Nielsen’s Nook

Translation

1 The blessed Polycarp was martyred on the second of the month of Xanthicus, [a] seven days before the calends [b] of March, on a great sabbath, during the eighth hour. He was apprehended by Herod during the time while Philipp of Tralles was high priest, while Statius Quadratus was proconsul, [c] and while Jesus Christ reigns for ever. To him be the glory, honor, majesty, the eternal throne from generation to generation. Amen.

[a] μηνὸς Ξανθικοῦ δευτέρᾳ ἱσταμένου, πρὸ ἑπτὰ καλανδῶν Μαρτίων i.e., February 22. See entry for μήν, μηνός, ὁ in BAGD, 518. Michael Holmes indicates that Eusebius’ mention of the year of St. Polycarp’s martyrdom as 167 AD is suspect. “Evidence that has come to light regarding the proconsulship of Statius Quadratus has led many to adopt a date around 156; this comports well with the fact that not long before his arrest Polycarp visited Bishop Anicetus of Rome, who became bishop there no earlier than 154.” (Holmes, The Apostolic Fathers : Greek Texts and English Translations (Updated ed.; Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Books, 1999), 223).

[b] καλάνδαι “the first day of the month in the Roman calendar” (BAGD, 398).

[c] ἀνθυπατεύοντος to be proconsul (BAGD, 69). Acts 18:12 in the Byzantine Text form we read Γαλλίωνος δὲ ἀνθυπατεύοντος  τῆς Ἀχαΐας… When Gallio was proconsul of Achaia (author’s translation).