Fifth and Sixth Books of Esra
At a Glance
(2/5) **
Reliability of Dating
:
(3/5) ***
Length of Text
:
Estimated Range of Dating: 150-250 A.D.
Books
- Wilhelm Schneemelcher, ed., translation by R. McL. Wilson, New Testament Apocrypha : Writings Relating to the Apostles Apocalypses and Related Subjects (Louisville: John Knox Press, 1992), pp. 641-652.
Information on Fifth and Sixth Books of Esra
Hugo Duensing writes (New Testament Apocrypha, vol. 2, pp. 641-642):
Time of composition: in 2.42-47 an innumerable company of Christian martyrs are crowned. This takes us beyond the 1st century. The young man of great stature has a parellel in the Gospel of Peter, in the Acts of Perpetua and Felicitas, and also in the Shepherd of Hermas. This feature points to the 2nd century, but, since the argument with Judaism still clearly possesses topical significance, we ought not to place the writing too late. We may adhere to a date around A.D. 200.
The text is translated in New Testament Apocrypha, vol. 2, pp. 642-652.
Some Contemporary Texts
- Acts of Andrew (150-200 A.D.)
- Acts of Peter and the Twelve (150-225 A.D.)
- Book of Thomas the Contender (150-225 A.D.)
- Paraphrase of Shem (150-250 A.D.)
- Fifth and Sixth Books of Esra (150-250 A.D.)
- Authoritative Teaching (150-300 A.D.)
- Coptic Apocalypse of Paul (150-300 A.D.)
- Prayer of the Apostle Paul (150-300 A.D.)
- Discourse on the Eighth and Ninth (150-300 A.D.)