Papias on the Gospels of Mark and Matthew

The early Church Fathers provide invaluable insights into the formation and understanding of the New Testament. Among these figures, Papias of Hierapolis, writing in the early second century, offers particularly interesting, albeit fragmented, information regarding the Gospels. His comments, preserved in the writings of Eusebius, shed light on the origins and characteristics of the Gospels of Mark and Matthew.

Mark's Gospel: An Interpreter's Account

Papias's account of Mark's Gospel focuses on its relationship to the Apostle Peter. According to Papias, "Mark having become the interpreter of Peter, wrote down accurately whatsoever he remembered. It was not, however, in exact order that he related the sayings or deeds of Christ. For he neither heard the Lord nor accompanied Him. But afterwards, as I said, he accompanied Peter, who accommodated his instructions to the necessities [of his hearers], but with no intention of giving a regular narrative of the Lord's sayings. Wherefore Mark made no mistake in thus writing some things as he remembered them. For of one thing he took especial care, not to omit anything he had heard, and not to put anything fictitious into the statements." (Source: Document: 1739749258570-eotm94-anf01.txt)

This passage reveals several important aspects of Mark's Gospel:

• Dependence on Peter: Mark is presented as Peter's interpreter, suggesting that the Gospel reflects Peter's teachings and recollections.
• Not a Chronological Account: Papias acknowledges that Mark did not present the events in perfect chronological order. He focused on accurately recording what he remembered, rather than constructing a strict timeline.
• Accuracy of Content: Despite the lack of chronological precision, Papias emphasizes Mark's commitment to accuracy. He was careful not to omit anything he had heard and to avoid adding anything fictitious.

Matthew's Gospel: A Hebrew Original

Papias also provides a brief but significant statement about the Gospel of Matthew: "Matthew put together the oracles [of the Lord] in the Hebrew language, and each one interpreted them as best he could." (Source: Document: 1739749258570-eotm94-anf01.txt)

This statement has been the subject of much debate among scholars. The key points are:

• Hebrew Original: Papias asserts that Matthew wrote his Gospel in Hebrew (or Aramaic, depending on the interpretation of "Hebrew" in this context). This suggests that the Gospel was originally intended for a Jewish audience.
• Multiple Interpretations: The phrase "each one interpreted them as best he could" implies that there were various translations or interpretations of Matthew's Hebrew Gospel circulating in the early Church. This could explain some of the variations found in different manuscripts of Matthew.

Conclusion

Papias's brief remarks on the Gospels of Mark and Matthew offer valuable, though limited, insights into their origins and characteristics. His testimony highlights Mark's reliance on Peter's preaching and Matthew's initial composition in Hebrew. Although Papias’s writings are fragmentary, they provide a vital link to the apostolic age and a glimpse into the early Church's understanding of the Gospels.