Disputation between the Apostle Peter and Nero

The Disputation of Mar Peter and Nero the King. On a stormy sea I saw a ship: twelve boats as though racing. The sea rose up against them, and passed over them and sank them. It calmed the four winds of the sea, so that their pilot was wise. And as soon as it rose up, it also became agitated; they showed their victory. The waves of the sea were raised up, so that the ships were submerged in them. And they calmed their rudder, and brought the ship to port and it was saved. From here, provisions are salted, helpers. And all together equally, let us offer praise to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. And his story is finished, the whole story from its beginning, now and at all times and forever. Great wealth they possessed, and without end they distributed. The king of the sea saw their wealth, and stirred up the sea in which the ships were. The sea is this world, and the twelve boats are the apostles in it. And the sea that rose up against them is the world that rejected their teaching. The king of the sea is called the evil one, the enemy of Jesus and his servants. The ship I named the kingdom, in which the apostles were saved. And when the enemy saw that the apostles were proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, he led astray the judges of the world, so that they would not accept their gospel. A zealous servant was found for him, Nero Caesar, in whom he was saved.

and after them the apostles, his zeal completed: Simon Cephas and Paul. Simon had been sent to Rome; the Paraclete reconciles all. Where Nero was reigning, the field of the stars is revealed. The herald of the nations, Paul, to the great one of his race hastened to Rome. And Nero heard their teaching, and prepared himself for the disputation. Nero. Nero said to his servants, while he was troubled by his anger. What is this that I hear, O my friends, that the Galileans have risen up to teach you? Servants. O king, live forever! The report that you have heard is true. Behold, in our city they are turning things around and teaching a teaching that is harmful. Nero. In what manner do they stand, and what is their teaching? Let them come and speak, and not be defeated by the gods who conquer all? Servant. My lord king, command that they come here, and hear the word from their mouth. For there is no manner like theirs, and their teaching is renowned in the world. Nero. A great disturbance has come upon you; already the gods are being abolished. Even their temples are being overturned; and what will happen if it continues? Servants. A great disturbance it is, as you have said, that all your peoples are in turmoil. And if two men defeat you, it is a great disturbance in the midst of the world! Nero. Bring them and have them come to me here, and I will hear the word from their mouth.

If they do not worship your gods, limb by limb they will be cut off. Workers. This is ours, that it was entrusted to you, and bring the men of whom I spoke to you. And they ran and went, rejoicing, and set them before his throne. Nero. Are these the ones who have stirred you up and disturbed Rome, the mighty? Approach and show me your teaching, and what sent you that you came here? Simon. Behold, O king, if I had learned from the teaching of my sender. For I was not ruling on earth, nor in heaven is your throne set. Nero. And what is the authority of your sender, that his power is greater than mine? And if you are a messenger to him, you are a servant of the king whom you serve. Simon. And again, do not think that I am inferior, and do not think my words are simple. See the signs of my sender, which refute your teaching. Nero. Go, O old man greatly deceived; depart from my city, whence you came. What sent you to come here, on whom do you rely and boast? Simon. For it is not possible for me to depart until I have served your city, and uprooted from it the idols that are in it, and sown within it the seed of my Lord. Nero. See, O old man greatly deceived, that you have called Zeus and his companions idols. On what do you rely and mock the great gods of Rome? Simon.

See, O king, how foolish you are, that even your friends do not love you. For the demons are set before your throne by means of visible signs. Nero. I have heard that this Mark was hanged on a tree. And if it is true as they say, he was buried in a tomb like every man. Simon. It is true what you have heard: he was buried in a tomb like every man. And he rose from the tomb and was not seen. And he ascended to the heavens of heavens and was hidden. Nero. I give you two choices: death and life, two brothers. If you deny, you choose life; and if you do not deny, you taste death. Peter. Jesus taught and said to us: Whoever denies me, I deny him. And whoever confesses me, in that world, I will honor him in the kingdom of heaven. Nero. Deny the Messiah whom you preach, and within Rome I will honor you. And before my kingdom you will not be hindered, and you will lead mighty Rome astray. Simon. When the king's garment is soiled, it is against the king who clothed me. And do you not know, O wretched one, that height and depth hang upon his sign? Nero. Was it not Herod who sought to kill him, that one of whom you say he clothed me? And if the Egyptians had not hidden him, he would not have remained in the world. Peter. Have you not heard, O Nero, that Herod was overtaken by him? Harsh and changing plagues, and he ended his life from the world.

Nero. What is the meaning of this that you have written? And the rest of your words and your fables: that he who does not care for himself, how can he heal others? Peter. The dominion of death over the race: its dissolution was and its abolition in his resurrection. And the treasury of Sheol he emptied, and he sealed the mouth of the devourer. Nero. Let Mark come and heal you, while I command that a cross be set up for you. And if it is true as you say, let everyone know that he has power over me. Simon. Stand, Pilate, and refute you: he who was in his house stood up and was known, that his hands were stained with his blood, while he knew that he was lord of all. Nero. Foolish old man, do you not know that your death and your life are in the hands of Caesar? Why have you spoken to insult me? Do you not know that your end has come? Simon. Old man, I am as you said, and the Lord who chose me sent me, that I might be a father and a physician to all, and turn every man to the Lord. Nero. Is it only to me that you are sent, or do you preach to all nations? And if it is to Rome that you have come, you are not even received in Rome. Peter. All the nations that are scattered: twelve men are their kings. And to me in Rome a special portion has come, from the Holy Spirit who sent me. Nero. Paul, then, as you said, is your fellow countryman, while he preaches.

and to your two cities alone it reaches: great and mighty Rome? Peter. Paul alone reached the nations: he preached and taught also in the West. And he had authority from the Lord to heal the peoples in every place. Nero. You were a fisherman, as they say, and you left the fishing in which you were raised. And you chose another craft, one that destroys your life. Simon. The fishing of fish does not profit me: I was appointed to hunt for souls. And now I hunt souls, that they may become servants for my sending. Nero. A little while ago you prayed: you have a way to live in the world. And now that you have spoken and not feared, your life is finished in the world. Peter. First, my lord, and also beware: do not be disturbed, my friends, by those who kill the body and do not destroy your souls. Nero. The head of the kingdom of Rome is: every death in it you die. Simon. The head of your kingdom, as you said, is Rome, which is mighty. Good seed I have sown in it: give me the reward of my labor, the cross. Nero. The reward you ask of me is fitting: that by which your Lord was crucified. Paul’s reward was the sword, and for you the cross is your honor. Simon. Hear and ask me one question: when my Lord was crucified, his head was upward.

My head is below and my feet above, so that it is not fitting that I be like the Lord who was crucified. The spectators marvel when they see me standing, because of the old man who is upright and faithful. Woe to you, Peter! cried the faithful. How firm is your foundation! Give thanks to the good one, cried the faithful, that your name has been sown in the place of my dwelling. And also the bones of your apostles have become a fence for your faithful.