Biblica
Peter

Peter is always presented in the NT as the foremost disciple of Jesus, but he is a curiously vague figure in the literature, most of which is apocryphal. The only NT documents purporting to derive from him are the two Epistles, 1 and 2 Peter. Not even the earlier of the two (1 Peter) has a chance of being genuine; it is a derivative of the spurious Pauline Epistle Ephesians, and further develops some of the new concepts in that work. 2 Peter is strenuous in its claim to be by the same person as 1 Peter. In the noncanonical writings, Peter is typically put into Gnostic context, a position that also cannot be historical. What can be done in this unsatisfactory situation?

Lapham has carefully surveyed this literature (excluding the portrayal of Peter in the Gospels, Acts, or the genuine and spurious Pauline Epistles), and finds that there are certain elements that recur, such as an association of Peter with Antioch. This may of course be derived from Paul's portrayal of Peter's behavior in Antioch, but it is worth noting all the same. We would add that it is only in the Petrine literature that emphasis is placed on the Harrowing of Hell. Here is Lapham's list of relevant documents, with our addenda:

• Lapham's List
  • Gospel of Peter
  • Acts of Peter
  • Acts of Peter and the Twelve Apostles
  • The Pseudo-Clementine Epistles
  • 1 Peter
  • 2 Peter
  • Epistle of Peter to Philip
  • Apocalypse of Peter
  • Coptic Apocalypse of Peter
• Other Sources
  • Mark (the earliest strata probably reflect history)
  • The Pauline Epistles
  • Matthew (promotes the ecclesiastical Peter)
  • Luke
  • Acts (sees Peter as the failed precursor of Paul)

Lapham's foundation work deserves to be continued and extended, the first step being an overview of Peter in the canonical literature, plus other Apocrypha such as Thomas and the Gospel of Mary. From this more complete survey, a chart of the mythical developments of Peter might be constructed, and these in turn subtracted from the earliest accounts (those of the early Markan layers) to give a perhaps workable picture.

The closely related and also enigmatic question of the Twelve needs parallel treatment.

25 Sept 2005 / Contact The Project / Exit to Biblica Page