Unknown, Apocryphal Acts of Peter 49.20-50.10

https://caesarea-maritima.org/testimonia/216

Context

The Greek account of Peter's apostolic career survives only in a Late Roman Latin translation in a single manuscript. This Acts of the Apostle Peter, perhaps entitled Πράξεις Πέτρου τοῦ ἀποστόλου, was written circa 180-190 C.E. possibly in Asia Minor. It recounts Peter’s activities from the Near East to Italy, his debate with Simon Magus at Rome, his consolidation of the congregation there, and his martydom. In this passage, Peter sees a vision of Christ and travels from Jerusalem to Caesarea Maritima, where he embarks on a ship to Rome captained by the hospitable Theon. The scene contains interesting details of passengers launching out of the harbor.

Text

Lugentibus autem eis et jejunantibus, iam instruebat deus in futurum Petrum in Hierosolymis, adimpletis duodecim annis quod illi praeceperat dominus, Christus ostendit illi visionem talem, dicens ei, “Petre, quem tu ejecisti de Iudea adprobatum magum Simonem, iterum praeoccupavit vos Romae. Et in brevi scias: omnes enim qui in me crediderunt dissolvit astutia sua et inergia sua satanas, cuius virtute se adprobat esse. Sed noli moras facere: crastina die profiscere, et ibi invenies navem paratam, navigantem in Italiam; et in paucos dies ostendam tibi gratiam meam quae non habet invidiam nullam.” Petrus autem hoc viso monitus, referens fratribus sine mora, dicens, “Necesse est me ascendere Romae ad expugnandum hostem et inimicum domini et fratrum nostrum.” Et descendit Caesaream et confestim ascendit navem, iam scala subducta neque epimenia imposita. gubernius autem nomine Theon respiciens Petrum dixit, “Quaecumque habemus universa tua sunt. quae autem gratia nostra, si suscipiamus hominem similem nobis in incerto casu, et non omnia quae habemus nos, communicamus tecum? sed tantum nos feliciter navigemus.” Petrus autem oblationi illius gratias agens, ipse autem in navi jejunabat, lugens animo et iterum comfortans se, quod deus dignum eum habuisset in ministerio suo ministrum. 1

Textual Note

Ed. Lipsius 1891

Discussion Note

Codex Vercellensis 158, Capitulary Library (probably Italy, 3rd/4th century)

Corrigenda Note

epimenia ("provisions for a month") instead of manuscript reading epsimenia (Latin transliteration of Greek ἡψημένα, "boiled foods"?).

Translation

While they were grieving and fasting, God was already preparing Peter at Jerusalem for what was to come. After the twelve years had passed which the Lord had enjoined on him, Christ showed to him the following vision, saying, “Peter, Simon, whom you expelled from Judaea after having proved him to be a magician, has forestalled you a second time in Rome. And in short, all who believed in me Satan has perverted by his cunning and his power, whose agent he proves to be. But do not delay. Go tomorrow (to Caesaerea), and there you will find a ship ready to sail to Italy. And within a few days I will show you my grace, which is boundless.” Instructed by this vision, Peter did not delay to mention it to the brethren and said, “I must go to Rome to subdue the enemy and opponent of the Lord and of our brethren.” And he went down to Caesarea and at once boarded the ship, which was ready to sail, with the ladder already raised and no provisions in store. But the steersman named Theon looked at Peter and said, “Whatever we have is all yours. What favor are we doing ourselves, if we receive a man like ourselves in difficult circumstances, and do not share with you everything we have? Let us have a safe voyage.” Peter thanked him for his offer. And he fasted in the ship, being dejected in his mind and yet again comforting himself, because God considered him to be a worthy servant in his service. 2

Translation Note

Adapted from Schneemelcher and Wilson 1992 and Elliott 1993

Works Cited

1 Richard Adelbert Lipsius, ed., Acta Apostolorum Apocrypha I: Acta Petri, Acta Pauli, Acta Petri et Pauli, Acta Pauli et Theclae, Acta Thaddei, repr. Hildesheim: Georg Olms 1990 (Leipzig: Hermann Mendelssohn, 1891), p: 49-50.
2 R. McL. Wilson, ed., New Testament Apocrypha, Revised Edition of the Collection Initiated by Edgar Hennecke II: Writing Relating to the Apostles, Apocalypses and Related Subjects, trans. Wilhelm Schneemelcher (Cambridge and Loiusville: James Clarke & Co. and Westminster/John Knox Press, 1992), p: 290-291, ch: 5.

Additional Bibliography

J. L. Elliot, The Apocryphal New Testament: A Collection of Apocryphal Christian Literature in an English Translation (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1993), p: 401-402, ch: 5.

How to Cite This Entry

Joseph L. Rife, “Unknown, Apocryphal Acts of Peter 49.20-50.10,” in Caesarea Maritima: A Collection of Testimonia, entry published June 30, 2023, https://caesarea-maritima.org/testimonia/216.

Bibliography:

Joseph L. Rife, “Unknown, Apocryphal Acts of Peter 49.20-50.10.” In Caesarea Maritima: A Collection of Testimonia, edited by Joseph L. Rife., edited by Joseph L. Rife. Caesarea City and Port Exploration Project, 2023. Entry published June 30, 2023. https://caesarea-maritima.org/testimonia/216.

About this Entry

Entry Title: Unknown, Apocryphal Acts of Peter 49.20-50.10

Authorial and Editorial Responsibility:

Joseph L. Rife, general editor, Vanderbilt University
Joseph L. Rife, editor, Caesarea Maritima: A Collection of Testimonia
David A. Michelson, Daniel L. Schwartz, and William L. Potter, technical editor, “Unknown, Apocryphal Acts of Peter 49.20-50.10”
Joseph L. Rife, entry contributor, “Unknown, Apocryphal Acts of Peter 49.20-50.10”

Additional Credit:

TEI encoding by William L. Potter
Electronic text added by Joseph L. Rife
Testimonia identified by Joseph L. Rife

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