The Gospel According To Peter Part 5

The continuation of the narrative in Peter is as different from that of our canonical Gospels as its commencement:

43. These, therefore, took counsel together whether they should go and declare these things to Pilate. 44. And whilst they were still considering, the heavens again appeared opened, and a certain man descending and going into the grave. 45. Seeing these things, the centurion and his men hastened to Pilate by night, leaving the tomb they were watching, and narrated all things they had seen, fearing greatly, and saying: "Truly he was a Son of G.o.d" (??????

???? ?? ?e??). 46. Pilate answered and said, "I am pure of the blood of the Son of G.o.d, but thus it seemed good unto you" (???

?a?a?e?? t?? a?at?? t?? ???? t?? ?e??, ??? d? t??t? ?d??e?). 47.

Then they all came to him beseeching and entreating him that he should command the centurion and the soldiers to say nothing of what they had seen, 48. "For it is better," they said, "to lay upon us the greatest sins before G.o.d, and not to fall into the hands of the people of the Jews and be stoned." 49. Pilate, therefore, commanded the centurion and the soldiers to say nothing.

As the first Synoptic is the only Gospel which relates the story of the application to Pilate for a guard and the watch at the sepulchre, so of course it is the only one which gives the sequel to that episode; but this differs in every respect from the account in Peter. It is as follows (xxviii. 11 f.):

Some of the guard came into the city, and told unto the chief priests all the things that were come to pa.s.s. And when they were a.s.sembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers, saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night and stole him away while we slept. And if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and rid you of care. So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying was spread abroad among the Jews, and continueth until this day.

When the centurion and soldiers in Peter go to Pilate after witnessing the events described as occurring at the resurrection, "fearing greatly"

(???????te? e?????), they say, "Truly he was a Son of G.o.d" (?????? ????

?? ?e??). It will be remembered that, in the first Synoptic, when the centurion and they that were watching Jesus saw the earthquake and the things that were done when he expired, they "feared exceedingly"

(?f????sa? sf?d?a), and said, "Truly this was a Son of G.o.d" (?????? ?e??

???? ?? ??t??). The tradition of the astonished centurion bearing such testimony to Jesus is known to both writers, but under different circ.u.mstances, and independently treated. In similar fas.h.i.+on, the reply put into the mouth of Pilate in Peter, "I am pure of the blood (???

?a?a?e?? t?? a?at??) of the Son of G.o.d, but thus it seemed good unto you," is, to a certain extent, the same as Pilate's declaration to the mult.i.tude after was.h.i.+ng his hands (xxvii. 24 f.): "I am innocent of the blood of this righteous man (????? e?? ?p? t?? a?at?? t?? d??a???

t??t??): see ye to it;" but in this case, as well as the other, the details and the language show an independent use of a similar source. In the Synoptic, the centurion and soldiers do not go to Pilate at all, but are bribed by the chief priests and elders to say that his disciples stole him by night when they slept. They are warned by Pilate to be altogether silent, in Peter. As the desire of the author is represented to be to remove responsibility from Pilate and throw it all upon the Jews, it is difficult to conceive that, if he had this account before him, he could deliberately have left it unused, and preferred his own account.

We now come to the visit of the women to the sepulchre:

50. In the morning of the Lord's day, Mary Magdalene, a disciple of the Lord (through fear of the Jews, for they burnt with anger, she had not done at the grave of the Lord that which women are accustomed to do for those that die and are loved by them), 51.

took her women friends with her and came to the grave where he was laid. 52. And they feared lest the Jews should see them, and said: "If we could not on that day on which he was crucified weep and lament, let us do these things even now at his grave. 53. But who will roll away the stone that is laid at the door of his grave (t?? d? ?p?????se? ??? ?a? t?? ????? t?? te???ta ?p? t?? ???a?

t?? ??e???) in order that we may enter and set ourselves by him and do the things that are due? 54. For great was the stone (??a?

??? ?? ? ?????), and we fear lest some one should see us. And if we should not be able to do it, let us at least lay down before the door that which we bring in his memory, and let us weep and lament till we come to our home." 55. And they went and found the tomb opened and, coming near, they stooped down and see there a certain young man sitting in the midst of the tomb, beautiful and clad in a s.h.i.+ning garment (?a? p??se????sa? pa?????a? ??e?, ?a?

???s?? ??e? t??a ?ea??s??? ?a?e??e??? ?s? t?? t?f??, ??a??? ?a?

pe??e?????? st???? ?ap??t?t??), who said to them: 56. "Why are ye come? Whom seek ye? Him who was crucified? He is risen and gone away. But if ye do not believe, stoop down and see the place where he lay, that he is not there; for he is risen and gone away whence he was sent" (t? ???ate? t??a ??te?te? ? t?? sta??????ta ??e?????

???st? ?a? ?p???e?; e? d? ? p?ste?ete, pa?a???ate ?a? ?date t??

t?p?? ???a ??e?t?, ?t? ??? ?st??; ???st? ??? ?a? ?p???e? ??e?

??e?a?? ?pest???). Then the women, frightened, fled.

We need not remark that in all essential points the account given here is different from that in our Gospels.

In each of the three Synoptics, it is said that the women saw where Jesus was laid, and the first two name Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Jesus (Mark "the other Mary"), Matt. xxvii. 61, Mark xv. 47, Luke xxiii.

55. All four canonical Gospels relate their coming to the sepulchre: Matthew (xxviii. 1), "late on the Sabbath day, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week;" Mark (xvi. 1), "when the Sabbath was past;"

Luke (xxiv. 1), "on the first day of the week at early dawn;" but only the second and third state that they bring spices to anoint Jesus; in Matthew the purpose stated being merely "to see the sepulchre." In the fourth Gospel, only Mary Magdalene comes, and no reason is a.s.signed. In Peter, Mary Magdalene only is named, but she takes her women friends, and though spices are not directly named, they are distinctly implied, and the object of the visit to the tomb, admirably described as "that which women are accustomed to do for those who die and are loved by them," which they had not been able to do on the day of the crucifixion, through fear of the Jews. Even now the same fear is upon them; but nothing is said of it in the four Gospels.

The only part of the words put into their mouths by the author which at all corresponds with anything in the canonical narratives is that regarding the opening of the sepulchre. "But who will roll us away the stone that is laid at the door of the grave?" (t?? d? ?p?????se? ??? ?a?

t?? ????? t?? te???ta, ?p? t?? ???a? t?? ??e????). In Matthew, an angel had rolled away the stone, but in Mark the women are represented as asking the same question among themselves (xvi. 3), "Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the grave?" (t?? ?p?????se? ??? t?? ????? ?? t??

???a? t?? ??e????) practically in the same words. To appreciate the relative importance of the similarity in this detail it should be remembered that the same words are used with slight grammatical changes in the other two Synoptics: Matt. xxviii. 2, the angel "rolled away the stone" (?pe????se t?? ?????); and Luke xxiv. 2, they found "the stone rolled away from the grave" (t?? ????? ?p??e????s???? ?p? t?? ??e???).

The privilege of using a similar source of tradition must also be accorded to the author of the fragment.

The women in Peter, after a few more words explanatory of their purpose in going to the sepulchre, use an expression to which so much importance has been attached by Zahn that, to render it intelligible, it must be connected with the context just discussed. "But who will roll away the stone that is laid at the door of the grave, in order that we may enter and set ourselves by him, and do the things that are due? For great was the stone (??a? ??? ?? ? ?????), and we fear lest some one should see us." Now in the second Synoptic (xvi. 4) we read that the women, looking up, "see that the stone (?????) is rolled back; for it was exceeding great" (?? ??? ??a? sf?d?a). Zahn says: "Just as certainly can the dependence of the Gospel of Peter on Mark be proved. A proof scarcely to be refuted lies even in the one little word ??, which is mechanically taken from Mark xvi. 3."(116) To one so willing to be convinced, what might not be proved by many little words in the canonical Gospels? It must be remembered that none of our Synoptics sprang full-fledged from the original tradition, but, as is recognised by every critic competent to form an opinion, is based on previous works and records of tradition, which gradually grew into this more complete form. Any one who wishes to realise this should examine Rushbrooke's "Synopticon," which, at a glance, will show the matter and the language common to our first three Gospels, and leave little doubt as to the common origin of these works. It may be useful towards a proper understanding of the problem before us if we give a single ill.u.s.tration of the construction of the Synoptics taken from the very part of the narrative at which we have arrived. We shall arrange it in parallel columns for facility of comparison.

MATTHEW xxvii. MARK xv. LUKE xxiii.

55. And many women 40. And there were 49. And all his were there beholding also women beholding acquaintance, and from afar, which had from afar: among the women that followed Jesus from whom were both Mary followed him from Galilee, ministering Magdalene and Mary Galilee, stood afar unto him: 56. among the mother of James off, seeing these whom was Mary the less and of things, xxiv. 10.

Magdalene, and Mary Joses, and Salome; Now they were Mary the mother of James 41. who, when he was Magdalene and and Joses, and the in Galilee, followed Joanna, and Mary mother of the sons him, and ministered [the mother] of of Zebedee. unto him.... James, and other women with them, xxiii. 50.

57. And when even 42. And when even 50. And behold a man was come, there came was now come, ... named Joseph, who a rich man from 43. there came was a councillor, a Arimathaea, who also Joseph of good man and a himself was Jesus' Arimathaea, a righteous, 51. ...

disciple: 58. this councillor of of Arimathaea, a man went to Pilate, honourable estate, city of the Jews, and asked for the who also himself was who was looking for body of Jesus. looking for the the kingdom of G.o.d: kingdom of G.o.d: and 52. this man went to he boldly went in Pilate, and asked unto Pilate and for the body of asked for the body Jesus.

of Jesus.

55. ?sa? d? ??e? 40. ?sa? d? ?a? 49. ??st??e?sa? d?

???a??e? p???a? ?p? ???a??e? ?p? p??te? ?? ???st??

a????e? ?e????sa?, a????e? ?e????sa?, a?t? ?p? a????e?, a?t??e? ????????sa? ?? a?? ?a? ?a??a ? ?a? ???a??e? a?

t? ??s?? ?p? t?? ?a?da???? ?a? ?a??a s??a????????sa? a?t?

Ga???a?a? ? ?a???? t?? ????? ?p? t?? Ga???a?a?, d?a?????sa? a?t?, ?a? ??s?t?? ?t?? ???sa? ta?ta. (xxiv.

(56) ?? a?? ?? ?a??a ?a? Sa???, (41) a? 10) ?sa? d? ?

? ?a?da????, ?a? ?te ?? ?? t? ?a?da???? ?a??a ?a?

?a??a ? t?? ?a???? Ga???a?? ?????????? ?????a ?a? ?a??a ?

?a? ??s? ?t??, ?a? ??t? ?a? d???????? ?a???? ?a? a?

? ?t?? t?? ???? a?t?, ... ???pa? s?? a?ta??

?eeda???. ...

57. ???a? d? 42. ?a? ?d? ???a? 50. ?a? ?d?? ????

?e?????? ???e? ?e??????, ... (43) ???at? ??s?f ?????p?? p???s??? ????? ??s?f ?p? ???e?t?? ?p?????, ?p? ???a?a?a?, ???a?a?a?, e?s???? ???? ??a??? ?a?

t????a ??s?f, ?? ???e?t??, ?? ?a? d??a???, 51. ... ?p?

?a? a?t?? ?a??te??? a?t?? ?? ???a?a?a? p??e??

t? ??s??; 58. ??t?? p??sde??e??? t?? t?? ???da???. ??

p??se???? t? ?e???t? as??e?a? t?? ?e??, p??sed??et? t??

?t?sat? t? s?a t?? t???sa? e?s???e? as??e?a? t?? ?e??.

??s??. p??? t?? ?e???t?? 52. ??t?? p??se????

?a? ?t?sat? t? s?a t? ?e???t? ?t?sat?

t?? ??s??. t? s?a t?? ??s??.

??s??.

Or take, for instance, a few verses giving the arrest of Jesus as narrated by the three Synoptists:

MATTHEW xxvi. MARK xiv. LUKE xxii.

47. And while he yet 43. And straightway, 47. While he yet spake, lo, Judas, while he yet spake, spake, lo, a one of the twelve, cometh Judas, one of mult.i.tude, and he came, and with him a the twelve, and with that was called great mult.i.tude with him a mult.i.tude with Judas, one of the swords and staves, swords and staves, twelve, went before from the chief from the chief them; priests and elders priests and the of the people. scribes and the elders.

48. Now he that 44. Now he that and he drew near betrayed him gave betrayed him had unto Jesus to kiss them a sign, saying, given them a token, him.

Whomsoever I shall saying, Whomsoever I kiss, that is he: shall kiss, that is take him. he; take him, 49. And straightway 45. And when he was he came to Jesus, come, straightway he and said, Hail, came to him and Rabbi; and kissed saith, Rabbi; and him. kissed him.

50. And Jesus said 48. But Jesus said unto him, Friend, do unto him, Judas, that for which thou betrayest thou the art come. Son of man with a kiss?

Then they came and 46. And they laid (54. And they seized laid hands on Jesus hands on him and him and led him and took him. took him. away.) 51. And lo, one of 47. But a certain 50. And a certain them that were with one of them that one of them smote Jesus stretched out stood by drew his the servant of the his hand, and drew sword, and smote the high priest, and his sword, and smote servant of the high struck off right the servant of the priest, and struck ear.

high priest, and off his ear.

struck off his ear.

47. ?a? ?t? a?t?? 43. ?a? e???? ?t? 47. ?t? a?t??

?a????t??, ?d?? a?t?? ?a????t?? ?a????t??, ?d??

???da? e?? t?? pa?a???eta? ???da? ?????, ?a? ?

d?de?a ???e?, ?a? e?? t?? d?de?a, ?a? ?e??e??? ???da? e??

et? a?t?? ????? et? a?t?? ????? t?? d?de?a p?????et?

p???? et? a?a???? et? a?a???? ?a? a?t???, ?a?

?a? ????? ?p? t?? ????? pa?? t??

????e???? ?a? ????e???? ?a? t??

p?es?t???? t?? ??aat??? ?a?

?a??. p?es?t????.