The Martyrdom of Polycarp is an important early Christian text that describes the death of Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna, as a martyr in the middle of the 2nd century. Polycarp was a disciple of the apostle John and an important early Church Father who helped link the apostolic age to the generations that followed. His martyrdom was one of the first major persecutions under the Roman Empire and helped set the tone for how the early Christians embraced martyrdom in the face of intense persecution.
Polycarp’s martyrdom is important for several reasons:
1. It provides a firsthand account of early Christian persecution
The Martyrdom of Polycarp gives a detailed account of Polycarp’s arrest, trial, and eventual execution. It records the back and forth between Polycarp and the Roman proconsul, including Polycarp’s bold testimony of faith when ordered to swear by the fortune of Caesar. The text shows that Christians like Polycarp were persecuted for refusing to worship the Roman gods and participate in the imperial cult that deified the emperor. As an early example of persecution, Polycarp’s martyrdom set the precedent for how Christians would defiantly accept death rather than deny their Savior.
2. It offers a model of courageous faith
Polycarp’s martyrdom served as an inspiring model of faithfulness in the face of persecution. When ordered to deny Christ, Polycarp boldly declared “For eighty-six years I have been His servant, and He has done me no wrong. How can I blaspheme my King who saved me?” (Martyrdom of Polycarp 9). Polycarp’s refusal to compromise his beliefs exemplified the courage the early Christians needed as they faced increasing persecution. His steadfast witness encouraged other believers to remain strong in the face of torture and death.
3. It emphasizes following Christ even unto death
The account of Polycarp’s death reinforces that complete devotion to Christ means accepting martyrdom if required. After Polycarp’s arrest, he declares “I must be burned alive,” acknowledging his fate (Martyrdom of Polycarp 7). When the fire fails to consume him, Polycarp is stabbed to death in order that he might “be a sharer in the sufferings of Christ” (Martyrdom of Polycarp 14). Polycarp’s martyrdom emphasized that being a faithful disciple meant following Christ even if it led to death, which many early Christians subsequently did.
4. It illustrates the importance of communion and resurrection
The Martyrdom of Polycarp reports that before his arrest, Polycarp had a vision of his pillow burning that he interpreted as a prophetic sign of his coming death at the stake. In response, Polycarp prays: “I bless You because You have considered me worthy of this day and hour, that I might receive a part in the number of the martyrs, in the cup of Christ, for resurrection to eternal life” (Martyrdom of Polycarp 14). This emphasizes how the celebration of communion was linked to Christ’s death and the hope of resurrection. By connecting his coming martyrdom to partaking of Christ’s cup, Polycarp illustrates how communion represents sacrificial death that leads to eternal life. His martyrdom is presented as participation in Christ’s sufferings, with the promise of resurrection.
5. It records miraculous events confirming Polycarp’s holiness
The account of Polycarp’s death includes reports of miraculous events that proved God’s blessing on Polycarp’s martyrdom. When Polycarp was burned at the stake but did not die, his persecutors stabbed him instead. The text claims that so much blood flowed from Polycarp’s fatal wound that it extinguished the flames, with the observation that miraculous events confirmed “our brother Polycarp’s departure which was according to the Gospel of Christ” (Martyrdom of Polycarp 15). The account also states that while Polycarp’s corpse was burned, the smell was like baking bread and incense, indicating his righteousness. These details emphasize God’s divine approval of Polycarp’s martyrdom and his faithful example.
6. It functioned to encourage virtue and unity
On a practical level, accounts of righteous martyrs like Polycarp helped encourage virtue and unity among early Christians facing persecution. By preserving and circulating stories of courageous martyrs, leaders like Irenaeus could praise these examples in order to teach Christians how to live faithfully. Martyrdom accounts also promoted unity among different churches. The death of someone like Polycarp, well known across the Christian world, served as a rallying point of inspiration and commitment as believers saw their common loyalty to Christ was worth dying for. Praise of Polycarp’s virtuous martyrdom thereby had an important function in training Christians to remain united and faithful during suffering.
7. The date and historicity are debated
Scholars debate when Polycarp’s martyrdom took place and whether the account is entirely historical. The Martyrdom of Polycarp itself does not provide many specific names or dates that would anchor it precisely. Some place Polycarp’s death around 155 to 167 AD during the reign of Marcus Aurelius. The reliability of the details surrounding Polycarp’s execution has also been questioned by some. For example, certain elements like the miraculous fire extinguishing have been viewed as embellishments to make the account more edifying. While the historicity has been critiqued, most scholars still find that the account has a solid core witness to the events surrounding Polycarp’s death, even if some specifics cannot be verified.
8. It formed part of a collective martyrdom tradition
Stories of martyrs like Polycarp were collected and circulated among early Christian communities. The Martyrdom of Polycarp does not exist in isolation but was part of a developing practice of preserving and honoring the sacrifices of martyrs. These accounts were read during gatherings, memorialized on the anniversary of death, and widely circulated in the form of written texts. The stories contributed to a collective martyrdom tradition that extolled exemplary martyrs like Polycarp to encourage others to remain faithful. This tradition of honoring martyrs through texts, ceremonies, and celebration of relics helped solidify Christian identity amidst intense persecution.
9. Polycarp serves as an important early Church Father
Beyond just his martyrdom, Polycarp stands as one of the most significant early Church Fathers. He provides an important generational link between the apostles and later church leaders. Polycarp was a disciple of the apostle John and likely knew others among the first apostles. Polycarp then later passed on the teachings and traditions he learned to figures like Irenaeus. The few surviving writings of Polycarp also show that he adhered closely to the teachings handed down from the apostles. Polycarp’s longevity, influence, and faithfulness makes him a pivotal early Church Father who helped preserve apostolic doctrine. His martyrdom should be seen as the culmination of a long life of Christian service.
10. It illustrates tensions between Christians and Jews
Some details in the Martyrdom of Polycarp reveal mounting tensions between Christians and Jews in the 2nd century. Polycarp’s arrest takes place on the Sabbath during the feast of unleavened bread. The Jews are said to be jealous of the Christian love feasts and thus incite Polycarp’s demise. When Polycarp is sentenced to burn at the stake, Jews are said to join in gathering wood for the fire, indicating their approval of his death. Given later trends toward antisemitism, scholars debate whether these elements reveal actual Jewish involvement or are exaggerated details intended to villainize Jews. Nonetheless, the Martyrdom hints at conflicts brewing between the two religious groups.
In summary, the Martyrdom of Polycarp occupies a crucial place among the primary sources about early Christianity. It provides firsthand perspective into early persecution, models ideal Christian witness under pressure, and exemplifies many broader themes of early martyrdom. Beyond just recounting his specific death, the Martyrdom cements Polycarp’s wider legacy as an essential Church Father who passed on the teachings of the apostles. Though some details surrounding Polycarp’s execution are debated, the account stands as an influential testimony to devotion and courage in the face of death that inspired many subsequent Christian martyrs.