What do you think?
Rate this book
The Lost Books of the Bible
This collection of 16th and 17th century English translations of Apocryphal biblical texts by William Wake and Jeremiah Jones was first gathered together by William Hone and published collectively in 1820. Supposedly these texts were excised from the official biblical canon over the first few centuries of Christianity. Included in this collection are various accounts of Jesus, his birth and infant life, and epistles of various disciples and other biblical figures. “The Lost Books of Bible” is an essential work for students of biblical history which provides depth and historical context for many of the events regarding Jesus’ life depicted in the New Testament. For what reason these texts were stricken from the official canon by the fathers of the church is not known, however contemporary source material does reliably date many of these texts to at least the 2nd century A.D., if not earlier, thus giving them a provenance that can at the very least assert these documents as important in the development of the biblical canon.
415 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1820
221 people are currently reading
1319 people want to read
About the author
William Hone
215 books7 followersWilliam Hone (3 June 1780 – 8 November 1842) was an English writer, satirist and bookseller. His victorious court battle against government censorship in 1817 marked a turning point in the fight for British press freedom.
Hone was born at Bath, and had a strict religious upbringing. The only education he received was to be taught to read from the Bible. His father moved to London in 1783, and in 1790 Hone was placed in an attorney's office. After two and a half years in the office of a solicitor at Chatham he returned to London to become clerk to a solicitor at Gray's Inn. But he disliked the law, and had learned to think for himself. To the great concern of his father, he joined the London Corresponding Society in 1796, which campaigned to extend the vote to working men and was deeply unpopular with the government, who had tried to charge its leaders with treason.
Hone married in 1800, and started a book and print shop with a circulating library in Lambeth Walk. He soon moved to St Martin's Churchyard, where he brought out his first publication, Shaw's Gardener (1806). It was at this time that he and his friend, John Bone, tried to establish a popular savings bank, and even spoke to the President of the Board of Trade about the project; they were unsuccessful. Bone then joined Hone in a bookseller's business; but bankruptcy was the result.
In 1811, Hone was employed by the booksellers as auctioneer to the trade, and had an office in Ivy Lane. Independent investigations carried on by him into the condition of lunatic asylums led again to business difficulties and failure, but he took a small lodging in the Old Bailey, keeping himself and his now large family by contributions to magazines and reviews. He hired a small shop, or rather box, in Fleet Street but this was twice robbed, and valuable books lent for show were stolen. In 1815 he started the Traveller newspaper, and tried in vain to save Eliza Fenning, a cook convicted on thin evidence of poisoning her employers with arsenic. Although Fenning was executed, Hone's 240 page book on the subject, The Important Results of an Elaborate Investigation into the Mysterious Case of Eliza Fenning — a landmark in investigative journalism — demolished the prosecution's case.
An unflattering 1819 caricature of the Prince Regent by George Cruikshank, illustrating "The Political House that Jack Built".
From 1 February to 25 October 1817, Hone published the Reformists' Register, using it to criticise state abuses, which he later attacked in the famous political squibs and parodies, illustrated by George Cruikshank. In April 1817 three ex-officio informations were filed against him by the attorney-general, Sir William Garrow. Three separate trials took place in the Guildhall before special juries on 18, 19 and 20 December 1817. The first, for publishing The Late John Wilkes's Catechism of a Ministerial Member (1817), was before Mr Justice Abbot (afterwards Lord Tenterden); the second, for parodying the litany and libelling the Prince Regent in The Political Litany (1817), and the third, for publishing the Sinecurist's Creed (1817), a parody on the Athanasian Creed, were before Lord Ellenborough.
Every Day Book, typical page format, content and illustration. (1830 printing).
The prosecution took the ground that the prints were harmful to public morals and brought the prayer-book and even religion itself into contempt. The real motives of the prosecution were political: Hone had ridiculed the habits and exposed the corruption of those in power. He went to the root of the matter when he wished the jury "to understand that, had he been a publisher of ministerial parodies, he would not then have been defending himself on the floor of that court." In spite of illness and exhaustion Hone spoke on each of the three days for about seven hours. Although his judges were biased against him, he was acquitted on each count, and the result was received enthusiastically by immense c
Hone was born at Bath, and had a strict religious upbringing. The only education he received was to be taught to read from the Bible. His father moved to London in 1783, and in 1790 Hone was placed in an attorney's office. After two and a half years in the office of a solicitor at Chatham he returned to London to become clerk to a solicitor at Gray's Inn. But he disliked the law, and had learned to think for himself. To the great concern of his father, he joined the London Corresponding Society in 1796, which campaigned to extend the vote to working men and was deeply unpopular with the government, who had tried to charge its leaders with treason.
Hone married in 1800, and started a book and print shop with a circulating library in Lambeth Walk. He soon moved to St Martin's Churchyard, where he brought out his first publication, Shaw's Gardener (1806). It was at this time that he and his friend, John Bone, tried to establish a popular savings bank, and even spoke to the President of the Board of Trade about the project; they were unsuccessful. Bone then joined Hone in a bookseller's business; but bankruptcy was the result.
In 1811, Hone was employed by the booksellers as auctioneer to the trade, and had an office in Ivy Lane. Independent investigations carried on by him into the condition of lunatic asylums led again to business difficulties and failure, but he took a small lodging in the Old Bailey, keeping himself and his now large family by contributions to magazines and reviews. He hired a small shop, or rather box, in Fleet Street but this was twice robbed, and valuable books lent for show were stolen. In 1815 he started the Traveller newspaper, and tried in vain to save Eliza Fenning, a cook convicted on thin evidence of poisoning her employers with arsenic. Although Fenning was executed, Hone's 240 page book on the subject, The Important Results of an Elaborate Investigation into the Mysterious Case of Eliza Fenning — a landmark in investigative journalism — demolished the prosecution's case.
An unflattering 1819 caricature of the Prince Regent by George Cruikshank, illustrating "The Political House that Jack Built".
From 1 February to 25 October 1817, Hone published the Reformists' Register, using it to criticise state abuses, which he later attacked in the famous political squibs and parodies, illustrated by George Cruikshank. In April 1817 three ex-officio informations were filed against him by the attorney-general, Sir William Garrow. Three separate trials took place in the Guildhall before special juries on 18, 19 and 20 December 1817. The first, for publishing The Late John Wilkes's Catechism of a Ministerial Member (1817), was before Mr Justice Abbot (afterwards Lord Tenterden); the second, for parodying the litany and libelling the Prince Regent in The Political Litany (1817), and the third, for publishing the Sinecurist's Creed (1817), a parody on the Athanasian Creed, were before Lord Ellenborough.
Every Day Book, typical page format, content and illustration. (1830 printing).
The prosecution took the ground that the prints were harmful to public morals and brought the prayer-book and even religion itself into contempt. The real motives of the prosecution were political: Hone had ridiculed the habits and exposed the corruption of those in power. He went to the root of the matter when he wished the jury "to understand that, had he been a publisher of ministerial parodies, he would not then have been defending himself on the floor of that court." In spite of illness and exhaustion Hone spoke on each of the three days for about seven hours. Although his judges were biased against him, he was acquitted on each count, and the result was received enthusiastically by immense c
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
September 3, 2008
The debate over which books should be included in the Bible raged on for over fifteen hundred years, with various religious traditions including different texts. In The Lost Books of the Bible, many of the disputed texts which were not included in any version of the Bible are presented.
The texts are organized as are books of the Bible: by book, chapter and verse. This makes them easier to read, since they are placed in a familiar context.
Many of the stories are alternative versions of ones in the Bible. For instance, in book entitled "Infancy", Mary gives the wise men one of Jesus' swaddling clothes, which they present to the emperor. When the cloth is laid in a fire, it does not burn. The magi take the cloth and lay it among their treasures. In the gospel of Nicodemus, Pontius Pilate is portrayed as not wanting to order Jesus' execution he becomes afraid, though, when the Roman standards bow to Jesus when he enters the room.
I recommend this as a companion text to Elaine Pagel's book, The Gnostic Gospels for the solid historical background she provides in alternate early Christian scripture.
The texts are organized as are books of the Bible: by book, chapter and verse. This makes them easier to read, since they are placed in a familiar context.
Many of the stories are alternative versions of ones in the Bible. For instance, in book entitled "Infancy", Mary gives the wise men one of Jesus' swaddling clothes, which they present to the emperor. When the cloth is laid in a fire, it does not burn. The magi take the cloth and lay it among their treasures. In the gospel of Nicodemus, Pontius Pilate is portrayed as not wanting to order Jesus' execution he becomes afraid, though, when the Roman standards bow to Jesus when he enters the room.
I recommend this as a companion text to Elaine Pagel's book, The Gnostic Gospels for the solid historical background she provides in alternate early Christian scripture.
June 13, 2021
These stories give a humanity for the sacred and often fill in a backstory to what I believed are just as authentic as the other Biblical stories. Jesus had a childhood, and it seems reasonable that he would have known other children and maybe would have known some of the people in a previous context before he was 30 years of age as he met them later in life, and Veronica who is not mentioned by name in the New Testament and for who all today know who she is could have a special reason for providing a veil in order for Jesus to wipe His head while bearing the cross to His own crucifixion. I did not know that she was healed previously by Jesus from bleeding. There is just a load of incredibly juicy stories that float around in these just as authentic stories as the New Testament stories and this book puts them in perspective for me.
I found Ignatius to be a superior philosopher than Paul who I don’t even see as a philosopher and these Epistles show Ignatius greater depth of understanding reason. Also, Hermas, with his visions, is superior in every way to the Book of Revelations.
I know that Mohammad in the Koran relates some of these stories that are mentioned in this book.
Overall a satisfying compilation of older books which are just as authentic as the Book of Revelations.
I found Ignatius to be a superior philosopher than Paul who I don’t even see as a philosopher and these Epistles show Ignatius greater depth of understanding reason. Also, Hermas, with his visions, is superior in every way to the Book of Revelations.
I know that Mohammad in the Koran relates some of these stories that are mentioned in this book.
Overall a satisfying compilation of older books which are just as authentic as the Book of Revelations.
Want to read
September 21, 2011A fascinating book showing all of the ancient texts that were censored by the Emperor Constantine and his fanatical and Militaristic version of the Catholic Church which is still corrupted by his teachings today.
This book shows many of the ancient beliefs, concepts, and knowledge Constantine tried to destroy
This book shows many of the ancient beliefs, concepts, and knowledge Constantine tried to destroy
November 17, 2007
Very interesting. Tom Hanks in "The Davinci Code" says that they weren't inculuded because they paint Jesus and Mary in a bad light. Dr. Moore says they weren't included because they are preposterous. I like this version because it paints Jesus in a more humanistic light.
June 4, 2013
This work gets all its stars simply for providing me with insight on what was purportedly excised from the Bible during the assembly process over the course of several ecumenical councils in the early centuries CE. Whether these books were not included because they are fallacious or because they didn't fit the narrative the early church sought likely depends on the depth of your belief.
Most interesting and horrifying of the stories in this compilation was the depiction of Child Jesus as a violent toddler vested with the powers of life and death that he wielded as recklessly and carelessly as one might expect from a child of that age who has been told he is the son of God: arrogant, pitiless, selfish, and shockingly devoid of any value for life considering his destiny. Everyone is rightly terrified of him, and it's no surprise early church leaders decided to remove this episode of his existence. Who would believe God was just and loving to send down his only son to Earth and have that child turn out to be a nightmarish and unstoppable warlock?
If you never read another thing about Jesus, this is what you would expect him to become by age 30.
Much of the other material was less noteworthy and probably removed because it didn't fit well with the narrative or because it was so steeped in symbolism as to be impenetrably ponderous--made moreso because the narrator not only pointed out the symbols, but went on to explain them, which is rather indicative of a poor symbol. The best example of this would be the vast allegory in which a castle is constructed during an apostolic vision supplanted by Revelations in the New Testament, and absolutely everything has some meaning, from the different materials bricks are made of to the color of the workers' clothing. In a word: exhausting.
"Every element in this image means something. We'll start at the top left and work our way to the bottom right."
--The Apocryphal Bible
This is by no means an omnibus of all the works the various councils decided not to include, but it is a good collection, and it includes excerpts that denote exactly why these stories were not included as well as approximate dates of authorship and guesses at authors as well.
Most interesting and horrifying of the stories in this compilation was the depiction of Child Jesus as a violent toddler vested with the powers of life and death that he wielded as recklessly and carelessly as one might expect from a child of that age who has been told he is the son of God: arrogant, pitiless, selfish, and shockingly devoid of any value for life considering his destiny. Everyone is rightly terrified of him, and it's no surprise early church leaders decided to remove this episode of his existence. Who would believe God was just and loving to send down his only son to Earth and have that child turn out to be a nightmarish and unstoppable warlock?
If you never read another thing about Jesus, this is what you would expect him to become by age 30.
Much of the other material was less noteworthy and probably removed because it didn't fit well with the narrative or because it was so steeped in symbolism as to be impenetrably ponderous--made moreso because the narrator not only pointed out the symbols, but went on to explain them, which is rather indicative of a poor symbol. The best example of this would be the vast allegory in which a castle is constructed during an apostolic vision supplanted by Revelations in the New Testament, and absolutely everything has some meaning, from the different materials bricks are made of to the color of the workers' clothing. In a word: exhausting.
"Every element in this image means something. We'll start at the top left and work our way to the bottom right."
--The Apocryphal Bible
This is by no means an omnibus of all the works the various councils decided not to include, but it is a good collection, and it includes excerpts that denote exactly why these stories were not included as well as approximate dates of authorship and guesses at authors as well.
July 10, 2010
Even religious history was written by the winners. It's good to get the rest of the story.
January 11, 2011
I thought there was a lot of information in here that I'd need to know. Turns out not all of it was biblical...so my quest continues :)
May 25, 2013
Very interesting how the church council decided what books to accept or not accept as authentic.
January 14, 2024
I don't know why I was drawn to this book during the holidays, but I'm incredibly thankful I read it. It actually answered all the questions I've had about the New Testament, so I wish the Church had kept it available to the laity. It starts with an explanation as to why Mary was chosen, which is something I was always told to take on faith or based on a different interpretation of the word "known". Then there's Jesus' infancy where everyone seems to be begging for his healing bathwater. (Radiation?) That's followed by his childhood, which is the worst loss for the Christian canon. I can understand the reasoning that the depiction overly humanizes our Lord, but I think that only makes His spiritual embodiment more real. For example, Jesus has a short temper to the point where Joseph suggests to Mary that he no longer leave the house because he keeps killing people. Then there's the martyrdom of Thecla whose omission can be attributed to creating a sect of women that dared to study and think for themselves. And there's plenty more in an accessible translation that I was able to fly through.
January 14, 2009
It should be noted that 4 stars does not mean that I like it like it. I just say that it is a good read for a solid Christian. One ought not read this book as a reference as one does the Bible or a commentary or such as this. One ought only read this book if they are a solid Christian who might be able to make out the reasons these books were not included in the canon of Scripture by reading it. It will strengthen the strong Christian but confuse the weak.
jbna
jbna
January 14, 2011
Very interesting....There are some things in this book that explains with elaboration some things in the Bible. For example this book adds depth to Mary and tells of the childhood of Jesus. Interesting. It also has letters from Pontius Pilate that give a pretty good argument for his innocent plea. Christians, there is no need to fear this book IF you have studied the Bible well enough, in fact I'd recommend it for a brain exercise.
June 5, 2012
I found this book to be an interesting glimpse into the early days of Christianity.It covers the apocrypha and various books that some followers of Christ considered to be scripture in the past, but which were not included in the canonical Bible used by many Christians today.
Not the most user/reader friendly print, so while it takes some extra focus to actually read the pages, it is well worth the effort.
Not the most user/reader friendly print, so while it takes some extra focus to actually read the pages, it is well worth the effort.
January 10, 2008
I have an older version of this. It was a good collection of extrabiblical Christian writings of the early centuries after Christ, which helped me to appreciate the uniqueness and quality of the actual canon all the more.
October 4, 2015
Well, this book of gospels that were used during the middle ages and before allow a person to see how the bigotries towards Jews began and other historical attitudes. Some people find scripture boring and it was a bit perplexing, like I find the Bible itself to be, but I'm glad I read it.
November 7, 2010
I am loving this book so far. Infancy Gospels of Jesus are super cool to read. I will definitely be blogging about these ancient books.
August 2, 2013
This is an excellent companion to the 'approved & edited' Bible. One needs to be open to the perspectives provided by the 'other' books that were xcluded from the Bible.
November 22, 2025
I got this book from old friend who passed away in 2017. He gifted me this book along with 10 or 15 books. This book is one of these books that I finally tackled. It focuses on the missing chapters of the Holy Bible which the Christian leaders determined to remove from its bible.
Ever wonder about Jesus right after his birth to teenager working for Joseph as a carpenter - the gap between these years always made me wonder what's going on since it seems to me that the gap was deliberately removed.
Well, these Christian leaders omitted that chapter talking about how bad Jesus was as a child - he would push a child off the roof to his death and raised him back alive again. He got mad at a neighbor for sending his son to damage the pond so he commanded his son to drop dead. What an arrogant, impetuous child ...
Stuff like that which the so-called Christian leaders removed in order to portray Jesus as a perfect child when he's not like that.
This book is tough to navigate because they often referred to the other verses and all that stuff along with "thou", "thy", "thee" and "whilst" all over the book.
Ever wonder about Jesus right after his birth to teenager working for Joseph as a carpenter - the gap between these years always made me wonder what's going on since it seems to me that the gap was deliberately removed.
Well, these Christian leaders omitted that chapter talking about how bad Jesus was as a child - he would push a child off the roof to his death and raised him back alive again. He got mad at a neighbor for sending his son to damage the pond so he commanded his son to drop dead. What an arrogant, impetuous child ...
Stuff like that which the so-called Christian leaders removed in order to portray Jesus as a perfect child when he's not like that.
This book is tough to navigate because they often referred to the other verses and all that stuff along with "thou", "thy", "thee" and "whilst" all over the book.
February 7, 2018
I try to read scripture daily, but only a chapter or page a day. This book took a while to read with those parameters. The books of this scripture were written soon after Christ’s crucifixion. But when the Bible was compiled these were not included.
I found this book to be extremely interesting. You will find out more about Mary and Joseph, the thoughts and fate of Pilate and many other eye-opening scriptures. Study to show yourself approved.
I found this book to be extremely interesting. You will find out more about Mary and Joseph, the thoughts and fate of Pilate and many other eye-opening scriptures. Study to show yourself approved.
July 19, 2020
Apocryphal books of the New Testament. 'Lost Books of the Bible' might suggest some recent discovery, for example the Dead Sea Scrolls, but that is not what this is. It is books which have been around for a long time but were not deemed canonical by the church fathers.
The part of this I found most interesting were the three books of Hermas, which I'd never heard of before.
Worth reading, but do the real Bible first...
The part of this I found most interesting were the three books of Hermas, which I'd never heard of before.
Worth reading, but do the real Bible first...
October 10, 2020
Good Collection Overall
This collection is from earlier than 1820. I purchased the paperback version in 1980 and this kindle edition is a smoother read. This is not newly discovered material. Some is interesting and some is boring drivel. I thought most of the material was interesting.
This collection is from earlier than 1820. I purchased the paperback version in 1980 and this kindle edition is a smoother read. This is not newly discovered material. Some is interesting and some is boring drivel. I thought most of the material was interesting.
July 5, 2024
Eveey Christian and every church should read this book.
It answers many of the questions that may keep people from believing. Such as "how do they know Mary was truly a virgin", "if Jesus was without sin, why get baptized". Or "what was Jesus like as a child"
And more!
It answers many of the questions that may keep people from believing. Such as "how do they know Mary was truly a virgin", "if Jesus was without sin, why get baptized". Or "what was Jesus like as a child"
And more!
September 12, 2018
So many stories that whether they should be a part of canon or not, is very compelling and insightful.
February 25, 2020
A translation without elaborating comment on items omitted from the bible. The book is old and does not address "new " finds.Difficult and boring reading.
June 15, 2020
This is the back story you didn’t know you needed that gives a broader understanding of the Bible as we know it.
November 2, 2020
Not really finished,this is a continuous read throughout the year for myself.
July 4, 2021
A good anthology, but not comprehensive of all of the books not included in the Bible.
September 18, 2022
Kind of hard to rate a collection like this, but I found it informative and eye opening. Good whether you are interested from a theological or historical stand point.
Want to read
March 16, 2023152
gone-gave-away
March 25, 2024Have at least 2 nice hardbacks, other similar tomes.
February 7, 2025
Great app
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews