Canon Status
Not canonical in any tradition, though it was considered canonical by some early Christians.
Date & Provenance
Composed in Greek in the mid-2nd century CE.
Language & Manuscripts
Greek fragment from Akhmim (8th–9th c.). Ethiopic version (complete).
Why It Matters for Study
Describes the judgment and the punishments of hell. Important for understanding early Christian eschatology and the development of the doctrine of hell.
" And I saw the place of punishment, and it was a place of darkness and sorrow." — Apocalypse of Peter (paraphrase)
Read the Text & External Resources
Public-domain translations and scholarly databases where the text can be read online or downloaded.
- Apocalypse of Peter — Early Christian Writings Full translation and scholarly resources.
- Apocalypse of Peter — Sacred Texts Public-domain translation.
External links open in a new tab. Sources are chosen for public-domain or open-access availability; always verify edition and translation when citing in academic work.
Further Reading
Elliott, J. K. The Apocryphal New Testament. Oxford, 1993.
Bremmer, J. N. The Apocalypse of Peter. Peeters, 2003.
Schneemelcher, W. New Testament Apocrypha. Westminster John Knox, 1991.