

The Acts of Peter and the Twelve Apostles -- The Nag Hammadi Library

    (Above image of the Gospel of Thomas courtesy of the
    Institute for Antiquity and Christianity, Claremont Graduate University)

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The Nag Hammadi Library

    The Acts of Peter and the Twelve Apostles

Translated by Douglas M. Parrott and R. McL.Wilson

            [...] which [...] purpose [... after ...] us [...] apostles [...]. We sailed [...] of the
            body. Others were not anxious in their hearts. And in our hearts, we were united. We
            agreed to fulfill the ministry to which the Lord appointed us. And we made a covenant with
            each other.

We went down to the sea at an opportune moment, which came to us from the Lord. We
            found a ship moored at the shore ready to embark, and we spoke with the sailors of the
            ship about our coming aboard with them. They showed great kindliness toward us as was
            ordained by the Lord. And after we had embarked, we sailed a day and a night. After that,
            a wind came up behind the ship and brought us to a small city in the midst of the sea.

And I, Peter, inquired about the name of this city from residents who were standing on
            the dock. A man among them answered, saying, "The name of this city is Habitation,
            that is, Foundation [...] endurance." And the leader among them holding the palm
            branch at the edge of the dock. And after we had gone ashore with the baggage, I went into
            the city, to seek advice about lodging.

A man came out wearing a cloth bound around his waist, and a gold belt girded it. Also
            a napkin was tied over his chest, extending over his shoulders and covering his head and
            his hands.

I was staring at the man, because he was beautiful in his form and stature. There were
            four parts of his body that I saw: the soles of his feet and a part of his chest and the
            palms of his hands and his visage. These things I was able to see. A book cover like
            (those of) my books was in his left hand. A staff of styrax wood was in his right hand.
            His voice was resounding as he slowly spoke, crying out in the city, "Pearlsl
            Pearlsl"

I, indeed, thought he was a man of that city. I said to him, "My brother and my
            friend!" He answered me, then, saying, "Rightly did you say, 'My brother and my
            friend.' What is it you seek from me?" I said to him, "I ask you about lodging
            for me and the brothers also, because we are strangers here." He said to me,
            "For this reason have I myself just said, 'My brother and my friend,' because I also
            am a fellow stranger like you."

And having said these things, he cried out, "Pearls! Pearls!" The rich men of
            that city heard his voice. They came out of their hidden storerooms. And some were looking
            out from the storerooms of their houses. Others looked out from their upper windows. And
            they did not see (that they could gain) anything from him, because there was no pouch on
            his back nor bundle inside his cloth and napkin. And because of their disdain they did not
            even acknowledge him. He, for his part, did not reveal himself to them. They returned to
            their storerooms, saying, "This man is mocking us."

And the poor of that city heard his voice, and they came to the man who sells this
            pearl. They said, "Please take the trouble to show us the pearl so that we may, then,
            see it with our (own) eyes. For we are the poor. And we do not have this [...] price to
            pay for it. But show us that we might say to our friends that we saw a pearl with our
            (own) eyes." He answered, saying to them, "If it is possible, come to my city,
            so that I may not only show it before your (very) eyes, but give it to you for
            nothing."

And indeed they, the poor of that city, heard and said, "Since we are beggars, we
            surely know that a man does not give a pearl to a beggar, but (it is) bread and money that
            is usually received. Now then, the kindness which we want to receive from you (is) that
            you show us the pearl before our eyes. And we will say to our friends proudly that we saw
            a pearl with our (own) eyes" - because it is not found among the poor, especially
            such beggars (as these). He answered (and) said to them, "If it is possible, you
            yourselves come to my city, so that I may not only show you it, but give it to you for
            nothing." The poor and the beggars rejoiced because of the man who gives for nothing.

The men asked Peter about the hardships. Peter answered and told those things that he
            had heard about the hardships of the way. Because they are interpreters of the hardships
            in their ministry.

He said to the man who sells this pearl, "I want to know your name and the
            hardships of the way to your city because we are strangers and servants of God. It is
            necessary for us to spread the word of God in every city harmoniously." He answered
            and said, "If you seek my name, Lithargoel is my name, the interpretation of which
            is, the light, gazelle-like stone.

"And also (concerning) the road to the city, which you asked me about, I will tell
            you about it. No man is able to go on that road, except one who has forsaken everything
            that he has and has fasted daily from stage to stage. For many are the robbers and wild
            beasts on that road. The one who carries bread with him on the road, the black dogs kill
            because of the bread. The one who carries a costly garment of the world with him, the
            robbers kill because of the garment. The one who carries water with him, the wolves kill
            because of the water, since they were thirsty for it. The one who is anxious about meat
            and green vegetables, the lions eat because of the meat. If he evades the lions, the bulls
            devour him because of the green vegetables."

When he had said these things to me, I sighed within myself, saying, "Great
            hardships are on the road! If only Jesus would give us power to walk it!" He looked
            at me since my face was sad, and I sighed. He said to me, "Why do you sigh, if you,
            indeed, know this name "Jesus" and believe him? He is a great power for giving
            strength. For I too believe in the Father who sent him."

I replied, asking him, "What is the name of the place to which you go, your
            city?" He said to me, "This is the name of my city, 'Nine Gates.' Let us praise
            God as we are mindful that the tenth is the head." After this I went away from him in
            peace.

As I was about to go and call my friends, I saw waves and large high walls surrounding
            the bounds of the city. I marveled at the great things I saw. I saw an old man sitting and
            I asked him if the name of the city was really Habitation. He [...], "Habitation
            [...]." He said to me, "You speak truly, for we inhabit here because we
            endure."

I responded, saying, "Justly [...] have men named it [...], because (by) everyone
            who endures his trials, cities are inhabited, and a precious kingdom comes from them,
            because they endure in the midst of the apostasies and the difficulties of the storms. So
            that in this way, the city of everyone who endures the burden of his yoke of faith will be
            inhabited, and he will be included in the kingdom of heaven."

I hurried and went and called my friends so that we might go to the city that he,
            Lithargoel, appointed for us. In a bond of faith we forsook everything as he had said (to
            do). We evaded the robbers, because they did not find their garments with us. We evaded
            the wolves, because they did not find the water with us for which they thirsted. We evaded
            the lions, because they did not find the desire for meat with us. We evaded the bulls
            [...] they did not find green vegetables.

A great joy came upon us and a peaceful carefreeness like that of our Lord. We rested
            ourselves in front of the gate, and we talked with each other about that which is not a
            distraction of this world. Rather we continued in contemplation of the faith.

As we discussed the robbers on the road, whom we evaded, behold Lithargoel, having
            changed, came out to us. He had the appearance of a physician, since an unguent box was
            under his arm, and a young disciple was following him carrying a pouch full of medicine.
            We did not recognize him.

Peter responded and said to him, "We want you to do us a favor, because we are
            strangers, and take us to the house of Lithargoel before evening comes." He said,
            "In uprightness of heart I will show it to you. But I am amazed at how you knew this
            good man. For he does not reveal himself to every man, because he himself is the son of a
            great king. Rest yourselves a little so that I may go and heal this man and come
            (back)." He hurried and came (back) quickly.

He said to Peter, "Peter!" And Peter was frightened, for how did he know that
            his name was Peter? Peter responded to the Savior, "How do you know me, for you
            called my name?" Lithargoel answered, "I want to ask you who gave the name Peter
            to you?" He said to him, "It was Jesus Christ, the son of the living God. He
            gave this name to me." He answered and said, "It is I! Recognize me,
            Peter." He loosened the garment, which clothed him - the one into which he had
            changed himself because of us - revealing to us in truth that it was he.

We prostrated ourselves on the ground and worshipped him. We comprised eleven
            disciples. He stretched forth his hand and caused us to stand. We spoke with him humbly.
            Our heads were bowed down in unworthiness as we said, "What you wish we will do. But
            give us power to do what you wish at all times."

He gave them the unguent box and the pouch that was in the hand of the young disciple.
            He commanded them like this, saying, "Go into the city from which you came, which is
            called Habitation. Continue in endurance as you teach all those who have believed in my
            name, because I have endured in hardships of the faith. I will give you your reward. To
            the poor of that city give what they need in order to live until I give them what is
            better, which I told you that I will give you for nothing."

Peter answered and said to him, "Lord, you have taught us to forsake the world and
            everything in it. We have renounced them for your sake. What we are concerned about (now)
            is the food for a single day. Where will we be able to find the needs that you ask us to
            provide for the poor?"

The Lord answered and said, "O Peter, it was necessary that you understand the
            parable that I told you! Do you not understand that my name, which you teach, surpasses
            all riches, and the wisdom of God surpasses gold, and silver and precious stone(s)?"

He gave them the pouch of medicine and said, "Heal all the sick of the city who
            believe in my name." Peter was afraid to reply to him for the second time. He
            signaled to the one who was beside him, who was John: "You talk this time." John
            answered and said, "Lord, before you we are afraid to say many words. But it is you
            who asks us to practice this skill. We have not been taught to be physicians. How then
            will we know how to heal bodies as you have told us?"

He answered them, "Rightly have you spoken, John, for I know that the physicians
            of this world heal what belongs to the world. The physicians of souls, however, heal the
            heart. Heal the bodies first, therefore, so that through the real powers of healing for
            their bodies, without medicine of the world, they may believe in you, that you have power
            to heal the illnesses of the heart also.

"The rich men of the city, however, those who did not see fit even to acknowledge
            me, but who reveled in their wealth and pride - with such as these, therefore, do not dine
            in their houses nor be friends with them, lest their partiality influence you. For many in
            the churches have shown partiality to the rich, because they also are sinful, and they
            give occasion for others to sin. But judge them with uprightness, so that your ministry
            may be glorified, and that my name also, may be glorified in the churches." The
            disciples answered and said, "Yes, truly this is what is fitting to do."

They prostrated themselves on the ground and worshipped him. He caused them to stand
            and departed from them in peace. Amen.

The Acts of Peter and the Twelve Apostles

   Original translation of this text was prepared by members of the

Coptic Gnostic Library Project of the Institute for Antiquity and Christianity, Claremont Graduate School.

The Coptic Gnostic Library Project was funded by UNESCO, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and other Institutions.

 E. J. Brill has asserted copyright on texts published by the Coptic Gnostic Library Project.

The translation presented here has been edited,  modified and formatted for use in the Gnostic Society Library.

For academic citation, please refer to published editions of this text.

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