CADRE Comments - The Mystery of Mar Saba ... and the possible forgery of Morton Smith

CADRE Comments: " the dust jacket. In bold letters it reads, “It is prophetic” and in italics, “Isn’t It True? Fiction Yesterday—Fact Today!” "



I have blogged previously on the possibility of Morton Smith forging the secret mark after being inspired to do so during his reading of the mystery of Mar Saba.

Having now read most of the book, which I find quite entertaining in several ways, I am much more inclined to believe so than before reading the book.

Just take a look at the forgery contained in the book:

"I nicodemus in company with Joseph of Arimathea in early morn of the first day of the week removed the body of Jesus. Coming forth we found the tomb opened and the stone rolled away after the earthquake. We left the linen cloths in the tomb and carried Him forth lest profane hands desecrate His body. We buried Him inthe sepulchre near the garden over the Kedron where standeth the pillar Absalom reared for himself in the King's Dale."

So, in this book published 1940 we have a forgery perpetrated by a leading expert on the subject, Yphantis, whilst being in Mar Saba, containing the elements of: _rolled away stone_ and _linen cloths_

I have to admit that I see the mentioning of a stone being rolled away and linen clothing in secret mark as a tongue in cheek allusion from Morton Smith who must have cunnningly forged the letter from Clement around 1958 - if indeed we are, as I happen to believe is the best bet, dealing with a forgery.

Secret Mark:

"And they come into Bethany. And a certain woman whose brother had died was there. And, coming, she prostrated herself before Jesus and says to him, 'Son of David, have mercy on me.' But the disciples rebuked her. And Jesus, being angered, went off with her into the garden where the tomb was, and straightway a great cry was heard from the tomb. And going near Jesus rolled away the stone from the door of the tomb. And straightway, going in where the youth was, he stretched forth his hand and raised him, seizing his hand. But the youth, looking upon him, loved him and began to beseech him that he might be with him. And going out of the tomb they came into the house of the youth, for he was rich. And after six days Jesus told him what to do and in the evening the youth comes to him, wearing a linen cloth over his naked body. And he remained with him that night, for Jesus taught him the mystery of the kingdom of God. And thence, arising, he returned to the other side of the Jordan."