Introduction to the Martyrdom of Polycarp
The Martyrdom of Polycarp is one of the more popular and unique additions to the Apostolic Fathers. When someone casually brings up early Church persecution, or a story from the 2nd century Church, Polycarp’s martyrdom is often referenced. There’s even a low budget movie based on the story from 2015 (for Christian movie standards, it’s surprisingly decent).
We previously looked at the martyrdom genre, and the common characteristics that can be found in martyrdom accounts like Justin Martyr and Perpetua. But Polycarp’s account, while not necessarily the “first” martyrdom story, very much established the common formula that would be used in future Christian martyrdoms.
“Within this tradition, the Martyrdom of Polycarp arises as the first instance of this literary form as preserved by church history, and in many respects it came to form the template through which most later episodes were modeled.”
Something that’s also worth mentioning is that the Martyrdom of Polycarp was very popular in the early Church. We have several copies of the martyrdom account to compare differences with. In comparison to other Apostolic Father writings, we only have one complete manuscript of The Didache, and originally only one manuscript of The Epistle of Diognetus, which we don’t even have anymore! Polycarp’s martyrdom, on the other hand, survives in eight manuscripts, including Eusebius’s Ecclesiastical History. (Holmes, 2006, Pg. 145, 160, 291)
Date
While Polycarp’s death is believed to be in the mid 2nd century, the martyrdom account’s date is widely speculated. More than once, the authors of the martyrdom testify as witnesses of Polycarp’s death. If we are to take this testimony as face value, then the writing is probably within the mid-late 2nd century.
This can get more complicated when considering some of the different copies of the martyrdom contain their own epilogues added to the text. On top of that, while Eusebius claims Polycarp died in 167, this is often disputed (as is common with Eusebius). (Holmes, 2006, Pg. 144) In his translation on the Apostolic Fathers, Michael W. Holmes finds the best date for the martyrdom account to be between 155-160. Clayton Jefford affirms this date range to be common in scholarship, but also makes room for a possible later date of 170-180. (Jefford, 2012, Pg. 91)
Who wrote it?
The authors of the martyrdom account claim in the opening to be the church in Smyrna, the location that Polycarp was bishop. At the end of the writing, the church credits Evarestus as the one who wrote the letter (20.2). With this opening and closing in mind, the Martyrdom of Polycarp actually fits into two genres. It is a martyrdom narrative placed into a church epistle. The church claims to have witnessed Polycarp’s trial and execution. (1.1, 9.1, 15.1) The church members also claim to witness miraculous signs, such as God prophetically encouraging Polycarp to endure the suffering, and the fire Polycarp was ordered to be burned in miraculously not harming him.
Conclusion
I don’t plan on giving a summary of the writing. I would actually encourage anyone interested to go read it for themselves, as it isn’t a long writing and is easy to follow. If you have friends interested, read it together in a small group and discuss. It’s a compelling narrative, and challenges us to examine our commitment to Christ.
“For we worship this one, who is the Son of God, but the martyrs we love as disciples and imitators of the Lord, as they deserve, on account of their matchless devotion to their own King and Teacher. May we also become their partners and fellow disciples!”
Bibliography
Jefford, C. (2012). Reading the Apostolic Fathers: A Student’s Introduction. Grand Rapids, MI. Baker Academic.
Holmes, M. (2006). The Apostolic Fathers in English (3rd ed.). Grand Rapids, MI. Baker Academic.