The Apostle Peter Including the Evangelist Mark, of the Seventy Copyright  Mark Kern 2005 1 Table of Contents Peter’s Early Life ........................................................................................................................................................... 6 Peter, One of the Married Apostles ............................................................................................................................... 7 Peter Called as a Disciple: John 1:40-44 ..................................................................................................................... 10 Peter Called as an Apostle: Matthew 10:2-4; Mark 3:13-19; Luke 5:1-11, 6:12-16.................................................... 12 Fishing on the Sea of Galilee ................................................................................................................................... 14 Types of Fish Present: ......................................................................................................................................... 14 Fishing Methods: ................................................................................................................................................. 15 Jesus Calls the Four Apostles .................................................................................................................................. 16 Jesus Heals Peter’s Mother-in-Law: Matthew 8:14-15, Mark 1:29-34, Luke 4:38-41 ................................................ 19 Jesus Heals a Woman with Flow of Blood; Peter’s Reaction: Luke 8:45-46 .............................................................. 22 Peter at the Healing of Jairus’ Daughter: Matthew 9:23-26; Mark 5:35-43; Luke 8:49-56 ......................................... 23 Jesus Sends the Twelve Out Two By Two: Matthew 10:5-23, Mark 6:7-13, Luke 9:1-6 ........................................... 25 Peter Walks on Water: Matthew 14:28-33, Mark 6:45-52, John 6:15-21 .................................................................... 29 Peter States that He Will Never Leave: John 6:60-71 ................................................................................................. 31 Peter Needs an Explanation for the Parable of Cleanliness: Matthew 15:10-20, Mark 7:1-23 .................................... 33 Christ’s Deity, Church Built on That: Matthew 16:13-19; Mark 8:27-30; Luke 9:18-20 ............................................ 36 The Rock for Building the Church .......................................................................................................................... 37 Peter Rebuked for Denying the Cross: Matthew 16:21-23, Mark 8:31-38 ................................................................. 40 Peter at the Transfiguration: Matt. 17:1-8; 2 Peter 1:16-18; Mark 9:1-8; Luke 9:28-36 ............................................ 42 The Servants and the Master .................................................................................................................................... 43 Constructing Tabernacles ........................................................................................................................................ 44 The Father Speaks ................................................................................................................................................... 45 Peter Helps Jesus Pay Temple Tax: Matt. 17:24-27 .................................................................................................... 48 Clarification of Peter’s Role in Binding and Loosing: Matthew 18:15-20 .................................................................. 50 Peter Asks About the Limits of Forgiveness: Matthew 18:21-35 ................................................................................ 52 The Reward for Leaving Everything: Matthew 19:27-30; Mark 10:28-31; Luke 18:28-30 ........................................ 54 James and John Ask for Honor: Matthew 20:20-28, Mark 10:35-45 .......................................................................... 56 Peter’s Reaction to Jesus’ Curse of the Fig Tree: Mark 11:12-14, 20-26; Matthew 21:20-22 .................................... 58 Peter’s Question About the Parable of the Household Manager: Luke 12:41-48 ........................................................ 59 1st Century Marriage Customs ................................................................................................................................. 60 Context: The Second Coming .................................................................................................................................. 61 We Are Stewards of Our Own Gifts ........................................................................................................................ 62 Watchfulness ........................................................................................................................................................... 66 Peter’s Curiosity About the Future: Mark 13:3-13, Matthew 24:3-14, Luke 21:7-19 ................................................. 67 False Prophets and False Messiahs: Matthew 23:5 .................................................................................................. 69 Wars and Rumors of Wars: Matthew 23:6-7 ........................................................................................................... 69 Famines, Pestilence and Earthquakes: Matthew 23:7-8 ........................................................................................... 69 Peter Helps Prepare the Passover Meal: Matthew 26:2-20, Mark 14:12-16, Luke 22:7-13 ........................................ 70 Jesus Washed Peter’s Feet: John 13:3-17 .................................................................................................................... 72 The Mystery of the Foot Washing ........................................................................................................................... 72 Peter’s Initial Refusal to be Washed ........................................................................................................................ 73 Peter Asked John to Ask Jesus Who Would Betray Him: John 13:24-27 ................................................................... 75 Peter’s Denial Foretold: Matthew 26:31-35, Mark 14:27-31, Luke 22:31-38, John 13:36-38 .................................... 76 Peter Falls Asleep in Gethsemane: Matthew 26:36-45; Mark 14:32-42; Luke 22:39-46 ............................................ 78 The Disciples Can’t Stay Awake: Matthew 26:40-46 ............................................................................................. 81 Peter Tries to Defend Jesus: John 18:10-11 ................................................................................................................. 82 Peter Denies Christ at the Crucifixion: Matthew 26:69-75, 26:33-35; Mark 14:29-31, 14:53-72; Luke 22:34, 54-62; John 13:36-38, 18:15-27 .............................................................................................................................................. 87 The Scene of Peter’s Denials ................................................................................................................................... 87 Peter Denies Jesus Three Times .............................................................................................................................. 87 Peter the Rock .......................................................................................................................................................... 90 The Sifting of Peter .................................................................................................................................................. 91 Peter Runs to the Tomb: Luke 24:12; John 20:1-10 .................................................................................................... 94 The Embalming of Jesus .......................................................................................................................................... 94 Mary Magdalene Reports to the Apostles; Peter Runs to the Tomb ........................................................................ 94 Jesus’ Appears to Peter After the Resurrection: Mark 16:7, Luke 24:13-43, John 20:19-29 ...................................... 96 Jesus Revealed at Sea of Galilee: John 21:2-14........................................................................................................... 98 2 Peter Commissioned to Feed the Sheep: John 21:15-17 ............................................................................................ 100 Peter’s Love for John ................................................................................................................................................. 103 Peter Leads the Twelve After Pentecost: Acts 1:15-26 ............................................................................................. 104 Matthias, the Oldest of the Twelve Apostles ......................................................................................................... 105 Matthias’ Selection to Replace Judas .................................................................................................................... 106 Peter Preaches at Pentecost: Acts 2:1-41 ................................................................................................................... 111 The Significance of Pentecost................................................................................................................................ 111 Moses’ Seventy Elders (Numbers 11:16-29): .................................................................................................... 112 The Spirit Poured out on All Flesh (Joel 2:23-32): ............................................................................................ 112 A New Heart and Spirit for God’s People (Ezekiel 36:23-27): ......................................................................... 113 The 120 Gather in the Upper Room ....................................................................................................................... 113 The Effect of the Giving of the Holy Spirit ........................................................................................................... 113 Peter Speaks to the Multitude ................................................................................................................................ 114 The Life of the Church Following Pentecost ............................................................................................................. 118 Development of the Liturgy of the Church ................................................................................................................ 119 After Pentecost: A Life of Fasting and Prayer ....................................................................................................... 120 The Apostles Participate in the Worship at the Temple ......................................................................................... 121 Peter Performs Miracles: Acts 3:1-11, 5:14-16, 9:32-43 ........................................................................................... 123 Peter and the Apostles Before High Priest: Acts 4:5-22, 5:27-33 .............................................................................. 125 The Twelve Answer the Accusations .................................................................................................................... 125 The Sanhedrin Marvels at the Wisdom of the Uneducated Fishermen .................................................................. 127 Changes in the Perception of the Sanhedrin .......................................................................................................... 129 Peter Speaks to Ananias and Sapphira: Acts 5:1-11 .................................................................................................. 132 Organizational Changes Needed During the First Year of the Church ...................................................................... 136 The Departure of Some of the Myrrh-Bearing Women ......................................................................................... 136 Mary Magdalene: ............................................................................................................................................... 137 Mary and Martha of Bethany: ............................................................................................................................ 138 Mary, the Wife of Cleopas: ............................................................................................................................... 138 The Initial Work of the First Seven Deacons ......................................................................................................... 139 The Scattering of the Church at the Stoning of Stephen ........................................................................................ 140 The Twelve Cast Lots ............................................................................................................................................ 142 Peter and John Sent to Samaria Regarding Philip’s Converts: Acts 8:4-25 ............................................................... 142 Preparation of Samaria by Photini ......................................................................................................................... 142 The Spiritual Climate in Samaria Due to Simon Magus ........................................................................................ 144 The Apostle Peter’s Debate with Simon Magus ........................................................................................................ 149 The Founding of the Church in Antioch .................................................................................................................... 155 Peter Follows Simon to Antioch ................................................................................................................................ 156 Peter Heads North Stopping at Each City .............................................................................................................. 156 Peter Stops in Laodicea of Syria ............................................................................................................................ 157 Peter Arrives in Antioch ........................................................................................................................................ 159 Peter Continues His Missionary Journeys ............................................................................................................. 159 Peter Met With Paul in Jerusalem c. 37 AD: Galatians 1:18 ..................................................................................... 160 Paul’s Birth to 34 AD ............................................................................................................................................ 160 Paul’s Conversion .................................................................................................................................................. 160 34 AD to 37 AD..................................................................................................................................................... 161 37 AD to 45 AD..................................................................................................................................................... 162 Barnabas is Sent to the Church in Antioch ................................................................................................................ 163 Peter Raises Aeneas and Tabitha: Acts 9:32-43 ........................................................................................................ 164 Peter’s Vision for the Gentiles: Acts 10 .................................................................................................................... 166 James in Jerusalem Taught the Mosaic Law .......................................................................................................... 166 The Mosaic Law: Gentiles Were Supposed to be the Focus .................................................................................. 169 As Seen in The Mosaic Law .............................................................................................................................. 169 As Seen by Spectacular Signs and Wonders ...................................................................................................... 169 Jews in a Gentile Culture ....................................................................................................................................... 171 The Lord Speaks to Peter About the Gentiles ........................................................................................................ 172 Paul’s Influence on Peter Regarding the Gentiles ................................................................................................. 175 The Developments in Antioch Press the Question................................................................................................. 175 Peter Defends His Vision for the Gentiles: Acts 11:1-8 ............................................................................................ 177 3 Reconciliation of Jews and Gentiles .......................................................................................................................... 180 Gentiles Chosen to Make Jews Jealous ................................................................................................................. 181 Peter Imprisoned, Escapes: Acts 12:3-19 .................................................................................................................. 182 Peter Leaves Antioch for Rome ............................................................................................................................. 188 The Early Missionary Work of the Evangelist Mark ............................................................................................. 189 Mark Founds the Church in Alexandria................................................................................................................. 190 Barnabas Goes to Tarsus to Bring Paul to Antioch ................................................................................................... 191 Paul’s Role at Antioch ........................................................................................................................................... 191 Peter’s Missionary Journeys Before the Council in Jerusalem .................................................................................. 192 Peter at the Council of Jerusalem: Acts 15:7-14 ........................................................................................................ 193 Did the Church in Antioch Practice Circumcision? ............................................................................................... 194 Paul’s Role at Antioch ........................................................................................................................................... 196 Alms from Antioch to Jerusalem ........................................................................................................................... 196 Discussions at the Council of Jerusalem ................................................................................................................ 197 Resolution of the Council of Jerusalem ................................................................................................................. 198 Circumcision and the Law were a National Identity for the Jews ......................................................................... 206 Dietary Practices of the Apostles ........................................................................................................................... 208 The Subterfuge in Antioch ..................................................................................................................................... 209 Peter’s First Missionary Journey to the West ............................................................................................................ 212 Peter’s Visit to Corinth: 1 Corinthians 1:12 .............................................................................................................. 213 Understanding Paul’s Letters to Corinth................................................................................................................ 213 The Need for Discipline in Corinth ....................................................................................................................... 214 Peter and Apollos Visit Corinth ............................................................................................................................. 215 Impact of Peter’s Visit to Corinth .......................................................................................................................... 216 The Problem in Corinth: Lack of Love .................................................................................................................. 217 Peter’s Arrival in Rome ............................................................................................................................................. 217 The Political Intrigue and Corruption in Rome ......................................................................................................... 221 Peter’s Running Battle against Simon Magus in Rome ............................................................................................. 224 Peter’s Final Missionary Journeys ............................................................................................................................. 226 Peter’s Return to Jerusalem for the Funeral of the Virgin Mary ................................................................................ 228 Simon Magus’ Last Dealings with the Apostle Peter in Rome .................................................................................. 230 Simon Tries to Return to “His Father in Heaven” ..................................................................................................... 234 Nero’s Reaction to Simon’s Death: the Martyrdom of Peter and Paul ...................................................................... 238 Bishops of Rome in the 1st Century ........................................................................................................................... 240 Peter: ...................................................................................................................................................................... 240 Linus: ..................................................................................................................................................................... 241 Clement: ................................................................................................................................................................ 241 Peter and Paul in Retrospect ...................................................................................................................................... 241 Peter Went to the Jews, Paul to the Gentiles ......................................................................................................... 241 Jesus’ Instructions for the Twelve Regarding the Gentiles .................................................................................... 242 Ratification of Paul’s Teaching ............................................................................................................................. 244 Remembering the Poor of Jerusalem ..................................................................................................................... 246 Paul’s Zeal for Unity in the Church ....................................................................................................................... 246 The Apostles Were Driven Away by the Jews ...................................................................................................... 247 Paul Persuaded the Gentiles by Means of the Jews ............................................................................................... 247 Paul Had to Go to the Gentiles; the Jews Wouldn’t Accept Him .......................................................................... 248 The Misinterpretation by Heretics of Paul Criticizing Peter ...................................................................................... 249 Peter’s First Epistle .................................................................................................................................................... 253 Silvanus of the Seventy, the Courier ..................................................................................................................... 253 The Evangelist Mark Was in Rome Also .............................................................................................................. 254 Content of Peter’s First Epistle .............................................................................................................................. 255 Illustrations of the Old Testament Liturgy ................................................................................................................ 260 The Sacrificial Meals at the Temple Liturgy ......................................................................................................... 260 The Day of First-fruits ........................................................................................................................................... 261 The Liturgy of the Second Tithe ............................................................................................................................ 262 The Amen .............................................................................................................................................................. 262 The Liturgy on Mt. Ebal and Mt. Gerizim After the Conquest .............................................................................. 263 The Reading of the Law at the Feast of Tabernacles ............................................................................................. 264 4 The Songs of Moses .............................................................................................................................................. 264 The Liturgical Life of the Sabbath ............................................................................................................................. 264 The Importance of Jerusalem as a Place of Worship ................................................................................................. 266 5 The Apostle Peter Much is written in the Gospels about Peter’s interaction with Jesus and the others of the Twelve. In this Study, we will follow Peter’s life chronologically as we find it in the Gospels, and we will look at what was happening to Peter and the rest of the Twelve as illumined by the Church Fathers and by other sources. A theme in Peter’s life is that the other Apostles viewed him as a leader and as a spokesman from the beginning, and this will become apparent as we consider episode after episode in his life. As the Twelve grapple to understand what Jesus was saying, Peter was usually the one at the forefront of the inquiry into what this all meant. As we follow Peter’s life, both locally in Palestine and traveling around the world, we will see the development of the Early Church and its worship of God. Peter’s Early Life Peter was born in Bethsaida, along with his brother Andrew and the Apostle Philip, of the Twelve (John 1:44). Peter and Andrew’s father, Jonah (Matthew 16:17), is never mentioned during the Gospel narratives. By contrast, James and John worked the fishing business with their father, Zebedee (Matthew 4:21). Some early accounts stated1 that Peter and Andrew were orphans, and that the fishing business, along with owning their own boat (Luke 5:3), was their livelihood. Another account states2 that Peter’s father Jonah was still alive, but was very old and an invalid. Poverty and hard work were something that they had grown up with from childhood. Andrew was a follower of John the Baptist, and we may presume that his brother Peter was also, since Andrew immediately went to get Peter after finding Jesus. As followers of John, Andrew and Peter did a lot of prayer and fasting, as John taught his disciples to do (Mark 2:18- 22, Luke 11:1-13). John Chrysostom stated3 that the association of some of the Twelve Apostles with John the Baptist was no small preparation for their Apostleship with Christ. It was customary for all Jewish boys to learn a trade as part of their education, and Peter needed to work at his trade to support his family, which included his wife and possibly a young daughter at the time Jesus called him. John Chrysostom commented4 that the lack of background information (in the Scriptures) on the Twelve Apostles was not a big deal: “And why, one may say, has he not told us how and in what manner the others were called; but only of Peter and Andrew, James and John, and Philip and Matthew? Because these lived such a humble way of life, more than others! There is nothing worse than the publican’s business, or more ordinary than fishing. And that they were among the very ignoble is manifest from their country (i.e. Galilee). Therefore these they proclaim to us, with their ways of life, to show that we ought to believe them in the glorious parts of their histories also. Many signs and miracles are passed over by them; while the events of the cross, 1 Pseudo-Clement, Recognitions of Clement, VII, 5 2 Isaac Lambertsen, The Lives of the Holy Apostles, Holy Apostles Convent Press, Buena Vista, CO, 1990, p. 3. This is a translation from the following: The Lives of the Saints in the Russian Language, According to the Menology of St. Dimitri of Rostov, Synodal Press, Moscow, 1908, v. 10, (June) pp. 631-651. Holy Apostles Convent, tr., The Great Synaxaristes of the Orthodox Church, Archimandrate Matthew Lagges, 5th Ed., 1979, Volume VI, pp. 428-439. 3 John Chrysostom, Homilies on John, XIX, 2. 4 John Chrysostom, Homilies on Matthew, XXX, 1. 6 which were their embarrassments in the eyes of the people of their day, they spell out in detail. The disciples’ pursuits too, and their faults, and those of their Master’s ancestry, who were notorious for sins (Matthew 1:3, 5-6), they discover with a clear voice. From this it is clear that they made much account of truth, and wrote nothing for favor, nor for display”. John Chrysostom noted5 that the locale where Peter, Andrew and Philip grew up was not exactly famous for its desire for righteousness. In fact, Jesus condemned Bethsaida as being worse than Sodom. “Having failed to persuade them, He now laments over them; which is more than terrifying. He had exhibited both His teaching by His words, and His wonder-working power by His signs. But forasmuch as they abode in their own unbelief, He now upbraids saying, ‘Woe unto you, Chorazin! Woe unto you, Bethsaida!’ (Matthew 11:21)” “Then, to show you that they are not such by nature, He states also the name of the city out of which proceeded five Apostles. For both Philip, and those two pairs of the chief Apostles, were from there. ‘For if, the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented in sackcloth and ashes’. And He does not add Sodom with the others for naught, but to aggravate the charge against them. For it is a very great proof of wickedness, when none are found so bad as they”. “Elsewhere He makes a comparison, condemning them by the Ninevites, and by the Queen of the South (Matthew 12:41-42). With this law of condemnation, Ezekiel too was acquainted; wherefore also he said to Jerusalem, ‘You have justified your sisters in all your sins’ (Ezekiel 16:51 LXX). And not even at this does He stop, but makes their fears yet more intense by saying that they should suffer things more grievous than Sodomites and Tyrians (Matthew 11:24), so as by every means to gather them in, both by bewailing, and by alarming them”. Peter, One of the Married Apostles Prior to meeting Jesus, Peter was married and had a young daughter6. Another traditional account states7 that Peter had both a daughter and a son. Peter’s wife8 was the daughter of Aristobulus, the brother of Barnabas. The question we might ask is how the Lord’s commendation of the Twelve for leaving “wife and children” (Matthew 19:29) applied to Peter. The indication from the following is that they went with him, at least to most places. For example, after Philip was martyred in Hierapolis of Asia, his three daughters remained in that 5 John Chrysostom, Homilies on Matthew, XXXVII, 6. 6 Jerome, Treatises Against Jovinianus, I, 26 states, “But we might say concerning Peter, that he had a mother-in- law when he believed (Matthew 8:14), and no longer had a wife, although in the “Sentences” we read of both his wife and daughter”. 7 Isaac Lambertsen, The Lives of the Holy Apostles, Holy Apostles Convent Press, Buena Vista, CO, 1990, p. 3. This is a translation from the following: The Lives of the Saints in the Russian Language, According to the Menology of St. Dimitri of Rostov, Synodal Press, Moscow, 1908, v. 10, (June) pp. 631-651. Holy Apostles Convent, tr., The Great Synaxaristes of the Orthodox Church, Archimandrate Matthew Lagges, 5th Ed., 1979, Volume VI, pp. 428-439. 8 Nickolai Velimirovic, Prologue From Ochrid, Lazarica Press, Birmingham, 1986, October 27. 7 city. What the Apostles seem to have “left” was the pleasures of the flesh associated with a wife and children, and their children seem to have emulated the life of their fathers. This can be illustrated by examining the lives of some of the other married Apostles, Philip and Jude Little is recorded in the Scriptures about the Apostle Philip. We know a little about the Deacon Philip (Acts 8:4-12, 26-40), one of the Seventy, who was sent out by the Twelve. He evangelized the Samaritans (Acts 8:4-12), prepared a reception for Matthew and Matthias in Africa by converting the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:26-38) and was translated to Azotus (Acts 8:39-40). The Deacon Philip was also married and had four virgin daughters (Acts 21:8-9). At the time that the Apostle Paul visited him in Caesarea, he was then the Bishop of Caesarea. The Apostle Philip was also married and had three daughters. His wife and family traveled with him on many occasions, and the following references give us a little insight into what life was like for the Apostle Philip on the road9. Polycrates (130-196 AD), Bishop of Ephesus, in an Epistle10 to Victor, the Bishop of Rome, wrote regarding the daughters11 of the Apostle Philip. Philip’s daughters were included in a very exclusive company of late 1st and early 2nd Century saints. “For in Asia great luminaries have gone to their rest, who shall rise again in the day of the coming of the Lord, when He comes with glory from heaven and shall raise again all the saints. I speak of Philip, one of the twelve Apostles, who is laid to rest at Hierapolis. And his two daughters, who arrived at old age unmarried; his other daughter also, who passed her life under the influence of the Holy Spirit, and reposes at Ephesus. John, who reclined on the Lord’s bosom, and who became a priest wearing the mitre12, and a witness and a teacher — he rests at Ephesus. Then there is Polycarp, both bishop and martyr at Smyrna; and Thraseas from Eumenia, both bishop and martyr, who rests at Smyrna. Why should I speak of Sagaris, bishop and martyr, who rests at Laodicea? Of the blessed Papirius, moreover? And of Melito the eunuch, who performed all his actions under the influence of the Holy Spirit, and lies at Sardis, awaiting the visitation from heaven, when he shall rise again from the dead?” Sozomen, the early 5th Century Church Historian, in writing13 about a miracle performed by Epiphanius, the 4th Century Bishop of Cyprus, referred to earlier miracles performed by Philip’s daughters, where they raised someone from the dead: “I desire also to relate another miracle that is attributed to Epiphanius. I have heard that a similar action has been related of Gregory, who formerly governed Neocaesarea; and I see no reason to doubt the veracity of the account; but it does not disprove the authenticity of the miracle attributed to Epiphanius. Peter, the Apostle, was not the only man who raised another from the dead; John, the evangelist, wrought a similar miracle at Ephesus; as did likewise the daughters 9 For more details of the life of the Apostle Philip, see Mark Kern, The Apostle Philip, Unpublished Work, 2003. 10 Roberts and Donaldson, “Polycrates, Epistle to Victor and the Roman Church”, Remains of the Second and Third Centuries, Ante-Nicene Fathers, v. 8. 11 See also Eusebius, Church History, III, 31. Eusebius, Church History, V, 24. Philip Schaff, ed., “Jerome, Lives of Illustrious Men”, II, 45, Jerome and Gennadius, Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series, v. 3. 12 This refers to a turban similar to that worn by the High Priest as described in Exodus 28:36-39, 29:6. 13 Salaminius Hermias Sozomenus, Ecclesiastical History, VII, 27. 8 of Philip at Hierapolis. Similar actions have been performed in different ages by the men of God”. Papias (60-130 AD), the Bishop of Hierapolis, whose writings today only exist in fragments, also wrote14 of this miracle by Philip’s daughters as having occurred in his day. He also noted that Philip lived in Hierapolis with his daughters at one time. Eusebius also quotes15 Papias as saying this in his Church History. Eusebius quotes16 Clement of Alexandria as opposing the idea of a celebate clergy17. In saying this, Clement referred to Philip’s daughters as having husbands, and to at least one child of the Apostle Peter. This may mean that the Apostle Philip had more than three daughters: “Clement indeed, whose words we have just quoted, after the above- mentioned facts gives a statement, on account of those who rejected marriage, regarding the Apostles that had wives. ‘Or will they’, says he, ‘reject even the Apostles? For Peter and Philip begot children; and Philip also gave his daughters in marriage. And Paul does not hesitate, in one of his epistles, to greet his wife18, whom he did not take about with him, that he might not be inconvenienced in his ministry’. And since we have mentioned this subject it is not improper to subjoin another account which is given by the same author and which is worth reading. In the seventh book of his Stromata19 he writes as follows: ‘They say, accordingly, that when the blessed Peter saw his own wife led out to die, he rejoiced because of her summons and her return home. And calling to her very encouragingly and comfortingly, he addressing her by name, saying, ‘Remember the Lord!’ Such was the marriage of the blessed, and their perfect disposition toward those people who were dearest to them’”. Clement added, “Thus also the apostle says, ‘that he who marries should be as though he married not’ (1 Corinthians 7:29), and deem his marriage free of inordinate affection, and inseparable from love to the Lord; to which the true husband exhorted his wife to cling on her departure out of this life to the Lord”. Jude was another one of the married men among the Apostles20, and Paul referred to this (1 Corinthians 9:5). From Paul’s remarks, the implications are that Jude’s wife accompanied him on at least some of his missionary journeys. If Jude was still unmarried at the death of his father, Joseph, and if Joseph died shortly before Jesus’ public ministry, Jude must have married just before John the Baptist began to declare Jesus as the Christ. Jude had at least one child, and at least two grandchildren, as documented by Eusebius21, who quoted Hegesippus. “Vespasian, after the conquest of Jerusalem, gave orders that all that belonged to the lineage of David should be sought out, in order that none of the 14 Roberts and Donaldson, “Exposition of the Oracles of the Lord”, Fragments of Papias, Ante-Nicene Fathers, v. 1. 15 Eusebius, Church History, III, 39. 16 Eusebius, Church History, III, 30. 17 See also Tertullian, “To His Wife”, IV, iv, 2, Elucidation, which also refers to Clement’s comments 18 This is a reference to Philippians 4:3, which some have interpreted as a reference by Paul to his wife. There is no general agreement among the Church Fathers on whether Paul was referring to his wife here, or on whether Paul was married. 19 Clement of Alexandria, Stromata, VII, 11. 20 Tertullian, On Monogamy, “Elucidation number 2”, IV, vi. 21 Eusebius, Church History, III, 12, 19-20. 9 royal race might be left among the Jews; and in consequence of this a most terrible persecution again hung over the Jews”. “But when Domitian became Emperor in 81 AD and had also commanded that the descendants of David should be slain, an ancient tradition says that some of the heretics brought accusation against the descendants of Jude (said to have been a brother of the Savior according to the flesh), on the ground that they were of the lineage of David and were related to Christ himself. Hegesippus22 relates these facts in the following words”. “Of the family of the Lord there were still living the grandchildren of Jude, who is said to have been the Lord’s brother according to the flesh. Information was given that they belonged to the family of David, and they were brought to the Emperor Domitian by the Evocatus. For Domitian feared the coming of Christ as Herod also had feared it. And he asked them if they were descendants of David, and they confessed that they were. Then he asked them how much property they had, or how much money they owned. And both of them answered that they had only nine thousand denarii, half of which belonged to each of them; and this property did not consist of silver, but of a piece of land which contained only thirty-nine acres, and from which they raised their taxes and supported themselves by their own labor.” Then they showed their hands, exhibiting the hardness of their bodies and the callousness produced upon their hands by continuous toil as evidence of their own labor. And when they were asked concerning Christ and his kingdom, of what sort it was and where and when it was to appear, they answered that it was not a temporal nor an earthly kingdom, but a heavenly and angelic one, which would appear at the end of the world, when He should come in glory to judge the living and the dead, and to give unto every one according to his works. Upon hearing this, Domitian did not pass judgment against them, but, despising them as of no account, he let them go, and by a decree put a stop to the persecution of the Church. But when they were released they ruled the churches because they were witnesses and were also relatives of the Lord. And peace being established, they lived until the time of Trajan23. Peter Called as a Disciple: John 1:40-44 Peter and Andrew had been followers of John the Baptist, along with others of the Twelve and the Seventy. When John the Baptist pointed out Jesus, saying, “Behold the Lamb of God” (John 1:29, 36), immediately Andrew began to follow Jesus (John 1:37), but as a disciple, not as an Apostle. After this first calling, which occurred in early 27 AD, Peter along with the others (Andrew, James and John) were still part-time fishermen, but hadn’t been called to be Apostles yet. In late 27 AD, Jesus called them as Apostles, and they left everything to travel with Him full time (Matthew 4:20, 22). Jesus’ relationship with the four Apostles developed out of their relationship to John the Baptist, where Andrew, Peter, James and John were aware of the extraordinary insight that John had regarding the things of God. John had stated that he was not the Messiah, but said, “I baptize with water, but there stands One among you whom you do not know. It is He who, coming after Me, is preferred before Me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose” (John 22 Hegesippus was a 2nd Century Church Historian, but most of his writings are now lost. 23 Trajan was Emperor from 98 to 117 AD. 10