Introduction
The Gospel Of Peter stands as one of the fascinating yet controversial texts within the New Testament apocrypha. Unlike the canonical gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, the Gospel of Peter offers a unique, and in some ways, divergent narrative of the passion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This text, fragments of which were rediscovered in the late 19th century, provides valuable insights into the diverse beliefs and traditions circulating in early Christian communities. This article delves into the Gospel of Peter, examining its content, historical context, and theological significance, aiming to provide a comprehensive understanding of this important early Christian writing for English-speaking audiences.
Unveiling the Narrative of the Gospel of Peter
The surviving fragments of the Gospel of Peter primarily focus on the passion and resurrection narratives. It commences with Pilate washing his hands, notably stating that neither Herod nor any of the Jewish judges participated in this ritual. This detail immediately sets a tone that subtly shifts blame away from Pilate and towards Herod and the Jewish authorities for Jesus’ crucifixion.
The narrative proceeds with Joseph of Arimathea requesting Jesus’ body for burial, a request granted by Pilate after consulting Herod. The text emphasizes the urgency of the burial due to the approaching Sabbath, citing Jewish law against leaving a crucified body exposed overnight. This section highlights the interaction between Roman and Jewish authorities in the events leading to Jesus’ burial.
The Gospel vividly describes the mistreatment of Jesus by the soldiers, depicting them mocking and tormenting him. They clothe him in purple, place him on a judgment seat, and crown him with thorns, mimicking royal attire and judicial authority while simultaneously inflicting pain and humiliation. The text underscores the brutality of the soldiers and their derision towards Jesus’ claim to kingship.
The Crucifixion and Jesus’ Silence
In a striking departure from the canonical gospels, the Gospel of Peter portrays Jesus as silent and seemingly without pain during his crucifixion. Verse 10 states, “But he was silent as having no pain.” This detail has been interpreted in various ways, ranging from Docetic leanings (the belief that Christ’s physical body was an illusion) to an emphasis on Jesus’ divine power and transcendence over suffering. This silence contrasts sharply with the cries of agony depicted in other gospel accounts and presents a unique theological perspective on Jesus’ passion.
The inscription on the cross, “THIS IS THE KING OF ISRAEL,” is consistent with other gospel accounts. The division of Jesus’ garments and the reviling of one of the wrongdoers crucified alongside him are also elements shared with canonical narratives, though with slight variations in detail. The text highlights the remorse of one of the crucified criminals, who recognizes Jesus’ innocence, further emphasizing the injustice of Jesus’ crucifixion in the narrative.
Darkness, Divine Cry, and the Torn Veil
The Gospel of Peter recounts the midday darkness that engulfed Judea, causing distress as people feared the sun had set before Jesus’ death, again referencing the Jewish law concerning crucifixion. This detail echoes similar accounts in the synoptic gospels and emphasizes the cosmic significance of Jesus’ crucifixion in the narrative’s context.
Jesus’ cry from the cross, “My power, O power, you have forsaken me,” is a unique variation of the cry of abandonment found in Mark and Matthew. This version, “My power, O power,” has been interpreted as reflecting a different theological understanding of Jesus’ relationship with divine power during his suffering. Immediately following this cry, the text states, “And having said this, he was taken up,” suggesting a swift transition from death to ascension, a point of divergence from the traditional resurrection narrative.
The tearing of the veil of the Jerusalem sanctuary is another element shared with the synoptic gospels, signifying the disruption of the old covenant and the opening of a new way to God through Jesus’ sacrifice. This event underscores the theological implications of Jesus’ death within the narrative.
The Resurrection Narrative: A Unique Perspective
The resurrection account in the Gospel of Peter is distinct and dramatic. After the nails are removed and Jesus’ body is laid on the earth, the earth quakes, and great fear descends. The sun then shines, revealing it to be the ninth hour. This sequence of events emphasizes the cosmic impact of Jesus’ death and resurrection.
The narrative then shifts to the Jewish authorities rejoicing and granting Joseph permission to bury Jesus. Joseph washes and prepares the body, placing it in his own sepulcher, described as the Garden of Joseph. This part of the account aligns with the basic burial narrative found in other gospels.
The Gospel then recounts the remorse of the Jewish leaders and elders, who realize the magnitude of their actions. They express fear and lamentation, recognizing the signs accompanying Jesus’ death as indicators of his righteousness and impending judgment upon Jerusalem.
Guarding the Tomb and the Resurrection Appearance
Fearful of Jesus’ disciples stealing the body and falsely claiming resurrection, the Jewish leaders request soldiers from Pilate to guard the tomb. Pilate grants their request, and Petronius, a centurion, along with soldiers, secures the sepulcher. They roll a large stone, seal it with seven wax seals, and set up a tent to guard the tomb, emphasizing their efforts to prevent any tampering.
The resurrection itself is depicted as a spectacular event. During the night, a loud voice from heaven is heard, and the heavens open. Two radiant men descend and approach the tomb. The stone rolls away on its own, the tomb opens, and the two men enter.
The soldiers witness an even more astonishing sight: three men emerge from the tomb, with the two supporting the third. A cross follows them. The heads of the two men reach heaven, while the head of the one being led surpasses the heavens. A voice from heaven asks, “Have you made proclamation to the fallen-asleep?” and a voice from the cross answers, “Yes.” This highly visual and symbolic account of the resurrection is unique to the Gospel of Peter and emphasizes the miraculous and transcendent nature of the event.
The Centurion’s Confession and Pilate’s Response
The centurion and soldiers, terrified by what they witnessed, rush to Pilate to report the events. They confess, “Truly he was God’s Son,” echoing the centurion’s confession in Mark’s Gospel, but here explicitly tied to the resurrection events.
Pilate, in response, declares his innocence, stating, “I am clean of the blood of the Son of God, but it was to you that this seemed [the thing to do].” This reinforces the Gospel’s tendency to exonerate Pilate and place blame on the Jewish authorities.
The Jewish leaders then persuade Pilate to order the centurion and soldiers to remain silent about what they had seen, fearing the repercussions from the Jewish populace. They prioritize avoiding social unrest and maintaining their authority over acknowledging the miraculous events.
Mary Magdalene and the Empty Tomb
The Gospel of Peter concludes with Mary Magdalene and her women friends approaching the tomb on the Lord’s Day. They come to perform customary burial rites but are fearful of the Jews. They discuss the difficulty of moving the large stone and their intention to mourn at the tomb even if they cannot enter.
Upon arrival, they find the tomb already opened. Inside, they encounter a young man in a splendid robe seated in the tomb. He informs them that Jesus has risen and is gone, inviting them to see the empty place where he had lain. He instructs them to believe in the resurrection and affirms Jesus’ ascension to the one who sent him. The women flee in fear.
The Gospel concludes abruptly, mentioning the disciples’ sorrow and Peter and Andrew returning to fishing, similar to the ending of Mark’s Gospel, leaving the reader with a sense of incompleteness and mystery.
Historical and Theological Significance
The Gospel of Peter is considered a significant text for understanding the development of early Christian traditions about Jesus’ passion and resurrection. Scholars debate its date of origin, with estimates ranging from the early to mid-2nd century CE. Its relationship to the canonical gospels and other apocryphal writings is complex, suggesting a possible dependence on earlier traditions while also introducing unique elements and theological perspectives.
The text’s portrayal of Pilate as largely innocent and the Jewish authorities as primarily responsible for Jesus’ death has made it a controversial text, particularly in discussions of Christian-Jewish relations. Its depiction of Jesus’ passion and resurrection offers valuable insights into the diverse theological interpretations circulating in early Christianity, including potential influences from Docetism and other early Christian theological perspectives.
Conclusion
The Gospel of Peter provides a unique and compelling narrative of Jesus’ passion and resurrection. While sharing some elements with the canonical gospels, it also presents distinctive details and theological emphases, particularly in its portrayal of Jesus’ suffering, resurrection appearance, and the roles of various figures involved in the passion narrative. Studying the Gospel of Peter offers a valuable window into the rich tapestry of early Christian beliefs and the evolving traditions surrounding the central events of the Christian faith. Further exploration of this text can deepen our understanding of the diverse expressions of Christian thought in the early centuries of the Common Era.
