THE DEVIL’S ARGUMENT WITH JESUS CHRIST IN A SERBIAN COPY DATING FROM THE END OF THE 15TH CENTURY

Abstract

This apocryph with a dualistic basis is permeated with dialogues between the Devil and Jesus Christ. Their argument unfolds through a gradation, the two of them constantly trying to outsmart each other. Christ’s views overpower all the tricks the Devil resorts to trying not only to defeat him but also to do him great harm. This apocryph is also known in Greek and Slavic copies. The oldest preserved copy in Serbian dates from the end of the 15th century, and is to be found in the Nikoljac Monastery. This copy was used as the basis of this edition of the said apocryph, which is compared with five other copied versions of it.