A Biblical Theology of Pseudo-Philo’s Biblical Antiquities
The work known as Biblical Antiquities by Pseudo-Philo is an expansive retelling of biblical history. Preserved in Latin, but likely rooted in a Hebrew original through a Greek intermediary, it reflects Jewish thought on God’s purposes, history, judgment, and resurrection. Though not part of the Bible, this pseudepigraphal text offers valuable insights into how ancient readers understood the themes of death, hope, and restoration.
One of its most striking features is its clear articulation of a two-stage view of life after death: first, the souls of the righteous rest in peace, and then, at the appointed time, they are raised in resurrection to dwell in a renewed creation. This framework resonates strongly with the Bible’s witness to the resurrection of the dead and the coming new heaven and new earth. A biblical theology of Pseudo-Philo’s Biblical Antiquities shows how its themes anticipate the Gospel of Jesus Christ, who secures life beyond death and the hope of final judgment and renewal.
1. The Origins and Character of Biblical Antiquities
Pseudo-Philo’s Biblical Antiquities is a rewritten biblical history, spanning from creation to the time of King Saul. While often compared with works like Josephus’s Antiquities, its theological outlook is distinct. The work is preserved in Latin manuscripts but is widely considered to have begun in Hebrew, then translated into Greek, and finally into Latin.
Its purpose is not merely to retell events but to interpret them theologically. The text emphasizes God’s sovereign control of history, the centrality of covenant, and the certainty of divine judgment. It provides a lens into Jewish eschatological hopes just before and around the time of early Christianity. For readers of the Bible, it is significant because it demonstrates how central resurrection and judgment were in the theological imagination of the time.
2. The Doctrine of Life After Death
One of the most remarkable contributions of Biblical Antiquities is its emphasis on post-mortem existence. The text describes how the righteous, after death, are gathered by God:
“At the end the lot of each one of you will be life eternal, for you and your seed, and I will take your souls and store them in peace until the time allotted the world be complete.”
This teaching describes two stages:
Immediate Rest in Peace – Souls are taken by God and kept safe.
Future Resurrection – At the completion of the world’s time, God will raise the dead and establish judgment.
This sequence prevents readers from imagining death as the final word. Instead, death is temporary; resurrection is certain. The Bible affirms this same truth: “Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt” (Dan. 12:2).
The author insists that judgment accompanies resurrection. Each person is judged “according to his works” and according to the fruits of his life. This parallels Revelation 20:12, which speaks of the dead being judged “by what was written in the books, according to what they had done.”
3. Eschatological Themes in Biblical Antiquities
Pseudo-Philo’s work does not end with souls in peace but envisions a full cosmic renewal. He describes the fading of the present world and the dawn of a new heaven and new earth:
“When the years appointed for the world have been fulfilled, then the light will cease and the darkness will fade away. And I will bring the dead to life… the world will cease, and death will be abolished, and hell will shut its mouth. And… there will be another earth and another heaven, an everlasting dwelling place.”
Several eschatological themes stand out:
The End of the Present Order – The heavens and earth as they exist now will pass away, echoing Isaiah 65:17 and Revelation 21:1.
The Abolition of Death – Death itself is destroyed, aligning with 1 Corinthians 15:26: “The last enemy to be destroyed is death.”
Judgment According to Works – God’s justice is displayed in rewarding or condemning each person.
The New Creation – A final sanctified place where God’s people dwell securely forever.
These themes are profoundly biblical. They reflect the forward movement of history in Scripture: from creation to fall, from exile to redemption, from death to resurrection, and from the present broken world to the new creation in Christ.
4. Connection to the Gospel
The Biblical Antiquities points toward realities that the Gospel fulfills.
Christ as the True Judge – Pseudo-Philo envisions God rendering to each according to his works. The New Testament reveals Christ as the appointed Judge (Acts 17:31).
Rest for Souls, Fulfilled in Christ – The promise of rest for the righteous anticipates Jesus’ words: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28).
Resurrection Life – The hope of the righteous being raised to a sanctified dwelling is secured in Christ’s resurrection. As Paul says, “But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” (1 Cor. 15:20).
The New Heaven and Earth – Pseudo-Philo describes a final world without death. Revelation 21–22 shows this fulfilled in Christ, with the tree of life and the river of life restored.
For readers of the Bible, this highlights how the Gospel is bigger than personal forgiveness of sins. It is God’s victory over death, his renewal of creation, and his establishment of justice and peace.
5. A Biblical Theology of Pseudo-Philo
Placing Pseudo-Philo’s Biblical Antiquities within biblical theology shows how Second Temple Jewish thought anticipated core Christian beliefs. The Bible confirms the pattern Pseudo-Philo described:
A temporary resting of souls (Luke 16:22; Rev. 6:9–11).
A final resurrection of the dead (John 5:28–29).
The judgment of all peoples (2 Cor. 5:10).
The new creation (Rev. 21:1).
This framework echoes the Gospel’s central message. Christ died for sins, rose again, and secures resurrection life for all who belong to him. Just as Adam’s sin brought death (Rom. 5:12), Christ brings life and immortality (2 Tim. 1:10).
In this way, Pseudo-Philo’s work is not authoritative Scripture, but it testifies to the hope embedded in God’s plan: that death will not have the final word, but that God will bring his people into eternal rest in a renewed creation through Christ.
Conclusion
Pseudo-Philo’s Biblical Antiquities provides one of the clearest Jewish articulations of a two-stage view of life after death: rest in peace followed by resurrection and new creation. Though not part of the Bible, it resonates with Scripture’s promises and points toward the fullness of the Gospel.
For the church, this reminder is vital. The Gospel is not only about forgiveness but about God’s plan to abolish death, judge the world in righteousness, and bring his people into everlasting life. The longings expressed in Biblical Antiquities are answered in Jesus Christ, who fulfills the promise of resurrection and ushers in the new heaven and new earth.
Bible Verses Related to Pseudo-Philo’s Biblical Antiquities
Daniel 12:2 – “And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.”
Isaiah 65:17 – “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind.”
Matthew 11:28 – “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
John 5:28–29 – “Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.”
Acts 17:31 – “Because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”
Romans 5:12 – “Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned.”
1 Corinthians 15:20–22 – “But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.”
2 Corinthians 5:10 – “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.”
2 Timothy 1:10 – “And which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.”
Revelation 21:1 – “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.”
