In the prologue to his commentary on Matthew,
Jerome mentions a "Gospel of Bartholomew" among several other apocryphal gospels. Jerome doesn't indicate anything more about the work other than that the gospels on his list have "been the beginning of various heresies." It is unknown if Jerome had personal knowledge of the work, or was simply trusting another source such as
Origen of Alexandria. This is the oldest surviving reference to the work, as the commentary was written around 398 CE. Later references to the Gospel may well have been only trusting Jerome on the matter, rather than having personal knowledge. The
Gelasian Decree is a 6th-century work, although it is considered possible parts of it might date back earlier. It includes "the Gospels in the name of Bartholomew" in a list of condemned or unacceptable scriptures.
Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite and
Epiphanius the Monk both make passing references to a Gospel of Bartholomew. The Syriac
Book of Secrets has a quote mentioning a Gospel of Bartholomew as well. The
Venerable Bede also mentions the book, but only as part of a quotation of Jerome.
Heinrich von Herford claims that
Holy Roman Emperor Ludwig IV was acquainted with a Gospel of Bartholomew as well. All of these references are sparse and late. It is unclear whether they were referring to the same book, a different gospel by that name, or were simple mistakes or misstatements. ==Analysis==