Papias of Hierapolis was an early Christian writer who lived approximately between 60-130 AD. He was bishop of Hierapolis in Asia Minor and a contemporary of Polycarp, Ignatius of Antioch, and possibly the Apostle John. Unfortunately, Papias’ writings have not survived except for fragmentary quotations in later works. From these fragments, we can piece together some information about his life and teachings.
The main source of information about Papias comes from the Church History of Eusebius of Caesarea written in the 4th century. Eusebius quotes Papias’ own words that he received information from “the elders” or early followers of Jesus. In particular, Papias claimed to have met and heard the apostle John as well as others who knew Jesus. Based on this, Papias is considered an important source for early oral traditions about Jesus and the apostles before the Gospels were written down.
In his book Interpretations of the Sayings of the Lord, Papias recorded teachings, sayings, and deeds of Jesus that he gathered from the disciples of the Lord. Although this work is lost, various ancient Christian writers like Irenaeus, Eusebius, Philip of Side, and Apollinaris of Laodicea quote passages to illustrate points they were making. From these fragments, we gain valuable insights into early Christianity.
For example, Papias provides one of the earliest references to the Gospel of Mark and Matthew. He writes: “This also the elder said: Mark, having become the interpreter of Peter, wrote down accurately everything that he remembered of the words and deeds of Christ but, however, not in order. For he neither heard the Lord nor followed him; but later, as I said, Peter, who made the teachings anecdotally but had no intention of providing an orderly arrangement of the logia of the Lord.” This suggests Mark recorded Peter’s account of Jesus’ life in his Gospel.
Papias also writes: “Matthew compiled the logia [sayings] in Hebrew style; but each recorded them as he was able.” This indicates Matthew’s Gospel was based on a collection of Jesus’ sayings that Matthew had compiled. Papias provides rare early testimony on the origins of the first two Gospels.
Additionally, Papias preserves traditions about the origins of the Gospels of John and Revelation. He attributes Revelation to “John the Theologian” and writes about the apostle John’s role in the early church. His testimony confirms John the Apostle as author of the fourth gospel bearing his name.
When it comes to Jesus’ life, Papias relates the story “Judas walked about in this world a sad example of impiety; for his body having swollen to such an extent that he could not pass where a chariot could pass easily, he was crushed by the chariot, so that his bowels gushed out.” This tradition about Judas’ death is not recorded in the New Testament.
Papias also quoted sayings of Jesus not found in the four Gospels, such as: “The days will come in which vines will come forth, each having ten thousand stocks, and on each stock ten thousand branches, and on each branch ten thousand shoots, and on each shoot ten thousand bunches, and on each bunch ten thousand grapes, and each grape when pressed shall give five firkins of wine.” This saying illustrates Papias preserved additional logia or sayings of Jesus beyond canonical sources.
When it comes to theology, Papias provides one of the earliest references to millenarianism in the church. He wrote: “There will be a millennium after the resurrection from the dead, when the kingdom of Christ will be set up in material form on this earth.” Papias believed in a future thousand-year bodily reign of Christ on earth. Though not universal, this was a common early Christian belief.
Papias also records an early tradition about the death of Judas Iscariot. According to Papias, Judas became so swollen that he could not pass through an area that a cart could easily pass. As a result, Judas was ran over by a cart and his insides spilled out. This tradition adds details to the biblical account of Judas’ death in Matthew 27:5.
Additionally, Papias relates a parable of Jesus about the incredible productivity of the vine during the millennium. This saying is not recorded in the Gospels and demonstrates Papias’ knowledge of additional sayings of Jesus not found in the New Testament.
Papias’ Chiliastic views played a pivotal role in the development of premillennial eschatology in the early church. Though millenarianism fell out of favor for much of church history, his writings were influential in restoring premillennialism among modern Protestant evangelicals.
While Papias’ writings preserve invaluable early traditions about the origins of the Gospels, sayings of Jesus, and the lives of the apostles, he also records some problematic or legendary material. For example, Papias attributes the death of Judas Iscariot to his body swelling up so much he was crushed by a passing wagon. This account adds legendary embellishment to the biblical record.
Papias also relates the snake that tempted Eve in the Garden of Eden was responsible for death entering the world. However, the Bible teaches in Romans 5:12 that death came through the sin of Adam. Papias’ teaching on this reflects a mythological interpretation.
Additionally, Papias recounts a tradition that each resurrected believer would enjoy a fabulous physical millennium on earth where grapevines would produce astronomical quantities of wine. This literalistic and exaggerated interpretation of biblical prophecy was influential but remains highly speculative.
Despite these questionable traditions, Papias’ writings remain an invaluable witness to early Christianity. His books represent one of the few surviving sources from apostolic fathers that predate the New Testament itself. Along with later church fathers, Papias’ fragments provide perspectives into Christian origins and gospel traditions that cannot be ignored.
To summarize key points about Papias of Hierapolis:
- Lived approximately 60-130 AD and served as Bishop of Hierapolis in Asia Minor
- Wrote Expositions of the Sayings of the Lord which is now lost except for fragments
- Provides some of the earliest references to the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, John and Revelation
- Quotes unique sayings or teachings of Jesus not found in the New Testament
- Records early traditions about the deaths of Judas Iscariot and origins of the Gospels
- Espoused premillennial eschatology and chiliastic interpretations of Scripture
- His writings preserve invaluable insights into early Christianity, though include some legendary material
- Serves as an important ancient source concerning the origins of the New Testament and traditions about Jesus and the apostles
While many details about his life remain uncertain, Papias of Hierapolis left an enduring legacy as one of the earliest extra-biblical voices from apostolic fathers. His writings shed invaluable light on the development of the gospels, sayings of Jesus, and apocalyptic hopes of early Christians in the decades prior to the New Testament writings. By transmitting oral teachings from the apostles, Papias serves as a crucial link back to apostolic origins.
