They are astonished by one thing, and we are astonished by something contrary to that.
After we have clarified the laughter in the books of the outer and the inner, we will bring three astonishing pieces of evidence that never occurred to the heart of any human, which is the laughter of the Master Al-Masih, may his glory be exalted, at those who intended deceit against Him.
Basilides said: 'Jesus did not die, but He compelled Simon of Cyrene to carry His cross, His resemblance was cast upon him, and they believed that he was Jesus, so he was crucified by mistake and ignorance. He took the form of Simon of Cyrene and stood aside, laughing at them.' 1
Thus, He ascended to the one who sent Him, and He was mocking them since they could not seize Him. He was invisible to all.2
The Father is unbegotten, and the one who is without a name. Since He was aware that they would perish, He sent His firstborn Son, the one called the Messiah, to free those who believe in Him from the authority of those who made the world. Thus, He appeared on earth as a human to the people of those powers and performed miracles. (He Himself did not die). Rather, the one who died was Simon of Cyrene, who was compelled to carry the cross instead of Him, until the latter, whose form was changed by Him, was thought to be Jesus and was crucified in ignorance and by mistake. As for Jesus Himself, He took the form of Simon, and since He was present among them, as He was an incorporeal power and the Mind of the unbegotten Father, He would change His form as He wished. Thus, He ascended to the one who sent Him, and He was mocking them since they could not seize Him. He was invisible to all.3