Second Encounter

After their first encounter with the character of Christ, the disciples return to Jerusalem. On their journey, they discuss suffering (Ep. Pet. Phil., 138.10), and Peter says it is necessary for them to suffer because of their “smallness” (Ep. Pet. Phil., 138.18–20). At this point a divine voice—most likely belonging to Christ—speaks about the necessity of suffering, which indicates that the suffering discussed may refer to persecution.