Religion Faculty Work

Title

Epiphanius' and Patristic Debates on the Marital Status of Peter and Paul

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2013

Publication Title

Vigiliae Christianae

Volume Number

67

Issue Number

5

DOI

10.1163/15700720-12341139

Abstract

A Syriac fragment erroneously ascribed to Epiphanius of Salamis allegedly preserves the names of the wives of Peter and Paul and draws our attention to patristic debates over the marital status of the apostles. In these contexts scriptural interpretation and ascetic ideals interacted, producing varied conclusions about the apostolic teaching and examples. Some patristic authors accepted the married apostles as a matter of fact, while others saw such suggestions as offensive and dangerous. This essay examines the exegetical approaches to key New Testament passages and explores how this fragment fits within the history of interpretation and biographical reception of Peter and Paul.

ISSN

0042-6032

First Page

499

Last Page

516

Link Out URL

https://doi.org/10.1163/15700720-12341139

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