In his epistle to the Smyrneans, Ignatius refers twice to the historical Jesus. In the first instance, he asserts concerning Jesus: He is truly of the race of David according to the flesh, but Son of God by the Divine will and power, truly born of a virgin and baptised by John that all righteousness might be fulfilledby Him, truly nailed up in the flesh for our sakes under Pontius Pilate and Herod the tetrarch (of which fruit are we—that is, of His most blessed passion); that He might set up an ensign unto all ages through His resurrection.^5 (Emphasis added by the editor.)
Ignatius again affirms (7)that Jesus was physically of the lineage of David, adding (8)that he was also the Son of God as shown by the virgin birth. (9)Jesus was baptized by John, (10)later being nailed (crucified) under Pontius Pilate and Herod the tetrarch. (11)Afterward, Jesus was raised from the dead.
4 Ignatius, Trallians, 9.
5 Ignatius, Smyrneans, 1.
In a second reference in Smyrneans, Ignatius concentrates on Jesus’ resurrection: For I know and believe that He was in the flesh even after the resurrection; and when He came to Peter and his company, He said to them, Lay hold and handle me, and see that I am not a demon without a body.And straitway they touched him and they believed, being joined unto His flesh and His blood. Wherefore also they despised death, nay they were found superior to death. And after His resurrection He [both] ate with them and drank with them.^6 (Emphasis added by the editor.)
Speaking of the resurrection, Ignatius affirms that Jesus (12)was raised in the flesh. (13)Afterward he appeared to Peter and the disciples and told them to touch his physical body, which they did. (14)Jesus then ate and drank with them after his resurrection. (15)In a statement reminiscent of Lucian, Ignatius also relates that upon believing, the disciples despised death.
