Yale University Library Research Guides: Early Christianity and Patristics: Acts &amp; Apocrypha

Introduction to Apocrypha

The Apocryphal Gospels: A Very Short Introduction by Paul Foster Exploring their origins, their discovery, and discussing how the various texts have been interpreted both by the Church and beyond. Online available.
The Apocryphal Acts of the Apostles: An Introduction by Hans-Josef Klauck Current, general, and concise introduction. A resource for understanding the complex relations between these works themselves and to the canonical books of the New Testament.

Apocryphal Acts Editions

Acta Andreae by Jean-Marc Prieur 6 volumes
Acta Iohannis by Eric Junod 2 volumes.
Acta Philippi by François Bovon 2 volumes (text / commentary)
Kerygma Petri by Michel Cambe

Misc. Apocrypha Editions

Vita Latina Adae et Evae by Albert Frey 2 volumes.
Ascensio Isaiae (Polygot) by Enrico Norelli Multiple volumes.

Apocrypha in Translation

New Testament Apocrypha by E. Hennecke; W. Schneemelcher; R. M. Wilson 2 volumes. Classic collection, though some translations rely on now-dated information.
Non-Canonical Gospels by Paul Foster Chapter length treatments on most non-canonical gospels. Makes academic debates accessible to a wider audience. Traces important moments in the reception of a number of these texts. Online available.
The Apocryphal Gospels: Texts and Translations by Zlatko Plese; Bart Ehrman Multi-lingual edition of over 40 Apocryphal Gospels, featured in the original Greek, Latin, and Coptic languages, accompanied by English translations that appear next to the original texts.

Apocryphal Gospels Editions

De infantia Iesu Evangelium Thomae Graecae by Tony Burke Brings together all known published and unpublished Greek manuscripts of the Infancy Gospel of Thomas, assigns them to four separate recensions (Greek A, B, D, and S), and presents them in Greek and English translation.
Les recensions byzantines de l'Évangile de Nicodème by Rémi Gounelle Devoted to the Byzantine Greek recension of the Acts of Pilate or the Gospel of Nicodemus.
The Apocryphal Epistle to the Laodiceans by Philip L. Tite An analysis of this Latin letter.
The Egerton Gospel (Egerton papyrus 2 + Papyrus Köln VI 255) by Lorne R. Zelyck Commentary on the Egerton Gospel, presents paleographical analysis and reconstruction, which results in new readings and interpretations. Details surrounding the acquisition of the manuscript are presented. Online available.
The Gospel According to the Hebrews and the Gospel of the Ebionites by Andrew Gregory Two gospels: the Gospel according to the Hebrews and the Gospel of the Ebionites, with no need for any postulated Gospel of the Nazoraeans. Each gospel is treated with its own introduction, followed by a text, translation and commentary on each fragment, and further discussion.
The Gospel of Mary by Christopher Tuckett Critical edition, with full translations, of all the extant manuscripts of the Gospel of Mary. Commentary explicates points of detail.
The Gospel of Peter by Paul Foster Offers a fresh scholarly edition of the Greek text with text-critical notes, and commentary on the text.
The Gospel of the Savior (P.Oxy. 840) by Michael J. Kruger Explores the various palaeographical and historical questions raised by this apocryphal story and offers a new Greek edition and English translation.

Gospel of Thomas

Beyond Belief: The Secret Gospel of Thomas by Elaine Pagels Explores how Christianity began by tracing its earliest texts, including the secret Gospel of Thomas. Online available.
The Beloved Disciple in Conflict?: Revisiting the Gospels of John and Thomas by Ismo Dunderberg Argues that the two gospels were written at about the same time but without knowledge of each other. He also offers a thorough discussion of the identity and functions of the enigmatic Beloved Disciple in the Gospel of John.
The Gospel of Thomas by Simon Gathercole Seeks to elucidate the meaning of the work and its constituent elements in its second-century context.
The Gospel of Thomas and Christian Wisdom by Stevan L. Davies New forty page introduction discusses recent developments in scholarship, looks at Thomas' independence from the New Testament gospels, discusses the role of Mary Magdalene in the Gospel Thomas, and offers a variety of valuable insights. Online available.
The Original Gospel of Thomas in Translation by April D. DeConick Analysis of the stages of development of the Gospel of Thomas, including a reconstruction, translation, and analysis of the 'original' form of this gospel.

Gospel of Judas

The Gospel of Judas: Coptic Text, Translation, and Historical Interpretation of the 'Betrayer's Gospel' by Lance Jenott A critical edition with an annotated translation and interpretation of the Gospel of Judas. Includes extant fragments of the manuscript.
The Gospel of Judas: From Codex Tchacos by Rodolphe Kasser Translated from its original Coptic in clear prose, and is accompanied by commentary.
The Lost Gospel of Judas Iscariot by Bart D. Ehrman Recounts the fascinating story of where and how this ancient papyrus document was discovered, how it moved around among antiquities dealers in Egypt, the United States, and Switzerland, and how it came to be restored and translated.
Reading Judas: The Gospel of Judas and the Shaping of Christianity by Elaine Pagels; Karen L. King Reflects on this newfound text and its ramifications for telling the story of early Christianity.