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PETER, APOCALYPSE OF

The name of two early Christian texts, one from the first half of the 2nd century, and a gnostic discourse (VII,3), probably from the 3rd century. These are distinct from the later Arabic Apocalypse of Peter.

The earlier Apocalypse of Peter is treated as Scripture in the Muratorian Fragment and by Clement of Alexandria, both late 2nd-century witnesses. Originally composed in Greek, its fullest text is in Ethiopic. The apocalypse begins with Jesus and his disciples seated on the Mount of Olives (cf. Mark 13:3 par.). In a version of the fig tree parable (cf. Mark 13:28-29 par.), Jesus warns of persecution in the last days by a false messiah. Jesus extends his right hand, and in it Peter perceives hell and heaven. Preoccupation with martyrdom and apostasy motivate this revelation. Punishments for the wicked match their sins, and the righteous watch their counterparts suffer. The narrative closes with Jesus’ ascension.

The gnostic apocalypse is a revelatory dialogue between the Savior and Peter. It also shows a preoccupation with persecution, in this case of Gnostics by other Christians. The Savior explains that Peter’s opponents, who include bishops and deacons, are “without perception.” Especially striking is its vision of the “living Jesus” laughing from the cross.

Bibliography. J. Brashler and R. A. Bullard, “Apocalypse of Peter (VII, 3),” in The Nag Hammadi Library in English, ed. J. M. Robinson, 3rd ed. (San Francisco, 1988), 372-78; D. D. Buchholz, Your Eyes Will Be Opened: A Study of the Greek (Ethiopic) Apocalypse of Peter. SBLDS 97 (Atlanta, 1988).

Greg Carey

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

PETER, APOCALYPSE OF

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)