The Letter of Peter to Philip: A Public Domain Synoptic Translation
Public-domain synoptic translation of NHC VIII,2 // Codex Tchacos 1. (ref)
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The Letter of Peter to Philip:
A Public Domain Synoptic Translation
by Mark M. Mattison
The following translation has been committed to the public domain and may be freely copied
and used, changed or unchanged, for any purpose. It is based on the Coptic text of Codex Tchacos
1 and Nag Hammadi Codex VIII, 2. The Codex Tchacos was produced in the fourth century CE,
subsequently buried, and then rediscovered in the 1970s. The Nag Hammadi texts were produced in
the fourth century, subsequently buried, and then rediscovered in 1945. Though framed as a letter,
this tractate primarily presents a dialogue between Jesus and his apostles.
This synoptic translation is based on the following sources:
Brankaer, Johanna and Hans-G. Bethge, Codex Tchacos. Texte und Analysen. Texte und
Untersuchungen zur Geschichte der altchristliche Literatur 161 (Walter de Gruyter), 2007
Jenott, Lance, “Peter’s Letter to Philip: Textual Fluidity in a New Testament Apocryphon,”
pages 37-66 in Hugo Lundhaug and Christian H. Bull, eds., The Nag Hammadi Codices as Monastic
Books (Mohr Siebeck), 2023
Kasser, Rodolphe, and Wurst, Gregor, The Gospel of Judas, Critical Edition: Together with the Letter of
Peter to Philip, James, and a Book of Allogenes from Codex Tchacos (National Geographic), 2007
Meyer, Marvin, ed., The Nag Hammadi Scriptures (HarperOne), 2007
Nagel, Peter, Codex apocryphus gnosticus Novi Testamenti (Mohr Siebeck), 2023
Nag Hammadi Archive – Claremont Colleges Digital Library, https://ccdl.claremont.edu/digital/
collection/nha
Robinson, James M., ed., The Coptic Gnostic Library: A Complete Edition of the Nag Hammadi Codices,
Volume 4 (Brill), 2000
Robinson, James M., ed., The Nag Hammadi Library in English, 4th rev. ed. (Brill), 1996
Particular thanks are also due to Lance Jenott, who generously provided me with his own
unpublished draft of a synoptic transcript and translation, and who also graciously provided
feedback on this synoptic translation, as well as Samuel Zinner, who also provided helpful feedback.
This project could not have been completed without the prior work of all of these outstanding
scholars.
This document was first published on-line on September 9, 2024. Please forward notices of
errors or suggested corrections to:
Symbols
[] Gap in the text
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<> Editorial correction of a scribal error
1 Page number of the Coptic codex
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The Letter of Peter to Philip
Codex Tchacos Version (CT), 1 Nag Hammadi Version (NHC) VIII, 2
Introduction: Peter Writes to Philip
132 The letter of Peter which he sent to Philip:
1 [Peter, the] apostle of Jesus [Christ], Peter, the apostle of Jesus Christ, to Philip,
writing to Philip, [my beloved] and my fellow our beloved brother and fellow apostle, and the
apostle, [and] to the brothers (and sisters): brothers (and sisters) with you: Greetings!
Greetings!
[Now I want] you to understand, my Now I want you to know, our brother, [that]
[brother, that we] received instructions [from] we received instructions from our Lord and the
our Lord and [the Savior] of the whole world Savior of the whole world that we come together
[that we come together] in order to [teach and] in order to teach and preach in the salvation
preach [the] salvation through the Lord [Jesus] that’s been established for us 133 through our
Christ. Lord Jesus Christ.
But you were separated [from us] and [you But you were separated from us, and you
didn’t …] we have […] to preach. didn’t want us to come together and think about
how we should organize ourselves so that we
might preach the gospel.
If, [then], it seems good to you, brother, If, then, it pleases you, our brother, come
proceed according to the instructions of Jesus, according to the instructions of our God, Jesus.
our God.
[…] Philip received them and read them, When Philip received and read these things,
and he joyfully went to Peter. he joyfully went to Peter, rejoicing with him.
Peter Gathers the Apostles on the Mount of Olives
Then Peter gathered the others. [Then] they Then Peter gathered the others. They went up
went up to the Mount of Olives, the place to the mountain called “That of the Olives,” the
where they gathered with the blessed Christ 2 place where they used to gather with the blessed
in the days when he was in the body. Christ when he was in the body.
Then the apostles came together and knelt Then when the apostles came together they
down [and prayed] like this: fell on their knees and prayed like this:
“[Father], Father, Father of the [light], who “Father, Father, Father of the light, who has
possesses the undefiled ones, hear [us! …] the incorruptible ones, hear us, just as you
your […] in [your holy son, Jesus Christ, delighted in your holy child, Jesus Christ,
because he] became a light in the darkness because he became a light for us 134 in the
for us. Indeed, hear us!” darkness. Indeed, hear us!
And [they] returned […] And they returned another time and prayed:
“[…] immortality [...] “Son of life, the Son of immortality who
dwells in the light, the Son, the Christ of
“[…] hear us and give [us strength], because immortality, our Savior, give us strength,
they’re looking to kill us!” because they’re looking to kill us!”
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Codex Tchacos Version (CT), 1 Nag Hammadi Version (NHC) VIII, 2
Jesus Appears to the Apostles
Then it appeared – a light so great that the Then it appeared – a light so great that the
mountain shone from the revelation of what mountain shone from the sight of what appeared.
appeared. A voice called out to them and said: And a voice called out to them and said:
“Listen [to my] words, so that I may speak “Listen to my words so that I may speak to
to you because you’ve sought me. I’m Jesus you. Why do you look for me? I’m Jesus
Christ, who’s with you forever.” Christ, who’s with you forever.”
3 Then the apostles said in response, “Lord, Then the apostles said in response, “Lord, we
[the] deficiency of the ages and their fullnesses want to know about the deficiency of the ages
– How do they detain us [in this] very [dwelling and their fullness, and how they detain us in this
place]? dwelling place.
[And, how] did we get here? And, how did we get here?
And, how [will we] leave? And, how will we leave?
And, how do we have the authority to speak And, 135 how do we have the authority to
boldly? speak boldly?
[Why do the] powers (that be) fight against [And], why do the powers (that be) fight
us?” against us?”
[Then] an announcement came from the Then a voice came to them from the light and
light and said, “You yourselves bear witness to said, “It’s you yourselves who bear witness that
me that I [explained] these things [to you], but I’ve told all these things to you, but because of
because of your faithlessness, I’ll answer again. your faithlessness, I’ll speak again.
The Deficiency and the Arrogant One
“Now, then, [concerning] the deficiency of “Now, then, concerning [the deficiency] of
the ages, this is the deficiency which is the ages, this [is] the deficiency which is the
disobedience: The thoughtless mother appeared disobedience and thoughtlessness of the mother,
without the command of the Great One. He when she appeared without the command of the
wanted to set up ages from the beginning, and Father’s greatness. She wanted to set up ages, and
when she [spoke], the Arrogant One appeared. when she spoke, the Arrogant One appeared.
Now a limb was left behind her. The Arrogant When she left behind a share, the Arrogant One
One seized it, and a deficiency came into being. seized it, and it became a deficiency. This is the
Now this is 4 the deficiency of the ages. deficiency of the ages.
“For the Arrogant One took the limb “Now when the Arrogant One took a share,
and sowed it, and he set up (the) [powers] he sowed it and set up (the) powers (that be) and
(that be) and authorities [and confined it] in authorities over it, and he confined it in dead
the [dead] ages, [and] all [the powers] of the ages, and all the powers (that be) rejoiced because
world rejoiced because they had come into they had come into being. 136 But they don’t
being. But they don’t know the [Father] know the Father [who’s] from the beginning,
who’s from the beginning [since] they’re since they’re strangers to him. [Rather, it’s this]
strangers to him. Rather, it’s this (Arrogant) (Arrogant) One who was given power, and they
One who gave power to them, and they served and praised him.
served and praised him.
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Codex Tchacos Version (CT), 1 Nag Hammadi Version (NHC) VIII, 2
“And the Arrogant One’s heart [lifted up at] “Now this Arrogant One’s heart lifted up at
the praise [of the powers] (that be) and he the praise of the powers (that be) and he became
[became] a rival. And they wanted an image in a rival. And he wanted to make an image in the
the place of an image and a form in the place of place of an image and a form in the place of a
a form. In his authority, he commanded the form. Now, in his authority, he commanded the
powers (that be) to fashion mortal bodies, and powers (that be) to fashion mortal bodies, and
lawlessness came from the likeness that had they came to be in a different way than the form
come to be. that had come to be.
The Incarnation
“Now concerning the completion: It is I. “Now concerning the fullness: It is I. [And] I
[And] I was sent into a body [because of this] was sent down into the body because of this seed
seed that was lost, because it had come [to a] that was lost. And I came down into their mortal
mortal mold. But they didn’t recognize me. mold, but they didn’t recognize me. They thought
They thought that I was a mortal. I spoke with that I was a mortal person. And I spoke with the
the one 5 who belongs to me, and the one who one who belongs to me, and the one who belongs
belongs to me, which is you, listened to me [...] to me listened to me, just as you yourselves are
It is (you) who have [understood]. (You) have listening to me today. And I gave that one
listened [today], and I gave (you) authority to authority to enter the inheritance of their
enter the inheritance of (your) father. [And] I paternity. And I took 137 [the one who belongs
took the one who belongs to me, and the ages to me, and the ages] were fulfilled by their
were completed by their [salvation …]. For salvation. [So] since there’s a deficiency, there
because there’s a [deficiency], there’s also a came a completion.
completion.
Fighting the Powers that Be
“But concerning your detainment, it’s “But concerning your detainment, it’s because
because you belong to me. When you strip you belong to me. When you strip yourselves of
yourselves of the flesh, then [you’ll] become what’s corrupt, then you’ll become lights among
lights for mortal people. mortal people.
“Then you’ll fight the powers (that be), “That’s why it’s you who will fight the powers
because they don’t have rest like you, since they (that be), because they don’t have rest like you
don’t want you to be saved.” do, since they don’t want you to be saved.”
Then the apostles worshipped again and Then the apostles worshipped again and said,
said, “Son, teach us how we can fight against “Lord, teach us how we can fight against the
the rulers, since they (are) the rulers of (what’s rulers, since [the] rulers are above us.”
here) below.”
Then the voice called out from what had Then a voice called out to them from what
appeared 6 and said, “You, fight like this – had appeared and said, “This is how you’ll fight
because the rulers fight against the inner person them – because they fight against the inner
– but you fight like this: person – fight against them like this:
“[Come] together and teach salvation in the “Come together and teach salvation in the
world, and brace yourselves with the power of world with a promise, and brace yourselves with
my Father and make your prayer known. And the power of my Father and make your prayer
he, my Father], has helped and sent [me. Don’t] known. And he, the Father, will help you, just as
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Codex Tchacos Version (CT), 1 Nag Hammadi Version (NHC) VIII, 2
fear; I’m with you, just as I told you before he helped you when he sent me. 138 Don’t be
when I was in the body.” faint[hearted; I’m with you forever], just as I told
you before when I was in the body.”
Then [a sound] with thunder came from Then lightning and thunder came from
heaven, and he who had appeared to them [was heaven, and he who had appeared to them was
caught up] from there. caught up away from that place to heaven.
Suffering and Death
Then the apostles gave thanks to the Lord Then the apostles gave thanks to the Lord
with every blessing and returned to Jerusalem. with every blessing and returned to Jerusalem.
As they were going along with each other As they were going up on the road, they were
on the road, they talked with each other about talking with each other about the light that came,
the light that had come, and [a comment] was and a comment was made about the Lord, that
made about the Lord, that “If he, our Lord, “If he, our Lord, suffered, then how much more
died, then how much more (likely is it that) we (will) we (suffer)?”
ourselves (will die)?”
7 But Peter said in response, “He died for Peter said in response, “He suffered for us,
us. It’s right that we ourselves die because of and it’s necessary that we ourselves suffer
humanity.” because of our smallness.”
Then [a voice] came to them [and] said, Then a voice came to them and said, “I’ve
“I’ve told you [many] times that it’s right for told you many times that it’s necessary for for
you [to] die and be brought into synagogues you to suffer. It’s necessary that you’ll be brought
and before governors. It’s right for you […] to synagogues and governors so that you suffer.
disciples […] pray [to] the Father [… so] that But whoever won’t suffer nor […] 139 Father
[he may] protect [you].” […] so that he may [protect you].”
So the apostles rejoiced [greatly and went So the apostles rejoiced [greatly] and went up
up] to Jerusalem, [and they went up to] the to Jerusalem, and they went up to the temple,
temple, [teaching salvation] in the name of teaching safely in the name of [the] Lord Jesus
Jesus [Christ]. Christ. And they healed [a] multitude.
Then Peter opened his mouth and said to his
disciples, “[Truly] our Lord Jesus, when he was in
“<…> [he] taught us everything when he was the body, taught us everything. Because he came
in the body. Because he came down – listen to down – my brothers (and sisters), listen to my
my voice, my brothers (and sisters) –” and he voice –” [and] he was filled with the Holy Spirit
was filled with the Holy Spirit and said: and said:
“Jesus, our light, came, “Our light, Jesus, [came] down,
and was crucified, and was hanged,
and he bore a crown of thorns, and he bore a crown of thorns,
and he was clothed in a purple robe, and he was clothed in a purple robe,
and he was hanged on wood, and he was hanged on wood,
and he was buried in a tomb, and he was buried in a tomb,
and 8 he rose from the dead. and he rose from the dead.
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Codex Tchacos Version (CT), 1 Nag Hammadi Version (NHC) VIII, 2
“My brothers (and sisters), Jesus is a “My brothers (and sisters), Jesus is a stranger
stranger to this death, but it’s we who’ve died in to this suffering, but it’s we who’ve suffered by
the transgression, the transgression of our the transgression of the Mother, and because of
Mother. [And] because of this, he did this he did everything in a similar way among us,
everything in a similar (way) among us, because because the Lord Jesus, the Son of the
[the Lord] Jesus is the Son of the immeasurable immeasurable Father’s glory, is the author of our
Father’s glory; [he is] the author of [our life]. life. So, my brothers (and sisters), let’s not listen
So, my brothers (and sisters), let’s not listen to the lawless ones and (not) proceed in 140 [the
[…] and (not) proceed [in the] teaching of teaching of destruction].”
[destruction].”
Conclusion
[Then] Peter [raised] his hands [up] to [Then] Peter raised [his hands up to] heaven
heaven [and said, “Our Lord] Jesus Christ, and said, “[Our Lord Jesus] Christ, author of our
author [of our] rest, give us [a spirit] of rest, give us a spirit of understanding so that we
understanding so that we may do miracles!” may do miracles too!”
Then Peter and the apostles spoke to Jesus, Then Peter and the other apostles looked
and they were filled with the Holy Spirit, and […], and they were filled [with] the Holy Spirit,
each of them did healings. And they parted and each of them did healings. And they parted
ways from each other to preach the blessed ways to preach the Lord Jesus, and they gathered
Jesus, and they gathered together, embraced together, embraced each other, and said,
each other, and said, 9 “Amen.” “Amen.”
Then Jesus appeared and said, “Peace to Then Jesus appeared and said to them, “Peace
you, and glory to those [who believe] in my to [all] of you, and to all who believe in my name.
name. Now go on. Joy will be with you, and But when you go, joy and grace and power will be
grace with power. Don’t fear; [I]’m with you with you. Don’t be faint of heart, because look,
always.” I’m with you always.”
Then the apostles parted ways [after they Then the apostles parted ways to the four
had been sent to preach, and] they went in the <directions> to preach, and they went in the
power of Jesus in peace. power of Jesus in peace.
The Letter
of Peter
to Philip
Z
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Text Notes
CT, 1, 1: proceed according to the instructions of Jesus. Literally, “walk according to the instructions of Jesus.”
CT 1, 5: It is (you) who have [understood]. (You) have listened [today], and I gave (you) authority to enter the
inheritance of (your) father. Literally, “It is he who has [understood]. He has listened [today], and I gave
him authority to enter the inheritance of his father.”
CT, 1, 9 // NHC VIII, 2, 139: and (not) proceed in the teaching of destruction. Literally, “and walk in the
teaching of destruction.”
CT, 1, 9: Now go on. Literally, “Now walk and go.”
NHC VIII, 2, 140: <directions>. The text, as written, says “words.”
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References
- Mark M. Mattison, "The Letter of Peter to Philip: A Public Domain Synoptic Translation." Academia.edu. The Letter of Peter to Philip: A Public Domain Synoptic Translation (download: Direct Download).
- Public-domain synoptic translation of NHC VIII,2 // Codex Tchacos 1.
- Academia page: The Letter of Peter to Philip: A Public Domain Synoptic Translation.
- Direct download: Direct Download.