The Martyrdom of Polycarp

Martyrium Polycarpi

The Martydom of Polycarp. The Apostolic Fathers with an English translation by Kirsopp Lake. In Two Volumes. Vol. II. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press; London: William Heinemann Ltd. 1913

For it was indeed impossible for him to remain hid, since those who betrayed him were of his own house, and the police captain who had been allotted the very name, being called Herod,[*](The writer desires to bring out the points of resemblance to the Passion of Christ. The coincidences are remarkable, but none are in themselves at all improbable.) hastened to bring him to the arena

that he might fulfil his appointed lot by becoming a partaker of Christ, while they who betrayed him should undergo the same punishment as Judas.

Taking the slave then police and cavalry[*](The arrival of the police) went out on Friday[*](παρασκευή is literally Preparation (i.e. for the Sabbath) and has always been used in the Greek Church for Friday.) about supper-time, with their usual arms, as if they were advancing against a robber.[*](robber is the traditional translation: but brigand is nearer the real meaning.) And late in the evening they came up together against him and found him lying in an upper room. And he might have departed to another place, but would not, saying, the will of God be done.