From Jesus to Polycarp: reflections on the origins of christian martyrdom

Cristianesimo nella storia, 27 (2006), pp. 67-98

Abstract

ENG

The motifs of the suffering righteous t/nd of the violent death of the prophets were used by Jesus' disciples to interpret the death of their master. Matthew employed these themes in order to criticise Christian preachers seeking prestigious titles (Matt 23:8-10). By appointing Jesus as the only teacher (Matt 23:8), he tells them that they should not expect a better fate than persecution and death. This line of thought was developed by Ignatius of Antioch, the first Christian writer who elaborated the idea of martyrdom by claiming that persecution and death are not a risk to be taken into account, but a privileged form of being disciples of the only teacher. He also claims martyrdom to be an anti-docetic proof. The author of the Martyrdom of Polycarp continues the reflection in Ignatius by maintaining that a martyr» is an anti-docetic witness to the reality of Jesus' death, but he also stresses that martyrdom is legitimate only if follows Jesus' model. 

La rivista

Cristianesimo nella Storia ospita ricerche di autorevoli studiosi sul percorso storico del cristianesimo, con particolare attenzione ai contesti e alle culture con cui i cristiani sono entrati in contatto, a cominciare da quella vetero-testamentaria e giudaica fino alle società secolarizzate di oggi. Ogni quadrimestre Cristianesimo nella storia propone, oltre ai saggi critici, rassegne, note e recensioni che consentono di valutare criticamente le ipotesi emerse negli studi scientifici internazionali in campo storico, teologico ed esegetico. Un numero di ogni anno viene dedicato a un argomento monografico.