Apocryphal writings on the death of the Virgin relate that, after the Virgin died, her remains were placed in a casket that was carried by the apostles, in funeral procession, to their final resting place. During this procession, Jephonias the Jew tried to topple the casket and thus desecrate Mary's body. But, as he grabbed the rim of the casket, his arms were violently severed from his body at the elbows, his hands still clutching the casket. Realizing what he had done, Jephonias fell to his knees, repented, and implored for the restoration of his arms. Peter concedes him this request and Jephonias converts to Christianism (cf. Pseudo-Iohanne Apostolo, Liber de dormitione || Iohanne Thessalonicensi, Homilia de dormitione || Pseudo-Iosepho ab Arimathea, Liber de transitu).