Note 55 — Chapter X

The Moslims have a Gospel in Arabic, attributed to Saint Barnabas, in which, it is said, they have inserted the very name of their prophet Muhammed, Ahmed, Mahmud, as being the translation of the Greek word περικλυτος, periclytos, “famous, illustrious,” which they have substituted for παρακλητος, paraclètos, “comforter, called upon, advocatus;” which is found in St. John’s Gospel, XIV. 26; XV. 26; XVI. 7.; and by which is designated Jesus, or the Holy Ghost (see Sale’s Koran, Prel. Disc., p. 98). The interpretation of the word periclytos might also have found place in the Arabian translation of the Bible, made by Werka, the cousin of Muhammed’s first wife. Whatever it be, we read in chap. LXI. v. 6. of the Koran: “And when Jesus, the son of Mary, said: ‘O children of Israel, verily I am the apostle of God, sent unto you, confirming the law which was delivered before me, and bringing good tidings of an apostle who shall come after me, and whose name shall be Ahmed.’”