The Martyrdom of Polycarp

Translation, Introduction, and Commentary

Series: 

Author:
N. Clayton Croy
This volume provides a detailed introduction addressing critical issues such as authorship, date, integrity, miracles, Jewish involvement, the imitation of Christ, theology, and ethics. The section-by-section commentary examines grammar, philology, text critical questions, metaphors, intertextuality, historical issues, etc. In addition, there are numerous excursuses on topics such as the charge of atheism in antiquity, praying toward the east, the repurposing of Roman stadia, and the cult of the saints. Throughout, the author engages a wide array of secondary literature. A modern theological postscript considers the ongoing relevance of the Martyrdom of Polycarp in our contemporary world marked by religious violence.
Copyright Year:
2026
E-Book (PDF)
Availability:
Published
ISBN:
978-90-04-74899-6
Publication:
23 Feb 2026
Hardback
Availability:
Published
ISBN:
978-90-04-18384-1
Publication:
26 Mar 2026
Cover The Martyrdom of Polycarp

Prices from (excl. shipping):

€125.55€119.00 excl. VAT
Add to Cart
N. Clayton Croy, Ph.D. (1995), Emory University, has taught at Trinity Lutheran Seminary, Wycliffe Hall, Oxford University, and Southern Nazarene University. He is the author of A Primer of Biblical Greek and several other monographs, peer-reviewed articles, and essays.
Acknowledgements
Abbreviations

Text and Translation of the Martyrdom of Polycarp

Introduction
 1 The Life of Bishop Polycarp
 2 Authorship of the Martyrdom of Polycarp
 3 The Text of the Martyrdom of Polycarp
 4 The Integrity and Authenticity of the Martyrdom of Polycarp
 5 Dating the Death of Polycarp
 6 Dating the Letter
 7 The Imitatio Christi Theme
 8 Jewish Involvement in the Execution of Polycarp
 9 Miracles and the Martyrdom of Polycarp
 10 Theology of the Martyrdom of Polycarp
 11 Ethics of the Martyrdom of Polycarp
 12 The Impact of the Martyrdom of Polycarp

Commentary
 Prescript
 § 1. A Martyrdom in Accordance with the Gospel
 § 2. Blessed and Noble Martyrdoms
 §§ 3–4. Germanicus and Quintus
 § 5. Polycarp Withdraws from the City
 § 6. Polycarp is Pursued
 § 7. Polycarp is Arrested
 § 8. Polycarp is Conducted to the Stadium
 §§ 9–11. The Trial of Polycarp
 §§ 12–16. The Martyrdom of Polycarp
 §§ 17–18. The Disposition of Polycarp’s Body
 § 19. A Final Encomium and Doxology
 § 20. Closing Epistolary Comments
 § 21. Dating Polycarp’s Martyrdom
 § 22. Final Greetings and Transcriptional History
 § 23. An Alternate Epilogue from the Moscow Manuscript

A Modern Theological Postscript

Bibliography
Index of Subjects
Index of Ancient Sources
Index of Modern Authors
This book is aimed at research libraries, scholars of early Christianity and the early Roman empire, post-graduate students, and specialists in ancient martyrdom.
  • Collapse
  • Expand

Manufacturer information:
Koninklijke Brill B.V. 
Plantijnstraat 2
2321 JC
Leiden / The Netherlands
productsafety@degruyterbrill.com