Note 619 — Chapter VI · PRE-CHRISTIAN GNOSTICS: SIMON MAGUS

Irenaeus, Bk I. c. 16, § 2, p. 193, Harvey; Epiphanius as in n. 1 supra. This episode of the Saviour changing his form so as not to be recognized by the powers of the heavens through which he passes on his way to earth, is a favourite one in the post-Christian Apocryphal literature. Cf. R. H. Charles, The Ascension of Isaiah, p. 62. In the Pistis Sophia (for which see Chapter X, infra), Jesus in like manner changes His appearance in each heaven on His descent to earth. When He returns in His proper shape the spirits in every “place” into which He enters fling themselves on their faces and cry: “How did the Lord of the Universe change himself, so that we knew him not?”: see p. 21 Copt. et al. The “Docetic” theory which made the earthly body of Jesus a phantasm or illusion appears again in the heresy of the Valentinians and elsewhere. See Chapter IX, infra.