Martyrdom of Polycarp describes the death of bishop Polycarp. This passage begins by stating that Polycarp was aware that he was going to be betrayed, like Jesus Christ. Word gets out that the romans are searching to arrest him, so he waits in a farm at the edge of town, where he has a vision of his pillow burning and predicts he will be burned at the stake. He is betrayed, like he predicted, by a member of his house. When the roman police come he amazes them. In the arena he is asked many times to say that Caesar is the lord but refuses. He is then sentenced to burn at the stake, like he predicted, but his burnt flesh smells like baking bread. The emperor orders him to be stabbed but his blood puts out the fire. The major themes are loyalty to one’s faith and Polycarp’s death having a great resemblance to god.
The reason the author of this story, no doubt, was to make Polycarp look like a hero and therefore heighten the status of Christian Leaders, while making that roman leaders look evil and foolish. Many times in the text Polycarp is described as the ‘blessed Polycarp’ (Ehrman 35). The text compares him to Christ, as he predicts he will be betrayed and that he will die, like Christ did. (Ehrman 31 and 32) This comparison bolsters Polycarp’s status and shows that his example should be followed. This story shows how the romans are wrong in their attempt to silence Christians, as show by the roman soldiers who were amazed by Polycarp and regretted being sent to get him. (Ehrman 32) He is even spoken to by the Lord, validating that he is saintly and that his faith is right. ( Ehrman 33) His refusal to admit Caesar as the Lord shows his devotion and sets an example to other Christians to worship the one and only Lord. (Ehrman 33-34). His death is romanticized, making him seem pure and holy. Polycarp’s martyrdom is even noticed by the Evil One, and his martyrdom is alluded to a victory in the cosmic war between good and evil. (Ehman 34)