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At a glance
- Traditional author
- Peter
- Traditional date
- Early 2nd century CE (medium confidence)
- Traditional audience
- Readers of Corpus Witness’s Canon & Books shelves
Listed in: Ethiopian related literature.
Meaning of Apocalypse of Peter
An early Christian apocalypse mentioned in the Muratorian Fragment as disputed for public reading.
Traditional understanding
An apocalypse in the name of Peter describing heaven and hell. The Muratorian Fragment notes that some would not have it read in church, and the church did not receive it into the New Testament.
Historical context
Not the later New Testament Revelation of John.
Setting of the writing
Not the later New Testament Revelation of John.
Literary shape
early-christian work curated for historical study.
Themes
- early-christian
- Revelation of Peter
Apocalypse of Peter chapter by chapter
Judgment
Apocalypse of Peter 1 — False prophets and the faithful
Many false prophets will arise; God will come to those who hunger and thirst and are afflicted for righteousness. The Apocalypse of Peter offers early Christian imagination of judgment and reward after death.
Meaning: False prophets and the faithful. Moral seriousness and hope for the afflicted shape this vision of the world to come.
Apocalypse of Peter 2 — The fate of the wicked
Vivid scenes describe punishments matching crimes—liars, adulterers, and the proud receive what their deeds deserve. The Apocalypse of Peter offers early Christian imagination of judgment and reward after death.
Meaning: The fate of the wicked. Moral seriousness and hope for the afflicted shape this vision of the world to come.
Hope
Apocalypse of Peter 3 — The righteous and the tree of life
The righteous shine like stars; those who kept the commandments enter joy beside the tree of life and the holy city. The Apocalypse of Peter offers early Christian imagination of judgment and reward after death.
Meaning: The righteous and the tree of life. Moral seriousness and hope for the afflicted shape this vision of the world to come.