The Acts of Paul: A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary
This is the most complete translation of the Acts of Paul in English, together with a detailed commentary. The orientation is primarily literary, with detailed attention to the history of composition and revision. Unlike many studies, this commentary does not focus upon the story of Thecla.
Top Highlights
“Thecla said to Paul: ‘I shall cut off my hair and follow you wherever you go.’” (source)
“The governor summoned Thecla from the menagerie and asked: ‘Who are you? What powers are associated with you that not a single animal touched you?’” (source)
“ Even the governor was reduced to tears at the thought that such beauty would become a meal for seals.” (source)
“From the anachronistic perspective of the text it would suffice to have Paul arraigned as a Christian. That status was a capital offense.” (source)
“She grabbed Alexander, tore his cloak, knocked the crown from his head and turned him into an object of derision.” (source)
"With characteristic energy and erudition, Richard Pervo
reintroduces the Acts of Paul to the specialist and the
nonspecialist. The translation is exhilarating, at times even racy.
The introduction, notes, and commentary are rich and disciplined.
The volume will serve as the new point of departure for students of
this important but neglected apocryphal book--likely in origin the
first of the 'major' apocryphal acts and thus standing at the
threshold between Christian canon and Christian apocrypha."
--Julian Hills, Marquette University
"Kudos to Richard Pervo for the first English translation of the
entire extant Acts of Paul. This text will be indispensible
for situating the Acts in its literary, historical, and theological
context. Pervo opens with a comprehensive introduction and then
proceeds with a translation, commentary, bibliography, and notes
for each section. Pervo provides the most complete commentary on
the text in any language, a tour de force by this distinguished
canonical Acts and Apocrypha scholar."
--Judith Perkins, University of Saint Joseph
"With characteristic energy and erudition, Richard Pervo
reintroduces the Acts of Paul to the specialist and the
nonspecialist. The translation is exhilarating, at times even racy.
The introduction, notes, and commentary are rich and disciplined.
The volume will serve as the new point of departure for students of
this important but neglected apocryphal book--likely in origin the
first of the 'major' apocryphal acts and thus standing at the
threshold between Christian canon and Christian apocrypha."
--Julian Hills, Marquette University
"Kudos to Richard Pervo for the first English translation of the
entire extant Acts of Paul. This text will be indispensible
for situating the Acts in its literary, historical, and theological
context. Pervo opens with a comprehensive introduction and then
proceeds with a translation, commentary, bibliography, and notes
for each section. Pervo provides the most complete commentary on
the text in any language, a tour de force by this distinguished
canonical Acts and Apocrypha scholar."
--Judith Perkins, University of Saint Joseph
Product Details
- Title : The Acts of Paul: A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary
- Author: Pervo, Richard I.
- Publisher: Cascade Books
- Publication Date: 2014
- ISBN: 9781630871468
Richard I. Pervo is a retired Professor of New Testament and Patristics. His recent books include Acts: A Commentary in Hermeneia (2009) and The Making of Paul: Constructions of the Apostle in Early Christianity (2010).