk (composition date uncertain; Ethiopic transmission) -- An Ethiopic Habakkuk legend catalogued separately from Syriac Habakkuk material.
Life of Jeremiah / Ethiopic Jeremiah Legend (composition date uncertain; Ethiopic transmission) -- An Ethiopic Jeremiah narrative distinct from 4 Baruch and other captivity apocrypha.
Names of the Wives of the Patriarchs (composition date uncertain; Syriac/Arabic transmission) -- A short pseudepigraphic genealogical work supplying names for the wives of biblical patriarchs.
Story of Moses / Nägärä Muse (composition date uncertain; Ethiopic transmission) -- An Ethiopic Moses narrative cycle distinct from Motä Muse and the classical Testament/Assumption tradition.
Syriac Book of Seth (composition date uncertain; attested in Syriac cataloguing) -- An obscure Seth pseudepigraphon preserved or attested in Syriac tradition, distinct from the better-known Apocryphon of Seth.
Testament of Joseph / Ethiopic Testament of Joseph (composition date uncertain; identification with other Joseph testaments disputed) -- An Ethiopic Joseph pseudepigraphon whose independence and relationship to the Testament of the Twelve Patriarchs require caution.

Highly obscure texts

Highly obscure, little-known parabiblica that survive in a more-or-less complete form and are available in some kind of English translation.

Aramaic Song of the Lamb / Dialogue of David and Goliath (Second Temple or late antique date disputed) -- An Aramaic poetic expansion of the David and Goliath story.
Exorcistic Psalms of David and Solomon (Second Temple through late-antique materials; the surviving small corpus is composite and cannot be assigned one secure composition date) -- A group of Jewish exorcistic psalmic compositions attributed to David and/or Solomon and edited together in modern pseudepigrapha scholarship, retained here as a conventional work-level corpus because its component boundaries and transmission are fluid.
On Jonah by Pseudo-Philo (1st c. BCE–2nd c. CE? dating uncertain) -- A Jewish Greek synagogue sermon pseudonymously associated with Philo and substantially retelling/interpreting Jonah in a parabiblical mode.
On Samson by Pseudo-Philo (1st c. BCE–2nd c. CE? dating uncertain) -- A Jewish Greek synagogue sermon pseudonymously associated with Philo and expanding the Samson story, distinct from Biblical Antiquities.
5 Ezra / 2 Esdras 1–2 (2nd–3rd c. CE, Christian) -- A Christian pseudepigraphic Ezra composition prefixed to 4 Ezra in the Latin 2 Esdras tradition.
6 Ezra / 2 Esdras 15–16 (2nd–3rd c. CE, Christian; date disputed) -- A Christian apocalyptic composition appended to 4 Ezra in Latin and related traditions.
Phylactery of Moses (2nd–4th c. CE for the inscribed artifact/text; independent prior composition cannot be securely dated) -- A Greek magical amulet pseudepigraphically attributed to Moses, included here because specialist pseudepigrapha scholarship treats its Mosaic revelatory frame as relevant.
Book of the Mysteries / Sefer Ha-Razim (late antique, probably 3rd–4th c. CE in core form; redactional history disputed) -- A Hebrew-Aramaic pseudepigraphic magical-cosmological book attributed through its frame to Noah, included in current Old Testament pseudepigrapha scholarship despite its magical genre.
Eighth Book of Moses (3rd–4th c. CE in its recoverable literary development; version A is a 4th-c. Christianized redaction and version B appears earlier) -- A Greek Mosaic ritual-revelatory pseudepigraphon preserved in PGM XIII, included because modern pseudepigrapha scholarship treats its two recoverable versions as a literary Mosaic work rather than merely an isolated spell.
Adam Octipartite (late antique or medieval; date uncertain) -- A short Adamic cosmological text explaining the eight substances from which Adam was formed.
Adam Septipartite (late antique or medieval; date uncertain) -- A related but distinct Adamic text explaining Adam’s formation from seven constituent elements.
Apocryphon about Aseneth (late antique or medieval; exact composition date uncertain) -- A separate Aseneth-related apocryphon not to be conflated with Joseph and Aseneth.
Apocryphon of Eber (late antique or medieval; exact date uncertain) -- A pseudepigraphic composition associated with the patriarch Eber and preserved in later Christian transmission.
Apocryphon of Seth (composition date uncertain; probably late antique) -- A Sethic pseudepigraphon known from later Christian transmission and treated as a distinct Adamic/Sethian parabiblical work.
Book of the Covenant (late antique or medieval; date uncertain) -- An Old Testament-oriented pseudepigraphic covenant text published among more noncanonical scriptures; it should not be confused with similarly titled Christian church-order material.
Dispute over Abraham (late antique or medieval; date uncertain) -- A parabiblical Abraham text preserved in later Christian traditions and centered on a dispute concerning the patriarch.
Heartless Rich Man and the Precious Stone (late antique or medieval; date uncertain) -- A Jewish or Christian moral parabiblical narrative preserved in eastern tradition and published among Old Testament pseudepigrapha.
History of Melchizedek / Story of Melchizedek (late antique or medieval; multiple independent forms) -- A Melchizedek parabiblical narrative preserved in eastern Christian traditions; different language recensions may conceal more than one composition.
Lunationes Danielis / Lunarium of Daniel (late antique or medieval; date uncertain) -- A Danielic lunar divination text; included here only as a catalogued pseudepigraphon and flagged as borderline magical/divinatory literature.
Midrash Vayissa’u / Wars of the Sons of Jacob (late antique or early medieval in extant form; older material possible) -- A Jewish parabiblical narrative of the wars of Jacob’s sons, often treated as rewritten patriarchal tradition rather than ordinary exegetical midrash.
Narration of Joseph (late antique or medieval; exact composition date uncertain) -- An extracanonical Joseph narrative edited in the current More Noncanonical Scriptures corpus, distinct from Joseph and Aseneth and the Syriac/Ethiopic Joseph histories.
Nine and a Half Tribes (late antique or medieval; date uncertain) -- A parabiblical narrative about the tribes of Israel beyond the river, related to traditions of the lost tribes.
Prophecy of Jeremiah to Pashhur (late antique or medieval; date uncertain) -- A Jeremiah pseudepigraphon concerning Pashhur, preserved in Christian transmission.
Questions of Ezra (composition date uncertain, probably late antique or early medieval) -- An Ezra dialogue-apocalypse preserved in Armenian and related traditions in which Ezra questions an angel about creation, death, and eschatology.
Questions of the Queen of Sheba and Answers by King Solomon / Questions of the Queen of Sheba to Solomon (late antique or medieval; composition date uncertain) -- A question-and-answer pseudepigraphon, preserved in Armenian and Syriac forms, expanding the biblical encounter between Solomon and the Queen of Sheba.
Relics of Zechariah and the Boy (late antique or medieval; date uncertain) -- A Christian parabiblical narrative concerning relics and traditions surrounding the prophet Zechariah and a boy.
Selenodromion of David and Solomon / Lunationes tradition attributed to David and Solomon (late antique or Byzantine form; underlying lunation tradition may be earlier, exact composition date uncertain) -- A Greek lunar divination text attributed in a minority of manuscripts to David or Solomon, whose status and even preferred title are disputed because most witnesses belong to the broader Lunationes/Somniale Danielis tradition.
Seventh Vision of Daniel (late antique or medieval; date uncertain) -- A Danielic apocalypse or vision preserved outside the standard ancient collections.
Somniale Danielis / Dreambook of Daniel (late antique or medieval; date uncertain) -- A pseudepigraphic dreambook attributed to Daniel; because it is primarily divinatory it is noted in the research caveats and not counted as core narrative parabiblica.
Songs of David (late antique or medieval compilation; underlying pieces may be older) -- Extra-canonical Davidic songs preserved in eastern Christian traditions and collected as pseudepigrapha.
Story of Melchizedek and the Chronicon Legend (late antique or medieval; textual relationship disputed) -- A Melchizedek legend associated with chronographic tradition and treated by some editors separately from the better-known Story of Melchizedek.
Sword of Moses / Ḥarba de-Moshe (late antique or early medieval; probably 4th–6th c. CE in core form) -- A Hebrew-Aramaic magical revelation attributed to Moses and included in current pseudepigrapha collections despite its strongly ritual-magical character.
Syriac Apocalypse of Daniel (composition date uncertain; probably late antique or medieval) -- A Syriac Daniel apocalypse distinct from the Greek Apocalypse of Daniel and catalogued separately in current pseudepigrapha scholarship.
Syriac History of Joseph (late antique or early medieval; precise composition date uncertain) -- A Syriac Christian expansion of the Joseph story distinct from Joseph and Aseneth.
Vision of Ezra / Latin Vision of Ezra (4th–7th c. CE; uncertain) -- A Latin Ezra apocalypse describing a tour of hell and heavenly punishment.
Hygromancy of Solomon / Hygromanteia Salomonis (5th–6th c. CE in its present Greek form; some constituent material may predate the 4th c.) -- A Greek Jewish or Jewish-background Solomonic astrological and ritual handbook framed as Solomon’s instruction to Rehoboam, with a fluid later magical transmission.
Abraham and the Idols (composition date uncertain; medieval Armenian transmission) -- An Armenian rewritten-biblical narrative elaborating Abraham’s rejection and destruction of idols.
Armenian 4 Ezra / Armenian Apocalypse of Ezra (composition date uncertain; medieval Armenian witnesses) -- An Armenian Ezra apocalypse treated in current scholarship as a composition distinct from Jewish 4 Ezra rather than merely an Armenian translation of it.
Brief History of Joshua (composition date uncertain; medieval Armenian transmission) -- An Armenian rewritten-biblical account of Joshua.
Concerning Abraham (composition date uncertain; medieval Armenian transmission) -- An Armenian Abrahamic parabiblical composition preserved among biblical-hero apocrypha.
Concerning the Ark of God (composition date uncertain; medieval Armenian transmission) -- A distinct Armenian Ark-related parabiblical text.
Construction of Noah’s Ark (composition date uncertain; medieval Armenian transmission) -- An Armenian Noahic narrative elaborating the building and dimensions of the Ark.
Daniel and the Three Young Men (composition date uncertain; medieval Armenian transmission) -- An Armenian Danielic parabiblical text expanding the companions’ story.
Daniel Epitome I (composition date uncertain; medieval Armenian transmission) -- A short Armenian epitome or rewritten account of Danielic material.
Daniel Epitome II (composition date uncertain; medieval Armenian transmission) -- A second distinct Armenian Daniel epitome.
David Apocalypse (medieval Jewish; surviving form is post-rabbinic and the precise composition date is uncertain) -- A short Hebrew apocalypse attributed to David concerning eschatological and otherworldly revelation, transmitted among later Jewish apocalyptic materials.
Ezra of Salathiel / Story of Ezra Salathiel (composition date uncertain; medieval Armenian transmission) -- An Armenian Ezra narrative or revelation distinct from the better-known 4 Ezra complex.
Hezekiah and Manasseh (composition date uncertain; medieval Armenian transmission) -- An Armenian parabiblical narrative expanding royal and prophetic traditions around Hezekiah and Manasseh.
History of Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi / Maʿaseh de-Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi / Aggadat de-Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi (medieval; substantially developed by the High Middle Ages, exact composition date uncertain) -- A Jewish apocalypse in Hebrew and Aramaic recensions in which Joshua ben Levi visits or enters paradise and receives knowledge of the afterlife, with the recensions treated here as witnesses to one work-complex.
History of the Three Young Men (composition date uncertain; medieval Armenian transmission) -- A distinct Armenian narrative devoted to Daniel’s three companions.
In What Manner Is the Punishment of the Grave? / Ketsad Din Ha-Qever (medieval; exact composition date uncertain) -- A Hebrew otherworld text describing postmortem judgment and the punishments associated with the grave.
Jeremiah, Susanna, and the Two Elders (composition date uncertain; medieval Armenian transmission) -- An Armenian rewriting combining Jeremiah with the Susanna tradition.
Legend “Hear, O Israel” / Haggadat Shema Yisrael (medieval; exact composition date uncertain) -- A short Hebrew otherworldly and angelological apocalypse centered on heavenly arrangements and traditions associated with the Shema.
Massekhet Kelim / Treatise of the Vessels (medieval, probably 10th–17th c. in present form; earlier claims disputed) -- A Hebrew pseudepigraphic list of hidden Temple treasures attributed to biblical-era figures, distinct from ordinary rabbinic tractates.
Memorial of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (composition date uncertain; medieval Armenian transmission) -- An Armenian patriarchal pseudepigraphon commemorating the three patriarchs.
Order of Gan Eden / Seder Gan Eden (medieval; exact composition date uncertain) -- A Hebrew apocalyptic description of paradise, its regions, inhabitants, rewards, and angelic administration, preserved in several recensions.
Praise of the Prophets (composition date uncertain; medieval Armenian transmission) -- An Armenian prophetic pseudepigraphic or parabiblical composition surveying biblical prophets.
Short Story of Elijah (composition date uncertain; medieval Armenian transmission) -- An Armenian Elijah parabiblical narrative.
Signs and Wonders in the Temple of Solomon (composition date uncertain; medieval Armenian transmission) -- An Armenian Solomonic wonder text connected with the Temple.
Solomon and the Building of the Temple (composition date uncertain; medieval Armenian transmission) -- An Armenian narrative expanding Solomon’s construction of the Temple.
Story of Abraham, Isaac, and Mamre (composition date uncertain; medieval Armenian transmission) -- An Armenian patriarchal narrative centered on Abraham, Isaac, and Mamre.
Story of Daniel (composition date uncertain; medieval Armenian transmission) -- An Armenian rewritten-Daniel narrative distinct from the canonical book and its standard Greek additions.
Story of Terah and Abraham (composition date uncertain; medieval Armenian transmission) -- An Armenian patriarchal narrative expanding the relationship of Abraham and his father Terah.
Story of the Ark of the Covenant (composition date uncertain; medieval Armenian transmission) -- An Armenian parabiblical narrative expanding traditions about the Ark.
Ten Trials of Abraham (composition date uncertain; medieval Armenian transmission) -- An Armenian pseudepigraphic account organizing Abraham’s life around ten tests.
Tractate on Gehinnom / Masseket Gehinnom (medieval; exact composition date uncertain) -- A Hebrew apocalypse-like tract describing the divisions, punishments, rulers, and geography of Gehinnom.
Tree of Sabek and Melchizedek (composition date uncertain; medieval Armenian transmission) -- An Armenian Abrahamic/Melchizedek narrative connecting the binding of Isaac traditions with Melchizedek lore.
Palaea Historica / Historical Palaea (9th c. CE or earlier in Greek; date debated) -- A Byzantine rewritten-biblical history from creation onward that incorporates extensive apocryphal traditions.
Greatness of Moses / Gedulat Moshe (medieval, probably before the 13th c.; earlier materials are possible but the composition date is uncertain) -- A Hebrew apocalypse in which Moses is transformed for a heavenly ascent and tours heaven, paradise, and hell under angelic guidance.
Vienna Protology (probably early 17th c. CE in its recoverable Ethiopic composition; surviving manuscript 17th–18th c.) -- A Geʿez creation and Adam-and-Eve apocryphon whose recoverable composition is probably early modern despite its use of older protological traditions.
Abraham in an Elenchic Text (composition date uncertain; Armenian transmission) -- An Armenian polemical-question text containing a distinct Abraham apocryphal tradition.
Abraham, John the Baptist, and Solomon (composition date uncertain; Armenian transmission) -- An unusual Armenian pseudobiblical composition linking Abraham, John the Baptist, and Solomon.
Adam Story I (composition date uncertain; Armenian transmission; editor’s title) -- One of two independent Armenian Adam narratives designated by modern editors as Adam Story I.
Adam Story II (composition date uncertain; Armenian transmission; editor’s title) -- A second Armenian Adam narrative, not merely another manuscript of Adam Story I.
Angels and the Demon (composition date uncertain; Armenian transmission) -- An Armenian angelological apocryphon concerning angels and the adversarial spirit.
Classes of Angels (composition date uncertain; Armenian transmission) -- An Armenian pseudobiblical angelological text enumerating angelic classes.
Concerning Abraham’s Hospitality (composition date uncertain; Armenian transmission) -- An Armenian expansion of Abraham’s hospitality to the heavenly visitors.
Concerning Adam and Eve and the Incarnation (composition date uncertain; Armenian transmission) -- An Armenian Christian Adam-and-Eve apocryphon connecting primeval history with the incarnation.
Concerning Heaven (composition date uncertain; Armenian transmission) -- An Armenian cosmological apocryphon transmitted in a collection running from Adam to Daniel.
Concerning Hell and Its Most Bitter Punishment (composition date uncertain; Armenian transmission) -- An Armenian otherworld text describing hell and punishments, edited as biblical apocrypha.
Concerning the Death of Adam (composition date uncertain; Armenian transmission) -- An Armenian Adam death narrative distinct from the major Life of Adam and Eve recension family.
Creation of Eve and the Disobedience (composition date uncertain; Armenian transmission) -- An Armenian rewritten-Genesis account of Eve’s creation and the transgression.
Dates of Adamic History (composition date uncertain; Armenian transmission) -- A short Armenian chronological Adam text edited as a distinct apocryphal composition.
Death of Moses / Motä Muse (composition date uncertain; Ethiopic transmission) -- An Ethiopic Moses death narrative separately catalogued from the Testament/Assumption of Moses.
Eli the Priest (composition date uncertain; Armenian transmission) -- An Armenian rewritten-biblical text concerning Eli.
Elisha (composition date uncertain; Armenian transmission) -- An Armenian apocryphal narrative concerning the prophet Elisha, distinct from the Syriac Elisha sermons.
Eras of the World (composition date uncertain; Armenian transmission) -- An Adam-centered chronological/world-age text transmitted among Armenian apocrypha.
Exorcism in the Name of Adam (composition date uncertain; Armenian transmission) -- An Adamic pseudepigraphic exorcistic text included in specialist Armenian apocrypha collections despite its borderline magical function.
Form and Structure of Noah’s Ark (composition date uncertain; Armenian transmission) -- An Armenian Noahic text elaborating the ark’s construction and dimensions.
From Abraham to Jacob (composition date uncertain; Armenian transmission) -- An Armenian rewritten-biblical narrative spanning patriarchal history from Abraham through Jacob.
Genealogy of Abraham (composition date uncertain; Armenian transmission) -- A short Armenian Abraham pseudepigraphon concerned with genealogy.
History of Adam and His Grandsons (composition date uncertain; Armenian transmission) -- An Armenian pseudobiblical history extending Adamic traditions into the generations after Adam.
History of the Forefathers Adam, His Sons, and Grandsons (composition date uncertain; Armenian transmission) -- A broad Armenian primeval-history apocryphon covering Adam’s descendants.
Hours of the Day and Night (composition date uncertain; Armenian transmission) -- An Adamic cosmological text concerning divisions of day and night, edited among Armenian Adam apocrypha.
Inquiry of Abraham (composition date uncertain; possibly related to Apocalypse of Abraham traditions) -- A brief Abrahamic revelatory text whose relationship to the Apocalypse of Abraham is uncertain.
Job the Righteous (composition date uncertain; Armenian transmission) -- An Armenian Job apocryphon distinct from the Testament of Job.
Jonah (composition date uncertain; Armenian transmission) -- An Armenian Jonah apocryphon distinct from the Syriac History of Jonah.
Joshua ben Nun Text IX (composition date uncertain; Armenian transmission; editor’s designation) -- One of the distinct Armenian Joshua apocrypha, preserved under a modern editorial label.
Ninevehites (composition date uncertain; Armenian transmission) -- An Armenian rewritten-biblical narrative concerning Nineveh and its inhabitants.
Numbers and Ranks of Angels (composition date uncertain; Armenian transmission) -- A distinct Armenian enumeration of angelic ranks and numbers.
Of Moses and Aaron (composition date uncertain; Armenian transmission) -- An Armenian Moses-Aaron apocryphon.
On the Fall of Adam (composition date uncertain; Armenian transmission) -- An Armenian Adam apocryphon dealing with the fall, edited as an independent text in Stone’s Armenian corpus.
Poem on Abraham, Isaac, Melchizedek, and Lot (composition date uncertain; Armenian transmission) -- An Armenian poetic parabiblical composition linking major patriarchal figures.
Prayer of the Archangels (composition date uncertain; Armenian transmission) -- A short archangelic pseudepigraphon preserved among Armenian biblical apocrypha; its prayer form makes its classification borderline with liturgy.
Question concerning Adam (composition date uncertain; Armenian transmission) -- A short Armenian question-and-answer Adam apocryphon.
Question concerning Moses’s Countenance (composition date uncertain; Armenian transmission) -- A short Armenian Moses text explaining or questioning the prophet’s appearance.
Questions and Answers from the Holy Books (composition date uncertain; Armenian transmission) -- An Armenian biblical question-and-answer apocryphon with rewritten-scriptural material.
Sermon on Abraham’s Hospitality (composition date uncertain; Armenian transmission) -- An Armenian apocryphal retelling of Abraham’s hospitality transmitted as a sermon.
Sermon on the Flood (composition date uncertain; Armenian transmission) -- A pseudobiblical Armenian Flood narrative presented in sermonic form and included because its substance is rewritten-biblical rather than ordinary homiletic exegesis.
Sermon on the Sodomites (composition date uncertain; Armenian transmission) -- An Armenian pseudobiblical Sodom narrative in sermonic form, included because it substantially rewrites the Abraham story.
Sethites and Cainites (composition date uncertain; Armenian transmission) -- An Armenian rewritten-Genesis text concerning the rival lines of Seth and Cain.
Short Questionnaire from Adam to Moses (composition date uncertain; Armenian witness dated 17th c.) -- An Armenian chain of biblical questions and answers extending from Adamic through Mosaic traditions.
Sibyl, Woman Philosopher (composition date uncertain; Armenian transmission) -- An Armenian Sibylline pseudepigraphon cast as teaching of a woman philosopher, related to but not simply a translation of the major Sibylline Oracles.
Story of Father Abraham (composition date uncertain; Armenian transmission) -- A substantial Armenian Abraham narrative distinct from the better-known Testament and Apocalypse of Abraham.
Supplication of the Sodomites and Gomorreans (composition date uncertain; Armenian transmission) -- An Abraham/Sodom apocryphon presenting a supplication connected with the doomed cities.
Three Tales of Solomon, Noah, and Satan (composition date uncertain; Armenian transmission) -- An Armenian tripartite pseudobiblical narrative cluster linking Solomon, Noah, and Satan.
Tower of Babel and the Confusion of Languages (composition date uncertain; Armenian transmission) -- An Armenian rewritten-Genesis account of Babel.

Texts with no English translation

Parabiblica for which an extant source-language text or non-English translation is available but no English translation was located in the specialist resources checked for this audit.

Aphikia / Story of Aphikia (composition date uncertain; late antique or medieval Eastern transmission) -- A Solomon-associated apocryphon concerning Aphikia, preserved in more than one recension but treated here as one composition. Available languages: Arabic/Garshuni; French and German translations are available; no English translation located.
History of Saint Shamuni / History of the Maccabean Mother (late antique or medieval; composition date uncertain) -- An Eastern Christian expansion of the Maccabean martyr-mother tradition, included in Syriac Old Testament-apocrypha cataloguing. Available languages: Arabic; no English translation located.
Jeremiah Captivity Apocryphon (late antique or medieval in extant Arabic/Syriac-related transmission; Coptic antecedent reported) -- An apocryphal Jeremiah narrative about the captivity, distinct from 4 Baruch and the Qumran Jeremiah apocrypha. Available languages: Arabic/Garshuni, with a French translation; no English translation located.
Conversation of Joseph and Nebuchadnezzar (composition date uncertain; Syriac/Arabic transmission) -- An extracanonical dialogue linking Joseph and Nebuchadnezzar in a pseudobiblical setting. Available languages: Arabic; no English translation located.
Daniel and the Boy Caleb (composition date uncertain; Syriac/Arabic transmission) -- An obscure Daniel narrative involving a boy named Caleb, separately catalogued in CAVT-derived Syriac lists. Available languages: Arabic; no English translation located.
Death of Solomon (composition date uncertain; Syriac/Arabic transmission) -- An apocryphal account of Solomon’s death distinct from his testamentary and wisdom works. Available languages: Arabic; no English translation located.
Elijah and the Ascension (composition date uncertain; Syriac/Arabic transmission) -- A short Elijah pseudepigraphon or narrative centered on the prophet’s ascent. Available languages: Arabic; no English translation located.
Elijah and the Widow’s Son (composition date uncertain; Syriac/Arabic transmission) -- An independent expansion of the biblical story of Elijah and the widow’s son. Available languages: Arabic; no English translation located.
Final Counsel of Solomon (composition date uncertain; Syriac/Arabic transmission) -- A short Solomonic pseudepigraphon presenting the king’s final admonitions. Available languages: Arabic; no English translation located.
Fourteenth Vision of Daniel (composition date uncertain; Syriac) -- A Danielic apocalypse or vision separately catalogued from the Syriac Apocalypse of Daniel and Greek Daniel apocalypse. Available languages: Arabic, deriving from a Coptic tradition; no English translation located.
Habakkuk Apocryphon (composition date uncertain; Syriac/Arabic transmission) -- An obscure work attributed to or concerning Habakkuk, separately catalogued from the Ethiopic Legend of Habakkuk. Available languages: Arabic; no English translation located.
History of Isaiah (composition date uncertain; Syriac work, reportedly unedited) -- An obscure Syriac Isaiah narrative separately listed from the Ascension, Martyrdom, and Vision of Isaiah traditions. Available languages: Arabic; no English translation located.
History of Jonah (composition date uncertain; Syriac/Arabic transmission) -- An apocryphal expansion of Jonah’s biblical story preserved in Eastern Christian tradition. Available languages: Syriac and Arabic; no English translation located.
History of the Prophet Elijah (composition date uncertain; Syriac/Arabic transmission) -- An apocryphal narrative life of Elijah distinct from the Apocalypse of Elijah and shorter miracle episodes. Available languages: Arabic; no English translation located.
Instruction of David to Solomon (composition date uncertain; Syriac/Arabic transmission) -- A Davidic pseudepigraphon presenting final instruction from David to Solomon. Available languages: Arabic; a partial French translation is available; no English translation located.
Life of Moses (composition date uncertain; Syriac/Arabic transmission) -- A postbiblical Moses biography transmitted in Eastern Christian languages and separately catalogued from the better-known Testament/Assumption and Words of Moses. Available languages: Arabic witnesses/text; no English translation located in the specialist bibliography checked.
On Our Lord and the End, Written by the Youth Daniel (composition date uncertain; Syriac) -- A Christian Danielic apocalypse on Christ and the end times attributed pseudepigraphically to the biblical Daniel. Available languages: Syriac; no English translation located.
Palace of Solomon (composition date uncertain; Syriac/Arabic transmission) -- A Solomon pseudepigraphon centered on his palace or royal building traditions and separately catalogued from Temple legends. Available languages: Arabic; no English translation located.
Sermon of Elisha on Purification (composition date uncertain; Syriac/Arabic transmission) -- A second separately catalogued Elisha discourse concerning purification. Available languages: Arabic; no English translation located.
Sermon of Elisha on Sinners (composition date uncertain; Syriac/Arabic transmission) -- A pseudepigraphic discourse attributed to Elisha and catalogued among Old Testament apocrypha rather than ordinary patristic homiletics. Available languages: Arabic; no English translation located.
Testament of Solomon to Rehoboam (composition date uncertain; Syriac/Arabic transmission) -- A distinct Solomonic testament addressed to Rehoboam, not the demonological Testament of Solomon. Available languages: Arabic; no English translation located.

Fragmentary texts

Parabiblica known only from fragmentary textual witnesses.

Apocryphal Pentateuch A / 4Q368 (Second Temple period; manuscript Hellenistic–Roman) -- A fragmentary Hebrew rewritten-Pentateuch composition preserved at Qumran and recognized as a distinct nonbiblical work.
Aramaic Levi Document / Aramaic Levi / Words of Levi (3rd–2nd c. BCE) -- An Aramaic Levi pseudepigraphon preserving priestly visions, instructions, and autobiography, related to but independent of Testament of Levi. Survival: fragmentary.
Book of Giants (3rd–2nd c. BCE) -- An Enochic giant narrative known from Aramaic Qumran fragments and later Manichaean adaptations.
Elisha Apocryphon / 4Q481a (Second Temple period; composition date uncertain) -- A small Qumran fragment associated with Elisha traditions.
Masada Joshua Apocryphon (Second Temple period; relation to 4Q378–379 uncertain) -- A fragmentary Joshua parabiblical witness from Masada that may represent the same composition as the Qumran Joshua Apocryphon or a related work.
Paraphrase of Genesis and Exodus / 4Q422 (Second Temple period; Hasmonean manuscript) -- A fragmentary Hebrew retelling or paraphrase of Genesis and Exodus classified in the Israel Antiquities Authority archive among parabiblical texts.
Plea for Deliverance / 11Q5 col. XIX (Second Temple period; exact composition date uncertain) -- A noncanonical Hebrew psalm preserved substantially but incompletely in the Great Psalms Scroll; the inherited label “Prayer of David / 11QPsa 19?” is not the current catalog title.
Prayer of Jacob (Hellenistic or early Roman period; exact date uncertain) -- A fragmentary Jewish prayer attributed to Jacob and preserved through Greek magical/pseudepigraphic transmission, included in major Old Testament Pseudepigrapha collections.
Text Mentioning Zedekiah / 4Q470 (Second Temple period; composition date uncertain) -- A fragmentary Hebrew Qumran text mentioning King Zedekiah; its genre and status as an independent “Zedekiah Apocryphon” remain uncertain.
Ages of Creation / 4Q180–181 (2nd–1st c. BCE) -- A Qumran interpretive-historical composition arranging biblical events within predetermined ages. Survival: fragmentary.
Apocryphal Pentateuch B / 4Q377 (2nd–1st c. BCE) -- A Hebrew rewritten-Pentateuch text presenting Mosaic speech and Sinai traditions. Survival: fragmentary.
Apocryphon of Jacob / 4Q537 (2nd–1st c. BCE) -- A fragmentary Aramaic Qumran patriarchal composition associated with Jacob.
Apocryphon of Joseph / 4Q539 (2nd–1st c. BCE) -- A fragmentary Aramaic Joseph composition whose independence from other Joseph fragments remains uncertain.
Apocryphon of Levi / 4Q541 (2nd–1st c. BCE; Hasmonean manuscript; relation to Aramaic Levi Document disputed) -- A fragmentary Aramaic Levi pseudepigraphon whose precise relation to the broader Aramaic Levi tradition remains debated.
Narrative and Poetic Composition / 2Q22; 4Q371–373a (2nd–1st c. BCE; manuscript grouping and interpretation debated) -- A fragmentary Hebrew composition preserved in several Qumran witnesses combining prose and poetry around Joseph and traditions associated with Moses and David; older labels such as “Apocryphon of David” and “Joseph Apocryphon” reflect earlier fragment-by-fragment interpretations.
Noah / 1Q19–1Q19bis (Second Temple period; Herodian manuscript; identification and relation to other Noahic works debated) -- Fragmentary Hebrew Noahic material catalogued by the Israel Antiquities Authority as Noah, distinct in current cataloguing from the Aramaic Birth of Noah copies 4Q534–536.
Danielic Apocalypse / 4Q246 / Aramaic Apocalypse (late 2nd–1st c. BCE) -- A short Aramaic apocalypse famous for a ruler or savior figure called “Son of God” and “Son of the Most High.” Survival: fragmentary.
Birth of Noah / 4Q534–536 (Second Temple period; Herodian manuscripts) -- A fragmentary Aramaic Noahic birth/revelation composition preserved in three Qumran copies; 4Q534 was formerly labeled “Elect of God” or “Messianic Aramaic,” but current IAA cataloguing identifies the work as Birth of Noah.
Exodus/Conquest Tradition / 4Q374 (2nd–1st c. BCE; Hasmonean manuscript) -- A fragmentary Hebrew parabiblical composition retelling or interpreting the exodus and conquest traditions.
Exposition on the Patriarchs / 4Q464 (2nd–1st c. BCE? composition date uncertain) -- A fragmentary Hebrew parabiblical exposition moving through Babel and patriarchal material, distinct from neighboring 4Q464a and 4Q464b documents.
Four Kingdoms / 4Q552–553 (2nd–1st c. BCE) -- A fragmentary Aramaic apocalypse presenting a symbolic four-kingdoms scheme comparable to Daniel.
Jeremiah Apocryphon / 4Q383, 4Q384, 4Q385a, 4Q387, 4Q387a, 4Q388a, 4Q389–390 (2nd–1st c. BCE; exact grouping debated) -- A set of Qumran rewritten-prophetic compositions attributed to or centered on Jeremiah. Survival: fragmentary.
Moses Apocryphon A / 4Q375 (2nd–1st c. BCE) -- A fragmentary Hebrew Mosaic parabiblical work dealing with prophecy and testing a prophet.
Moses Apocryphon B / 4Q376 and 1Q29 (2nd–1st c. BCE; textual grouping debated) -- Fragmentary Mosaic material related to priestly or prophetic procedure, possibly a separate composition from Moses Apocryphon A.
New Jerusalem / New Jerusalem Text / 1Q32, 2Q24, 4Q554–555, 5Q15, 11Q18 (2nd–1st c. BCE) -- An Aramaic visionary description of an ideal eschatological Jerusalem and temple. Survival: fragmentary.
Paraphrase of Kings / 4Q382 (2nd–1st c. BCE) -- Fragmentary rewritten-scriptural material based on Kings and prophetic narratives.
Prayer of Enosh / 4Q369 / Prayer concerning God and Israel? (2nd–1st c. BCE? composition date uncertain; Herodian manuscript) -- A fragmentary Hebrew prayer linked by its modern title with Enosh; the official manuscript catalog itself flags the title as uncertain.
Prophecy of Joshua / 4Q522 and 5Q9 (2nd–1st c. BCE; identification uncertain) -- Fragmentary Qumran prophetic material associated with Joshua and conquest traditions.
Pseudo-Daniel / 4Q243–245 (2nd–1st c. BCE) -- An Aramaic Danielic pseudepigraphon from Qumran presenting legendary and historical revelations. Survival: fragmentary.
Pseudo-Ezekiel / 4Q385–388, 391 (2nd–1st c. BCE) -- A Qumran Ezekiel pseudepigraphon featuring resurrection, temple, and prophetic revelation material distinct from the later Apocryphon of Ezekiel. Survival: fragmentary.
Pseudo-Jubilees / 4Q225–227 (2nd–1st c. BCE) -- Fragmentary Qumran compositions related to Jubilees but containing independent rewritten-scriptural material.
Reworked Pentateuch / 4Q158, 4Q364–367 (2nd–1st c. BCE manuscripts; whether one or several compositions is disputed) -- Qumran manuscripts rewriting and supplementing Pentateuchal material, with their literary unity and scriptural status contested. Survival: fragmentary.
Vision of Samuel / 4Q160 (2nd–1st c. BCE manuscript; composition date uncertain) -- A very fragmentary Hebrew Qumran text associated with Samuelic visionary traditions; older scholarship sometimes labeled it “Samuel Apocryphon.”
Testament of Benjamin / 4Q538 (2nd–1st c. BCE; Hasmonean manuscript; composition date uncertain) -- A fragmentary Aramaic testamentary work associated with Benjamin, distinct from the later Greek Testament of Benjamin embedded in the Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs.
Testament of Qahat / 4Q542 (2nd c. BCE) -- A fragmentary Aramaic priestly testament attributed to Qahat, Levi’s son.
Visions of Amram / 4Q543–549 (2nd c. BCE) -- A group of Aramaic testamentary-visionary fragments attributed to Amram, father of Moses and Aaron.
Words of Michael / 4Q529 (2nd–1st c. BCE) -- A fragmentary Aramaic angelic revelation attributed to Michael, associated with Qumran visionary parabiblica.
Words of Moses / 1Q22 (2nd–1st c. BCE manuscript; composition date uncertain) -- A fragmentary Hebrew Mosaic discourse from Qumran presenting covenantal and ritual instruction.
Flood Apocryphon / 4Q370 (Hasmonean period manuscript; composition date uncertain) -- A fragmentary Hebrew parabiblical composition interpreting or retelling the Flood.
Moses Apocryphon C / 4Q408 (Hasmonean–Herodian period; composition date uncertain) -- A fragmentary Qumran Mosaic composition conventionally distinguished from the other Moses apocrypha.
Apocalypse of Zephaniah (1st c. BCE–1st c. CE, commonly) -- A Jewish or Jewish-Christian otherworld apocalypse preserved in Coptic fragments and quotations.
Apocryphon of Ezekiel / Ezekiel Pseudepigraphon (1st c. BCE–1st c. CE) -- A lost Jewish Ezekiel work known from patristic quotations and fragments, including the parable of the blind and lame.
Messianic Apocalypse / 4Q521 (ca. 1st c. BCE; Hasmonean manuscript) -- A fragmentary Hebrew eschatological composition describing messianic signs; although the Israel Antiquities Authority classifies it under “Other” rather than “Parabiblical Texts,” it falls within this bibliography’s deliberately inclusionist apocalyptic scope.
Eldad and Modad (before 2nd c. CE; lost except fragments and notices) -- A lost Jewish pseudepigraphon attributed to the two prophesying elders of Numbers 11. Survival: fragmentary.
Jannes and Jambres (1st–3rd c. CE; Jewish core likely) -- A pseudepigraphic narrative about the Egyptian magicians opposing Moses, preserved only fragmentarily in Greek and other traditions.
Fragments of Elijah Apocrypha (various ancient/late antique dates; identities uncertain) -- Fragments and quotations attributed to otherwise lost Elijah pseudepigrapha, treated cautiously as identifiable texts where scholarship permits.
Adam Fragment I (composition date uncertain; fragmentary Armenian witness) -- A fragmentary Armenian Adam apocryphon whose surviving text is too incomplete for a secure original title.
Apocryphon of Baruch (composition date uncertain; title applied to several fragments, identity disputed) -- A designation for fragmentary Baruch material not securely identifiable with the numbered Baruch books; its textual boundaries and independence remain uncertain.
Coptic Exodus Apocryphon (composition date uncertain; Coptic witness) -- A fragmentary Coptic rewritten-Exodus composition published as an Old Testament pseudepigraphon outside the standard collections.

Known from quotations only

Parabiblica whose text is recoverable only through quotations, excerpts, paraphrases, or detailed reports preserved by other authors.

Demetrius the Chronographer (late 3rd c. BCE; fragmentary) -- A Jewish Greek chronological retelling of biblical history preserved in quotations. Preservation: Known from excerpts preserved chiefly by Eusebius through Alexander Polyhistor.
Philo the Epic Poet / Philo Epicus (3rd–2nd c. BCE; fragmentary) -- A Jewish Greek epic retelling biblical ancestral history, known only from quotations. Preservation: Known from quotations preserved in ancient excerpting authors, especially Eusebius/Alexander Polyhistor.
Aristobulus (mid-2nd c. BCE; fragmentary) -- A Jewish philosophical-exegetical work presented as explanations of Mosaic law to a Ptolemaic king. Preservation: Known from excerpts preserved by Clement of Alexandria, Eusebius, and other Christian authors.
Artapanus (2nd c. BCE; fragmentary) -- A Jewish Greek rewritten-biblical historian who presents Abraham, Joseph, and especially Moses as culture heroes. Preservation: Known from substantial excerpts preserved chiefly by Eusebius through Alexander Polyhistor.
Eupolemus (mid-2nd c. BCE; fragmentary) -- A Jewish Greek historian whose surviving fragments rewrite biblical history from Moses and the monarchy. Preservation: Known from excerpts preserved chiefly by Eusebius through Alexander Polyhistor and related excerptors.
Ezekiel the Tragedian / Exagoge (2nd c. BCE; fragmentary) -- A Jewish Greek drama retelling the Exodus and Moses traditions. Preservation: Known from seventeen substantial excerpts preserved chiefly by Eusebius, Praeparatio Evangelica 9.28–29, via Alexander Polyhistor, with additional ancient citations.
Jewish Orphic Fragments / Orphica (2nd c. BCE–1st c. CE; fragmentary) -- Jewish monotheistic and biblical pseudepigraphic verses placed under Orpheus’s name. Preservation: Known as fragments quoted by Jewish and Christian authors, especially Clement of Alexandria and Eusebius.
Pseudo-Eupolemus (2nd–1st c. BCE; fragmentary) -- A distinct Jewish Greek chronographic work once attributed to Eupolemus and blending Abrahamic traditions with Near Eastern history. Preservation: Known from excerpts preserved by Eusebius through Alexander Polyhistor.
Pseudo-Hecataeus / On the Jews (2nd c. BCE–1st c. CE; authenticity and unity disputed) -- Jewish pseudepigraphic material circulated under Hecataeus’s name and describing Jewish history and customs. Preservation: Known only through quotations and reports in Josephus and later authors; authenticity and unity are disputed.
Theodotus (2nd–1st c. BCE; fragmentary) -- A Jewish Greek epic poet retelling the story of Shechem and Israelite patriarchal traditions. Preservation: Known from excerpts preserved by Eusebius through Alexander Polyhistor.
Aristeas the Exegete (before 1st c. BCE; fragmentary) -- A Jewish Greek exegetical-rewritten-biblical work known only through quotations, distinct from the Letter of Aristeas. Preservation: Known from a quotation preserved by Eusebius, Praeparatio Evangelica 9.25.1–4, drawing on Alexander Polyhistor.
Cleodemus Malchus / Malchus (before 1st c. BCE; fragmentary) -- A Hellenistic Jewish writer who linked Abrahamic descendants with Greek heroic genealogy. Preservation: Known from a quotation/excerpt preserved by Josephus and/or Eusebius through earlier excerpting tradition.
Prayer of Joseph (1st c. CE or earlier; fragmentary) -- A Jewish Jacob pseudepigraphon in which Jacob identifies himself with the angel Israel and claims primordial heavenly status. Preservation: Quoted principally by Origen, especially in his Commentary on John (2.188–191), with related preservation in the Philocalia.
Book of Baruch of Justinus / Justinus’s Book of Baruch (2nd c. CE if the heresiological report reflects the original; lost except summary) -- A cosmological and biblical pseudepigraphon attributed to the Gnostic teacher Justinus, known through Hippolytus and distinct from 1–4 Baruch. Preservation: Known from Hippolytus’s summary and reported material in Refutation of All Heresies, book 5.
Danielic Pseudepigraphon Paraphrased by Papias (before early 2nd c. CE if Papias attribution is accepted; lost) -- A lost Danielic pseudepigraphon reconstructed from a report associated with Papias. Preservation: Known from a report or paraphrase attributed to Papias rather than from an extant manuscript.
Adam Pseudepigraphon cited in the Cologne Mani Codex (before the early 3rd c. CE; alleged Jewish origin disputed) -- One of five otherwise unknown pseudepigraphic revelations quoted in Mani’s biographical codex and attributed there to an antediluvian biblical figure. Preservation: Known from material quoted in the Cologne Mani Codex.
Enoch Pseudepigraphon cited in the Cologne Mani Codex (before the early 3rd c. CE; relation to known Enochic books uncertain) -- A quotation attributed to an Enochic book in the Cologne Mani Codex that cannot securely be identified with extant 1 Enoch or 2 Enoch. Preservation: Known from material quoted in the Cologne Mani Codex.
Enosh Pseudepigraphon cited in the Cologne Mani Codex (before the early 3rd c. CE; alleged Jewish origin disputed) -- An otherwise unknown revelatory text attributed to Enosh and quoted in the Cologne Mani Codex. Preservation: Known from material quoted in the Cologne Mani Codex.
Seth Pseudepigraphon cited in the Cologne Mani Codex (before the early 3rd c. CE; alleged Jewish origin disputed) -- An otherwise lost revelation attributed to Seth and cited in the Cologne Mani Codex, treated cautiously by current scholarship as a possible Jewish pseudepigraphon adapted by Manichaeans. Preservation: Known from material quoted in the Cologne Mani Codex.
Shem Pseudepigraphon cited in the Cologne Mani Codex (before the early 3rd c. CE; alleged Jewish origin disputed) -- An otherwise lost revelation attributed to Shem and quoted in the Cologne Mani Codex, distinct from the extant Treatise of Shem unless future evidence proves otherwise. Preservation: Known from material quoted in the Cologne Mani Codex.

Lost texts

Parabiblica with no surviving recoverable textual witness, known by title, ancient notice, source citation, or source-critical reconstruction.

Book of Jashar / Book of the Upright (pre-biblical-redactional period; lost, exact date unknowable) -- A lost work cited in Joshua and Samuel, not to be confused with medieval works later published under the same title. Evidence: Known because Joshua 10:13 and 2 Samuel 1:18 cite a work by this title; no ancient manuscript survives.
Book of the Wars of YHWH / Book of the Wars of the LORD (pre-biblical-redactional period; lost, exact date unknowable) -- A lost poetic or narrative work explicitly cited in Numbers 21. Evidence: Known because Numbers 21:14 explicitly cites a work by this title; no manuscript survives.
Acts of Uzziah by Isaiah (monarchic or later; lost) -- A lost historical-prophetic work attributed by Chronicles to Isaiah. Evidence: Known from the source notice in 2 Chronicles 26:22.
Book of Gad the Seer (monarchic or later; lost) -- A lost prophetic-historical work named in Chronicles in connection with David. Evidence: Known from the source notice in 1 Chronicles 29:29.
Book of Jehu Son of Hanani (monarchic or later; lost) -- A lost source cited in Chronicles for Jehoshaphat’s reign. Evidence: Known from the source notice in 2 Chronicles 20:34.
Book of Nathan the Prophet (monarchic or later; lost) -- A lost prophetic-historical source cited in Chronicles. Evidence: Known from Chronistic source notices, including 1 Chronicles 29:29.
Book of Samuel the Seer (monarchic or later; lost) -- A lost source named in Chronicles concerning Davidic history. Evidence: Known from the source notice in 1 Chronicles 29:29.
Book of Shemaiah the Prophet and Iddo the Seer (monarchic or later; lost) -- A lost prophetic-historical source cited in Chronicles for Rehoboam. Evidence: Known from the source notice in 2 Chronicles 12:15.
Book of the Acts of Solomon (monarchic or later pre-exilic/exilic period; lost) -- A lost source named in 1 Kings and apparently devoted to Solomon’s reign. Evidence: Known from the source notice in 1 Kings 11:41.
Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel (monarchic–exilic period; lost) -- A repeatedly cited lost royal annalistic source behind Kings. Evidence: Known from repeated source citations in Kings.
Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah (monarchic–exilic period; lost) -- A repeatedly cited lost royal annalistic source for the Judean monarchy. Evidence: Known from repeated source citations in Kings.
Book of the Kings of Judah and Israel / Book of the Kings of Israel and Judah (monarchic–postexilic period; lost; title variants may denote one archive) -- A chronistic source cited under varying formulations, probably not to be multiplied into separate works without evidence. Evidence: Known from Chronistic source citations under varying formulations; the variants may refer to one archive/work.
Prophecy of Ahijah the Shilonite (monarchic or later; lost) -- A lost prophetic source cited by Chronicles for Solomon’s reign. Evidence: Known from the source notice in 2 Chronicles 9:29.
Sayings of the Seers / Midrash of the Prophet Iddo (monarchic or later; lost; title textual problems) -- A lost source or sources cited in Chronicles whose exact Hebrew title and identity are disputed. Evidence: Known from textual/source notices in Chronicles; the exact title and whether more than one work is involved are disputed.
Vision of Isaiah Son of Amoz concerning Hezekiah (monarchic or later; lost) -- A lost source cited in Chronicles and not automatically identical with canonical Isaiah. Evidence: Known from the source notice in 2 Chronicles 32:32.
Visions of Iddo the Seer (monarchic or later; lost) -- A lost prophetic source cited in Chronicles concerning Solomon or later kings. Evidence: Known from Chronistic source notices, including 2 Chronicles 9:29.
Book of the Words of Noah (Second Temple period; title and reconstruction uncertain) -- A Noahic work inferred from internal titles or references in the Enoch-Jubilees tradition and possibly overlapping with the reconstructed Book of Noah. Evidence: Known from an inferred/internal title or references in the Enoch–Jubilees/Qumran tradition; its independence from the reconstructed Book of Noah is uncertain.
Book of Noah (pre-1st c. CE; lost and reconstruction disputed) -- A lost Noahic composition or corpus whose material is thought to survive in 1 Enoch, Jubilees, and related traditions, though its exact boundaries are uncertain. Evidence: A reconstructed lost Noahic work or source complex inferred from Noahic passages in 1 Enoch, Jubilees, and related literature; no manuscript of a work securely titled Book of Noah survives.
Apocalypse of Enoch (lost; existence attested by late-antique/medieval Syriac authors, composition date unknown) -- A work called an Apocalypse of Enoch cited by Cyriacus of Nisibis and later Syriac chroniclers, apparently distinct from 1 Enoch and 2 Enoch but no longer extant. Evidence: Known from references by Cyriacus of Nisibis and later Syriac authors; no manuscript securely identifiable with the cited work survives.

New Testament apocrypha

Apocrypha and parabiblica best classified as New Testament-aligned, excluding texts best classified as Gnostic.

Main corpus

Extant or substantially recoverable texts that do not fall into a more specific preservation or translation-status category below.

Act of Peter (2nd–3rd c. CE; Coptic witness) -- A short independent Petrine apocryphon about Peter’s daughter, distinct from the longer Acts of Peter.
Acts of Andrew (2nd c. CE) -- An early apocryphal apostolic romance narrating Andrew’s preaching, miracles, ascetic teaching, and martyrdom.
Acts of John (late 2nd c. CE) -- An early apocryphal apostolic romance about John’s Ephesian ministry, miracles, teachings, and departure.
Acts of Paul (late 2nd c. CE) -- A major apostolic acts collection embracing narratives about Paul, including the Acts of Paul and Thecla and correspondence with Corinth.
Acts of Paul and Thecla / Acts of Thecla (late 2nd c. CE) -- The Thecla narrative originally belonging to the Acts of Paul but widely transmitted as an independent work.
Acts of Peter (late 2nd c. CE) -- An early apostolic romance narrating Peter’s conflict with Simon Magus, miracles, preaching, and martyrdom.
Apocalypse of Peter / Greek-Ethiopic Apocalypse of Peter (early–mid-2nd c. CE) -- An early Christian apocalypse of postmortem rewards and punishments, extant in Greek fragments and a fuller Ethiopic version.
Epistle of the Apostles / Epistula Apostolorum (mid-2nd c. CE) -- A post-resurrection dialogue and anti-heretical revelation framed as a collective letter from the apostles.
Freer Logion (2nd–4th c. CE; interpolation attested in Codex Washingtonianus) -- An extracanonical saying of Jesus inserted after Mark 16:14 in one major gospel manuscript and known also through patristic discussion.
Gospel of Thomas / Sayings Gospel of Thomas (2nd c. CE in extant form; some sayings may be earlier) -- A collection of 114 sayings attributed to Jesus, preserved complete in Coptic and fragmentarily in Greek; its classification as “Gnostic” is disputed, so it is listed here rather than automatically assigned to Gnostic parabiblica.
Infancy Gospel of Thomas / Childhood of the Lord (2nd c. CE) -- A collection of miracle stories about Jesus as a child, extant in many recensions and languages but treated as one work-family.
John and the Robber (late antique; story known by 2nd–3rd c. CE) -- A narrative of the apostle John reclaiming a fallen young bandit, circulated independently in apocryphal collections.
Letter of Pilate to Claudius / Epistle of Pilate to Claudius (2nd–4th c. CE; embedded in later Acts of Peter and Paul traditions) -- A brief pseudonymous Pilate letter reporting Jesus’ miracles, death, and resurrection.
Protevangelium of James / Proto-Gospel of James / Infancy Gospel of James (mid-2nd c. CE) -- An infancy gospel narrating Mary’s birth and upbringing, the annunciation, Jesus’ nativity, and related traditions.
Questions of Bartholomew / Gospel of Bartholomew in some older literature (2nd–4th c. CE) -- An apostolic dialogue in which Bartholomew questions the risen Christ and Mary about the descent to Hades, the Annunciation, and eschatological mysteries.
Song of Thomas / Hymn of the Pearl / Hymn of the Soul (2nd–3rd c. CE) -- A poetic allegory embedded in the Acts of Thomas but also transmitted separately and often treated as an independent composition.
Third Corinthians / 3 Corinthians / Correspondence of Paul and the Corinthians (late 2nd c. CE) -- A pseudonymous exchange between Paul and Corinth preserved within the Acts of Paul and independently in several traditions.
Acts of Thomas (early 3rd c. CE, commonly) -- A Syriac-origin apostolic romance narrating Thomas’s mission to India, ascetic teaching, miracles, and martyrdom.
Apocalypse of Paul / Visio Pauli (3rd c. CE core; major 4th–5th c. redaction) -- A Christian tour of heaven and hell attributed to Paul and transmitted in numerous Greek, Latin, Syriac, Coptic, Armenian, and other versions.
Book of Mary’s Repose / Liber Requiei Mariae (3rd–5th c. CE for antecedent; Ethiopic witness) -- An early Dormition-related Marian apocalypse with extensive cosmic and eschatological material.
Letters of Jesus and Abgar / Correspondence of Christ and Abgar (3rd c. CE or earlier tradition; extant forms later) -- Pseudonymous letters between Jesus and King Abgar of Edessa embedded in the Abgar legend.
Life and Conduct of Xanthippe, Polyxena, and Rebecca (3rd–5th c. CE, commonly) -- A Christian romance about women converted through apostolic preaching, connected to Pauline/Andreas traditions.
Pseudo-Clementines / Clementine Homilies and Recognitions source-complex (3rd–4th c. CE in extant forms) -- A large Petrine-Clementine romance and doctrinal corpus built around pseudo-apostolic travel, debates, and revelations; Homilies and Recognitions are distinct recensions of a shared source complex rather than unrelated works.
Acts and Death of James Son of Zebedee (late antique or medieval) -- An apocryphal life-and-death narrative of James the Greater.
Acts of Andrew and Bartholomew (late antique or medieval) -- An eastern apostolic mission narrative pairing Andrew with Bartholomew.
Acts of Andrew and Matthias in the City of the Cannibals / Andrew and Matthias (4th–5th c. CE, commonly) -- An apostolic adventure in which Andrew rescues Matthias from a city of cannibals.
Acts of Bartholomew and Barnabas (late antique or medieval) -- A joint apostolic acts text pairing Bartholomew and Barnabas.
Acts of Cornelius (late antique or medieval) -- An apocryphal expansion of Cornelius’s story beyond canonical Acts.
Acts of Heracleides (late antique or medieval) -- A Christian apocryphal acts text centered on Heracleides.
Acts of Mark / Acts and Miracles of Mark (4th–5th c. CE or later) -- An Alexandrian mission-and-martyrdom narrative of Mark.
Acts of Matthew (late antique) -- A separately catalogued apostolic mission narrative of Matthew.
Acts of Matthew in the City of the Priests (late antique or medieval) -- A distinct Matthew mission narrative set among “priests,” not simply a recension of the generic Acts of Matthew.
Acts of Matthias (late antique or medieval) -- An apostolic narrative attributed to Matthias, distinct from the lost Gospel/Traditions of Matthias.
Acts of Peter and Andrew (4th–5th c. CE) -- A continuation-like apostolic narrative connecting Peter and Andrew and often transmitted with Andrew and Matthias.
Acts of Peter and Paul (4th c. CE or later) -- A joint Roman apostolic narrative describing Peter and Paul’s confrontation with Nero and martyrdom.
Acts of Peter by Clement (late antique or medieval) -- A Petrine acts text pseudonymously associated with Clement and distinct from the Pseudo-Clementine corpus.
Acts of Philip (4th c. CE, with earlier materials possible) -- A large ascetic apostolic acts collection narrating Philip’s missions, miracles, and martyrdom.
Acts of Pilate / Gospel of Nicodemus / Gesta Pilati / Evangelium Nicodemi (4th c. CE for the Greek Acts core; later Latin composite forms, especially 5th–6th c. and after) -- A passion-resurrection work centered on Jesus’ trial before Pilate whose later Latin Gospel of Nicodemus tradition incorporates the Descensus Christi ad Inferos as a second part rather than a separate gospel.
Acts of Simon and Jude / Simon and Judas (late antique or medieval) -- Joint apostolic narratives concerning Simon the Zealot and Jude/Thaddaeus.
Acts of Stephen / Coptic Acts of Stephen (late antique) -- A Coptic expansion of Stephen’s ministry and martyrdom beyond canonical Acts.
Acts of Titus (late antique or medieval) -- An apostolic narrative of Titus distinct from the pseudonymous Epistle of Titus.
Apocryphal Epistle to the Colossians (date uncertain; late antique or medieval) -- A pseudonymous letter associated with Paul’s correspondence and separately catalogued in the e-Clavis.
Apocryphal Gospel of John / Miracles of Jesus (composition date uncertain; Syriac/Arabic and Ethiopic transmission, probably late antique or medieval) -- A lengthy pseudonymous biography of Jesus attributed to John; the Ethiopic witness is catalogued under the alternate title Miracles of Jesus rather than as a separate composition.
Apostolic Histories / Virtutes Apostolorum (late antique–early medieval Latin compilation) -- A Latin collection of apostolic lives and passions preserving and reshaping numerous earlier apocryphal acts.
Arabic Acts of Stephen (late antique or medieval) -- An Arabic Stephen acts tradition distinct from the Coptic Acts.
Arabic Preaching of Peter (late antique or medieval) -- An Arabic Petrine preaching text distinct from the fragmentary early Kerygma Petrou.
Birth of John the Forerunner (late antique or medieval) -- An apocryphal nativity narrative about John the Baptist.
Book of the Birth of Mary (composition date uncertain; late antique or medieval) -- A Marian nativity text catalogued separately from the Latin Nativity of Mary and Protoevangelium traditions.
Book of the Covenant / Christian Book of the Covenant (late antique or medieval) -- A Christian pseudonymous covenant or church-order work; it must not be conflated with the Old Testament-oriented text of the same generic title.
Contending of Paul (late antique or medieval) -- An eastern Christian Pauline contest narrative preserved as a separate apocryphal work.
Coptic Acts of Peter and Paul (late antique) -- A Coptic joint-apostle narrative distinct from Greek and Latin Peter-and-Paul acts.
Correspondence of Paul and Seneca (4th c. CE) -- Fourteen pseudonymous letters presenting Paul and the philosopher Seneca as correspondents.
Correspondence of Pilate and Herod / Epistles of Pilate and Herod (late antique or medieval) -- A pair or dossier of pseudonymous letters between Pilate and Herod concerning Jesus and subsequent punishment.
Death of Pilate (late antique or medieval; date uncertain) -- A distinct Pilate death legend not automatically identical with the Paradosis Pilati.
Dialogue between Jesus and Andrew (date uncertain; late antique or medieval) -- A short apocryphal dialogue between Jesus and Andrew separately catalogued from the Acts of Andrew.
Dialogue of the Paralytic with Christ (date uncertain; late antique or medieval) -- A short apocryphal dialogue between Christ and a paralytic, preserved as an independent text.
Discourse of the Savior (date uncertain; late antique) -- A separately catalogued extracanonical discourse placed in the mouth of Jesus.
Discovery of the Head of John the Baptist (late antique–medieval; multiple recensions) -- Relic-discovery narratives expanding Baptist traditions and catalogued within the wider apocryphal corpus.
Doctrine of Addai / Teaching of Addai (late 4th–early 5th c. CE) -- A Syriac Edessene apostolic legend expanding the Abgar correspondence and the mission of Addai.
Dormition by Joseph of Arimathea (late antique or medieval) -- A Marian dormition narrative pseudonymously attributed to Joseph of Arimathea.
Dormition by Luke (late antique or medieval) -- A Marian dormition account attributed to Luke.
Epistle of Pseudo-Dionysius to Timothy (late antique or medieval) -- A pseudonymous apostolic-age letter attributed to Dionysius the Areopagite and addressed to Timothy, catalogued among Christian apocrypha.
Epistle of Pseudo-Dionysius to Titus (late antique or medieval) -- A distinct pseudonymous Dionysian letter to Titus preserving apocryphal traditions.
Epistle of the Presbyters and Deacons of Achaea (late antique) -- A pseudonymous letter narrating Andrew’s martyrdom and associated with Andrew apocrypha.
Epistle to the Laodiceans (4th c. CE, commonly) -- A short Latin Pauline pseudepistle composed largely from phrases in canonical Paul.
Epitome of the Acts of Thomas (late antique or medieval) -- A shortened reworking of Thomas acts tradition treated as a separate literary witness in specialist cataloguing.
Ever-New Tongue / Story of the Ever-New Tongue (late antique or medieval) -- An eastern Christian apocryphal narrative with apostolic or gospel-era framing, independently catalogued in the e-Clavis.
Fates of the Apostles / Lots of the Apostles (late antique or medieval) -- An apostolic catalogue assigning missionary territories or deaths to the apostles.
Funeral of Jesus (composition date uncertain; late antique or medieval) -- An apocryphal burial narrative expanding events after the crucifixion.
Genealogies of the Twelve Apostles (late antique or medieval) -- A pseudonymous or anonymous apostolic-list work supplying familial origins of the apostles.
Genealogy and Manner of Death of the Apostles (late antique or medieval) -- An apostolic catalogue combining origins with martyrdom traditions.
Greek Martyrdom of James Son of Alphaeus (late antique or medieval) -- A Greek James Alphaeus martyrdom catalogued independently from other forms.
Handing Over of Pilate / Paradosis Pilati (4th–5th c. CE, commonly) -- A Pilate-cycle narrative recounting Pilate’s condemnation and death after his role in Jesus’ execution.
History of John and James (late antique or medieval) -- An eastern Christian narrative pairing John with James and catalogued separately from the single-apostle acts.
History of Joseph the Carpenter (4th–7th c. CE, commonly) -- A Christian narrative framed as Jesus’ discourse about Joseph’s life, old age, death, and burial.
History of the Virgin / East Syriac History of the Virgin (late antique or medieval) -- An East Syriac Marian life incorporating infancy, passion, and assumption traditions.
Homily on the Assumption of the Virgin by Pseudo-Cyriacus of Behnesa (late antique or medieval; exact date uncertain) -- A Coptic-associated pseudonymous Assumption narrative.
Homily on the Assumption of the Virgin by Pseudo-Cyril of Alexandria (late antique or early medieval; exact date uncertain) -- A pseudonymous Assumption account distinct from the Pseudo-Cyril of Alexandria Dormition homily.
Homily on the Assumption of the Virgin by Pseudo-Cyril of Jerusalem (late antique or early medieval; exact date uncertain) -- A pseudonymous Assumption narrative distinct from the separate Pseudo-Cyril Dormition-and-Assumption text.
Homily on the Dormition and Assumption of the Virgin by Pseudo-Cyril of Jerusalem (late antique or early medieval; exact date uncertain) -- A second Pseudo-Cyrilline Marian work combining Dormition and Assumption traditions.
Homily on the Dormition of the Virgin by Pseudo-Cyril of Alexandria (late antique or early medieval; exact date uncertain) -- A pseudonymous Marian Dormition narrative distinct from the Pseudo-Cyril Assumption homily.
Homily on the Dormition of the Virgin by Pseudo-Theodosius of Alexandria (late antique or early medieval; exact date uncertain) -- A Coptic-associated pseudonymous Dormition account preserving an independent narrative form.
Homily on the Flight to Egypt by Pseudo-Cyriacus of Behnesa (late antique or medieval; exact date uncertain) -- A Coptic-associated narrative pseudo-homily expanding the Holy Family’s flight into Egypt.
Homily on the Life and Passion of Christ by Pseudo-Cyril of Jerusalem (late antique or medieval; exact date uncertain) -- A narrative pseudo-homily expanding episodes in the life and passion of Jesus.
Homily on the Resurrection and Passion by Pseudo-Cyril of Jerusalem (late antique or medieval; exact date uncertain) -- A pseudo-Cyrilline narrative homily containing independent apocryphal passion/resurrection traditions.
Homily on the Virgin Mary and Her Birth by Pseudo-Cyril of Jerusalem (late antique or medieval; exact date uncertain) -- A Marian pseudo-homily containing apocryphal nativity traditions.
Hospitality and Ointment of the Bandit (late antique or medieval; exact date uncertain) -- A Good-Thief-cycle narrative in which the Holy Family encounters a bandit associated with ointment.
Hospitality of Dysmas (late antique or medieval; exact date uncertain) -- A passion-cycle legend expanding the pre-crucifixion life of the Good Thief Dysmas.
Lament of the Virgin (late antique or medieval; many forms) -- A Marian passion lament elaborating Mary’s grief at the crucifixion, transmitted as apocryphal narrative rather than merely liturgical poetry in some witnesses.
Latin Acts of Andrew (late antique Latin adaptation; exact date uncertain) -- A Latin Andrew narrative sufficiently reworked to receive a separate clavis entry from the Greek Acts of Andrew.
Latin Acts of John (late antique or medieval) -- A Latin John acts tradition distinct from the surviving Greek Acts of John.
Latin Acts of Philip (late antique or medieval) -- A Latin Philip acts tradition distinct from the major Greek Acts of Philip.
Latin C Dormition / Transitus Mariae C (late antique–medieval) -- A Latin Dormition composition conventionally designated C and treated separately from Pseudo-Melito.
Letter of Pilate to Tiberius (late antique; date uncertain) -- A pseudonymous report by Pilate to Tiberius concerning Jesus.
Letter of Tiberius to Pilate (late antique or medieval) -- A pseudonymous imperial response to Pilate in the expanding Pilate cycle.
Life and Conduct of John the Baptist (late antique or medieval) -- An apocryphal biography of John the Baptist.
Life and Martyrdom of Andrew (late antique or medieval) -- A hagiographic-apocryphal biography of Andrew catalogued independently from the ancient Acts of Andrew.
Life and Martyrdom of John the Baptist (late antique or medieval) -- A Baptist life-and-death narrative distinct from the Serapion text.
Life and Martyrdom of Stephen (late antique or medieval) -- A fuller Stephen biography and martyrdom text distinct from the shorter martyrdom.
Life of Auxibios (late antique or medieval) -- A hagiographic-apocryphal apostolic-era biography connected with early Christian mission tradition.
Life of John the Baptist by Serapion (late antique or medieval) -- A separate Baptist life attributed pseudonymously to Serapion.
Life of Mark (late antique or medieval) -- A separately catalogued biography of Mark.
Life of Martha of Bethany (late antique or medieval) -- A legendary Christian narrative expanding Martha’s post-gospel life.
List of Apostles by Pseudo-Dorotheus (late antique or medieval) -- A pseudonymous apostolic catalogue attributed to Dorotheus.
List of Apostles by Pseudo-Epiphanius (late antique or medieval) -- A pseudonymous apostolic catalogue attributed to Epiphanius.
List of Apostles by Pseudo-Eusebius (late antique or medieval) -- A pseudonymous apostolic catalogue attributed to Eusebius.
List of Apostles by Pseudo-Hippolytus (late antique or medieval) -- A pseudonymous apostolic catalogue attributed to Hippolytus.
List of Apostles by Pseudo-Irenaeus (late antique or medieval) -- A pseudonymous apostolic catalogue attributed to Irenaeus.
List of Married and Celibate Apostles (late antique or medieval) -- An apostolic catalogue classifying apostles by marital status.
List of the Apostles / Anonymus I / Anonymous List of Apostles I (composition date uncertain; late antique or medieval) -- An anonymous apostolic catalogue treated by e-Clavis as an independent list tradition rather than a recension of the better-known pseudo-Dorothean catalogues.
Martyrdom of Ananias (late antique or medieval) -- An apocryphal martyrdom of Ananias, traditionally associated with Paul’s conversion.
Martyrdom of Andrew (late antique or medieval) -- Another independently catalogued Andrew martyrdom text whose precise relationship to other Andrew passions requires manuscript-level analysis.
Martyrdom of Bartholomew (late antique or medieval) -- Another separately catalogued Bartholomew martyrdom text.
Martyrdom of James Son of Alphaeus (late antique or medieval) -- A martyrdom narrative of James son of Alphaeus.
Martyrdom of James Son of Zebedee (late antique or medieval) -- A martyrdom text of James the Greater distinct from his Passion in specialist cataloguing.
Martyrdom of James the Brother of the Lord / Martyrdom of James the Just (late antique or medieval; exact composition date uncertain) -- An apocryphal martyrdom of James the Just separately catalogued from derivative Greek, Armenian, and Georgian epitomes or excerpts ultimately drawing on Hegesippus/Eusebius.
Martyrdom of Judas Thaddaeus (late antique or medieval) -- A martyrdom text attributed to Judas/Thaddaeus.
Martyrdom of Longinus by Pseudo-Hesychius (late antique or medieval) -- A pseudonymous narrative of the centurion Longinus’s martyrdom.
Martyrdom of Longinus by Symeon (late antique or medieval) -- A distinct Longinus martyrdom attributed to Symeon.
Martyrdom of Luke (late antique or medieval) -- One or more texts recounting Luke’s death, represented by several clavis traditions rather than a single secure ancient composition.
Martyrdom of Matthew (late antique or medieval) -- A separately catalogued Matthew martyrdom tradition.
Martyrdom of Matthias (late antique or medieval) -- A distinct Matthias martyrdom text.
Martyrdom of Onesimus (late antique or medieval) -- An apocryphal martyrdom narrative of Onesimus.
Martyrdom of Paul by Pseudo-Linus (4th–6th c. CE) -- A Latin pseudonymous martyrdom of Paul attributed to Linus.
Martyrdom of Peter by Pseudo-Linus (4th–6th c. CE) -- A Latin pseudonymous martyrdom attributed to Linus and transmitted with the corresponding Paul text.
Martyrdom of Simon the Canaanite (late antique or medieval) -- A martyrdom text of Simon the Canaanite/Zealot.
Martyrdom of Stephen (late antique) -- A separately transmitted martyrdom narrative of Stephen.
Martyrdom of Symeon and Ananias (late antique or medieval) -- A joint martyrdom narrative distinct from the single Ananias text.
Martyrdom of Thaddaeus (late antique or medieval) -- A separate martyrdom tradition for Thaddaeus/Judas Thomas traditions.
Martyrdom of Thecla by Symeon (late antique or medieval) -- A separately catalogued Thecla martyrdom.
Martyrium Prius of Andrew / Earlier Martyrdom of Andrew (late antique) -- A distinct Greek Andrew martyrdom recension or composition catalogued separately from other passions.
Metastasis of John / Passing of John (late antique) -- An apocryphal account of John’s departure or assumption, related to but distinct from the ancient Acts of John in later transmission.
Miracle of Thecla and the Myrtle Wood (late antique or medieval) -- An independent Thecla miracle narrative.
Miracles of Thomas (late antique or medieval) -- A collection of Thomas miracle traditions catalogued separately from his Acts and Passion.
Mystery of the Judgment of Sinners (late antique or medieval) -- A Christian apocalyptic work focused on eschatological judgment.
Names of the Apostles and Their Parents (late antique or medieval) -- A separate apostolic catalogue giving names and parentage.
Narrative of Joseph of Arimathea (4th–5th c. CE, commonly) -- A passion-era narrative attributed to Joseph of Arimathea involving the thieves crucified with Jesus and post-resurrection events.
Notes on the Apostles / Apostolic Notes (late antique or medieval) -- Short apostolic biographical notices catalogued as a distinct apocryphal work.
On Herod and John the Baptist (date uncertain; late antique or medieval) -- A Christian apocryphal narrative expanding the biblical traditions of Herod and John the Baptist.
Passion of Andrew / Passio Andreae (late antique; date uncertain) -- An Andrew martyrdom text distinct in clavis tradition from the fuller Acts of Andrew.
Passion of Bartholomew (late antique) -- A distinct Bartholomew martyrdom narrative.
Passion of Hermagoras and Fortunatus (late antique or medieval; exact date uncertain) -- An apostolic-era passion narrative associated with Mark’s missionary succession and included in modern Christian-apocrypha cataloguing.
Passion of James Son of Zebedee (late antique or medieval) -- A separate passion of James the Greater.
Passion of James the Brother of the Lord (late antique or medieval) -- A separately catalogued passion narrative of James.
Passion of John by Pseudo-Melito (late antique or medieval) -- A pseudonymous Johannine passion or departure narrative attributed to Melito.
Passion of John the Baptist (date uncertain; late antique or medieval) -- An apocryphal passion account of John the Baptist distinct from longer lives and martyrdoms.
Passion of Longinus (date uncertain; late antique or medieval) -- An apocryphal passion narrative about Longinus, distinct from the separately attributed Longinus martyrdoms.
Passion of Matthew (late antique) -- A Matthew martyrdom text.
Passion of Paul / Passio Pauli (late antique) -- A martyrdom account of Paul transmitted separately from the broader Acts of Paul.
Passion of Peter / Passio Petri (late antique) -- An independent Petrine martyrdom narrative.
Passion of Peter and Paul by Pseudo-Hegesippus (late 4th c. CE or later) -- A Latin apostolic passion embedded in or derived from the Pseudo-Hegesippan tradition.
Passion of Philip (late antique) -- An independent Philip martyrdom text.
Passion of Processus and Martinianus (late antique or medieval; exact date uncertain) -- A Roman apostolic passion narrative attached to traditions of Peter and Paul.
Passion of Simon and Jude (late antique or medieval) -- A joint martyrdom narrative of Simon and Jude.
Passion of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul by Pseudo-Marcellus (late antique or medieval) -- A joint apostolic passion attributed pseudonymously to Marcellus.
Passion of Thomas (late antique or medieval) -- A Thomas martyrdom text transmitted independently from the full Acts of Thomas.
Peter, John, and Paul in Antioch (late antique or medieval) -- An apostolic narrative combining Peter, John, and Paul in an Antiochene setting.
Places of the Apostles (late antique or medieval) -- A catalogue of apostolic mission fields or burial places.
Prayer of Christ at the Cross (composition date uncertain; late antique or medieval) -- A pseudepigraphic prayer attributed to Jesus on the cross and transmitted in apocryphal contexts.
Preaching of Bartholomew (late antique or medieval) -- A Bartholomew missionary discourse or narrative distinct from his Acts and Passion.
Preaching of James Son of Zebedee (late antique or medieval) -- An apocryphal preaching text attributed to James the Greater.
Preaching of James the Brother of the Lord (late antique or medieval) -- A pseudonymous missionary or doctrinal work attributed to James.
Preaching of Judas Thaddaeus (date uncertain; late antique or medieval) -- An apostolic preaching text concerning Judas Thaddaeus, distinct from his Acts and Martyrdom.
Preaching of Peter and Faustus (late antique or medieval) -- A pseudonymous Petrine preaching narrative involving Faustus.
Preaching of Simon the Canaanite (late antique or medieval) -- A separate missionary text attributed to Simon.
Priesthood of Jesus / On the Priesthood of Jesus (late antique; tradition attested by 4th c.) -- An apocryphal narrative claiming that Jesus was enrolled among Jerusalem’s priests.
Reading of Thomas / Lection of Thomas (late antique or medieval) -- A liturgical-narrative Thomas apocryphon catalogued as an independent text despite later ecclesial use.
Report of Pilate / Anaphora Pilati (4th–5th c. CE, commonly) -- A pseudonymous official report from Pilate to the emperor about Jesus and the events surrounding his death.
Revelation Discourse of Jesus (late antique or medieval) -- A pseudonymous discourse in which the risen or heavenly Jesus reveals eschatological mysteries.
Revelation of Stephen / Apocalypse of Stephen (late antique or medieval) -- A pseudonymous Christian apocalypse attributed to Stephen; surviving forms and its relationship to Stephen martyrdom traditions require care.
Second Coming and Resurrection of the Dead (late antique or medieval) -- An apocryphal eschatological discourse or narrative concerning Christ’s return and resurrection.
Six Books Dormition Apocryphon / Six Books of the Dormition (4th–6th c. CE core, with later Syriac witnesses) -- A major Syriac Dormition cycle divided into six books and preserved in several eastern versions.
Story of Andrew (late antique or medieval) -- A separately catalogued Andrew narrative distinct from the principal Acts and martyrdom texts.
Story of Peter and Paul in Rome (late antique or medieval) -- A separately catalogued Roman Peter-and-Paul narrative.
Story of the Thirty Pieces of Silver (late antique–medieval) -- A legendary history of Judas’s thirty silver pieces traced through biblical history.
Teaching of the Lord / Teaching of the Lord through the Twelve Apostles (late antique or medieval; exact work uncertain) -- A pseudonymous dominical-apostolic instructional text catalogued as Christian apocrypha and distinct from the Didache unless a particular witness proves otherwise.
Testament of Mary / Testament of the Virgin (late antique–medieval; more than one recension/composition) -- A Marian testamentary revelation catalogued in multiple traditions and distinct from Dormition narratives.
Testament of Our Lord / Testamentum Domini (4th–5th c. CE) -- A pseudonymous post-resurrection church-order apocalypse framed as Jesus’ final instructions to the apostles.
Testament of Our Lord in Galilee (late antique or medieval; newly catalogued) -- A Galilean testament/revelation attributed to Jesus and transmitted independently from the better-known Testamentum Domini.
Voyage of Paul to Rome (late antique or medieval) -- A pseudonymous narrative of Paul’s journey to Rome distinct from canonical Acts.
Epitome of Prochorus by Nicetas (Byzantine medieval) -- A reworked epitome of the Prochorus John tradition treated as a distinct textual work in specialist cataloguing.
Life of Andrew by Epiphanius / Acts of Andrew by Epiphanius (medieval Byzantine) -- A later Andrew biography drawing on older apocryphal traditions but constituting a separate literary work.
Life of the Virgin by Epiphanius (Byzantine medieval) -- A pseudonymous Marian biography attributed to Epiphanius and drawing on apocryphal traditions.
Acts of Barnabas (5th c. CE, commonly) -- A pseudonymous mission-and-martyrdom narrative of Barnabas attributed to John Mark.
Acts of Bartholomew (late antique; perhaps 5th–6th c. CE) -- An apostolic mission narrative of Bartholomew distinct from his questions, preaching, and martyrdom texts.
Acts of Thaddaeus / Acts of Thaddeus (5th–7th c. CE, commonly) -- An apostolic mission narrative of Thaddaeus/Addai connected with Edessa traditions.
Acts of Timothy (5th c. CE, commonly) -- A pseudonymous narrative of Timothy’s Ephesian episcopate and martyrdom.
Apocalypse of the Virgin / Apocalypse of Mary (5th–9th c. CE; many recensions) -- A Marian tour of hell in which the Virgin intercedes for the damned; several language recensions form a complex work-family.
Book of the Rooster / Book of the Cock (5th–6th c. CE or earlier; Ethiopic form) -- An Ethiopic passion narrative in which a roasted rooster is miraculously revived and witnesses events around Jesus’ arrest.
Dormition by the Apostle John / John the Theologian Dormition (5th–6th c. CE, broadly) -- A Greek Marian dormition narrative attributed to John and one of the principal Transitus traditions.
Dormition of the Virgin by Pseudo-Melito / Transitus Mariae B (5th–6th c. CE or later) -- A Latin Marian dormition narrative pseudonymously attributed to Melito of Sardis.
Epistle of Titus / Apocryphal Epistle of Titus (5th c. CE or earlier) -- A pseudonymous ascetic letter attributed to Titus and drawing heavily on apocryphal acts traditions.
Greek R Dormition / Transitus R (5th–7th c. CE, broadly) -- A Greek Dormition composition conventionally labeled “R,” with related Latin witnesses, distinct from the Pseudo-Melito and Six Books forms.
History of John / Syriac History of John (5th–6th c. CE, broadly) -- A Syriac apostolic history of John independent of the Greek Acts of John.
Legend of Aphroditianus / Narrative of Aphroditianus (5th–6th c. CE, commonly) -- A Christian Magi and nativity legend framed as a Persian account of the star and Christ’s birth.
Life and Miracles of Thecla (5th c. CE) -- A later Thecla narrative expanding the Acts of Paul and Thecla with a large miracle collection.
Vision of Theophilus / Vision of Theophilus of Alexandria (probably 5th–7th c. CE) -- A Coptic/Arabic flight-into-Egypt and Holy Family narrative presented as a revelation to Theophilus.
Acts of Mar Mari (6th c. CE or later) -- A Syriac apostolic mission narrative of Mari in Mesopotamia.
Arabic Infancy Gospel / Arabic Gospel of the Infancy (probably 6th–9th c. CE; date disputed) -- An Arabic infancy compilation combining canonical and apocryphal childhood stories of Jesus.
Armenian Infancy Gospel (probably 6th–9th c. CE in antecedent form; Armenian text later) -- A lengthy Armenian infancy gospel with extensive Magi and childhood traditions distinct from the Arabic Infancy Gospel.
Breviary of the Apostles / Breviarium Apostolorum (6th–7th c. CE, commonly) -- A Latin catalogue of apostolic mission fields, deaths, and burial places drawing on earlier apocryphal traditions.
Dormition of the Virgin, Transitus Latin W / Transitus Mariae W (before the end of the 6th c. CE in extant Latin form; underlying Greek may be earlier) -- An early Latin Dormition/Assumption narrative related to but distinct from Transitus C and other families.
Epistle of Christ from Heaven / Sunday Letter / Letter from Heaven (6th c. CE onward; many forms) -- A pseudonymous heavenly letter attributed to Christ, often demanding Sunday observance and circulating in numerous languages.
Homily on the Dormition of the Virgin by John of Thessalonica (late 6th–early 7th c. CE, commonly) -- A Greek Dormition narrative homily that reworks older apocryphal traditions and became an important branch of the tradition.
Investiture of the Archangel Abbaton (6th–8th c. CE, commonly) -- A Coptic pseudepigraphic discourse attributed to Timothy of Alexandria recounting Abbaton’s origin and role as angel of death.
Legend of Galbius and Candidus (6th c. CE or later; exact composition date debated) -- An apocryphal narrative about the discovery and translation of the Virgin’s robe, closely connected with Marian apocrypha but not merely a liturgical text.
On the Star by Pseudo-Eusebius / Chronicle of Zuqnin Star Narrative (probably 6th–8th c. CE in extant form) -- A pseudonymous Magi-star narrative transmitted under Eusebius’s name and related to Syriac infancy traditions.
Book of the Nativity of the Savior / Liber de nativitate Salvatoris (7th–10th c. CE, uncertain) -- A Latin infancy text distinct from Pseudo-Matthew and the Nativity of Mary.
Didascalia Domini / Revelation of the Holy Apostles (late 7th c. CE Greek original, commonly) -- A Christian apocalyptic dialogue preserved especially in Slavonic that presents revelations of Christ to the apostles.
Gospel of Pseudo-Matthew / Pseudo-Matthew (7th–9th c. CE, commonly) -- A Latin infancy gospel reworking the Protoevangelium of James and Infancy Thomas while adding new Marian and Egyptian episodes.
Homily on the Dormition of the Virgin by Pseudo-Modestus (after 680–681 CE, probably late 7th c.) -- A pseudonymous Dormition homily whose Christological language supplies a relatively firm post-680 terminus.
Arabic Apocalypse of the Virgin (medieval; relation to other Marian apocalypse recensions complex) -- An Arabic Marian otherworld apocalypse catalogued separately because it is not merely a straightforward translation of a single Greek form.
Armenian Dormition of the Virgin (composition date uncertain; medieval Armenian witness with older antecedents) -- An Armenian Dormition composition treated as distinct in specialist cataloguing rather than merely a translation of Greek R.
Armenian Martyrdom of Bartholomew (composition date uncertain; medieval Armenian witness) -- An Armenian Bartholomew martyrdom sufficiently distinct to receive its own specialist entry.
Discovery of Paul’s Head (medieval) -- A relic-discovery narrative about Paul catalogued in specialist Christian apocrypha.
Dream of Nero / Somnium Neronis (composition date uncertain; medieval Latin witnesses, with a 10th-c. earliest listed manuscript) -- A Pilate-cycle appendix to Latin Gospel of Nicodemus traditions in which Nero dreams of the blood-covered Christ and orders Vespasian to avenge the passion.
Epistle of Mary to Florence (medieval; authenticity fictive) -- A pseudonymous Marian letter addressed to Florence, catalogued among Marian apocrypha.
Epistle of Mary to Messina (medieval; possibly same tradition as Mary to Florence) -- A pseudonymous Marian civic letter whose independence from related Marian letters requires textual verification.
Ethiopic Apocalypse of the Virgin (medieval Ethiopic; antecedent older) -- An Ethiopic Marian otherworld apocalypse with distinctive material.
Gospel of the Twelve Apostles (Syriac) (mid-8th c. CE) -- A West-Syriac apocalyptic gospel surviving in Harvard Syr. 93 and related witnesses, a distinct composition from the lost ancient Gospel of the Twelve.
Letter of Pilate to Theodore (medieval; date uncertain) -- A pseudonymous Pilate letter surviving in later Christian tradition.
Life of Pilate (medieval; composition date uncertain) -- A legendary biography of Pilate extending beyond the passion narrative.
List of the Apostles and Disciples / Anonymus II / Index Greco-syrus / Anonymous List of Apostles II (composition date uncertain; medieval witnesses) -- An anonymous list of apostles and disciples giving mission fields and deaths, catalogued as a distinct textual work.
On the Deaths of the Apostles / Deaths of the Apostles / De mortibus apostolorum (composition date uncertain; Syriac and related apostolic-list tradition, manuscript evidence medieval) -- A compact catalogue assigning each apostle a place and manner of death, distinct from other apostolic lists and martyrdom narratives.
Revelation of Jesus to Peter by Pseudo-John Chrysostom (medieval) -- A pseudonymous revelatory dialogue of Jesus and Peter transmitted under Chrysostom’s name.
Revelation of John concerning Antichrist (medieval; composition date uncertain) -- A pseudonymous Johannine apocalypse focused on Antichrist traditions.
Story of the Talking Skull / Tale of the Talking Skull / Story of Arsanis (composition date uncertain; medieval transmission) -- A Christian apocryphal tale centered on an encounter with a miraculously speaking skull and transmitted as an independent narrative.
Two Sorrows of the Kingdom of Heaven (medieval; date uncertain) -- An eschatological Christian apocryphon catalogued independently in eastern tradition.
Vengeance of the Savior / Vindicta Salvatoris (8th–9th c. CE in extant Latin form, with older traditions) -- A Latin Pilate-cycle narrative connecting the destruction of Jerusalem and healing of rulers with vengeance for Jesus’ death.
Nativity of Mary / Gospel of the Nativity of Mary (9th c. CE, probably) -- A Latin adaptation of Marian infancy traditions focusing on Mary’s birth, upbringing, and betrothal.
Letter of Lentulus (13th–15th c. CE in extant form) -- A medieval pseudonymous letter describing Jesus’ physical appearance under the name of a supposed Roman official.
Gospel of Barnabas (medieval, probably 14th–16th c. CE in extant form) -- A late pseudonymous gospel presenting a strongly noncanonical life of Jesus and surviving chiefly in Italian and Spanish tradition, not to be confused with the ancient Epistle of Barnabas.
Death Warrant of Jesus (composition date uncertain; late or modern pseudodocumentary tradition) -- A pseudonymous documentary-style text purporting to preserve the judicial warrant for Jesus’ execution, catalogued separately in the modern e-Clavis.
Dialogue of the Second Advent / Dialogue on the Second Advent / Dialogue of the Savior on the Second Coming (composition date uncertain) -- A separately catalogued Christian revelatory dialogue concerning Christ’s second coming whose surviving textual history remains insufficiently dated for a secure composition range.
History of Simon Cephas, Chief of the Apostles (date uncertain; Syriac/Arabic Christian transmission) -- An Eastern Christian apostolic history of Peter/Simon Cephas distinct from the Preaching of Simon Cephas in Rome.
Homily on the Dormition of the Virgin by John of Birtha (composition date uncertain; Syriac tradition) -- A Syriac Dormition homily with substantial apocryphal narrative material, separately catalogued from the Six Books tradition.
Homily on the Dormition of the Virgin by Pseudo-Basil of Caesarea (composition date uncertain; Georgian transmission) -- A pseudonymous Dormition narrative preserved primarily in Georgian and separately catalogued from genuine Basilian writings.
Reply to the Letter of Isaac by Pseudo-Moses Chorenatsi (composition date uncertain; Armenian Christian transmission) -- A pseudepigraphic Christian epistolary work associated with apostolic/apocryphal correspondence.
Testament of Our Savior / Testament of the Savior (composition date uncertain) -- A separately catalogued Christian testamentary or revelatory work placed in the mouth of Jesus, distinct from the Testament of Our Lord and the Testament of Our Lord in Galilee.

Highly obscure texts

Highly obscure, little-known parabiblica that survive in a more-or-less complete form and are available in some kind of English translation.

Revelation of the Magi (2nd–4th c. CE for an underlying Syriac composition; surviving witness later) -- A Syriac first-person narrative in which the Magi describe their revelation of the star and encounter with Christ.
Exhortation of Peter (late ancient; precise date uncertain) -- A Syriac pseudepigraphon attributed to Peter, extant in short and long versions and centered on ascetic exhortation and monastic moral tales; an English translation is available.
Act of Peter in Azotus (late antique or medieval) -- A separate Petrine miracle narrative set in Azotus.
Acts of Andrew and Paul (late antique or medieval) -- An apocryphal joint mission narrative of Andrew and Paul.
Acts of Andrew and Philemon (late antique or medieval) -- An apostolic narrative pairing Andrew with Philemon, preserved in eastern Christian tradition.
Acts of Christ and Peter in Rome (late antique or medieval; exact date uncertain) -- An apocryphal Roman narrative involving the risen Christ and Peter, distinct from the major Acts of Peter traditions.
Acts of John in Rome (4th c. CE or later) -- A distinct apocryphal narrative of John’s confrontation with imperial authority in Rome.
Acts of Thomas and the Wonderworking Skin (late antique or medieval) -- A distinct Thomas miracle narrative involving a miraculous skin or hide.
Adoration of the Magi (composition date uncertain; late antique or medieval) -- An apocryphal narrative focused on the Magi’s worship of the infant Jesus.
Apocalypse of Thomas (4th–5th c. CE, commonly) -- A Christian apocalypse attributed to Thomas and structured around signs preceding the end.
Decapitation of John the Forerunner (late antique or medieval; exact date uncertain) -- An apocryphal account of John the Baptist’s beheading distinct from his Passion, Martyrdom, and longer lives.
Dialogue between Jesus and the Devil (date uncertain; late antique or medieval) -- A Christian apocryphal dialogue staging a confrontation between Jesus and the devil.
Dialogue of Mary and Christ on the Departure of the Soul (late antique or medieval; exact date uncertain) -- A Marian-Christian dialogue concerning death and the soul’s departure.
Dialogue of the Revealer and John (date uncertain; probably late antique) -- An apocryphal revelatory dialogue in which John questions a heavenly revealer, preserved outside the better-known Johannine apocalypse traditions.
Disputation of Peter and Nero (late antique or medieval; exact date uncertain) -- A pseudepigraphic confrontation narrative between Peter and Nero preserved in Christian apocryphal tradition.
Epistle of Pelagia (late antique or medieval) -- A pseudepigraphic letter associated with the Pauline acts tradition and catalogued as a separate Christian apocryphon.
Healing of Tiberius (late antique or medieval; date uncertain) -- A Pilate-cycle work in which the Roman emperor is healed through contact with an image or relic of Christ.
History of Paul (late antique or medieval) -- A separately catalogued Pauline narrative or biography distinct from the ancient Acts of Paul.
History of Philip (late antique or medieval) -- A separately catalogued apostolic biography of Philip.
Homily on the Building of the First Church of the Virgin by Pseudo-Basil of Caesarea (late antique or medieval; exact date uncertain) -- A Marian pseudo-homily with an apocryphal narrative about the first church of Mary.
Homily on the Life of Jesus and His Love for the Apostles (late antique; exact composition date uncertain) -- A pseudo-homiletic Christian apocryphon preserving otherwise extracanonical episodes from Jesus’ life and relationships with the apostles.
Homily on the Passion and Resurrection by Pseudo-Evodius of Rome (late antique or medieval; exact date uncertain) -- A pseudo-homily transmitting substantial apocryphal passion and resurrection narrative rather than ordinary exegesis.
Hospitality and Perfume of the Bandit (late antique or medieval; exact date uncertain) -- A distinct Good-Thief-cycle hospitality narrative involving perfume.
Investiture of the Archangel Gabriel (late antique or medieval) -- A Christian angelological apocryphon narrating Gabriel’s investiture.
Investiture of the Archangel Michael (late antique or medieval) -- A Christian angelological apocryphon narrating Michael’s investiture.
John and Cerinthus (late antique; based on early patristic anecdote) -- An apocryphal anecdotal narrative of John’s encounter with Cerinthus.
Legend of the Holy Rood Tree / History of the Wood of the Cross (late antique–medieval) -- A rewritten-biblical legend tracing the wood of Christ’s cross back through Old Testament history.
Life of Mary Magdalene (late antique or medieval) -- A legendary biography of Mary Magdalene distinct from the Gospel of Mary.
Martyrdom of Mark (late antique) -- A martyrdom account of Mark distinct from fuller acts traditions.
Martyrdom of Zechariah / Death of Zechariah Father of John (late antique or medieval) -- An apocryphal account of the death of John the Baptist’s father.
Mysteries of John / Book of the Mysteries of John (late antique or medieval) -- A pseudonymous revelatory text attributed to John and catalogued among Christian apocrypha.
Passion of the Apostles Peter and Paul (late antique or medieval) -- Another independently catalogued joint martyrdom narrative of Peter and Paul.
Preaching of Philip (late antique) -- A distinct Philip preaching text catalogued separately from his Passion and Acts.
Questions of James to John (date uncertain; late antique or medieval) -- A separately catalogued apostolic question-and-answer apocalypse/dialogue between James and John.
Revelation about the Lord’s Prayer (date uncertain; late antique or medieval) -- An apostolic/revelatory expansion of the Lord’s Prayer transmitted as a separate Christian apocryphon.
Story of Joseph of Arimathea (composition date uncertain; late antique or medieval) -- A distinct Joseph-of-Arimathea narrative catalogued separately from the better-known Narrative of Joseph of Arimathea.
Story of the Image of Edessa / Image of Edessa (late antique–medieval; textual forms vary) -- An apocryphal narrative about the miraculous image of Christ associated with Abgar and Edessa.
Travels of Peter / Syriac Travels of Peter (late antique or medieval) -- A Syriac Petrine journey narrative.
Acts of John by Prochorus / Life of John by Prochorus (5th c. CE or later) -- A long pseudonymous biography of John attributed to his disciple Prochorus.
Acts of Nereus and Achilleus (5th–6th c. CE, commonly) -- A Roman martyr romance incorporating apostolic and Domitilla traditions and catalogued among Christian apocrypha.
Book of Bartholomew / Coptic Book of Bartholomew (5th–7th c. CE, broadly) -- A Coptic apostolic-passion work associated with Bartholomew and distinct from both Questions of Bartholomew and the Book of the Resurrection by Bartholomew.
Book of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ by Bartholomew the Apostle / Resurrection of Jesus Christ by Bartholomew (5th–6th c. CE, commonly) -- A Coptic passion-resurrection apocalypse narrated under Bartholomew’s authority and distinct from the Questions of Bartholomew.
First Apocryphal Apocalypse of John / 1 Apocryphal Apocalypse of John (5th–7th c. CE, broadly) -- A Christian apocalypse attributed to John but distinct from canonical Revelation.
Second Apocryphal Apocalypse of John / 2 Apocryphal Apocalypse of John (6th–9th c. CE, broadly) -- A second independently transmitted Johannine apocalypse in question-and-answer form.
Epistle of James to Quadratus (composition date uncertain; extant eastern witnesses medieval) -- A pseudonymous apostolic letter attributed to James and addressed to Quadratus, extant in Syriac and Armenian with an Arabic translation tradition.
Epistle of Longinus, Augustus, Ursinius, and Patrophilus (composition date uncertain; medieval) -- A pseudonymous passion-cycle letter involving legendary Roman figures associated with Jesus’ death.
Epistles of Ignatius to Mary and John / Pseudo-Ignatian Marian-Johannine correspondence (medieval) -- Pseudonymous letters linking Ignatius with Mary and John, distinct from the authentic/standard Ignatian corpus.
Eremitic Life of Mary Magdalene (medieval) -- A separate ascetic legend presenting Mary Magdalene as an eremitic saint.
First Revelation of Matthew about the End Times (medieval; date uncertain) -- A Matthean eschatological apocalypse distinct from canonical Matthew and other apostolic apocalypses.
Life of Judas (medieval; date uncertain) -- A legendary biography of Judas Iscariot.
Memorial of John (medieval; date uncertain) -- A separately catalogued apostolic memorial text concerning John.
Nativity of Bartholomew (composition date uncertain; medieval) -- A separately catalogued Bartholomew birth narrative that may or may not overlap with the Birth of Bartholomew; textual identity requires verification.
Questions of John to Abraham (composition date uncertain; medieval) -- A distinct question-and-answer pseudepigraphon involving John and Abraham.
Rebellion of Dimas / Revolt of Dismas (composition date uncertain; medieval) -- An apocryphal passion-cycle work about the good thief, transmitted under forms of the name Dismas/Dimas.
Second Revelation of Matthew about the End Times (medieval; date uncertain) -- A second independently catalogued Matthean eschatological revelation.
Third Apocryphal Apocalypse of John / 3 Apocryphal Apocalypse of John (medieval; date uncertain) -- A third Johannine apocalypse recognized in specialist cataloguing and not a recension of the first two.
Preaching of Simon Cephas in the City of Rome (date uncertain; Syriac/Arabic transmission) -- A Roman Peter/Simon Cephas preaching narrative separately catalogued from his History and from the Acts of Peter.
Questions of John / Interrogatio Iohannis / Secret Supper (12th c. Latin witness; probably 10th–11th c. Bogomil composition) -- A dualist revelatory dialogue in which John questions Christ about creation and Satan; often called a Bogomil apocryphon.

Texts with no English translation

Parabiblica for which an extant source-language text or non-English translation is available but no English translation was located in the specialist resources checked for this audit.

Acts of Aquila (late antique or medieval) -- An apocryphal acts narrative concerning Aquila. Available languages: Greek, with a French translation; no English translation is listed in e-Clavis as of the audit cutoff.
Revelation of the Blessed John (late antique or medieval) -- A separate Johannine revelatory composition not to be merged automatically with the numbered Apocryphal Apocalypses of John. Available languages: Latin, with French and Italian translations; no English translation is listed in e-Clavis as of the audit cutoff.
Birth of Bartholomew (composition date uncertain; medieval) -- A legendary account of Bartholomew’s birth. Available languages: Latin and Middle German; no modern English translation is listed in e-Clavis as of the audit cutoff.
Conversion of Bartholomew (composition date uncertain; medieval) -- An apostolic conversion narrative concerning Bartholomew. Available languages: Latin; no modern English translation is listed in e-Clavis as of the audit cutoff.

Fragmentary texts

Parabiblica known only from fragmentary textual witnesses.

Berlin-Strasbourg Apocryphon / Gospel of the Savior / Unknown Berlin Gospel (2nd–3rd c. CE; dating and original extent disputed) -- A fragmentary Christian dialogue/passion-revelation text preserved in Coptic and Greek fragments, whose Gnostic classification is disputed and is treated here as New Testament apocrypha.
Dance of the Savior (2nd–4th c. CE? fragmentary; independence uncertain) -- A fragmentary text centered on Jesus and the disciples performing a ritual dance, possibly related to the Berlin-Strasbourg Apocryphon but separately catalogued.
Egerton Gospel / Unknown Gospel, P.Egerton 2 + P.Köln VI 255 (early–mid-2nd c. CE, commonly) -- A fragmentary noncanonical gospel combining controversy, healing, and Johannine-like material, preserved in papyrus leaves now recognized as portions of one codex.
Fayyum Gospel Fragment / Fayyum Fragment (2nd–3rd c. CE manuscript; composition date uncertain) -- A brief gospel-like Greek fragment concerning Jesus’ prediction of Peter’s denial, possibly from an otherwise lost gospel.
Gospel of Peter (2nd c. CE) -- A passion and resurrection gospel surviving in a substantial Akhmim fragment and smaller possible witnesses, notable for its expanded empty-tomb scene.
Papyrus Oxyrhynchus 2949 / P.Oxy. XLI 2949 (composition date unknown; manuscript 2nd–3rd c. CE) -- A gospel fragment mentioning Jesus’ tomb, sometimes proposed as a witness to the Gospel of Peter but not securely identified with it.
Papyrus Oxyrhynchus 4009 / P.Oxy. LX 4009 (composition date unknown; manuscript 2nd–3rd c. CE) -- A fragmentary Christian gospel or revelatory dialogue of uncertain identity.
Papyrus Oxyrhynchus 5072 / P.Oxy. LXXVI 5072 (composition before its 2nd–3rd c. CE manuscript; exact date unknown) -- A fragmentary unknown gospel preserving words of Jesus and narrative material.
Papyrus Oxyrhynchus 1224 / P.Oxy. X 1224 (composition date unknown; manuscript 3rd–4th c. CE) -- Fragmentary Greek gospel material containing sayings and narrative episodes whose source gospel cannot be securely identified.
Papyrus Oxyrhynchus 210 / P.Oxy. II 210 (composition date unknown; manuscript 3rd c. CE) -- A small Christian fragment sometimes catalogued among unknown gospel material.
Acts of Luke (late antique; fragmentary/poorly preserved) -- Apocryphal apostolic traditions about Luke catalogued separately from his martyrdom. Survival: fragmentary.
Bala’izah Gospel Fragment / Bala’izah Papyrus (composition date unknown; Coptic manuscript late antique) -- A fragmentary Coptic gospel-like text from Bala’izah whose parent composition is unknown.
Dormition and Assumption of the Virgin by Peter and John (late antique; exact date uncertain) -- A fragmentary Marian apocalypse/dormition work attributed to Peter and John and independently catalogued.
Homily on the Dormition of the Virgin, Coptic Fragments (late antique or early medieval; exact date uncertain) -- Fragmentary Coptic Dormition material catalogued as an independent apocryphal witness rather than merely a translation of a named major family.
Papyrus Berlin 11710 (composition date unknown; manuscript late antique) -- A small Greek gospel fragment from an unidentified apocryphal narrative.
Papyrus Cairensis 10735 / Cairo Gospel Fragment (composition date unknown; manuscript late antique) -- A fragmentary unknown gospel text catalogued among Christian apocrypha.
Papyrus Merton 51 (composition date unknown; manuscript late antique) -- Sixteen surviving lines of an uncertain Christian text variously considered gospel, homily, or commentary, retained here as a borderline fragment.
Papyrus Oxyrhynchus 5575 / P.Oxy. LXXXVII 5575 (composition date unknown; manuscript late antique) -- A newly published fragmentary Christian apocryphal text of uncertain gospel identity.
Papyrus Oxyrhynchus 5576 / P.Oxy. LXXXVII 5576 (composition date unknown; manuscript late antique) -- A newly published fragmentary Christian apocryphal text catalogued independently because its source composition is unidentified.
Papyrus Oxyrhynchus 5577 / P.Oxy. LXXXVII 5577 (composition date unknown; manuscript 4th c. CE) -- A fragmentary dialogue involving Jesus and Mary proposed either as Valentinian material or as part of the Gospel of Mary; its independence remains unsettled.
Papyrus Oxyrhynchus 840 / P.Oxy. V 840 (composition date unknown; manuscript 4th–5th c. CE) -- A miniature codex fragment preserving an otherwise unknown controversy narrative between Jesus and a Pharisaic priest.
Aberdeen Ostracon (composition date unknown; late antique witness) -- A small ostracon preserving an otherwise unidentified apocryphal Christian text; because only this isolated witness survives, it is treated here as fragmentary.
Syriac Assumption of the Virgin (composition date uncertain; late antique antecedents, Syriac fragments/witnesses) -- A Syriac Marian assumption text related to but not simply identical with the Six Books tradition. Survival: fragmentary.
Attiri Book of Michael / Book of Michael (composition date uncertain; Old Nubian witness medieval) -- A highly fragmentary Michaelic apocryphon preserved on only two non-contiguous pages of an Old Nubian manuscript from Attiri; the surviving pieces include eschatological and angelological material.
Homily on the Dormition of the Virgin, Georgian Fragment (composition date uncertain; surviving Georgian fragment medieval) -- A fragmentary and otherwise unidentified Dormition homily preserving independent apocryphal material.
Acts of Simon and Theonoe (late antique or medieval; precise date uncertain) -- A Coptic apostolic narrative involving Simon and Theonoe; only about one third of the work survives in two incomplete manuscripts, so it is treated here as fragmentary.

Known from quotations only

Parabiblica whose text is recoverable only through quotations, excerpts, paraphrases, or detailed reports preserved by other authors.

Gospel according to the Hebrews (1st–2nd c. CE; fragmentary and reconstruction disputed) -- A lost Jewish-Christian gospel known from patristic quotations, whose exact relationship to Matthew and other Jewish-Christian gospels remains disputed. Preservation: Known from patristic quotations and notices, especially Origen and Jerome.
Gospel of the Nazarenes (1st–2nd c. CE; fragmentary; modern reconstruction disputed) -- A reconstructed Jewish-Christian gospel known through patristic citations and often understood as a Semitic or Jewish-Christian Matthew-related text. Preservation: Reconstructed from patristic citations, especially Jerome; assignment of individual fragments remains disputed.
Ascents of James / Anabathmoi Iakobou (2nd c. CE? reconstructed; lost) -- A Jewish-Christian work attributed to James known from Epiphanius and sometimes connected with Pseudo-Clementine source traditions. Preservation: Known from Epiphanius’s report and excerpts in Panarion 30; no independent manuscript survives.
Gospel of Marcion / Evangelion (mid-2nd c. CE; text reconstructed from hostile witnesses) -- Marcion’s gospel, closely related to Luke but textually independent enough to require its own bibliographic entry; whether it is an edited Luke or an earlier/shared gospel remains debated. Preservation: No manuscript survives; its text is reconstructed chiefly from quotations and criticisms in Tertullian and Epiphanius.
Gospel of Matthias / Traditions of Matthias (2nd c. CE or earlier; lost except quotations) -- A lost gospel or sayings tradition attributed to Matthias and cited by early Christian authors. Preservation: Known from quotations and notices in early Christian authors, especially Clement of Alexandria.
Gospel of the Ebionites (2nd c. CE; fragmentary; modern title) -- A Jewish-Christian harmony-like gospel known chiefly from Epiphanius and distinct from the Gospels of the Hebrews and Nazarenes. Preservation: Known chiefly from quotations and descriptions in Epiphanius, Panarion 30.
Gospel of the Egyptians / Greek Gospel of the Egyptians (2nd c. CE; fragmentary) -- A lost Greek Christian gospel known from quotations, especially a dialogue between Jesus and Salome, not to be confused with the Coptic Gospel of the Egyptians. Preservation: Known from patristic quotations, especially Clement of Alexandria.
Preaching of Peter / Kerygma Petrou (early 2nd c. CE; fragmentary) -- A lost Petrine missionary and doctrinal work known through quotations in Clement of Alexandria and other writers. Preservation: Known from quotations in Clement of Alexandria and other patristic writers.
Book of Elchasai (ca. 100–120 CE, commonly; lost except reports) -- A Jewish-Christian revelatory book associated with Elchasaites and known through Hippolytus, Epiphanius, and other heresiologists. Preservation: Known from extensive reports and quotations in Hippolytus, Epiphanius, and other heresiologists.
Secret Gospel of Mark / Letter to Theodore fragment (purported 2nd c. gospel; modern witness first reported in 20th c.; authenticity disputed) -- A fragment of a longer Markan gospel quoted in the controversial Letter to Theodore, whose ancient authenticity remains unresolved. Preservation: Known only from the text quoted in the disputed Letter to Theodore; the physical manuscript reported in the twentieth century is unavailable.

Lost texts

Parabiblica with no surviving recoverable textual witness, known by title, ancient notice, source citation, or source-critical reconstruction.

Gospel of Cerinthus (1st–2nd c. CE; existence as a distinct composition disputed) -- A gospel attributed by heresiological sources to Cerinthus, sometimes conflated with other Jewish-Christian or Johannine-related traditions. Evidence: Known only from heresiological attribution/notices; its existence as a distinct composition is disputed.
Epistle to the Alexandrians (2nd–4th c. CE; lost, existence attested) -- A Pauline pseudepistle known by title from ancient canon lists and notices but not extant as an identifiable text. Evidence: Known from an ancient canonical/bibliographic notice, especially the Muratorian Fragment; no text survives.
Gospel of Apelles (2nd c. CE; lost and poorly attested) -- A gospel associated with the Marcionite teacher Apelles and known only through patristic notices. Evidence: Known only from patristic notices concerning Apelles; no text survives.
Gospel of the Twelve / Gospel of the Twelve Apostles (2nd c. CE? existence attested by early heresiological references; contents and precise identity uncertain) -- A lost early Christian gospel known chiefly from patristic notices, not to be confused with the extant Syriac Gospel of the Twelve Apostles. Evidence: Known chiefly from early patristic/heresiological notices; its contents and identity remain uncertain.
Kerygmata Petrou / Preachings of Peter in the Pseudo-Clementines (2nd–3rd c. CE hypothetical/reconstructed) -- A Petrine source reconstructed behind portions of the Pseudo-Clementines; its precise independence and recoverability remain debated. Evidence: A hypothetical/reconstructed Petrine source inferred behind parts of the Pseudo-Clementines; no independent manuscript survives.

Gnostic parabiblica

Texts generally classified as Gnostic or belonging to a substantially Gnostic literary context.

Main corpus

Extant or substantially recoverable texts that do not fall into a more specific preservation or translation-status category below.

Apocalypse of Adam (1st–4th c. CE, often 2nd–3rd) -- A Sethian-associated revelation attributed to Adam concerning primordial history, flood traditions, and the coming Illuminator.
Apocryphon of James / Secret Book of James (2nd c. CE) -- A Nag Hammadi revelatory dialogue framed as a secret letter of James recounting teachings of the risen Jesus to James and Peter.
Apocryphon of John / Secret Book of John (2nd c. CE, with multiple ancient recensions) -- A foundational Sethian revelation in which the risen Christ explains the divine realm, the demiurge, creation, and Adam to John; its four principal manuscripts are recensions of one work.
Book of Thomas the Contender / Book of Thomas (2nd–3rd c. CE) -- A revelatory dialogue between Jesus and Judas Thomas emphasizing self-knowledge, asceticism, and judgment.
Coptic Apocalypse of Paul (2nd–4th c. CE, probably 2nd–3rd) -- A Nag Hammadi ascent apocalypse in which Paul travels through the heavens, distinct from the later Visio Pauli.
Coptic Gospel of the Egyptians / Holy Book of the Great Invisible Spirit (2nd–3rd c. CE) -- A Sethian cosmological and baptismal revelation, entirely distinct from the fragmentary Greek Gospel of the Egyptians.
First Apocalypse of James (2nd–3rd c. CE) -- A Gnostic revelatory dialogue in which Jesus prepares James the Just for martyrdom and heavenly ascent.
Gospel of Judas (mid-2nd c. CE, commonly) -- A Sethian or Sethian-adjacent revelatory gospel in which Jesus gives Judas privileged cosmological teaching and reinterprets his betrayal.
Gospel of Truth (mid-2nd c. CE, commonly) -- A Valentinian homiletic meditation on ignorance, revelation, and the Father, traditionally but not securely associated with Valentinus.
Second Apocalypse of James (2nd–3rd c. CE) -- A distinct James revelation combining speeches, martyrdom narrative, and ascent motifs.
Treatise on the Resurrection / Epistle to Rheginos (late 2nd c. CE, commonly) -- A Valentinian letter explaining resurrection as a present spiritual reality with future implications.
Wisdom of Jesus Christ / Sophia of Jesus Christ (2nd–3rd c. CE) -- A Christianized revelatory dialogue adapting Eugnostos into post-resurrection teaching by Jesus.
Book of the Great Mystery Discourse / Book of the Great Logos according to the Mystery (late 3rd–mid-4th c. CE, probably; Greek original) -- The principal Bruce Codex initiatory-revelatory work formerly divided misleadingly between the traditional “First” and “Second Books of Jeu.”
Coptic Apocalypse of Peter / Nag Hammadi Apocalypse of Peter (3rd c. CE, commonly) -- A Gnostic Petrine apocalypse featuring a docetic interpretation of the crucifixion and polemic against other Christians, distinct from the Greek-Ethiopic Apocalypse of Peter.
Gospel of Philip (3rd c. CE, commonly; compilation may use earlier material) -- A Valentinian collection of sacramental, exegetical, and mystical sayings attributed conventionally to Philip.
Hypostasis of the Archons / Reality of the Rulers (3rd c. CE, using earlier materials) -- A Sethian rewriting of Genesis in which the archons create and oppress Adam and Eve while divine powers aid humanity.
Marsanes (3rd–4th c. CE) -- A Sethian philosophical revelation attributed to Marsanes and concerned with heavenly levels, language, and metaphysics.
On the Origin of the World / Untitled Treatise (3rd c. CE in extant form) -- A Gnostic cosmological rewriting of Genesis and related myths explaining the archons, Adam, Eve, and cosmic history.
Pistis Sophia, Book 4 / Fourth Book of Pistis Sophia (3rd c. CE? probably earlier than Books 1–3; exact date disputed) -- An independent revelatory composition transmitted as the fourth book of the Askew Codex’s Pistis Sophia collection.
Pistis Sophia, Books 1–3 / Books of the Savior (late 3rd–early 4th c. CE, commonly) -- The main three-book Coptic revelatory complex in which the risen Jesus teaches disciples about the fall and restoration of Pistis Sophia; scholarship increasingly distinguishes it from Book 4.
Tripartite Tractate (3rd c. CE, commonly) -- A lengthy Valentinian theological treatise on the divine pleroma, creation, humanity, salvation, and ecclesiology.
Zostrianos (3rd c. CE, commonly) -- A Sethian ascent apocalypse attributed to Zostrianos, in which the revealer journeys through complex heavenly aeons.

Highly obscure texts

Highly obscure, little-known parabiblica that survive in a more-or-less complete form and are available in some kind of English translation.

Eugnostos the Blessed / Eugnostos (1st–2nd c. CE, perhaps non-Christian in earliest form) -- A philosophical-Gnostic revelation describing transcendent divine generations and serving as a major source for the Wisdom of Jesus Christ.
Acts of Peter and the Twelve Apostles (2nd–4th c. CE) -- A Nag Hammadi allegorical apostolic narrative about the pearl merchant Lithargoel; its degree of specifically Gnostic theology remains debated.
Authoritative Teaching / Authentic Teaching (2nd–3rd c. CE, broadly) -- A didactic work on the soul, passions, and salvation preserved at Nag Hammadi, with precise school affiliation uncertain.
Exegesis on the Soul (2nd–3rd c. CE) -- A Gnostic-aligned allegorical treatise depicting the soul’s fall and restoration through scriptural interpretation.
Letter of Peter to Philip / Epistle of Peter to Philip (2nd–3rd c. CE) -- A Gnostic apostolic letter and post-resurrection revelation preserved in Nag Hammadi and Codex Tchacos witnesses.
Paraphrase of Shem (2nd–3rd c. CE) -- A lengthy Gnostic revelation to Shem concerning cosmic powers, the Flood, Sodom, and salvation.
Prayer of the Apostle Paul (2nd–4th c. CE) -- A short pseudonymous prayer at the opening of Nag Hammadi Codex I; its Gnostic character is weak, but its codicological context routinely places it in Gnostic corpora.
Teachings of Silvanus (late 2nd–3rd c. CE; Gnostic classification disputed) -- A Christian wisdom and ethical work pseudonymously associated with Silvanus and preserved at Nag Hammadi, often judged less specifically Gnostic than its codex companions.
Thought of Norea / Ode on Norea (2nd–3rd c. CE) -- A brief Sethian hymn or revelation concerning Norea, the salvific female figure associated with Adamic traditions.
Thunder, Perfect Mind / The Thunder: Perfect Mind (2nd–3rd c. CE, broadly) -- A first-person revelatory poem spoken by a paradoxical female divine voice and transmitted in a Gnostic codex.
Trimorphic Protennoia / Three Forms of First Thought (late 2nd–3rd c. CE) -- A Sethian revelation spoken by the divine First Thought in three descents, with close conceptual relations to the Apocryphon of John.
Allogenes / Allogenes the Stranger (3rd c. CE, commonly) -- A Sethian ascent revelation attributed to Allogenes describing contemplative ascent to the Invisible Spirit.
Book of Allogenes / Tchacos Allogenes (3rd–4th c. CE, broadly) -- A distinct Codex Tchacos revelation involving Allogenes and Jesus, not the same composition as the Nag Hammadi Allogenes.
Concept of Our Great Power (3rd–4th c. CE) -- A Gnostic apocalypse surveying cosmic history, salvation, and the end under the voice of a transcendent Power.
Second Treatise of the Great Seth (3rd c. CE, commonly) -- A Sethian Christian revelation spoken by Christ that rejects the reality of his crucifixion and attacks rival Christians.
Testimony of Truth (3rd c. CE, commonly) -- A polemical Gnostic Christian treatise using Genesis and gospel traditions to attack baptismal and martyrdom theology.
Three Steles of Seth (3rd c. CE, commonly) -- A Sethian liturgical-revelatory text presenting hymnic steles attributed to Seth.

Fragmentary texts

Parabiblica known only from fragmentary textual witnesses.

Dialogue of the Savior (2nd–3rd c. CE) -- A fragmentary Nag Hammadi dialogue in which Jesus teaches Matthew, Mary, and Judas about salvation and eschatology.
Gospel of Mary / Gospel according to Mary (2nd c. CE; fragmentary; Gnostic label debated) -- A revelation dialogue centered on Mary’s vision and conflict with Peter; commonly grouped with Gnostic literature although its precise affiliation remains disputed. Survival: fragmentary.
Melchizedek / Melchizedek Tractate (2nd–3rd c. CE) -- A fragmentary Nag Hammadi revelation portraying Melchizedek in a heavenly and Christian salvific role.
Book of the Knowledge of the Invisible God (late 3rd–mid-4th c. CE, probably; Greek original) -- A distinct Bruce Codex composition preserved twice in fragmentary Coptic copies and formerly absorbed into the traditional Books of Jeu.
Fragment on the Passage of the Soul (late 3rd–mid-4th c. CE, probably; fragmentary) -- A short independent Bruce Codex text concerning the soul’s ascent, distinguished in recent codicological analysis from the neighboring initiatory works. Survival: fragmentary.
Hypsiphrone (3rd–4th c. CE, fragmentary) -- A brief Sethian revelation in which Hypsiphrone recounts a descent from the place of virginity. Survival: fragmentary.
Interpretation of Knowledge (3rd c. CE, commonly) -- A fragmentary Gnostic Christian homily on conflict, gifts, suffering, and communal reconciliation.
Valentinian Exposition (3rd–4th c. CE manuscript tradition; composition probably 2nd–3rd) -- A Valentinian theological exposition preserved with related sacramental fragments at Nag Hammadi.

Known from quotations only

Parabiblica whose text is recoverable only through quotations, excerpts, paraphrases, or detailed reports preserved by other authors.

Gospel of Eve (2nd–4th c. CE; lost except quotations) -- A Gnostic or libertine gospel known only from Epiphanius’s quotations and reports. Preservation: Known from quotations and reports in Epiphanius, especially Panarion 26.
Questions of Mary / Greater Questions of Mary (2nd–4th c. CE; lost except heresiological reports) -- A Gnostic or libertine revelatory work attributed to Mary and condemned by Epiphanius; surviving reports preserve only fragments. Preservation: Known from hostile heresiological reports and quoted material in Epiphanius, especially Panarion 26.

Lost texts

Parabiblica with no surviving recoverable textual witness, known by title, ancient notice, source citation, or source-critical reconstruction.

Gospel of Basilides (2nd c. CE; lost, title and nature disputed) -- A lost gospel or gospel-like work associated by patristic writers with Basilides or his school and therefore best placed in a Gnostic context, though its precise identity is uncertain. Evidence: Known from patristic notices associating a gospel or gospel-like work with Basilides; its exact nature is disputed.
Gospel of Perfection (2nd–4th c. CE; lost, heresiological attestation) -- A Gnostic gospel title reported by Epiphanius or related heresiologists, with no surviving text and uncertain sectarian attribution. Evidence: Known by heresiological attestation/title; no text survives.
Lesser Questions of Mary (2nd–4th c. CE?; known essentially by title, independence uncertain) -- A purported second Marian questions book mentioned in heresiological tradition; whether it was truly independent from the Greater Questions cannot be established. Evidence: Known essentially by title/heresiological notice; its independence from the Greater Questions of Mary is uncertain.

Other parabiblica

Texts sometimes or commonly classified as parabiblical that do not fit the preceding classifications neatly.

Main corpus

Extant or substantially recoverable texts that do not fall into a more specific preservation or translation-status category below.

Ahiqar / Story and Wisdom of Ahiqar (5th c. BCE core narrative/wisdom material, with later recensional growth) -- An Aramaic wisdom tale about the Assyrian sage Ahiqar, not originally Jewish or Christian but transmitted in Jewish and Christian manuscript cultures and conventionally included in Old Testament Pseudepigrapha collections.
Diatessaron (ca. 170–175 CE) -- Tatian’s gospel harmony is not normally called an apocryphal gospel, but it is a major extracanonical rewriting of the four canonical gospels and is therefore included here as borderline parabiblica.
Sentences of Sextus / Sententiae Sexti (ca. 180–230 CE, usually placed around the beginning of the 3rd c.) -- An early Christian collection of ethical and ascetic maxims pseudonymously attributed to Sextus, preserved in Greek and translations including Coptic, Syriac, Armenian, Georgian, Ethiopic, and Latin and represented at Nag Hammadi without being properly Gnostic.
Pseudo-Menander / Syriac Menander (late antique? Jewish or Christian adaptation disputed) -- A collection of ethical sayings attributed to Menander that entered pseudepigrapha collections because of its Semitic/Christian transmission and uncertain confessional setting.
Tiburtine Sibyl (4th c. CE nucleus? Latin recensions chiefly 10th–11th c. and later; complex textual history) -- A Christianized Sibylline apocalypse surveying world history and the last emperor, often transmitted among biblical/apocalyptic pseudepigrapha.
Toledot Yeshu / Toldot Yeshu (late antique roots debated; extant recensions mostly medieval, ca. 9th c. CE and later) -- A fluid Jewish anti-gospel tradition retelling the life and death of Jesus polemically, best treated as borderline Jewish-Christian parabiblica rather than ordinary rabbinic literature.
Gospel of the Lots of Mary (5th–6th c. CE manuscript; composition date uncertain) -- A Coptic Christian divinatory book whose self-designation as a “gospel” and Marian framing make it a borderline apocryphal text rather than an ordinary narrative gospel.
Apocalypse of Pseudo-Methodius (late 7th c. CE, ca. 690s) -- A Syriac Christian historical apocalypse falsely attributed to Methodius of Olympus, extraordinarily influential in Greek, Latin, Armenian, and other translations.
Apocalypse of Pseudo-Shenoute (7th–8th c. CE? dating disputed) -- A Coptic Christian historical apocalypse pseudonymously attributed to Shenoute, included as borderline parabiblica because it frames contemporary eschatology through biblical prophecy rather than functioning as ordinary monastic literature.
Pseudo-Ephrem Apocalypse / Sermon on the End of the World (late 7th c. CE? attribution and exact dating disputed) -- A pseudonymous eschatological sermon attributed to Ephrem whose apocalyptic narrative traditions place it on the boundary between patristic pseudepigraphy and Christian apocrypha.
Dream of the Rood (8th–10th c. CE in extant forms, with portions attested earlier on the Ruthwell Cross) -- An Old English visionary poem in which the Cross narrates Christ’s passion, included here as a borderline medieval Christian parabiblical work.
Book of the Rolls / Kitāb al-Mağāll / Apocalypse of Peter (Arabic) / Apocalypse of Simon (late 9th–12th c. CE; terminus post quem late 9th, terminus ante quem 1177) -- A large Christian Arabic pseudepigraphon combining primeval history, Testament of Adam and Cave of Treasures material, political apocalypse, and Petrine narratives in a Clementine frame.

Highly obscure texts

Highly obscure, little-known parabiblica that survive in a more-or-less complete form and are available in some kind of English translation.

Fifteen Signs before Judgment (early medieval in surviving forms; antecedents may be late antique) -- A widely transmitted Christian eschatological list describing fifteen prodigies before the Last Judgment, included in current Old Testament-pseudepigrapha scholarship as a thematic pseudepigraphon.
Prophecy of the Witch Sibyl / Prophetia Sibyllae magae / The Earth Was My Origin / Mundus origo / Sybilla Maga (late antique or early medieval; exact date disputed) -- A Christian Latin Sibylline prophecy distinct from the larger Sibylline Oracles and from the Tiburtine Sibyl.
Armenian Sibyl (composition date uncertain; Armenian transmission) -- An Armenian Christian Sibylline apocalypse/prophecy whose relationship to Greek and Latin Sibylline families is not reducible to a simple translation.

Fragmentary texts

Parabiblica known only from fragmentary textual witnesses.

Historia Sacra (composition date uncertain; Coptic fragments in a 10th–11th c. manuscript) -- A fragmentary Coptic series of short pseudobiblical accounts of Old and New Testament figures, including apostolic material, whose mixed scope makes it difficult to place under OT or NT alone.