c. 90 – 155 AD

Papias of Hierapolis

c. 60 – 130 AD

Hierapolis, Phrygia (modern Turkey)

Overview

Bishop of Hierapolis and collector of early oral traditions. He prized the living voice of those connected to the Apostles over secondhand reports.

He is our earliest source for the tradition that Mark wrote down Peter's preaching.

Fragments only — Survives only in quotes by later writers like Eusebius and Irenaeus.

See what Papias of Hierapolis wrote about Scripture. Open any book in the Bible reader and switch to the Commentary tab to find their insights.

The generation closest to the Apostles, writing to steady fragile churches, preserve unity, and hand on the faith they had received.

4 Church Fathers in this era

Part of The Apostolic Fathers