The Fall of Simon Magus in Early Christian Commentary

Abstract

subsequent fall —the result of apostolic intervention— is the most frequently recalled apocryphal New Testament event in the art and literature of the Middle Ages, even in the Baroque era. The medieval reception of this apocryphal legend was derived both from the «Acts of Peter» (Acta Petri) and «The Passion of Peter and Paul» (Passio) and from the commentary of the Church Fathers of this episode. This article brings together the patristic exegesis of the Fall of Simon Magus to ascertain the reception of the apocryphal material and its pedagogical adaptation by the Church Fathers. It also identifies the major themes which the Church Fathers promoted through the use of the Fall of Simon Magus even though written across many centuries, from disparate geographical regions, and representing distinct ecclesial communities. Any discussion of Simon Magus in the patristic era must begin with Justin Martyr and his contemporaries of the second century. Justin says nothing about Simon Magus and Peter engaging in an all for nothing confrontation in the presence of Nero. He does, however, place Simon Magus in Rome where Simon astonished the crowds, the sacred [Roman] senate, and presumably