Nielsen’s Nook

Translation

3 Then, unanimously, they decided [1] to cry out loudly to burn Polycarp alive. (For it was necessary that the vision [2] be fulfilled which was revealed to Polycarp upon the pillow, when he saw it burning while praying).

When Polycarp had turned to the faithful with him, he said to them prophetically, [3] “It is necessary for me to be burned alive.”

[1] This impersonal passive dative use of ἔδοξεν (δοκέω) is relatively common in the literature. While the passive dative construction is often discouraged in English usage it is common place in other modern languages such as Russian (e.g., кажется мне что …). BAGD gives glosses for δοκέω followed by an infinitive as it seems best to me and I decided (p 202). The scripture writer Luke uses this δοκέω (aor. form) + dative construction in both the Gospel bearing his name and Acts 15:22, 25, 28. In Luke 1:3 we read (NA27) ἔδοξε κἀμοὶ … σοι γράψαι, κράτιστε Θεόφιλε… It seemed best to me … to write to you, most excellent Theophilus (author’s translation).

[2] See §5.2 for the vision of the pillow.

[3] προφητικῶς St. Polycarp is looking back upon the vision and realizing its significance to what is transpiring in his present station. So the idea of prophetically speaking does not seem to connote a foretelling of anything. However, it does seem to, perhaps, underscore the resolve and boldness of his proclamation to those Christians who were present with him.