Nielsen’s Nook

Nielsen’s Nook
Nielsen’s Nook
Contemplative, reflective, and irenic we pray.
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Translation and Commentary on The Martyrdom of Polycarp §6.2

Will Nielsen
December 10th, 2007
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Translation

2 For it was impossible [1] to conceal him after even those who betrayed him were household members. [2] Even the police chief, [3] who had received the same name, [4] being named Herod, made haste to bring him into the stadium, so that he [5] might fulfill his own destiny [6] - participating in Christ, [7] while those who betrayed him underwent the punishment of Judas.

[1] ἀδύνατον connotes the impossibility was due to the powerlessness over the situation and circumstances.

[2] οἰκεῖοι speaks not only to blood and legal relatives that may be living under one roof, but of all those who compose the household engine. This would include slaves and servants in wealthier homes.

[3] εἰρήναρχος, a magistrate of Roman imperial times. (BAGD, 227)

[4] i.e., the police chief and the slave boy who betrayed Polycarp were both named Herod.

[5] ἐκεῖνος not ὁ is used here to speak specifically of Polycarp, (i.e., “that one”, the main subject of §6.

[6] See BAGD (p 81) for τὸν ἴδιον κλῆρον ἀπαρτίσῃ as fulfill his own destiny.

[7] Lit. Χριστοῦ κοινωνὸς γενόμενος or becoming a participant of Christ (c.f., BAGD, 439).

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