THE STATE OF THE DEAD - ( THE APOSTLES ) - IN THE FIRST HALF OF THE SECOND CENTURY!
First
compare these scriptures:
(Ecclesiastes
9:5 NWT): “...For the living are conscious that they will die;
--- ( BUT AS FOR THE DEAD, THEY ARE CONSCIOUS
OF NOTHING AT ALL ), --- neither do they anymore have wages,
because the remembrance of them has been forgotten...”
***
Rbi8 Ecclesiastes ***
Lit.,
“For the living ones are knowing that they will die.” Heb., ki
ha·chai·yim′ yoh·dheʽim′ shey·ya·mu′thu.
Lit.,
“and the dead ones, they are not knowing anything.” Heb.,
weham·me·thim′ ʼeh·nam′ yoh·dheʽim′ meʼu′mah.
(1st
Corinthians 15:20-24 NWT): “...However, now Christ has been
raised up from the dead,--- ( THE FIRST-FRUITS OF THOSE WHO - HAVE
- FALLEN ASLEEP [IN DEATH] )--- [21.] For since death
is through a man, resurrection of the dead is also through a man.
[22.] For just as in Adam all are dying, so also in the Christ
all will be made alive. [23.] But each one in his own rank:
Christ the firstfruits,--- ( AFTER-WARD ) --- those who belong to the
Christ --- ( DURING HIS PRESENCE ) ---
[24.] Next, the end, ---( WHEN )...”
(1st
Corinthians 15:20-24 Jonathan Mitchell Expanded New Testament):
“...Yet each person within his (her) own class or division (or:
ordered rank; place or appointed position [in line]; arranged [time]
or order of succession): Christ a Firstfruit, next after that, those
belonging to the Christ (or: the ones who have their source and
origin in Christ; those who are [a part] of the Christ) --- ( WITHIN
THE MIDST OF HIS PRESENCE )...”
(1
Thessalonians 4:13-18 NWT): “...Moreover, brothers, we do not
want YOU to be ignorant concerning --- ( THOSE
WHO - ARE - SLEEPING [IN DEATH] )--- that YOU may not sorrow
just as the rest also do who have no hope. [14.] For if our
faith is that Jesus died and rose again, so, too, those who have
fallen asleep [in death] through Jesus God will bring with him. [15.]
For this is what we tell YOU by Jehovah’s word, that we the living
who survive --- ( TO ) --- ( THE
PRESENCE OF THE LORD ) --- ( SHALL IN NO
WAY - PRECEDE - THOSE WHO HAVE FALLEN ASLEEP [IN DEATH] ) ---
[16.] because the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a
commanding call, with an archangel’s voice and with God’s
trumpet, and those who are dead in union with Christ --- ( WILL
RISE FIRST ) --- [17.] --- ( AFTERWARD
) --- we the living who are surviving will, together with
them, be caught away in clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and thus
we shall always be with [the] Lord. [18.] Consequently keep
comforting one another with these words...”
(1st
Corinthians 15:6 NWT): “...After that he appeared to upward of
five hundred brothers at one time, the most of whom remain to the
present, --- ( BUT SOME HAVE FALLEN ASLEEP [IN
DEATH] )...”
(1st
Thessalonians 4:13 Moffat's New Testament): “...We would
like you, brothers, to understand --- ( ABOUT
THOSE WHO - ARE - ASLEEP IN DEATH ). You must not grieve for
them, like the rest of men who have no hope...”
(John
11:11 NWT): “...He said these things, and after this he said to
them: “Laz′a·rus our friend --- ( HAS GONE
TO REST ), --- but I am journeying there --- ( TO
AWAKEN HIM FROM SLEEP ) --- [12.] Therefore the
disciples said to him: “Lord, if he has gone to rest, he
will get well.” [13.] Jesus had spoken, however, about his
death. ( But they imagined ) he was speaking about
taking rest in sleep. [14.] At that time, --- (
THEREFORE, JESUS SAID TO THEM OUTSPOKENLY:
“LAZ′A·RUS HAS DIED )...”
(1st
Thessalonians 4:13 KNOX): “...Make no mistake, brethren,
about those --- ( WHO HAVE GONE TO THEIR REST
); --- you are not to lament over them, as the rest of the world
does, with no hope to live by...”
(1st
Thessalonians 4:15 ISV): “...For this we declare to you by
the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain --- (
UNTIL ) --- the coming of the Lord --- (
WILL BY NO MEANS - PRECEDE - THOSE WHO HAVE
DIED )...”
These
must be kept in mind when reading the following:
GREEK
TEXT: “...Kαὶ γὰρ κατὰ τὴν Ἀσίαν μεγάλα
στοιχεῖα κεκοίμηται· ἅτινα
ἀναστήσεται τῇ ἐσχάτῃ ἡμέρᾳ τῆς
παρουσίας τοῦ κυρίου, ἐν ᾗ ἔρχεται
μετὰ δόξης ἐξ οὐρανοῦ καὶ ἀναζητήσει
πάντας τοὺς ἁγίους, Φίλιππον τῶν
δώδεκα ἀποστόλων, ὃς κεκοίμηται ἐν
Ἱεραπόλει καὶ δύο θυγατέρες αὐτοῦ
γεγηρακυῖαι παρθένοι καὶ ἡ ἑτέρα
αὐτοῦ θυγάτηρ ἐν ἁγίῳ πνεύματι
πολιτευσαμένη ἐν Ἐφέσῳ ἀναπαύεται·
ἔτι δὲ καὶ Ἰωάννης, ὁ ἐπὶ τὸ στῆθος
τοῦ κυρίου ἀναπεσών, ὃς ἐγενήθη ἱερεὺς
τὸ πέταλον πεφορεκὼς καὶ μάρτυς καὶ
διδάσκαλος, οὗτος ἐν Ἐφέσῳ
κεκοίμηται. Ταῦτα καὶ περὶ τῆς τῶνδε
τελευτῆς...” - (Book
3, ΒΙΒΛΙΟΝ Γ´ Chapter 31, ΛΑ. Περὶ τῆς
Ἰωάννου καὶ Φιλίππου τελευτῆς. “Eusebius
Caesariensis - Historia ecclesiastica,” or “ΕΥΣΕΒΙΟΥ
ΚΑΙΣΑΡΕΙΑΣ, ΕΚΚΛΗΣΙΑΣΤΙΚΗ ΙΣΤΟΡΙΑ,”
MPG.)
POLYCRATES
OF EPHESUS (circa. 130-200 C.E.): “...For
in Asia also great lights HAVE ( FALLEN ASLEEP ), WHICH SHALL ( RISE
AGAIN ) --- ON --- THE LAST DAY, --- AT --- THE COMING OF THE LORD,
WHEN HE SHALL COME WITH GLORY FROM HEAVEN AND SHALL SEEK OUT ALL THE
SAINTS. Among these are Philip, one of the twelve apostles, who (
sleeps ) in Hierapolis, and his two aged virgin daughters, and
another daughter who lived ( in ) the Holy Spirit and ( now rests )
at Ephesus; and moreover John, who was both a witness and a teacher,
who reclined upon the bosom of the Lord, and being a priest wore the
sacerdotal plate. ( HE ALSO SLEEPS ) AT EPHESUS. [4.] SO MUCH
CONCERNING --- ( THEIR DEATH )...” - (Book
3, Chapter 31, Sections 1-6, The Death of John and
Philip. Eusebius. Church History, Translated by Arthur Cushman
McGiffert. Excerpted from Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Series Two,
Volume 1. Edited by Philip Schaff and Henry Wace. American Edition,
1890. Online Edition Copyright © 2004 by K. Knight)
POLYCRATES
OF EPHESUS (circa. 130-200 C.E.): “...For
in Asia also great luminaries ( HAVE FALLEN ASLEEP, WHO WILL RISE
AGAIN --- ON --- THE LAST DAY --- OF --- THE ADVENT OF THE LORD,
WHEN HE SHALL COME WITH GLORY FROM HEAVEN AND SHALL SEARCH OUT ALL
THE SAINTS ) including Philip{4} of the twelve Apostles, who sleeps at
Hierapolis{5} with his two daughters who grew old as virgins and
another daughter who lived in the Holy Spirit and rests at Ephesus.
And there is also John,{6} who leaned upon the bosom of the Lord, who
was a priest wearing the mitre,{7} and a martyr and a teacher, AND HE
SLEEPS AT EPHESUS.{8} SO MUCH CONCERNING THEIR DEATHS...” -
(Book 3, Chapter 31,
Sections 1-6, The Fathers Of The Church A New
Translation Eusebius Pamphili Ecclesiastical History Volume 19 Books
1-5 Translated by Roy J. Deferrari, THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF
AMERICA PRESS, Washington, D, C. 20017, NIHIL OBSTAT: JOHN M. A.
FEARNS, ST.D., Censor Librorum, IMPRIMATUR: FRANCIS CARDINAL
SPELLMAN, Archbishop of New York April 20, 1953.)
[FOOTNOTE
4]: Polycrates probably confuses Philip the Apostle and Philip
the
Deacon
here, and Eusebius does not seem to notice it. They were clearly two
different men, as is evident from Acts 6.2-5; 8.14-17; and 29.8. It
seems fairly certain that the deacon and not the Apostle was buried
at Hierapolis.
[FOOTNOTE
5]: In Proconsular Asia, five miles north of Laodicea; cf. Col.
4.13. We can see extensive ruins of the city today, whose site is
occupied by the modern village of Pambouk Kelessi.
[FOOTNOTE
6]: John 13.25; 21.20.
[FOOTNOTE
7]: The Greek word is petalon, used in the Septaguint technically
for the 'plate' or 'diadem' of the High Priest; cf. Exod. 28. Its
meaning here is uncertain.
[FOOTNOTE
8]: Cf. Exod. 28.32-34; Lev. 8.9; Matt. 18.18. On John's activity
at Ephesus and his death there, cf. above, 3.1.
“...For,
even, [those] great stars from the [district of] Asia have fallen
asleep. These ones shall indeed arise during the final part of days,
the Lord's royal presence, when he comes in [and] with [great] glory
from out of heaven, even to make an inspection of all of the holy
ones...”
Gk.,
( τῇ ἐσχάτῃ ἡμέρᾳ ) “...the final part of the
days...”
Gk.,
( τῆς παρουσίας τοῦ κυρίου ) “...the
Presence of the Lord...”
Gk.,
( ᾗ ἔρχεται μετὰ δόξης ) “...when he comes with
glory...”
GREEK
TEXT: “...ἡμεῖς οὖν ἀρᾳδιούργητον
ἄγομεν τὴν ἡμέραν, μήτε προστιθέντες
μήτε ἀφαιρούμενοι. καὶ γὰρ κατὰ τὴν
Ἀσίαν μεγάλα στοιχεῖα κεκοίμηται·
ἅτινα ἀναστήσεται τῇ ἡμέρᾳ
τῆς παρουσίας τοῦ κυρίου, ἐν ᾗ ἔρχεται
μετὰ δόξης ἐξ οὐρανῶν καὶ ἀναζητήσει
πάντας τοὺς ἁγίους, Φίλιππον τῶν
δώδεκα ἀποστόλων, ὃς κεκοίμηται ἐν
Ἱεραπόλει καὶ δύο θυγατέρες αὐτοῦ
γεγηρακυῖαι παρθένοι καὶ ἡ ἑτέρα
αὐτοῦ θυγάτηρ ἐν ἁγίῳ πνεύματι
πολιτευσαμένη ἐν Ἐφέσῳ ἀναπαύεται·
ἔτι δὲ καὶ Ἰωάννης ὁ ἐπὶ τὸ στῆθος
τοῦ κυρίου ἀναπεσών, ὃς ἐγενήθη ἱερεὺς
τὸ πέταλον πεφορεκὼς καὶ μάρτυς καὶ
διδάσκαλος· οὗτος ἐν Ἐφέσῳ κεκοίμηται,
ἔτι δὲ καὶ Πολύκαρπος ἐν Σμύρνῃ, καὶ
ἐπίσκοπος καὶ μάρτυς· καὶ Θρασέας,
καὶ ἐπίσκοπος καὶ μάρτυς ἀπὸ Εὐμενείας,
ὃς ἐν Σμύρνῃ κεκοίμηται. τί δὲ δεῖ
λέγειν Σάγαριν ἐπίσκοπον καὶ μάρτυρα,
ὃς ἐν Λαοδικείᾳ κεκοίμηται, ἔτι δὲ
καὶ Παπίριον τὸν μακάριον καὶ Μελίτωνα
τὸν εὐνοῦχον, τὸν ἐν ἁγίῳ πνεύματι
πάντα πολιτευσάμενον, ὃς κεῖται ἐν
Σάρδεσιν περιμένων τὴν
ἀπὸ τῶν οὐρανῶν ἐπισκοπὴν ἐν ᾗ ἐκ
νεκρῶν ἀναστήσεται; οὗτοι πάντες
ἐτήρησαν τὴν ἡμέραν τῆς τεσσαρεσκαιδεκάτης
τοῦ πάσχα κατὰ τὸ εὐαγγέλιον, μηδὲν
παρεκβαίνοντες, ἀλλὰ κατὰ τὸν κανόνα
τῆς πίστεως ἀκολουθοῦντες...” - (Book
5, ΒΙΒΛΙΟΝ Ε´ Chapter 24, ΚΔ Περὶ τῆς κατὰ
τὴν Ἀσίαν διαφωνίας. Sections 2-6(A),
“Eusebius Caesariensis - Historia ecclesiastica,” or “ΕΥΣΕΒΙΟΥ
ΚΑΙΣΑΡΕΙΑΣ, ΕΚΚΛΗΣΙΑΣΤΙΚΗ ΙΣΤΟΡΙΑ,”
MPG.)
POLYCRATES
OF EPHESUS (circa. 130-200 C.E.): “...We [2.] observe
the exact day; neither adding, nor taking away. For in Asia also
great lights HAVE FALLEN ASLEEP, WHICH SHALL RISE AGAIN ( ON ) THE
DAY OF THE LORD'S COMING, ( WHEN ) HE SHALL COME WITH GLORY FROM
HEAVEN, AND SHALL SEEK OUT ALL THE SAINTS. Among these are Philip,
one of the twelve apostles, who fell asleep in Hierapolis; and his
two aged virgin daughters, and another daughter, who lived ( in ) the
Holy Spirit and now rests at Ephesus; and, moreover, John, who
was both a witness and a teacher, who reclined upon the bosom of the
Lord, and, being a priest, wore the sacerdotal plate. [3.] He fell asleep at Ephesus. [4.] And Polycarp in Smyrna, who
was a bishop and martyr; and Thraseas, bishop and martyr from
Eumenia, who fell asleep in Smyrna. [5.] Why need I
mention the bishop and martyr Sagaris who fell asleep in
Laodicea, or the blessed Papirius, or Melito, the Eunuch who lived
altogether ( in ) the Holy Spirit, and ( WHO LIES IN ) SARDIS, (
AWAITING ) THE EPISCOPATE FROM HEAVEN, ( WHEN ) HE SHALL RISE FROM
THE DEAD? [6.] All these observed the fourteenth day of the
passover according to the Gospel, deviating in no respect, but
following the rule of faith...” - (Book
5, Chapter 24, Sections 2-6(A), Eusebius. Church
History, Translated by Arthur Cushman McGiffert. Excerpted from
Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Series Two, Volume 1. Edited by
Philip Schaff and Henry Wace. American Edition, 1890.)
POLYCRATES
OF EPHESUS (circa. 130-200 C.E.): “...We, therefore, keep the
precise day, neither adding nor taking away, for even in Asia great
luminaries{2} HAVE FALLEN ASLEEP, WHICH SHALL RISE --- ON ---
THE DAY OF THE COMING OF THE LORD, WHEN HE COMES WITH GLORY FROM
HEAVEN AND SHALL SEEK OUT{3} ALL THE SAINTS, Philip of the twelve
Apostles, who have been sleeping in Hieropolis, and two of his
daughters who had grown old as virgins, and another daughter of his
who lived in the Holy Spirit and rests at Ephesus. Furthermore, there
is also John, who leaned on the breast of the Lord,{4} and was a
priest wearing the breastplate, and a martyr, and teacher.{5} This
one rests at Ephesus. Then there is also Polycarp{6} in Smyrna, both
bishop and martyr; and there is Thraseas,{7} both bishop and martyr,
from Eumenaea, who rests at Smyrna. And why need I mention
Sagaris,{8} bishop and martyr, who rests in Smyrna, and also
Papirius{9} the blessed and Melito{10} the eunuch, who lived entirely
in the Holy Spirit and lies in Sardis ( AWAITING ) THE VISITATION FROM
HEAVEN WHEN HE WILL RISE FROM THE DEAD? All these observed the
fourteenth day of the Passover according to the Gospel, never
deviating, but following according to the rule of the faith...” -
(Book 5, Chapter 24,
Sections 2-6(A), The Fathers Of The Church A New
Translation Eusebius Pamphili Ecclesiastical History Volume 19 Books
1-5 Translated by Roy J. Deferrari, THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF
AMERICA PRESS, Washington, D, C. 20017, NIHIL OBSTAT: JOHN M. A.
FEARNS, ST.D., Censor Librorum, IMPRIMATUR: FRANCIS CARDINAL
SPELLMAN, Archbishop of New York April 20, 1953.)
[FOOTNOTE
2]: stoicheia, in late Greek, often means 'the planets/
[FOOTNOTE
3]: Some important manuscripts read anastesei (shall raise up)
which may
be
the right meaning.
[FOOTNOTE
4]: Cf. John 21.20; 13.23.
[FOOTNOTE
5]: Cf. Exod. 28.32ff.; 36.38E
[FOOTNOTE
6]: Cf. above, 4.14.
[FOOTNOTE
7]: All evidence points to the reliability of the statement that
he was
Bishop
of Eumenaea (in the southern part of Phrygia) and a martyr
in
the full sense. Nothing more is known about him*
[FOOTNOTE
8]: Cf. above, 4.26.
[FOOTNOTE
9]: Nothing is known about him. Polycrates calls him neither a
bishop nor
a
martyr, but Simeon Metaphrastes, an unreliable authority, says that
Papirius
was a successor of Polycarp as Bishop of Smyrna.
[FOOTNOTE
10]: Cf. above, 4.26.
“...waiting
for the [Great] Overseer from heaven, in that future time which he
shall rise up out of [the] dead...”
Gk.,
( περιμένων ) = particle, singular, ( future ), active,
masculine, nominative
Gk.,
( περιμένων ) “...is waiting for that future time...”
Gk.,
( ἐν ᾗ ἐκ νεκρῶν ἀναστήσεται ) “...during
which he rises from out of [the] dead...”
NOTE: Eusebius of Caesarea, (from whom the following is taken), wrote his history over a 150 years after Polycrates time, and definitely believed in the immortality of the human soul. By his time, Christian belief had indeed been corrupted, and was still in the process of changing at the time of his writing, i.e., the Council of Nicea etc. But it is this valuable document from the earliest strata of Christian belief, which is quoted by Eusebius, that is of the most value to us.
The
full quotations with Eusebius commentary surrounding it:
GREEK
TEXT: “...τῶν δὲ ἐπὶ τῆς Ἀσίας ἐπισκόπων
τὸ πάλαι πρότερον αὐτοῖς παραδοθὲν
διαφυλάττειν ἔθος χρῆναι διισχυριζομένων
ἡγεῖτο Πολυκράτης· ὃς καὶ αὐτὸς ἐν
ᾗ πρὸς Βίκτορα καὶ τὴν Ῥωμαίων
ἐκκλησίαν διετυπώσατο γραφῇ τὴν εἰς
αὐτὸν ἐλθοῦσαν παράδοσιν ἐκτίθεται
διὰ τούτων· «ἡμεῖς οὖν ἀρᾳδιούργητον
ἄγομεν τὴν ἡμέραν, μήτε προστιθέντες
μήτε ἀφαιρούμενοι. καὶ γὰρ κατὰ τὴν
Ἀσίαν μεγάλα στοιχεῖα κεκοίμηται·
ἅτινα ἀναστήσεται τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῆς
παρουσίας τοῦ κυρίου, ἐν ᾗ ἔρχεται
μετὰ δόξης ἐξ οὐρανῶν καὶ ἀναζητήσει
πάντας τοὺς ἁγίους, Φίλιππον τῶν δώδεκα
ἀποστόλων, ὃς κεκοίμηται ἐν Ἱεραπόλει
καὶ δύο θυγατέρες αὐτοῦ γεγηρακυῖαι
παρθένοι καὶ ἡ ἑτέρα αὐτοῦ θυγάτηρ
ἐν ἁγίῳ πνεύματι πολιτευσαμένη ἐν
Ἐφέσῳ ἀναπαύεται· ἔτι δὲ καὶ Ἰωάννης
ὁ ἐπὶ τὸ στῆθος τοῦ κυρίου ἀναπεσών,
ὃς ἐγενήθη ἱερεὺς τὸ πέταλον πεφορεκὼς
καὶ μάρτυς καὶ διδάσκαλος· οὗτος ἐν
Ἐφέσῳ κεκοίμηται, ἔτι δὲ καὶ Πολύκαρπος
ἐν Σμύρνῃ, καὶ ἐπίσκοπος καὶ μάρτυς·
καὶ Θρασέας, καὶ ἐπίσκοπος καὶ μάρτυς
ἀπὸ Εὐμενείας, ὃς ἐν Σμύρνῃ κεκοίμηται.
τί δὲ δεῖ λέγειν Σάγαριν ἐπίσκοπον
καὶ μάρτυρα, ὃς ἐν Λαοδικείᾳ κεκοίμηται,
ἔτι δὲ καὶ Παπίριον τὸν μακάριον καὶ
Μελίτωνα τὸν εὐνοῦχον, τὸν ἐν ἁγίῳ
πνεύματι πάντα πολιτευσάμενον, ὃς
κεῖται ἐν Σάρδεσιν περιμένων τὴν ἀπὸ
τῶν οὐρανῶν ἐπισκοπὴν ἐν ᾗ ἐκ νεκρῶν
ἀναστήσεται; οὗτοι πάντες ἐτήρησαν
τὴν ἡμέραν τῆς τεσσαρεσκαιδεκάτης
τοῦ πάσχα κατὰ τὸ εὐαγγέλιον, μηδὲν
παρεκβαίνοντες, ἀλλὰ κατὰ τὸν κανόνα
τῆς πίστεως ἀκολουθοῦντες...” - (Book
5, ΒΙΒΛΙΟΝ Ε´ Chapter 24, ΚΔ Περὶ τῆς κατὰ
τὴν Ἀσίαν διαφωνίας. “Eusebius Caesariensis -
Historia ecclesiastica,” or “ΕΥΣΕΒΙΟΥ ΚΑΙΣΑΡΕΙΑΣ,
ΕΚΚΛΗΣΙΑΣΤΙΚΗ ΙΣΤΟΡΙΑ,” MPG.)
EUSEBIUS
OF
CAESAREA (circa. 260-340 C.E. ): “...But
[1.] the bishops of Asia, led by Polycrates, decided to hold
to the old custom handed down to them. He himself, in a letter which
he addressed to Victor and the church of Rome, set forth in the
following words the tradition which had come down to him: [2.]
We observe the exact day; neither adding, nor taking away. For in
Asia also great lights have fallen asleep, which shall rise again on
the day of the Lord's coming, when he shall come with glory from
heaven, and shall seek out all the saints. Among these are Philip,
one of the twelve apostles, who fell asleep in Hierapolis; and his
two aged virgin daughters, and another daughter, who lived in the
Holy Spirit and now rests at Ephesus; and, moreover, John, who was
both a witness and a teacher, who reclined upon the bosom of the
Lord, and, being a priest, wore the sacerdotal plate. [3.] He
fell asleep at Ephesus. [4.] And Polycarp in Smyrna, who was a
bishop and martyr; and Thraseas, bishop and martyr from Eumenia, who
fell asleep in Smyrna. [5.] Why need I mention the bishop and
martyr Sagaris who fell asleep in Laodicea, or the blessed Papirius,
or Melito, the Eunuch who lived altogether in the Holy Spirit, and
who lies in Sardis, awaiting the episcopate from heaven, when he
shall rise from the dead? [6.] All these observed the
fourteenth day of the passover according to the Gospel, deviating in
no respect, but following the rule of faith...” - (Book 5,
Chapter 24, Sections 1-6(A), Eusebius. Church History, Translated by
Arthur Cushman McGiffert. Excerpted from Nicene and Post-Nicene
Fathers, Series Two, Volume 1. Edited by Philip Schaff and Henry
Wace. American Edition, 1890.)
EUSEBIUS
OF
CAESAREA (circa. 260-340 C.E. ): “...Now,
the time and the manner of the death of Paul and of Peter, and in
addition the place of the disposition of their corpses after their
departure from this life, we have already shown.{1} The date
of the death of John has also already been mentioned,{2} and
the disposition of his body is indicated by a [Page 189]
letter of Polycrates{3} (he was Bishop of the diocese of
Ephesus), on writing which to Victor, Bishop of Rome, he makes
mention both of John and Philip the Apostle, and the latter's
daughters as follows : For in Asia also great luminaries have fallen
asleep, who will rise again on the last day of the advent of the
Lord, when He shall come with glory from heaven and shall search out
all the saints including Philip{4} of the twelve Apostles, who
sleeps at Hierapolis{5} with his two daughters who grew old as
virgins and another daughter who lived in the Holy Spirit and rests
at Ephesus. And there is also John,{6} who leaned upon the
bosom of the Lord, who was a priest wearing the mitre,{7} and
a martyr and a teacher, and he sleeps at Ephesus.{8} So much
concerning their deaths. And in the dialogue of Gaius, which we
mentioned a little before,{9} Proclus,{10} against whom
he composed the disputation, thus speaks about the death of Philip
and his daughters, agreeing{11} [Page 190] with what has
already been set forth: 'After him the four daughters of Philip,
prophetesses, were at Hierapolis in Asia. Their grave is there, and
likewise that of their father.' So much does he say. And Luke, in the
Acts of the Apostles, mentions the daughters of Philip as then living
in Caesarea of Judaea together with their father and as having been
deemed worthy of the gift of prophecy, using exactly the following
words: 'We came into Caesarea, and having entered the house of Philip
who was one of the seven, we remained with him. He had four virgin
daughters who were prophetesses.{12} Thus, after having
described the matters that have come to our knowledge about the
Apostles and apostolic times and concerning the sacred writings which
they have left us, including those which are disputed, yet are read
publicly by many in a great many churches, and those entirely
spurious works at variance with apostolic orthodoxy, let us now
proceed with the narrative in order...” - (Book
3, Chapter 31, Sections 1-6, The Fathers Of The Church
A New Translation Eusebius Pamphili Ecclesiastical History Volume 19
Books 1-5 Translated by Roy J. Deferrari, THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF
AMERICA PRESS, Washington, D, C. 20017, NIHIL OBSTAT: JOHN M. A.
FEARNS, ST.D., Censor Librorum, IMPRIMATUR: FRANCIS CARDINAL
SPELLMAN, Archbishop of New York April 20, 1953.)
[FOOTNOTE
1]: Cf. above, 2.25.
[FOOTNOTE
2]: Cf. above, 3.23. Irenaeus, Haer. 2.22.5, is quoted here to
show that
John
lived until the reign of Trajan.
[FOOTNOTE
3]: On Polycrates and Victor, cf. below, 5.22. This Epistle is
the only extant work of Polycrates. This passage, but with much more
of the context, is quoted below, 5.24.
[FOOTNOTE
4]: Polycrates probably confuses Philip the Apostle and Philip
the
Deacon
here, and Eusebius does not seem to notice it. They were clearly two
different men, as is evident from Acts 6.2-5; 8.14-17; and 29.8. It
seems fairly certain that the deacon and not the Apostle was buried
at Hierapolis.
[FOOTNOTE
5]: In Proconsular Asia, five miles north of Laodicea; cf. Col.
4.13. We can see extensive ruins of the city today, whose site is
occupied by the modern village of Pambouk Kelessi.
[FOOTNOTE
6]: John 13.25; 21.20.
[FOOTNOTE
7]: The Greek word is petalon, used in the Septaguint technically
for the 'plate' or 'diadem' of the High Priest; cf. Exod. 28. Its
meaning here is uncertain.
[FOOTNOTE
8]: Cf. Exod. 28.32-34; Lev. 8.9; Matt. 18.18. On John's activity
at Ephesus and his death there, cf. above, 3.1.
[FOOTNOTE
9]: Cf. above, 2.25 and 3.28.
[FOOTNOTE
10]: A Montanist leader; cf. above, 2.25 .
[FOOTNOTE
11]: The two accounts, as a matter of fact, differ in details,
and it is difficult to understand why Eusebius passes over them.
Perhaps he considered it his duty as a historian to give the two
accounts accurately side by side and thus to permit the reader to
draw his own conclusion. He certainly was not trying to deceive.
[FOOTNOTE
12]: Cf. Acts 21 8,9. Eusebius evidently considers Philip the
Apostle and
Philip
the Deacon identical.
GREEK
TEXT: “...Παύλου μὲν οὖν καὶ Πέτρου τῆς
τελευτῆς ὅ τε χρόνος καὶ ὁ τρόπος καὶ
πρὸς ἔτι τῆς μετὰ τὴν ἀπαλλαγὴν τοῦ
βίου τῶν σκηνωμάτων αὐτῶν καταθέσεως
ὁ χῶρος ἤδη πρότερον ἡμῖν δεδήλωται·
τοῦ δὲ Ἰωάννου τὰ μὲν τοῦ χρόνου ἤδη
πως εἴρηται, τὸ δέ γε τοῦ σκηνώματος
αὐτοῦ χωρίον ἐξ ἐπιστολῆς Πολυκράτους
(τῆς δ᾿ ἐν Ἐφέσῳ παροικίας ἐπίσκοπος
οὗτος ἦν) ἐπιδείκνυνται, ἣν Οὐίκτορι
Ῥωμαίων ἐπισκόπῳ γράφων, ὁμοῦ τε
αὐτοῦ καὶ Φιλίππου μνημονεύει τοῦ
ἀποστόλου τῶν τε τούτου θυγατέρων ὧδέ
πως· «καὶ γὰρ κατὰ τὴν Ἀσίαν μεγάλα
στοιχεῖα κεκοίμηται· ἅτινα
ἀναστήσεται τῇ ἐσχάτῃ ἡμέρᾳ τῆς
παρουσίας τοῦ κυρίου, ἐν ᾗ ἔρχεται
μετὰ δόξης ἐξ οὐρανοῦ καὶ ἀναζητήσει
πάντας τοὺς ἁγίους, Φίλιππον τῶν
δώδεκα ἀποστόλων, ὃς κεκοίμηται ἐν
Ἱεραπόλει καὶ δύο θυγατέρες αὐτοῦ
γεγηρακυῖαι παρθένοι καὶ ἡ ἑτέρα
αὐτοῦ θυγάτηρ ἐν ἁγίῳ πνεύματι
πολιτευσαμένη ἐν Ἐφέσῳ ἀναπαύεται·
ἔτι δὲ καὶ Ἰωάννης, ὁ ἐπὶ τὸ στῆθος
τοῦ κυρίου ἀναπεσών, ὃς ἐγενήθη ἱερεὺς
τὸ πέταλον πεφορεκὼς καὶ μάρτυς καὶ
διδάσκαλος, οὗτος ἐν Ἐφέσῳ κεκοίμηται».
ταῦτα καὶ περὶ τῆς τῶνδε τελευτῆς·
καὶ ἐν τῷ Γαΐου δέ, οὗ μικρῷ πρόσθεν
ἐμνήσθημεν, διαλόγῳ Πρόκλος, πρὸς ὃν
ἐποιεῖτο τὴν ζήτησιν, περὶ τῆς Φιλίππου
καὶ τῶν θυγατέρων αὐτοῦ τελευτῆς,
συνᾴδων τοῖς ἐκτεθεῖσιν, οὕτω φησίν·
«μετὰ τοῦτον προφήτιδες τέσσαρες αἱ
Φιλίππου γεγένηνται ἐν Ἱεραπόλει τῇ
κατὰ τὴν Ἀσίαν· ὁ τάφος αὐτῶν ἐστιν
ἐκεῖ καὶ ὁ τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτῶν». ταῦτα
μὲν οὗτος· ὁ δὲ Λουκᾶς ἐν ταῖς
Πράξεσιν τῶν ἀποστόλων τῶν Φιλίππου
θυγατέρων ἐν Καισαρείᾳ τῆς Ἰουδαίας
ἅμα τῷ πατρὶ τότε διατριβουσῶν
προφητικοῦ τε χαρίσματος ἠξιωμένων
μνημονεύει, κατὰ λέξιν ὧδέ πως λέγων·
«ἤλθομεν εἰς Καισάρειαν, καὶ εἰσελθόντες
εἰς τὸν οἶκον Φιλίππου τοῦ εὐαγγελιστοῦ,
ὄντος ἐκ τῶν ἑπτά, ἐμείναμεν παρ᾿
αὐτῷ. τούτῳ δὲ ἦσαν παρθένοι θυγατέρες
τέσσαρες προφητεύουσαι.» τὰ μὲν οὖν
εἰς ἡμετέραν ἐλθόντα γνῶσιν περί τε
τῶν ἀποστόλων καὶ τῶν ἀποστολικῶν
χρόνων ὧν τε καταλελοίπασιν ἡμῖν ἱερῶν
γραμμάτων καὶ τῶν ἀντιλεγομένων μέν,
ὅμως δ᾿ ἐν πλείσταις ἐκκλησίαις παρὰ
πολλοῖς δεδημοσιευμένων τῶν τε παντελῶς
νόθων καὶ τῆς ἀποστολικῆς ὀρθοδοξίας
ἀλλοτρίων ἐν τούτοις διειληφότες, ἐπὶ
τὴν τῶν ἑξῆς προΐωμεν ἱστορίαν...” -
(Book 3, ΒΙΒΛΙΟΝ Γ´ Chapter 31, ΛΑ. Περὶ τῆς
Ἰωάννου καὶ Φιλίππου τελευτῆς. “Eusebius
Caesariensis - Historia ecclesiastica,” or “ΕΥΣΕΒΙΟΥ
ΚΑΙΣΑΡΕΙΑΣ, ΕΚΚΛΗΣΙΑΣΤΙΚΗ ΙΣΤΟΡΙΑ,”
MPG.)
EUSEBIUS
OF
CAESAREA (circa. 260-340 C.E. ): ““...The
[1.] time and the manner of the death of Paul and Peter as
well as their burial places, have been already shown by us. [2.]
The time of John's death has also been given in a general way, but
his burial place is indicated by an epistle of Polycrates (who was
bishop of the parish of Ephesus), addressed to Victor, bishop of
Rome. In this epistle he mentions him together with the apostle
Philip and his daughters in the following words: [3.] For in
Asia also great lights have fallen asleep, which shall rise again on
the last day, at the coming of the Lord, when he shall come with
glory from heaven and shall seek out all the saints. Among these are
Philip, one of the twelve apostles, who sleeps in Hierapolis, and his
two aged virgin daughters, and another daughter who lived in the Holy
Spirit and now rests at Ephesus; and moreover John, who was both a
witness and a teacher, who reclined upon the bosom of the Lord, and
being a priest wore the sacerdotal plate. He also sleeps at Ephesus.
[4.] So much concerning their death. And in the Dialogue of
Caius which we mentioned a little above, Proclus, against whom he
directed his disputation, in agreement with what has been quoted,
speaks thus concerning the death of Philip and his daughters: After
him there were four prophetesses, the daughters of Philip, at
Hierapolis in Asia. Their tomb is there and the tomb of their father.
Such is his statement. [5.] But Luke, in the Acts of the
Apostles, mentions the daughters of Philip who were at that time at
Cæsarea in Judea with their father, and were honored with the gift
of prophecy. His words are as follows: We came unto Cæsarea; and
entering into the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the
seven, we abode with him. Now this man had four daughters, virgins,
which did prophesy. [6.] We have thus set forth in these pages
what has come to our knowledge concerning the apostles themselves and
the apostolic age, and concerning the sacred writings which they have
left us, as well as concerning those which are disputed, but
nevertheless have been publicly used by many in a great number of
churches, and moreover, concerning those that are altogether rejected
and are out of harmony with apostolic orthodoxy. Having done this,
let us now proceed with our history...” - (Book 3, Chapter 31,
Sections 1-6, The Death of John and Philip. Eusebius. Church History,
Translated by Arthur Cushman McGiffert. Excerpted from Nicene and
Post-Nicene Fathers, Series Two, Volume 1. Edited by Philip Schaff
and Henry Wace. American Edition, 1890. Online Edition Copyright ©
2004 by K. Knight)
EUSEBIUS
OF
CAESAREA (circa. 260-340 C.E. ): “...To
these belonged the one definition which has just been indicated, but
Polycrates led the bishops of Asia in confidently proclaiming that
they must preserve the custom handed down to them from of old.
Polycrates himself, in a writing which he composed to Victor and the
Church of Rome, describes the tradition which had come down to him,
in these words:{1} [Page 335] 'We, therefore, keep the precise
day, neither adding nor taking away, for even in Asia great
luminaries{2} have fallen asleep, which shall rise on the day
of the coming of the Lord, when he comes with glory from heaven and
shall seek out{3} all the saints, Philip of the twelve
Apostles, who have been sleeping in Hieropolis, and two of his
daughters who had grown old as virgins, and another daughter of his
who lived in the Holy Spirit and rests at Ephesus. Furthermore, there
is also John, who leaned on the breast of the Lord,{4} and was
a priest wearing the breastplate, and a martyr, and teacher.{5}
This one rests at Ephesus. Then there is also Polycarp{6} in
Smyrna, both bishop and martyr; and there is Thraseas,{7} both
bishop and martyr, from Eumenaea, who rests at Smyrna. And why need I
mention Sagaris,{8} bishop and martyr, who rests in Smyrna,
and also Papirius{9} the blessed and Melito{10} the
eunuch, who lived entirely in the Holy Spirit and lies in Sardis
awaiting the visitation from heaven when he will rise from the dead?
All these observed the fourteenth day of the Passover according to
the Gospel, never deviating, but following according to the rule of
the faith. And I also, Polycrates, do so, the least of you all,
according to the tradition o my kinsmen, some of whom I have
followed. Seven of my kinsmen were bishops, and I am the eighth. And
my [Page 336] kinsmen always observed the day when the
people{11} put away the leaven. So, my brethren, having lived
sixty-five years in the Lord and having associated with the brethren
from the entire world and having read all holy Scripture{12} I
am not frightened at what is threatened us, for those greater than I
have said, "We ought to obey God rather than men.{13}...”
- (Book 5, Chapter 24,
Sections 2-6(A), The Fathers Of The Church A New
Translation Eusebius Pamphili Ecclesiastical History Volume 19 Books
1-5 Translated by Roy J. Deferrari, THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF
AMERICA PRESS, Washington, D, C. 20017, NIHIL OBSTAT: JOHN M. A.
FEARNS, ST.D., Censor Librorum, IMPRIMATUR: FRANCIS CARDINAL
SPELLMAN, Archbishop of New York April 20, 1953.)
[FOOTNOTE
1]: A portion of this quotation from Polycrates' epistle is given
above, 3.31.
[FOOTNOTE
2]: stoicheia, in late Greek, often means 'the planets.'
[FOOTNOTE
3]: Some important manuscripts read anastesei (shall raise up)
which may
be
the right meaning.
[FOOTNOTE
4]: Cf. John 21.20; 13.23.
[FOOTNOTE
5]: Cf. Exod. 28.32ff.; 36.38E
[FOOTNOTE
6]: Cf. above, 4.14.
[FOOTNOTE
7]: All evidence points to the reliability of the statement that
he was
Bishop
of Eumenaea (in the southern part of Phrygia) and a martyr
in
the full sense. Nothing more is known about him*
[FOOTNOTE
8]: Cf. above, 4.26.
[FOOTNOTE
9]: Nothing is known about him. Polycrates calls him neither a
bishop nor
a
martyr, but Simeon Metaphrastes, an unreliable authority, says that
Papirius
was a successor of Polycarp as Bishop of Smyrna.
[FOOTNOTE
10]: Cf. above, 4.26.
[FOOTNOTE
11]: I.e., the Jews.
[FOOTNOTE
12]: Cf. Phil. 1.28.
