Didache
The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles
By Clayton N. Jefford
Series: Early Christian Apocrypha, vol. 5
Rediscovered in 1873, the Didache provides a glimpse of early Christian ritual and liturgy. This text, which dates to the late first or early second century, is the very first manual for Christian life. Here Clayton Jefford presents parallel translations of the original-language manuscripts — from Greek, Latin, Coptic, Ethiopic, and Georgian. His detailed introduction places the Didache in its historical context, and cross references and notes on sources enable in-depth study.
The Early Christian Apocrypha series features fresh new translations of major apocryphal texts that survive from the early period of the Christian church. These non-canonical writings are crucial for determining the complex history of Christian origins. Each translation is accompanied by appendices, textual notes, translation notes, cross references and index. An extensive introduction also sets out the challenge of recovering and reconstructing the original text.
Clayton N. Jefford is Professor of Scripture at Saint Meinrad Seminary & School of Theology. He holds a Ph.D. from the Claremont Graduate School (1988) and is the author of The Sayings of Jesus in the Teaching of the Twelve Apostles (Supplements to Vigilae Christianae, 1997), Reading the Apostolic Fathers: A Student’s Introduction (2d edition, 2012), The Apostolic Fathers and the New Testament (2006), and most recently, The Epistle to Diognetus (with the Fragment of Quadratus) (2013). He also is the co-editor of the academic journal Forum.
“The Didache or ‘The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles’ is a remarkable Christian text dating from the latter part of the first or the early part of the second century. Brought to light in 1873 when it was found among a group of early Christian texts, it gives insight into the perspective and practices of early Christianity still in its formative period. Jefford, a leading expert on the Didache, provides an informative introduction to the text and then an annotated fresh translation that offers in parallel columns the two most important versions of the Didache—one from the Greek text and the other the Latin version, augmented by portions found in Coptic and other early translations.”
— The Bible Today
“An outstanding resource from North America’s leading Didache scholar. A crisp, fresh translation, helpful notes, and a compact bibliography make this the ideal student’s companion to the Didache. Jefford’s unique expertise also makes it an essential item on any serious scholar’s bookshelf.”
— Stephen J. Patterson, Willamette University
“This new translation and introduction to the Didache combines an impressive breadth of resources with depth of analysis and insight. Because it preserves some of the earliest evidence of early Christian liturgy, practice, and popular belief, the Didache is a perennially fascinating document, but because it is preserved in a number of exotic languages, non-specialist access has been problematic. Jefford’s accessible multi-column format helps overcome that hurdle, and the result is a welcome guide to this significant early Christian document.”
— Michael W. Holmes, Bethel University
