[3] Its eschatological expectations was both simple and updated from previous Syriac apocalyptical texts of the same period and is a witness to the Syrian Christian strategy on coping with Muslim rule in the second half of the seventh century as the Muslim rule was no longer being perceived as a temporary event causing apocalyptic tensions to dissipate.
[2] The Gospel of the Twelve Apostles survives in the incomplete codex Harvard Syriac 93, and by palaeography, J. Rendel Harris dates it to the middle of the eighth-century AD.
[6] The codex contains a variety of documents such as letters by Jacob of Edessa, an excerpt by Severus of Antioch, a variety of apostolic canons, discussions of individuals who recant their heresy, and an investigation of heavenly entities.
Proceeded after a prayer, the apostles are then informed about their appointments, to speak of "those things that are and those that are to come" according to the power of the Holy Spirit.
[10] The title of the text is present in the manuscript and has often been associated with the second century Gospel of the Twelve referenced by Epiphanius of Salamis who designated its use amongst the Ebionites, and in Origen's Homily on Luke who refers to it as "of the Twelve Apostles".