Several articles have been written by Christian missionaries attempting to refute the Gospel of Barnabas. All of those articles have the same points and, by the Grace of Almighty, each and every point has been answered in the article below.
However, if you would like to read direct rebuttals to individual articles, you may read here [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10].


Evidences from Christians themselves
The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church asserts:
Gospel of Barnabas was declared a rejected book in the Decretum Gelasianum by Pope Gelasius [Pope of Rome 492-96].
According to E. Von Dobschutz, it is a private compilation which was composed in Italy (but not at Rome) in the early sixth century.
 
Mr. Sale in his preface “To the Reader” of his translation of the meanings of the verses of the Noble Qur’an says:
“… the discoverer of the original M.S., who was a Christian monk called Fra Marino, tells us that having accidentally met with a writing of Irenaeus (among others), wherein Irenaeus spoke against Paul, alleging, for his authority, the Gospel of St. Barnabas, he became exceedingly desirous of finding an existing copy of this Gospel, and that God of His mercy, having made Fra Marino an intimate friend of Pope Sixtus V, (pope 1585-1590), one day, as they were together in the Pope’s library, his holiness fell asleep, and the monk, to occupy himself, reaching down for a book to read, the very first he laid his hand on proved to be the very Gospel history that he was seeking. Overjoyed at the discovery, he scrupled not to hide his prize discovery in his sleeve; and, on the Pope’s awakening, took to leave of him carrying with him that celestial treasure, by reading of which he became a convert to Muhammedanism”
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In 478 AD, the fourth year of Emperor Zeno, the remains of Barnabas were discovered and there was found on his breast a copy of the Gospel of Barnabas written by his own hand.
Acia Sanctorum Borland Junii Tom II, pages 422 and 450. Antwerp 1698
The GB as we have it (in two vernacular manuscripts united by a Preface) was prepared by Cardinal Giulio Santorio, bishop of Sanseverina, a canon lawyer and Inquisitor. It is, however, clear that he did not compose the work but is using a pre-existing heretical text, adapting it to his purposes.
An attempted refutation:
A Christian missionary by the name of Mr. Gilchrist states as follows:
There were numerous apocryphal Gospels, Epistles and other forgeries similar in style to the authentic New Testament scriptures that were rejected by the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD and in the subsequent Decretum Gelasianum of which one was titled the Gospel of Barnabas. No historical record whatsoever exists to show what sort of book it was or what it taught. From a study of the contents of this Islamic Gospel so strongly promoted in the Muslim world, however, it soon becomes obvious that these two cannot possibly be the same works. There are many proofs that the latter is a 16th century forgery.
The Nicene Council rejected numerous books but they were not rejected for reasons other than that they were against accepted Christian beliefs decided by politics. Several books appear to confirm to current Christian beliefs but were still rejected. A closer look at those books indicates that they are against Christian beliefs. Although the differences are minor, their impact can be fundamental to the power of the Church. A Gospel of Barnabas existed at that time and the Christians have accepted this fact. This Gospel remained in the libraries of the Church until Cardinal Santorio revealed it to the outside world due to personal gains. His differences with Cardinal Marcantonio had widened significantly and it was due to this feud, he leaked this book. To say that the Gospel banned in the 5th century is different from the one discovered in the 16th century from the library of the Church is a big claim and needs clear evidence for this claim to stand authentic. However, history does not see two Gospels of Barnabas.
How it survived?
It must always be remembered that the Gospel of Barnabas was discovered from the libraries of the Church. Obviously, the Church would do its level best to reject it and make false documents to support their rejection. The fact is that it was rejected by the Church and banned in the 5th century. Its discovery in the 16th century from the libraries of Church is clear evidence that this Gospel is the same as the one rejected. Otherwise, why would the Church keep this book and where did they get it?
According to latest research, it has been concluded that this Gospel was heretical and was brought to surface by Cardinal Santorio to take personal revenge from two other cardinals. This clearly busts the 14th and 16th century theories.
The following information was taken from the Book:
The Gospel of Barnabas
Iman Muhammad Armiya Nu’man
Publishers Group
ISBN: 1-881316-15-7
The Gospel of Barnabas was accepted as a Canonical Gospel in the Churches of Alexandria till 325 A.D.
Iranaeus (130-200) wrote in support of pure monotheism and opposed Paul for injecting into Christianity doctrines of the pagan Roman religion and Platonic philosophy.  He had quoted extensively from the Gospel of Barnabas in support of his views.  This shows that the Gospel of Barnabas was in circulation in the first and second centuries of Christianity.
In 325 A.D., the Nicene Council was held, where it was ordered that all original Gospels in Hebrew script should be destroyed.  An Edict was issued that anyone in possession of these Gospels will be put to death.
In 383 A.D., the Pope secured a copy of the Gospel of Barnabas and kept it in his private library.
In the fourth year of Emperor Zeno (478 A.D.), the remains of Barnabas were discovered and there was found on his breast a copy of the Gospel of Barnabas written by his own hand. (Acia Sanctorum Boland Junii Tom II, Pages 422 and 450. Antwerp 1698).  The famous Vulgate Bible appears to be based on this Gospel.
Pope Sixtus (1585-90) had a friend, Fra Marino.  He found the Gospel of Barnabas in the private library of the Pope.  Fra Marino was interested because he had read the writings of Iranaeus where Barnabas had been profusely quoted.  The Italian manuscript passed through different hands till it reached “a person of great name and authority” in Amsterdam, “who during his life time was often heard to put a high value to this piece”.   After his death it came in the possession of J.E. Cramer, a Councilor of the King of Prussia.  In 1713 Cramer presented this manuscript to the famous connoisseur of books, Prince Eugene of Savoy.  In 1738 along with the library of the Prince it found its way into Hofbibliothek in Vienna.  There it now rests.
Toland, in his “Miscellaneous Works” (published posthumously in 1747), in Vol. I, page 380, mentions that the Gospel of Barnabas was still extant.  In Chapter XV he refers to the Glasian Decree of 496 A.D. where “Evangelium Barnabe” is included in the list of forbidden books.  Prior to that it had been forbidden by Pope Innocent in 465 A.D. and by the Decree of the Western Churches in 382 A.D.
Barnabas is also mentioned in the Stichometry of Nicephorus Serial No. 3, Epistle of Barnabas…Lines 1, 300.  Then again in the list of sixty Books
  Serial No. 17. Travels and teaching of the Apostles.
  Serial No. 18. Epistle of Barnabas.
  Serial No. 24. Gospel According to Barnabas.
A Greek version of the Gospel of Barnabas is also found in a solitary fragment.   The rest is burnt.
The Latin text was translated into English by Mr. and Mrs. Ragg and was printed at the Clarendon Press in Oxford.  It was published by the Oxford University Press in 1907.   This English translation mysteriously disappeared from the market.  Two copies of this translation are known to exist, one in the British Museum and the other in the Library of the Congress, Washington.  The first edition was from a micro-film copy of the book in the Library of the Congress, Washington, which was received through the courtesy of a friend in U.S.A.
Making the Muslim point of view clear

Many people believe that Muslims claim that this book is the Injeel talked about in the Qur’an. However, this is not true. Injeel is the book that was revealed on Prophet Jesus (May peace be upon him) and it was the word of God Almighty. The Gospel of Barnabas is a biography of Prophet Jesus (May peace be upon him) written by an eye witness and a close disciple namely Barnabas. It is the most or the only authentic biography of Prophet Jesus (May peace be upon him).
Allegations keep changing
Before we go on to examine the allegations thrown on the Gospel of Barnabas, let me point out a trend in change in allegations. The earliest rejecters of this book called it to be an 18th century forgery without looking at evidences. When evidences were presented against this claim, they argued that it is a 16th century forgery. However, when evidences against this claim kept on increasing, they moved back to the 14thcentury. Most of them have stuck to the 14th century but some have even gone further back to the 12th century. By the grace of  Almighty, many Christians have embraced Islam and have accepted that it was written before the 6th century.
The original authorship of the Gospel
It has been denied that Barnabas was one of the 12 disciples of Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him). There are numerous errors in the New Testament that indicate that some sort of manipulation has occurred.
Barnabas is referred to as an Apostle in Acts 14:4,14 but other places reject him altogether. Contradictions prove that there is something fishy.  
“rose … and returned to Jerusalem, and found the ELEVEN gathered together, and those who were with them” (HOLY BIBLE) Luke 24.33
Which “eleven?” They “found the eleven.”
Did they include themselves in the number they FOUND?
Even then the disciples there (of the elected twelve of Jesus) could never be more than 10 altogether. Because on this first visit of Jesus to that upper-room, Judas and Thomas were definitely not present.
But Luke was not an eyewitness to this scene. He is simply copying verbatim from Mark 16:14 who said. “he (Jesus) appeared unto the ELEVEN as they sat eating.”
Now listen to Paul, the thirteenth self-appointed apostle of Jesus. He says that after three days of hibernation. “(Jesus) was seen of Cephas (meaning Simon Peter), then to the TWELVE” — (1 Corinthians 15:5).
Which “twelve?” The word “THEN” here, excludes Peter! But if you add him on, and with all good luck, you can still never get the “CHOSEN TWELVE” together to see Jesus, because the traitor Judas had committed suicide by hanging (Matthew 27:5) long before Jesus alleged resurrection.”We are dealing here with a strange mentality, where “Eleven” does not mean ELEVEN (Luke 24:33).”Twelve” does not mean TWELVE, and “Three and three” means TWO AND ONE!’ Jesus would truly sympathize with us:“it is hard for you to kick against the pricks” (HOLY BIBLE Acts 9:5)
[By Ahmed Deedat]
Comparison with the New Testament is a blunder that should not be made especially of what Paul says. Paul is a hypocrite who should be completely rejected. He should be condemned and thrown out of all books. Barnabas was an apostle but not Paul. Paul never met Jesus (peace be upon him) and was faking all along.
Internal inconsistency: Does the Gospel contradict itself?

Those who reject this book claim that it contradicts with itself and hence needs to be discarded as a false book. Let’s take a look at this claim.
Jesus predicts his death In chapter 193 the GoB tells its version of Jesus raising his friend Lazarus from the dead. In about the middle of the chapter we read: Jesus having come to the sepulchre, where everyone was weeping, said: ‘Weep not, for Lazarus sleeps, and I am come to awake him.’ The Pharisees said among themselves: ‘Would to God that you did so sleep!’ Then Jesus said: ‘Mine hour is not yet come; but when it shall come I shall sleep in LIKE MANNER, and shall be speedily awakened.’ Then Jesus said again: ‘Take away the stone from the sepulchre.’ In other words, Jesus says that, just like Lazarus, “he will die and after a few days be raised again from the dead.”
How can Jesus predict this of himself when later in the ‘Gospel of Barnabas’ (chapter 216 & 217) it is Judas who is arrested and crucified in his place?
Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him) will die when he will return to earth. He mentions earlier in the Gospel of Barnabas that he would not die until near the end of the world. The writer of the alleged contradiction could not have missed it.
Jesus (May peace be upon him) said to his mother:
Jesus replied, embracing his mother: ‘Believe me, mother, for truly I say to you that I have not been dead at all; for God has reserved me till near the end of the world.’  
Such a statement had also been mentioned by Jesus (peace be upon him) much earlier and more than once. Near the end of the world, he would die and would wake up soon on the Day of Judgment. Looking at things out of context is foolish, dangerous and deceiving.
Does the Gospel of Barnabas contradict the Qur’an

Attackers of the Gospel of Barnabas claim that it contradicts the Qur’an and therefore, Muslims must reject it. It appears that they are rather pleading to the Muslims to reject the book rather than making intellectual claims as can be seen from the points below:
Seven heavens or nine?
The Qur’an (2:29) says that the Heavens are seven in number, while “Barnabas” gives the number as nine (178).
Barnabas narrates the following statement of Jesus (peace be upon him):
Truly I say to you that the heavens are nine, among which are set the planets; that are distant one from another five hundred years’ journey for a man: and the earth in like manner is distant from the first heaven five hundred years’ journey.
From this we clearly see some sort of error in translation and understanding. What I understood by heaven here is the sky and the planets. The seven heavens in the Qur’an refer to some other fact whereas heaven spoken by Jesus (peace be upon) is referring to the nine planets.
Predestination or free will?
They claim that according to “Barnabas”, man is endowed with a free will. (164) and claim that on the contrary, man only does what Allah wills him to do (Qur’an – 76:30, 37:96, 17:13, and 10:99-100).
This claim clearly shows the lack of knowledge of Islam and basic common sense. Everything happens by the will of God and man is endowed with free will. Everything happens by the will of God or destiny is also a Christian belief. Before anything was created, everything was written in a book and that book is the will of God. Man is allowed free will and does not do an action because it is written in that book but it is the other way round. Man performs a certain act and that is written down. God knows through infinite knowledge what people will do and therefore, that free will has been allowed by God and written down.
First to be circumcised; Adam or Abraham?
Another claim is that Adam was not the first man circumcised (23). Abraham was.
This is neither the belief of the Qur’an nor the belief of the Bible. Adam (peace be upon him) was the first one to be circumcised but Abraham (peace be upon him) was the first one with whom it was made compulsory in the form of a covenant (as per the Bible). There is no mentioning that it was not practiced before that. No such thing as covenant on circumcision or the mentioning of the first circumcised man exists in the Qur’an.
Delivery of Jesus with pain or without pain?
The deniers of the Gospel of Barnabas claim that according to “Barnabas” (3), Mary brought forth her son without pain. This is contradicted by the Qur’an (19:23).
The Gospel of Barnabas speaks of the delivery as being painless. The virgin was surrounded by a light exceeding bright, and brought forth her son without pain,
However, Lady Mary did observe pain before that.
[19.23] And the throes (of childbirth) compelled her to betake herself to the trunk of a palm tree. She said: Oh, would that I had died before this, and had been a thing quite forgotten!
[19.24] Then (the child) called out to her from beneath her: Grieve not, surely your Lord has made a stream to flow beneath you;
[19.25] And shake towards you the trunk of the palm tree; it will drop on you fresh ripe dates:
She observed pain but God helped it through the blessing. Her delivery then became painless. There is no problem and no contradiction with this story at all.
An eye for an eye?
The Qur’an follows the Mosaic law of “an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth”, whereas “Barnabas” says “… ye shall not overcome evil with evil, but rather with good” (81). “Woe unto them that call for vengeance …” (63). “… kiss the hand of those who revile thee, and present gifts to those who persecute thee and strike thee much” (64).
The law keeps changing. Different Prophets brought different laws and interpretations but their basic teaching was the same such as belief in One God, all the books, all the Prophets, all the Angels, life after death, destiny etc. Qur’an distinguishes between a Rasool and a Nabi. The former brings a new law whereas the latter confirms the existing law. Besides, that the law of an eye for an eye is not compulsory; forgiveness is much better according to Qur’an.
But good and evil cannot be equal, repel thou with something that is better – and lo! he between whom and thyself was enmity as though he had been close, a true friend!
Yet this is not given to any but those who are wont to be patient in adversity: it is not given to any but those endowed with the greatest good fortune!
[Qur’an 41:34-35]
The Qur’an approves of polygamy. “Barnabas” does not tolerate it (115).
The Qur’an and the Bible both approve of polygamy and so does Barnabas’ Gospel. What the Gospel means is that a man should not lust after women and be content with the ones he has married. Lusting refers to adultery and marriage does not consider it lust. To be content with the woman one has uplifts the woman and prevents adultery. The Islamic stance is made clear here.
Abrogation?
The Qur’an approves of the teaching of abrogation. “Barnabas” condemns it (38).
Barnabas’ Gospel should be seen in context. It says that Jesus (peace be upon him) was sent with the same law as that of Moses (peace be upon him). Moses (peace be upon him) brought a new law just like Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
Eating pork allowed or not?
The Qur’an condemns eating pork but “Barnabas” says “that which entereth into the man defileth not the man, but that which cometh out of the man defileth the man” (32).
Making claims like these destroy the credibility of writers. The context should be shown.
‘Verily I say unto you, that to eat bread with unclean hands defileth not a man, because that which entereth into the man defileth not the man, but that which cometh out of the man defileth the man.’
Thereupon. said one of the scribes: If I shall eat pork, or other unclean meats, will they not defile my consciences?’
Jesus answered: Disobedience will not enter into the man but will come out of the man, from his heart; and therefore will he be defiled when he shall eat forbidden food.’
The pork issue was answered right there by Jesus (peace be upon him) but sadly, the one who made this comment did not consider it important to show. This is clearly an evidence of deliberate deceit.
John the Baptist not mentioned
“Barnabas” totally ignores the existence of the prophet John the Baptist (Yahya ibn Zakariyya).
The Gospel of Barnabas mentions that a total of 144,000 Prophets had come and he does not mention all of them.
Who is the Messiah?
According to “Barnabas”, Jesus expressly denies that he is the Messiah. In the Qur’an, the only Messiah is Jesus.
Other Prophets have also been called by this title in 1 Samuel 15:17, 1 Kings 1:39, 1 Samuel 16:13, Leviticus 4.
The Jews were more anxious about the last Prophet (a warrior!) and Jesus (peace be upon him) understood this. He understood who the Jews meant by the Messiah and so Jesus (peace be upon him) rejected being that man.
Angels would die
The Gospel of Barnabas states that angels would also die. The deniers of this book state that this belief contradicts the Qur’an. However, if we read the Qur’an, this is an incorrect conclusion.
The Qur’an also mentions that all the angels will die. Angel Israfil will blow the trumpet and everyone will die. God will then cause the angel of death and other angels to die as well. At that time, just like the beginning, only God would live and God would then bring the angels back to life.
Everything will die (3:185, 21:35 and 29:57). The blowing of the trumpets has been mentioned several times and is a lengthy discussion. Please read it here.
Human beings would die before the Judgment day
Again the Gospel of Barnabas states that on the thirteenth day of the final period before the end, all mankind will die and every living thing on the earth shall perish (para 53) whereas the Qur’an states that men will be alive until the last day, the great Day of Judgment, when the trumpet shall sound and “every man will have enough concerns on that day to make him heedless of others” (Surah 80.37).
The Qur’an says the same thing. It should be remembered that the word for day in the Qur’an is “Yaum” and does not refer to a 24-hour period. Barnabas’ Gospel speaks of 13 days. Perhaps he has broken down that Yaum into human days. The basic fact is the same which is that each and everyone will die and then rise again. As for the rising again, we do not know when that would happen; may be this would take place after 13 days.
Copied from Dante’s Inferno? Medieval Forgery?
The rejecters of the Gospel of Barnabas claim that there are several similarities between the Gospel of Barnabas and the work of Dante (13th/14th century) and says that such similarities cannot be coincidences. However, if we examine these so-called similarities, we see that common sense material has been spoken which is mentioned in religious scriptures and from which Dante copies from.
“…and go and serve false and lying gods. Gospel of Barnabas, para 23” is a statement that can be found in the work of Dante as well. However, if we examine this sentence we see that this is nothing but simple statement that could have been spoken by anyone.
The Qur’an says that the polytheists worship false gods who lie to them and on the Day of Judgment, the worshippers of these false and lying gods would call their gods but none would come and those that exist (Jinn) would reject any association with them. Satan and his team of Jinn (fallen angels of the Bible) are referred to as liars and it is mentioned that those who are polytheists and worship idols, in fact worship these lying Jinn (false gods). The Qur’an mentions this statement but the wording is different in Arabic. Literal translations would bring forward the same statement as narrated by Barnabas.
Copying from Dante’s Inferno? Know ye therefore, that hell is one, yet hath seven centres one below another. Hence, even as sin is of seven kinds, for as seven gates of hell has Satan generated it: So are seven punishments therein.
Qur’an came much before Dante and mentions the same fact that hell has seven centres. The claim of this point is wrong and is correct the other way round. It is actually Dante who has copied from religious texts. Qur’an agrees with this fact and it is an accepted belief of the Muslims that the hypocrites and people like Pharaoh will be in the 7th or the lowest pit of hell.
The Gospel rejecters use words like medieval chivalry, feudal lords etc when mentioning some incidents in the Gospel of Barnabas. Feudal lords is a term used by the article to make it look like a medieval book. If other appropriate words are used for the same title, then there appears to be no medieval connection. A tyrant village leader is an appropriate word and such people have existed throughout time.
The deniers says that storing wine in barrels was not practiced in Palestine as they used to store it in wine skins and for this, the deniers give a verse from the Bible. The Bible itself is not the source and is a debatable book. However, the verse shall still be examined.
Matthew 9:17
King James Bible
Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.
Douay-Rheims Bible
Neither do they put new wine into old bottles. Otherwise the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish. But new wine they put into new bottles: and both are preserved.
Tyndale New Testament
Neither do men put new wine, into old vessels: for then the vessels break, and the wine runneth out, and the vessels perish. But they pour new wine into new vessels, and so are both saved together.
Webster’s Bible Translation
Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.
The court procedure mentioned by Barnabas has also been questioned to be medieval. However, when one examines the New Testament, similar procedures will be found there. Palestine was under Roman rule and this procedure was their practice at that time as well.
The reference to the duel between two rival lovers reminds one of the age of chivalry (99).
The passage reads as follows:
Ye know that when a youth loverth a lady, and she love not him, but another, he is moved to indignation and slayeth his rival.
This is nothing but a simple fact that has nothing to do with the medieval society. Adam’s son killed his other son for the sake of woman as mentioned by the Hadith and also the Book of Jubilees from the Dead Sea Scrolls that have been discovered recently. Such sorts of crimes have no date in history and have existed since ever.
Similarly, the passages about the believers going to hell, not to be tortured, but to see the unbelievers in their torments, recalls to mind Dante’s picture of the same.
This is a simple fact that has also been mentioned in the Qur’an. Dante was no Prophet and did not speak of the unknown, he copied from other books, and Barnabas did not copy from anywhere as he was the source. Gerhard Nehls, the Christian missionary who made this allegation, makes more weird points such as saying that heaven with no feud is copied from the work of Dante. Qur’an also says that there would be no feud in paradise and that evil would be taken out from the hearts before entrance into paradise happens. What Barnabas is doing is that he is narrating from the source (a Prophet of God) which the Qur’an also did (by God through the Prophet). Dante’s material is not the source but is a copied material.
Contradiction with bible, history, geography, science and logic?

The Centenary Year of Jubilee
The critics of the Gospel of Barnabas state that the book contradicts the centenary year of Jubilee with outside evidences. In the year A.D. 1300 Pope Boniface the VIII instituted the Jubilee as a centenary event. Owing to its financial success, however, Pope Clement VI reversed Boniface’s decision and celebrated the next Jubilee in 1350. It is claimed that it was the only time that such a practice was done. However, considering the fact that the Gospel of Barnabas came out of the libraries of the Church, it would be no surprise if the popes knew about the history of this practice.
The year of Jubilee was debatable amongst the popes as well! The Old Testament is a corrupted book and this corruption showed in the decisions of the popes. They themselves did not agree upon it! Church has books and documents that are not even known to outsiders. Their library is nothing less than treasure and it appears that they knew about these different Jubilee dates which means that they must have made these changes from some books or documents that they possessed. Was the Gospel of Barnabas one of them?
Where is the city of Nazareth?
A passage from the Gospel of Barnabas has been alleged to contain errors.
Jesus went to the Sea of Galilee, and having embarked in a ship sailed to his city of Nazareth; 
Jesus (peace be upon him) going to the Sea of Galilee is not a problem at all. He went to his city is also not a problem but there is a problem if it is stated that Nazareth is right next to the sea of Galilee. However, such a thing has not been mentioned. First of all, it states that Jesus sailed to his city. This does not mean that his city was next to the sea. For example, it takes Mr. ABC a train and then a bus to go to his home and it is stated that Mr. A took a train to go to his home. Such a statement is not incorrect. Secondly, the sentence posted is a translation which is not as good as the original. What if the most accurate translation read something like this?
Jesus went to the Sea of Galilee, and having embarked in a ship sailed towards his city of Nazareth; 
This translation buries any kind of issue from this verse. Thirdly, maps were not drawn at that time and the outskirts of a city were considered a part of that city. Perhaps even land outside that city was considered a part of that city.
Where is Capernaum?

we see Jesus going UP to Capernaum, whereas Capernaum is situated right on the shore of the Lake.
Up is not the direction. If a person says that he lives right down the street, does it mean that the street has a slope and he lives on the lower part? This is incorrect. The street can be straight and the person can be living towards north, east or west. Again, maps were not drawn. The first maps had the North Pole down but later the map was turned upside down. Going up a place could even be referring to the high slope of that area.
In Chapter 151 we are told that Jesus embarked on a ship (from Nazareth?) and next we read that he arrived in Jerusalem. We might well ask whether this was also done by boat?
The same explanation applies to this point. Jesus (peace be upon him) went towards Jerusalem but changed modes of transport for that. The place is not known. Perhaps it was from Jordan through the Dead Sea to Jerusalem. This route creates no issues but other routes may still be valid.
The world is beautiful in summer time in Palestine
The rejecters of the Gospel claim that summer is unbearable and is certainly not beautiful as claimed by Barnabas. However the truth is that there are considerable differences in temperature in Palestine. For example Mount Hermon, with its white snowcaps all year-round, towers 9000 feet above sea level, while the Dead Sea is 1292 feet below sea level. The snow melts in summer and waters the dry land. The land of Palestine enjoys sunny blue skies from the beginning of May to the end of September, with little or no interruption. The world is beautiful, it seems, refers to the worship and remembrance of God. Pilgrims enter the land and it seems that this is what Jesus (peace be upon him) is happy about.
Three gifts or three wise men?
In Chapter 6 another interesting common error is found. It speaks here of the three Magi or wise men coming from the East. The New Testament does not specify the number, but gives a list of three gifts that were brought by the Magi, namely gold, myrrh and frankincense. This later led to the assumption that there were three wise men from the East. But this belief certainly does not derive or date from the New Testament.

As already mentioned above that something not to be found in the New Testament does not make it false. New Testament was not the source of the Gospel of Barnabas. The recently discovered book titled “Infancy Gospel of James” also gives a figure of the Magi. Giving figures is not a surprise, irrelevant to the discussion and not of any interest to anyone.
Gospel parts not to be found in New Testament
In Chapters 91-92 we are told that Jesus and His disciples kept “the 40 days”. The context clearly shows that this refers to the period of Lent before Easter, celebrated by the church, but from a very much later period than the days of the early church. (The church meditates at this time on the suffering of Christ, which was obviously unknown when Christ was still alive). We find that Lent was celebrated only from the fourth century A.D. onwards. Jesus and His disciples are said to have gone for the 40 day fast to Mount Sinai. which is some 450 km away. There is no report in the New Testament to confirm this.
Something being not mentioned in the New Testament does not make it a forgery. The News Testament contains some stories that have nothing to do with God, for example, Paul punching Peter, Paul fighting with Barnabas etc. The New Testament does not have anything on the childhood of Jesus (peace be upon him) and much more. Just because those 40 days are not mentioned in the New Testament does not make the Gospel of Barnabas a forgery. The reason for the omission should be asked to Constantine and his writers.
How many Roman soldiers?
We are further informed that a certain dispute would have ended in war, but the Romans assembled three armies each numbering 200,000 men at Mizpeh (Chapter 91). The entire Roman army at that time numbered only 300,000, however. (Encyclopædia Britannica).
If we read the chapter carefully, we see that these three armies were not registered soldiers but an angry mob. Families had turned against each other and it were the common folk who equaled to such a large number. Secondly, counting such a large number is quite impossible and this figure is either an estimate or an exaggeration by Barnabas.
Governor of Palestine
According to the G.o.B. Jesus was born when Pilate was governor, but in fact he only became governor between A.D. 26 and 27.
This is an inaccurate statement. According to the Encyclopedia “Pilate’s biographical details before and after his appointment to Judaea are unknown, but have been supplied by tradition…” The year of his governorship are also not facts. However, that is not debated here. The thing mentioned by Barnabas was that Pilate was referred to as the governor. This shall be explained with an example:
A man became the President in the year 2000 and a book is written about him in 2010 when he is not the President any more. The book refers to him as “President” when it speaks of his early life and when it speaks of his life after presidency. The title “President” stays with the man no matter what he does. This does not mean that the man is still a President or was a President when the book speaks of the period before 2000.
Another example can be used to further make it clear: When Mr. A was born in 1980, his mother saw President Bush in a hotel. Obviously George Bush was not the President back then but the sentence makes complete sense and no one would dismiss it as being incorrect. The title remains with the person throughout his/her life.
Jesus prayed five times a day like Muslims
An incorrect point once again. The Gospel of Barnabas states that it was the order of Jesus (peace be upon him) to the disciples to sleep only two hours a day and dedicate that time to prayer and worship. Prayers take up no more than five minutes and with such a low amount of sleep and excessive amount of time dedicated to prayer, one can easily conclude that Jesus (peace be upon him) used to pray about 20 times a day or more. He is shown to pray a lot and this amount of 20 is just an estimate, maybe he prayed much more than that!
Title of ‘virgin’ crowned to Mary
Not before the Fourth Century A.D. was the title “Virgin” given to Mary, yet it appears in the G.o.B.
In the 4th century, the Gospels were compiled but they were written much before that. This term had been in existence since lady Mary’s time. Recently discovered books of the Dead Sea Scrolls confirm this fact.
Mount of Transfiguration; Mount Tabor?
Origen A.D. 184-254 was the first scholar to assume that Mount Tabor was the Mount of Transfiguration. The Bible does not confirm this. The Christian tradition that it was Mount Moriah begins only in the Third Century, and yet the G.o.B. contains this information.
Gospel if Barnabas was a much older book that had been banned in the 5th century. The date of its writing is not known with certainty but from the remaining clues left by the Christians, it is very clear that it did exist before the coming of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Origen founded an opinion but it was not the first one of its kind, Barnabas had the same opinion long before him. When the pope was caught red-handed with this Gospel, he blamed it on the Muslims and Christians have made extreme efforts to destroy all clues and declare it fake but there goes a saying, “There is no such thing as a perfect crime”. This crime is no different and the remaining clues indicate that the Gospel of Barnabas was written by none other than Barnabas himself. For each similarity, we must know and have our mind set to the idea that copying was the other way round, Barnabas was the source.
Four archangels
The G.o.B. mentions four archangels, which is also a tradition of the church that dated from the early Medieval period.
That is not completely accurate. Islam and Christianity both agree on this. The four archangels are Gabriel, Michael, Israfil (the one who will blow the trumpet) and Israel (the angel that takes away the life).
Concept of ‘The Book’ copied from the Qur’an?

The Islamic concept of “the Book” is found in Chapter 10, where we read that the angel Gabriel presented to Jesus as it were a shining mirror, a book, which descended into the heart of Jesus. This corresponds very well with Suras 5:49 and 2:97
This is similar to the Islamic belief but this is also similar to the New Testament.
Qur’an 3:3
It is He Who sent down to thee (step by step), in truth, the Book, confirming what went before it; and He sent down the Law (of Moses) and the Gospel (of Jesus) before this, as a guide to mankind, and He sent down the criterion (of judgment between right and wrong).
In Mark 8:35 Jesus said: “…but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it.”
How could Jesus have said this when there was no gospel when he lived? The present day gospels were not written until after his departure from earth. Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him) did receive a Gospel from God which the Qur’an, the Gospel of Barnabas and the present day Christian Gospels all agree with.
Denarius
One of the most ill knowledge claims by any Christian missionary; Gerhard Nehls in this case. He states:
In Chapter 54, the Italian text mentions a denarius, which is made up of 60 minuti. These gold coins were used only in Spain under Khalif Abdul Malik (in 685 A.D.).
What can be said about claim that shows only ill knowledge?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denarius
Gerhard Nehls has been refuted by simple historical facts here!
The Last Prophet; Ishmaelite or Israelite
The Gospel of Barnabas states “the true book of Moses … (it) is written that Ishmael is the father of Messiah, and Isaac the father of the messenger of the Messiah” (Chapter 191). This is not a contradiction with the Bible at all. The word mentioned here is “true” for the book of Moses. Who has it? Furthermore, the Old Testament also confirms this but deniers will never agree.
A question by Gerhard Nehls
In Chapter 222, the last chapter of the G.o.B., we read: “After Jesus had departed (after having been raised from his hiding place through the window of the house in the Garden of Gethsemane) the disciples scattered through the different parts of Israel and of the world, and the truth, hated of Satan, was persecuted, as it always is, by falsehood. For certain evil men, pretending to be disciples, preached that Jesus died and rose not again. Others preached that he really died, but rose again. Others preached and yet preach that Jesus is the Son of God, among whom is Paul deceived.”
The G.o.B. herewith endeavors to correct preceding Gospels and Paul. We wish to ask the question when and how was the writer aware that the disciples had scattered throughout the different parts of the world? This question is left open, but easily answered by us, for we believe that it is yet another anachronism.
Gerhard Nehls has asked a question which will be answered but if the readers read his question, they will find that there is no problem at all. How did Barnabas know that the disciples had scattered throughout Israel and other parts of the world? The answer is simple. Barnabas was also a disciple. The disciples were friends to each other and they wouldn’t leave each other forever without telling. The place where the Gospel of Barnabas was written is not known. Perhaps, Barnabas wrote it while traveling or from some other part of Israel. The question does not make sense and an issue is attempted to be created out of “no-issue” at all.
In Chapter 80 of the G.o.B. we find a story about Daniel, which has it that he was taken captive by Nebuchadnezzar while he was yet two years old. This statement, it will be observed, is incompatible with what may be inferred from the Bible narrative. According to the latter, it was in the second year of his reign that Nebuchadnezzar had his famous dream, which Daniel interpreted.
“Then the King gave Daniel high honors and many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief prefect over the all-wise men of Babylon.” (Daniel 2:48).
Now if we suppose that Nebuchadnezzar captured Daniel in the first year of his reign (the earliest possible date, which could be assigned to Daniel’s captivity) and that, according to “Barnabas”, Daniel was then two years old, it would follow then that in the second year of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign, Daniel was only three years old (Gairdner, page 26). Daniel was in fact born in 621 B.C. and the captivity began in 605 B.C., so he was 16 years old when taken prisoner.
This point by Gerhard Nehls brings this interesting article to mind.
This article, although does not speak about this point by Gerhard Nehls, answers all such questions. The message behind the article should be understood and applied to this point. If this is done so, one will not find any problem with the Gospel of Barnabas and a comparison of the Gospel of Barnabas with the Bible would be accepted as something very foolish. A book with unknown authors (Bible) and a book written by the disciple of Jesus (peace be upon him) should not be compared at all.
Origin of Pharisees
In Chapter 145 of the G.o.B. Pharisees date back as far as the time of Elijah and there were supposed to have been 17,000. In fact, history first knows about Pharisees seven centuries later, in the period between 135-104 B.C.
According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, Pharisees came together as a group in 3rd century BC. Before that, they were scattered.
Ishmael or Isaac to be sacrificed?
We read that Ishmael was offered on the altar by Abraham (Chapter 44). This is clearly an Islamic concept.
This is not only an Islamic concept but the true concept which the corrupt Bible also supports.
In Genesis 16:16 Abraham is 86 years old when Hagar has Ishmael. In Genesis 17:24 Abraham is 99 and this makes Ishmael to be 13. When Isaac was born, Abraham was 100 years old as mentioned in Genesis 21:5.
Hebrews 11:17
“By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,”
How can this be? How can Isaac be the only begotten son of Abraham when Ishmael was 14 years older than him? Clearly there is evidence of forgery in the Old Testament and the lying scribes mentioned in Jeremiah 8:8 switched the names.
Genesis 16:3 states that Hagar was a legitimate wife of Abraham which is not what the Christians and Jews believe!
No racism in the Gospel of Barnabas
God is said to be the God of Abraham, ISHMAEL and Isaac in Chapter 212. It should read, according to the O.T. the God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob.
The Gospel of Barnabas is not an anti-Gentile book like the Old Testament. Barnabas says that God loves whoever obeys Him whether he be an Israelite or a Gentile. Prophet Ishmael (peace be upon him) has been depicted as an evil man by the Old Testament. Considering the biased attitude of the Old Testament, it needs no research to understand that the same attitude has been adopted for Prophet Ishmael (peace be upon him).
Even Torah was rejected by Jews like Christians reject Gospel of Barnabas
We find it highly suspicious and wrong to read that the Torah was written by an Ismaelite (Chapter 192).
This is a false claim made once again by Gerhard Nehls. In fact the story in the Gospel of Barnabas’ 192nd chapter is similar to what Christians of today say. Christians say that this Gospel is written by a Muslim as it resembles Islamic beliefs. Similarly, the high priest had refused to give the book (Torah that he had) to read and for this he gave the excuse that it was written by an Arab as it prophesied that the last Prophet would be an Arab. Even the high priest had a book that resembled the Islamic beliefs and he gave the same excuse that the Christians of today use.
The name of Prophet Muhammad (may blessings of Almighty be upon him)
Most suspicious of course, is any mentioning of the name of Mohammed. (In Chapters 44, 54, 112, 97 and 163, etc.) It is particularly suspicious, since all the other evidence points to the fact that the whole of the G.o.B is a Medieval forgery. But other Islamic thought is also reflected in the G.o.B.
This is a strange statement; Gerhard Nehls should read his own Bible carefully and see that irrefutable evidences can be fund in his own book as well:
Even the name of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) has been mentioned several times in the corrupt and altered book.
In Chapter 39 Adam sees bright writing and the content is none other than the Kalimah. There is only one God” and “Mohammed is the Messenger of God.”
The Kalama is a fundamental belief and since Muhammad (peace be upon him) has been prophesied by name, the Kalama being mentioned is of no surprise.