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Gospel of Peter

The Gospel of Peter is a non-canonical gospel that presents a docetic Christology, with Jesus on the cross crying out " My power, my power, you have forsaken me."|||Greek fragment from Akhmim, Egypt (8th–9th c., discovered 1886). Referenced by Eusebius and Serapion of Antioch (c. 200 CE).|||Composed in the mid-to-late 2nd century CE.|||Not canonical in any tradition. Considered heretical by Serapion of Antioch.|||Presents a docetic Christ who suffers no pain. Contains an early account of the resurrection. Important for understanding docetic Christology and the diversity of early Christian gospels.|||Brown, R. E. " The Gospel of Peter." In The Anchor Bible Dictionary. Doubleday, 1992.|||Crossan, J. D. The Cross That Spoke. Harper & Row, 1988.|||Foster, P. The Gospel of Peter. Brill, 2010.|||The Gospel of Peter — Early Christian Writings|https://www.earlychristianwritings.com/gospelpeter.html|Full translation and scholarly resources.;; The Gospel of Peter — Sacred Texts|https://www.sacred-texts.com/bib/lbob/lbob19.htm|Public-domain translation.|||" But the Lord cried out, saying, My Power, my Power, you have forsaken me. And having said this, he was taken up." — Gospel of Peter 19

Collection: New Testament Apocrypha Canon: varies

Canon Status

Not canonical in any tradition. Considered heretical by Serapion of Antioch.

Date & Provenance

Composed in the mid-to-late 2nd century CE.

Language & Manuscripts

Greek fragment from Akhmim, Egypt (8th–9th c., discovered 1886). Referenced by Eusebius and Serapion of Antioch (c. 200 CE).

Why It Matters for Study

Presents a docetic Christ who suffers no pain. Contains an early account of the resurrection. Important for understanding docetic Christology and the diversity of early Christian gospels.

" But the Lord cried out, saying, My Power, my Power, you have forsaken me. And having said this, he was taken up." — Gospel of Peter 19

Read the Text & External Resources

Public-domain translations and scholarly databases where the text can be read online or downloaded.

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

Brown, R. E. " The Gospel of Peter." In The Anchor Bible Dictionary. Doubleday, 1992.
Crossan, J. D. The Cross That Spoke. Harper & Row, 1988.
Foster, P. The Gospel of Peter. Brill, 2010.