Syriac · Gospel of the Mixed · Evangelion da-Mehallete
A single continuous gospel woven from the four gospels, with a few additions. It was the standard gospel text in Syriac churches until bishops such as Rabbula of Edessa replaced it with the separate gospels in the fifth century.
Dating
Composed after Justin's death (c. 165) and probably around Tatian's return east c. 172; whether in Rome or Syria is unknown. Whether the original language was Syriac or Greek is also disputed (Petersen favours Syriac); the one Greek fragment (Dura-Europos) is small and possibly a translation. No original manuscript survives; the text is reconstructed from Ephrem's commentary and later Arabic, Persian and Western harmonies.Books it uses
The Diatessaron ('through four') weaves all four Gospels into one narrative (c. 170), opening with John 1:1–5 then Luke 1:5. Original lost; reconstructed from Arabic, Syriac (Ephrem) and Latin witnesses.
The Diatessaron ('through four') weaves all four Gospels into one narrative (c. 170), opening with John 1:1–5 then Luke 1:5. Original lost; reconstructed from Arabic, Syriac (Ephrem) and Latin witnesses.
The Diatessaron ('through four') weaves all four Gospels into one narrative (c. 170), opening with John 1:1–5 then Luke 1:5. Original lost; reconstructed from Arabic, Syriac (Ephrem) and Latin witnesses.
The Diatessaron ('through four') weaves all four Gospels into one narrative (c. 170), opening with John 1:1–5 then Luke 1:5. Original lost; reconstructed from Arabic, Syriac (Ephrem) and Latin witnesses.
Quotations
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and God is the Word. This was in the beginning with God. Everything was by his hand, and without him not even one existing thing was made. In him was life, and the life is the light of men. And the light shineth in the darkness, and the darkness apprehended it not.
Diatess. 1.1–5 (Arabic)Quotation
ANF vol. 9 (1896), ed. Allan Menzies (tr. Hope W. Hogg from the Arabic) · Source (opens in a new tab)
The harmony opens with John's prologue: all four Gospels already function as a unit c. AD 170. Arabic version, late witness; bracketed verse markers removed.
John 1:1–5 BSB
1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning. 3Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made. 4In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
There was in the days of Herod the king a priest whose name was Zacharias, of the family of Abijah; and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all his commands, and in the uprightness of God without reproach
Diatess. 1.6–8 (Arabic)Quotation
ANF vol. 9 (1896), ed. Allan Menzies (tr. Hope W. Hogg from the Arabic) · Source (opens in a new tab)
Straight after John 1:1–5 the harmony switches to Luke 1:5: Tatian stitches the four Gospels into one narrative.
Luke 1:5–6 BSB
5In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah, and whose wife Elizabeth was a descendant of Aaron. 6Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and decrees of the Lord.