Chapter VI.
Barnabas [2364] the Cyprian, also called Joseph the Levite, ordained apostle to the Gentiles with Paul, wrote one Epistle, valuable for the edification of the church, which is reckoned among the apocryphal writings. He afterwards separated from Paul on account of John, a disciple also called Mark, [2365] none the less exercised the work laid upon him of preaching the Gospel.
[2364] Died in Salamis 53 (Ceillier Papebroch), 56 (Braunsberger), 61 (Breviarum romanum), 76 (Nirschl). The discussion of the date of his death is a good deal mixed up with the question of the authenticity of the work.
[2365] Mark Acts 15. 37
Chapter VII.
Luke [2366] a physician of Antioch, as his writings indicate, was not unskilled in the Greek language. An adherent of the apostle Paul, and companion of all his journeying, he wrote a Gospel, concerning which the same Paul says, "We send with him a brother whose praise in the gospel is among all the churches" [2367] and to the Colossians "Luke the beloved physician salutes you," [2368] and to Timothy "Luke only is with me." [2369] He also wrote another excellent volume to which he prefixed the title Acts of the Apostles, a history which extends to the second year of Paul's sojourn at Rome, that is to the fourth [2370] year of Nero, from which we learn that the book was composed in that same city. Therefore the Acts of Paul and Thecla [2371] and all the fable about the lion baptized by him we reckon among the apocryphal writings, [2372] for how is it possible that the inseparable companion of the apostle in his other affairs, alone should have been ignorant of this thing. Moreover Tertullian who lived near those times, mentions a certain presbyter in Asia, an adherent of the apostle Paul, [2373] who was convicted by John of having been the author of the book, and who, confessing that he did this for love of Paul, resigned his office of presbyter. Some suppose that whenever Paul in his epistle says "according to my gospel" he means the book of Luke and that Luke not only was taught the gospel history by the apostle Paul who was not with the Lord in the flesh, but also by other apostles. This he too at the beginning of his work declares, saying "Even as they delivered unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word." So he wrote the gospel as he had heard it, but composed the Acts of the apostles as he himself had seen. He was buried at Constantinople to which city, in the twentieth year of Constantius, his bones together with the remains of Andrew the apostle were transferred.
[2366] Died 83-4?
[2367] we send...churches 2 Cor. 8. 18
[2368] Luke...salutes you Col. 4. 14
[2369] Luke...with me 2 Tim. 4. 11
[2370] fourthA T H 25 30 31 Val. etc.; fourteenth. Her. Sigbert. S. Crucis.
[2371] Acts of Paul and Thecla (Acts = Journeyings) Cf. Acts of Paul and Thecla, tr. in Ante Nic. Fath. v. 8 pp. 487-92.
[2372] apocryphal writings A H 31 e a Bamb Norimb. Val. etc.; apocrypha Her. T 25 30.
[2373] apostle Paul A H e a etc. Val; omit Paul T 25 30 31 Her.
Chapter VIII.
Mark [2374] the disciple and interpreter of Peter wrote a short gospel at the request of the brethren at Rome embodying what he had heard Peter tell. When Peter had heard this, he approved it and published it to the churches to be read by his authority as Clemens in the sixth book of his Hypotyposes and Papias, bishop of Hierapolis, record. Peter also mentions this Mark in his first epistle, figuratively indicating Rome under the name of Babylon "She who [2375] is in Babylon elect together with you saluteth you [2376] and so doth Mark my son." So, taking the gospel which he himself composed, he went to Egypt and first preaching Christ at Alexandria he formed a church so admirable in doctrine and continence of living that he constrained all followers of Christ to his example. Philo most learned of the Jews seeing the first church at Alexandria still Jewish in a degree, wrote a book [2377] on their manner of life as something creditable to his nation telling how, as Luke says, the believers had all things in common [2378] at Jerusalem, so he recorded that he saw [2379] was done at Alexandria, under the learned Mark. He died in the eighth year of Nero and was buried at Alexandria, Annianus succeeding him. [2380]
[2374] Flourished 45 to 55?
[2375] She who A H T 25 30 31 a e Val etc; the church which. Her. and one mentioned by Vallarsi, also in Munich mss. 14370.
[2376] She who...saluteth you 1 Pet. 5. 13
[2377] a bookA H 31 a e etc; and Her.; omit T 25 30. This work entitled On a contemplative life is still extant but is generally regarded as not by Philo.
[2378] had all things in common Acts 2. 44
[2379] so...saw A H a e 31? Val.; so he saw and recorded. T 25 30 Her.
[2380] Annianus succeeding him A H T 25 30 a e Val etc.; omit Her. 31.