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THE ARABIC GOSPEL OF THE INFANCY.
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they went thence to a city of idols which, when they approached, was changed into heaps of sand.
CHAPTER XXIV.
Hence they proceeded to the sycamore tree which is now called Matarea, and the Lord Jesus produced a fountain in Matarea, wherein lady Mary washed her garment. Now from the sweat of the Lord Jesus which he there let drop the balsam came forth in that region.[1]
CHAPTER XXV.
Thence they went down to Memphis, and having seen Pharaoh,[2] they staid three years in Egypt; and the Lord Jesus wrought very many miracles in Egypt, which are not found written either in the Gospel of the Infancy or in the Perfect Gospel.
CHAPTER XXVI.
But after three years he returned from Egypt,
- ↑ Matarea, or Mataréëh, lies a few miles N.E. of Cairo, and is supposed to be the ancient Heliopolis. Sir J. G. Wilkinson says the water of the Fountain of the Sun is reported to have been salt until Joseph and Mary made it fresh. A sycamore tree is shown there under which they say the holy family rested. As for the balsam trees, Cleopatra is reported to have had them transplanted here from Judea. The tradition of the text only partially coincides with the many versions of it reported by pilgrims and travellers.
- ↑ Memphis may have been visited; but who was Pharaoh? Egypt was then under Roman rule.
