Epistle of Barnabas 11.1–21.9
Traditional ascription rejected: The letter names no author. From Clement of Alexandria (late second century) onward it was ascribed to Barnabas, Paul's companion (Acts 4:36), but its date and its hostility to Jewish practice make that unlikely; modern scholars treat it as anonymous.
Greek text: Lake, LCL 24 (Greek text: K. Lake, The Apostolic Fathers (LCL, 1912), digitized by the Perseus Digital Library and published by the First Thousand Years of Greek project (Open Greek and Latin), CC BY-SA 4.0).English: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), public domain (CC0). Compare: Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1 (1885).
Chapter 11
11.1Lake, LCL 24:378
Ζητήσωμεν δέ, εἰ ἐμέλησεν τῷ κυρίῳ προφανερῶσαι περὶ τοῦ ὕδατος καὶ περὶ τοῦ σταυροῦ. περὶ μὲν τοῦ ὕδατος γέγραπται ἐπὶ τὸν Ἰσραήλ, πῶς τὸ βάπτισμα τὸ φέρον ἄφεσιν ἁμαρτιῶν οὐ μὴ προσδέξονται, ἀλλʼ ἑαυτοῖς οἰκοδομήσουσιν.
Zētēsōmen de, ei emelēsen tǭ kyriǭ prophanerōsai peri tou hydatos kai peri tou staurou. peri men tou hydatos gegraptai epi ton Israēl, pōs to baptisma to pheron aphesin hamartiōn ou mē prosdexontai, allʼ heautois oikodomēsousin.
Let us inquire whether the Lord took care to reveal beforehand about the water and about the cross. Concerning the water, it is written of Israel how they would not accept the baptism that brings forgiveness of sins, but would build for themselves.
Notes and citation
Summary: Scripture foretold baptism and the cross.
Topics: Baptism
Cite (SBL): Barn. 11.1 (Lake, LCL 24:378; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11-1/#p-11-1).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
11.2Lake, LCL 24:378–380
λέγει γὰρ ὁ προφήτης· Ἔκστηθι οὐρανέ, καὶ ἐπὶ τούτῳ πλεῖον φριξάτω ἡ γῆ, ὅτι δύο καὶ πονηρὰ ἐποίησεν ὁ λαὸς οὗτος· ἐμὲ ἐγκατέλιπον, πηγὴν ζωῆς, καὶ ἑαυτοῖς ὤρυξαν βόθρον θανάτου.
legei gar ho prophētēs; Ekstēthi ourane, kai epi toutǭ pleion phrixatō hē gē, hoti dyo kai ponēra epoiēsen ho laos houtos; eme enkatelipon, pēgēn zōēs, kai heautois ōryxan bothron thanatou.
For the prophet says, “Be astonished, O heaven, and let the earth shudder the more at this, for this people has done two evil things: they have forsaken me, the fountain of life, and have dug for themselves a pit of death.
Jer 2:12 (quotation, high confidence) · Jer 2:13 (quotation, high confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: Jeremiah: Israel forsook the fountain of life.
Topics: Baptism
Cite (SBL): Barn. 11.2 (Lake, LCL 24:378–380; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11-1/#p-11-2).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
11.3Lake, LCL 24:380
Μὴ πέτρα ἔρημός ἐστιν τὸ ὄρος τὸ ἅγιόν μου Σινᾶ; ἔσεσθε γὰρ ὡς πετεινοῦ νοσσοὶ ἀνιπτάμενοι νοσσιᾶς ἀφῃρημένοι.
Mē petra erēmos estin to oros to hagion mou Sina? esesthe gar hōs peteinou nossoi aniptamenoi nossias aphę̄rēmenoi.
Is my holy mountain Sinai a desert rock? For you will be like fledglings of a bird, fluttering about when taken from the nest.”
Isa 16:1 (quotation, high confidence) · Isa 16:2 (quotation, high confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: Isaiah: Israel will be like birds taken from the nest.
Cite (SBL): Barn. 11.3 (Lake, LCL 24:380; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11-1/#p-11-3).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
11.4Lake, LCL 24:380
καὶ πάλιν λέγει ὁ προφήτης· Ἐγὼ πορεύσομαι ἔμπροσθέν σου καὶ ὄρη ὁμαλιῶ καὶ πύλας χαλκᾶς συντρίψω καὶ μοχλοὺς σιδηροῦς συγκλάσω, καὶ δώσω σοι θησαυροὺς σκοτεινούς, ἀποκρύφους, ἀοράτους, ἵνα γνῶσιν ὅτι ἐγὼ κύριος ὁ θεός.
kai palin legei ho prophētēs; Egō poreusomai emprosthen sou kai orē homaliō kai pylas chalkas syntripsō kai mochlous sidērous synklasō, kai dōsō soi thēsaurous skoteinous, apokryphous, aoratous, hina gnōsin hoti egō kyrios ho theos.
And again the prophet says, “I will go before you and level mountains and shatter bronze gates and break iron bars, and I will give you treasures that are dark, hidden, unseen, so that they may know that I am the Lord God.”
Isa 45:2 (quotation, high confidence) · Isa 45:3 (quotation, high confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: Isaiah: God will go before his people and give hidden treasures.
Cite (SBL): Barn. 11.4 (Lake, LCL 24:380; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11-1/#p-11-4).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
11.5Lake, LCL 24:380
καί· Κατοικήσεις ἐν ὑψηλῷ σπηλαίῳ πέτρας ἰσχυρᾶς. καί· τὸ ὕδωρ αὐτοῦ πιστόν· βασιλέα μετὰ δόξης ὄψεσθε, καὶ ἡ ψυχὴ ὑμῶν μελετήσει φόβον κυρίου
kai; Katoikēseis en hypsēlǭ spēlaiǭ petras ischyras. kai; to hydōr autou piston; basilea meta doxēs opsesthe, kai hē psychē hymōn meletēsei phobon kyriou
And, “You shall dwell in a lofty cave of a strong rock.” And, “His water is sure; you will see a king in glory, and your soul will meditate on the fear of the Lord.”
Isa 33:16 (quotation, high confidence) · Isa 33:17 (quotation, high confidence) · Isa 33:18 (quotation, medium confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: Isaiah: the sure water and the king in glory.
Topics: Baptism
Cite (SBL): Barn. 11.5 (Lake, LCL 24:380; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11-1/#p-11-5).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
11.6Lake, LCL 24:380
καὶ πάλιν ἐν ἄλλῳ προφήτῃ λέγει· Καὶ ἔσται ὁ ταῦτα ποιῶν ὡς τὸ ξύλον τὸ πεφυτευμένον παρὰ τὰς διεξόδους τῶν ὑδάτων, ὃ τὸν καρπὸν αὐτοῦ δώσει ἐν καιρῷ αὐτοῦ, καὶ τὸ φύλλον αὐτοῦ οὐκ ἀπορυήσεται, καὶ πάντα, ὅσα ἂν ποιῇ, κατευοδωθήσεται.
kai palin en allǭ prophētę̄ legei; Kai estai ho tauta poiōn hōs to xylon to pephyteumenon para tas diexodous tōn hydatōn, ho ton karpon autou dōsei en kairǭ autou, kai to phyllon autou ouk aporyēsetai, kai panta, hosa an poię̄, kateuodōthēsetai.
And again in another prophet he says, “And the one who does these things will be like the tree planted by the streams of water, which will give its fruit in its season, and its leaf will not fall off, and everything he does will prosper.
Ps 1:3 (quotation, high confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: Psalm 1: the tree planted by streams of water.
Topics: Baptism
Cite (SBL): Barn. 11.6 (Lake, LCL 24:380; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11-1/#p-11-6).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
11.7Lake, LCL 24:380
οὐχ οὕτως οἱ ἀσεβεῖς, οὐχ οὕτως, ἀλλʼ ἢ ὡς ὁ χνοῦς, ὃν ἐκρίπτει ὁ ἄνεμος ἀπὸ προσώπου τῆς γῆς. διὰ τοῦτο οὐκ ἀναστήσονται ἀσεβεῖς ἐν κρίσει οὐδὲ ἁμαρτωλοὶ ἐν βουλῇ δικαίων, ὅτι γινώσκει κύριος ὁδὸν δικαίων, καὶ ὁδὸς ἀσεβῶν ἀπολεῖται.
ouch houtōs hoi asebeis, ouch houtōs, allʼ ē hōs ho chnous, hon ekriptei ho anemos apo prosōpou tēs gēs. dia touto ouk anastēsontai asebeis en krisei oude hamartōloi en boulę̄ dikaiōn, hoti ginōskei kyrios hodon dikaiōn, kai hodos asebōn apoleitai.
Not so the ungodly, not so, but they are like the dust that the wind drives from the face of the earth. Therefore the ungodly will not rise in judgment, nor sinners in the council of the righteous, for the Lord knows the way of the righteous, and the way of the ungodly will perish.”
Ps 1:4 (quotation, high confidence) · Ps 1:5 (quotation, high confidence) · Ps 1:6 (quotation, high confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: Psalm 1: the ungodly will perish.
Cite (SBL): Barn. 11.7 (Lake, LCL 24:380; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11-1/#p-11-7).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
11.8Lake, LCL 24:380
αἰσθάνεσθε, πῶς τὸ ὕδωρ καὶ τὸν σταυρὸν ἐπὶ τὸ αὐτὸ ὥρισεν. τοῦτο γὰρ λέγει· μακάριοι, οἳ ἐπὶ τὸν σταυρὸν ἐλπίσαντες κατέβησαν εἰς τὸ ὕδωρ, ὅτι τὸν μὲν μισθὸν λέγει ἐν καιρῷ αὐτοῦ· τότε, φησίν, ἀποδώσω. νῦν δὲ ὃ λέγει· τὰ φύλλα οὐκ ἀπορυήσεται, τοῦτο λέγει· ὅτι πᾶν ῥῆμα, ὃ ἐὰν ἐξελεύσεται ἐξ ὑμῶν διὰ τοῦ στόματος ὑμῶν ἐν πίστει καὶ ἀγάπῃ, ἔσται εἰς ἐπιστροφὴν καὶ ἐλπίδα πολλοῖς.
aisthanesthe, pōs to hydōr kai ton stauron epi to auto hōrisen. touto gar legei; makarioi, hoi epi ton stauron elpisantes katebēsan eis to hydōr, hoti ton men misthon legei en kairǭ autou; tote, phēsin, apodōsō. nyn de ho legei; ta phylla ouk aporyēsetai, touto legei; hoti pan rhēma, ho ean exeleusetai ex hymōn dia tou stomatos hymōn en pistei kai agapę̄, estai eis epistrophēn kai elpida pollois.
Notice how he described the water and the cross together. For he means this: blessed are those who, having hoped on the cross, went down into the water; for he speaks of the reward “in its season”: then, he says, I will repay. But now, when he says, “its leaves will not fall off,” he means this: that every word that comes out of your mouth in faith and love will bring conversion and hope to many.
Notes and citation
Summary: The tree and the water in Psalm 1 are the cross and baptism.
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (digitization slip against Lake's printed text (wrong accent)): μακάριοι, οἲ ἐπὶ → μακάριοι, οἳ ἐπὶ; νῦν δὲ ὅ λέγει → νῦν δὲ ὃ λέγει.
Topics: Baptism, Christology
Cite (SBL): Barn. 11.8 (Lake, LCL 24:380; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11-1/#p-11-8).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
11.9Lake, LCL 24:380–382
καὶ πάλιν ἕτερος προφήτης λέγει· Καὶ ἦν ἡ γῆ τοῦ Ἰακὼβ ἐπαινουμένη παρὰ πᾶσαν τὴν γῆν. τοῦτο λέγει· τὸ σκεῦος τοῦ πνεύματος αὐτοῦ δοξάζει.
kai palin heteros prophētēs legei; Kai ēn hē gē tou Iakōb epainoumenē para pasan tēn gēn. touto legei; to skeuos tou pneumatos autou doxazei.
And again another prophet says, “And the land of Jacob was praised above all the earth.” He means this: he glorifies the vessel of his Spirit.
Zeph 3:19 (allusion, low confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: The praised land is the body in which the Spirit dwells.
- The source of the quotation is uncertain (compare Zeph 3:19); “the vessel of his Spirit” may mean Christ's body or the believer's.
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (punctuation slip in the digital text (a quotation follows)): προφήτης λέγει. Καὶ ἦν → προφήτης λέγει· Καὶ ἦν.
Cite (SBL): Barn. 11.9 (Lake, LCL 24:380–382; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11-1/#p-11-9).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
11.10Lake, LCL 24:382
εἶτα τί λέγει; Καὶ ἦν ποταμὸς ἕλκων ἐκ δεξιῶν, καὶ ἀνέβαινεν ἐξ αὐτοῦ δένδρα ὡραῖα· καὶ ὃς ἂν φάγῃ ἐξ αὐτῶν, ζήσεται εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα.
eita ti legei? Kai ēn potamos helkōn ek dexiōn, kai anebainen ex autou dendra hōraia; kai hos an phagę̄ ex autōn, zēsetai eis ton aiōna.
Then what does he say? “And there was a river flowing on the right, and beautiful trees grew up out of it; and whoever eats of them will live forever.”
Ezek 47:12 (allusion, high confidence) · Ezek 47:7 (allusion, medium confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: The river with trees of life.
Topics: Baptism
Cite (SBL): Barn. 11.10 (Lake, LCL 24:382; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11-1/#p-11-10).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
11.11Lake, LCL 24:382
τοῦτο λέγει ὅτι ἡμεῖς μὲν καταβαίνομεν εἰς τὸ ὕδωρ γέμοντες ἁμαρτιῶν καὶ ῥύπου, καὶ ἀναβαίνομεν καρποφοροῦντες ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ τὸν φόβον καὶ τὴν ἐλπίδα εἰς τὸν Ἰησοῦν ἐν τῷ πνεύματι ἔχοντες. Καὶ ὃς ἂν φάγῃ ἀπὸ τούτων, ζήσεται εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα, τοῦτο λέγει· ὃς ἄν, φησίν, ἀκούσῃ τούτων λαλουμένων καὶ πιστεύσῃ, ζήσεται εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα.
touto legei hoti hēmeis men katabainomen eis to hydōr gemontes hamartiōn kai rhypou, kai anabainomen karpophorountes en tę̄ kardią ton phobon kai tēn elpida eis ton Iēsoun en tǭ pneumati echontes. Kai hos an phagę̄ apo toutōn, zēsetai eis ton aiōna, touto legei; hos an, phēsin, akousę̄ toutōn laloumenōn kai pisteusę̄, zēsetai eis ton aiōna.
He means this: that we go down into the water full of sins and filth, and come up bearing fruit, having in our heart fear and in our spirit hope in Jesus. “And whoever eats of these will live forever”: he means this: whoever, he says, hears these things spoken and believes will live forever.
Notes and citation
Summary: We go down into baptism full of sin and come up bearing fruit.
- An early description of baptism as going down into and coming up out of the water.
Topics: Baptism
Cite (SBL): Barn. 11.11 (Lake, LCL 24:382; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11-1/#p-11-11).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
Chapter 12
12.1Lake, LCL 24:382
Ὁμοίως πάλιν περὶ τοῦ σταυροῦ ὁρίζει ἐν ἄλλῳ προφήτῃ λέγοντι· Καὶ πότε ταῦτα συντελεσθήσεται; λέγει κύριος· ὅταν ξύλον κλιθῇ καὶ ἀναστῇ, καὶ ὅταν ἐκ ξύλου αἷμα στάξῃ. ἔχεις πάλιν περὶ τοῦ σταυροῦ καὶ τοῦ σταυροῦσθαι μέλλοντος.
Homoiōs palin peri tou staurou horizei en allǭ prophētę̄ legonti; Kai pote tauta syntelesthēsetai? legei kyrios; hotan xylon klithę̄ kai anastę̄, kai hotan ek xylou haima staxę̄. echeis palin peri tou staurou kai tou staurousthai mellontos.
Likewise again he defines the cross in another prophet, who says, “And when will these things be accomplished? The Lord says: When a tree is bent down and rises up, and when blood drips from a tree.” Again you have a word about the cross and about the one who was to be crucified.
Notes and citation
Summary: A prophecy of the cross: blood dripping from a tree.
- The quotation is not in the Old Testament; the second part resembles 4 Ezra 5:5 (2 Esdras 5:5).
Extrabiblical texts: 2 Esd 5:5 (2 Esdras [in the ETH canon]; allusion)
Topics: Christology
Cite (SBL): Barn. 12.1 (Lake, LCL 24:382; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11-1/#p-12-1).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
12.2Lake, LCL 24:382–384
λέγει δὲ πάλιν τῷ Μωϋσῇ, πολεμουμένου τοῦ Ἰσραὴλ ὑπὸ τῶν ἀλλοφύλων, καὶ ἵνα ὑπομνήσῃ αὐτοὺς πολεμουμένους, ὅτι διὰ τὰς ἁμαρτίας αὐτῶν παρεδόθησαν εἰς θάνατον· λέγει εἰς τὴν καρδίαν Μωϋσέως τὸ πνεῦμα, ἵνα ποιήσῃ τύπον σταυροῦ καὶ τοῦ μέλλοντος πάσχειν, ὅτι, ἐὰν μή, φησίν, ἐλπίσωσιν ἐπʼ αὐτῷ, εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα πολεμηθήσονται. τίθησιν οὖν Μωϋσῆς ἓν ἐφʼ ἓν ὅπλον ἐν μέσῳ τῆς πυγμῆς, καὶ ὑψηλότερος σταθεὶς πάντων ἐξέτεινεν τὰς χεῖρας, καὶ οὕτως πάλιν ἐνίκα ὁ Ἰσραήλ. εἶτα, ὁπόταν καθεῖλεν, ἐθανατοῦντο.
legei de palin tǭ Mōÿsę̄, polemoumenou tou Israēl hypo tōn allophylōn, kai hina hypomnēsę̄ autous polemoumenous, hoti dia tas hamartias autōn paredothēsan eis thanaton; legei eis tēn kardian Mōÿseōs to pneuma, hina poiēsę̄ typon staurou kai tou mellontos paschein, hoti, ean mē, phēsin, elpisōsin epʼ autǭ, eis ton aiōna polemēthēsontai. tithēsin oun Mōÿsēs hen ephʼ hen hoplon en mesǭ tēs pygmēs, kai hypsēloteros statheis pantōn exeteinen tas cheiras, kai houtōs palin enika ho Israēl. eita, hopotan katheilen, ethanatounto.
And again he speaks to Moses, when Israel was being attacked by foreigners, and in order to remind them, while they were being attacked, that they had been handed over to death because of their sins: the Spirit speaks to Moses' heart, that he should make a type of the cross and of the one who was to suffer, because, he says, unless they hope in him they will be warred against forever. Moses, then, piled weapon upon weapon in the midst of the battle, and standing higher than everyone he stretched out his hands, and so Israel was again winning. Then, whenever he lowered them, they were being killed.
Exod 17:8 (allusion, high confidence) · Exod 17:11 (allusion, high confidence) · Exod 17:12 (allusion, medium confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: Moses' outstretched arms in battle were a type of the cross.
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (digitization slip against Lake's printed text (wrong diacritic)): τῷ Μωῡσῇ → τῷ Μωϋσῇ.
Topics: Christology
Cite (SBL): Barn. 12.2 (Lake, LCL 24:382–384; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11-1/#p-12-2).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
12.3Lake, LCL 24:384
πρὸς τί; ἵνα γνῶσιν ὅτι οὐ δύνανται σωθῆναι, ἐὰν μὴ ἐπʼ αὐτῷ ἐλπίσωσιν.
pros ti? hina gnōsin hoti ou dynantai sōthēnai, ean mē epʼ autǭ elpisōsin.
Why? So that they might know that they cannot be saved unless they hope in him.
Notes and citation
Summary: Salvation depends on hope in the crucified one.
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (digitization slip against Lake's printed text (wrong breathing)): ἑὰν μὴ → ἐὰν μὴ.
Cite (SBL): Barn. 12.3 (Lake, LCL 24:384; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11-1/#p-12-3).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
12.4Lake, LCL 24:384
καὶ πάλιν ἐν ἑτέρῳ προφήτῃ λέγει· Ὅλην τὴν ἡμέραν ἐξεπέτασα τὰς χεῖράς μου πρὸς λαὸν ἀπειθῆ καὶ ἀντιλέγοντα ὁδῷ δικαίᾳ μου.
kai palin en heterǭ prophētę̄ legei; Holēn tēn hēmeran exepetasa tas cheiras mou pros laon apeithē kai antilegonta hodǭ dikaią mou.
And again in another prophet he says, “All day long I stretched out my hands to a disobedient people, who oppose my righteous way.”
Isa 65:2 (quotation, high confidence) · Rom 10:21 (echo, medium confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: Isaiah: God stretched out his hands all day long.
Cite (SBL): Barn. 12.4 (Lake, LCL 24:384; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11-1/#p-12-4).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
12.5Lake, LCL 24:384
πάλιν Μωϋσῆς ποιεῖ τύπον τοῦ Ἰησοῦ, ὅτι δεῖ αὐτὸν παθεῖν, καὶ αὐτὸς ζωοποιήσει, ὃν δόξουσιν ἀπολωλεκέναι, ἐν σημείῳ πίπτοντος τοῦ Ἰσραήλ, ʽἐποίησεν γὰρ κύριος πάντα ὄφιν δάκνειν αὐτούς, καὶ ἀπέθνησκον ἐπειδὴ ἡ παράβασις διὰ τοῦ ὄφεως ἐν Εὔᾳ ἐγένετοʼ, ἵνα ἐλέγξῃ αὐτούς, ὅτι διὰ τὴν παράβασιν αὐτῶν εἰς θλῖψιν θανάτου παραδοθήσονται.
palin Mōÿsēs poiei typon tou Iēsou, hoti dei auton pathein, kai autos zōopoiēsei, hon doxousin apolōlekenai, en sēmeiǭ piptontos tou Israēl, ʽepoiēsen gar kyrios panta ophin daknein autous, kai apethnēskon epeidē hē parabasis dia tou opheōs en Euą egenetoʼ, hina elenxę̄ autous, hoti dia tēn parabasin autōn eis thlipsin thanatou paradothēsontai.
Again Moses makes a type of Jesus, showing that he must suffer, and that the one they will think they have destroyed will himself give life, by a sign when Israel was falling (for the Lord made every kind of snake bite them, and they were dying, since the transgression happened through the serpent in Eve), in order to convince them that because of their transgression they would be handed over to the affliction of death.
Num 21:6 (allusion, high confidence) · Gen 3:1 (echo, medium confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: The serpents in the wilderness recall the fall and point to Christ.
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (digitization slips: a closing parenthesis mark rendered as an accent, and full stops where the sentence continues): ἐγένετὀ. ἵνα ἐλέγξῃ αὐτούς. ὅτι → ἐγένετοʼ, ἵνα ἐλέγξῃ αὐτούς, ὅτι.
Cite (SBL): Barn. 12.5 (Lake, LCL 24:384; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11-1/#p-12-5).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
12.6Lake, LCL 24:384
πέρας γέ τοι αὐτὸς Μωϋσῆς ἐντειλάμενος· Οὐκ ἔσται ὑμῖν οὔτε χωνευτὸν οὔτε γλυπτὸν εἰς θεὸν ὑμῖν. αὐτὸς ποιεῖ, ἵνα τύπον τοῦ Ἰησοῦ δείξῃ. ποιεῖ οὖν Μωϋσῆς χαλκοῦν ὄφιν καὶ τίθησιν ἐνδόξως καὶ κηρύγματι καλεῖ τὸν λαόν.
peras ge toi autos Mōÿsēs enteilamenos; Ouk estai hymin oute chōneuton oute glypton eis theon hymin. autos poiei, hina typon tou Iēsou deixę̄. poiei oun Mōÿsēs chalkoun ophin kai tithēsin endoxōs kai kērygmati kalei ton laon.
Indeed, though Moses himself commanded, “You shall have neither a molten nor a carved image for your god,” he himself makes one, in order to show a type of Jesus. So Moses makes a bronze serpent and sets it up gloriously and calls the people by proclamation.
Deut 27:15 (quotation, medium confidence) · Lev 26:1 (echo, medium confidence) · Num 21:8 (allusion, high confidence) · Num 21:9 (allusion, high confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: Moses made the bronze serpent as a type of Jesus.
Cite (SBL): Barn. 12.6 (Lake, LCL 24:384; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11-1/#p-12-6).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
12.7Lake, LCL 24:384
ἐλθόντες οὖν ἐπὶ τὸ αὐτὸ ἐδέοντο Μωϋσέως, ἵνα περὶ αὐτῶν ἀνενέγκῃ δέησιν περὶ τῆς ἰάσεως αὐτῶν. εἶπεν δὲ πρὸς αὐτοὺς Μωϋσῆς· Ὅταν, φησίν, δηχθῇ τις ὑμῶν, ἐλθέτω ἐπὶ τὸν ὄφιν τὸν ἐπὶ τοῦ ξύλου ἐπικείμενον καὶ ἐλπισάτω πιστεύσας, ὅτι αὐτὸς ὢν νεκρὸς δύναται ζωοποιῆσαι, καὶ παραχρῆμα σωθήσεται. καὶ οὕτως ἐποίουν. ἔχεις πάλιν καὶ ἐν τούτοις τὴν δόξαν τοῦ Ἰησοῦ, ὅτι ἐν αὐτῷ πάντα καὶ εἰς αὐτόν.
elthontes oun epi to auto edeonto Mōÿseōs, hina peri autōn anenenkę̄ deēsin peri tēs iaseōs autōn. eipen de pros autous Mōÿsēs; Hotan, phēsin, dēchthę̄ tis hymōn, elthetō epi ton ophin ton epi tou xylou epikeimenon kai elpisatō pisteusas, hoti autos ōn nekros dynatai zōopoiēsai, kai parachrēma sōthēsetai. kai houtōs epoioun. echeis palin kai en toutois tēn doxan tou Iēsou, hoti en autǭ panta kai eis auton.
So they came together and begged Moses to offer a prayer for them, for their healing. And Moses said to them, “When,” he says, “any of you is bitten, let him come to the serpent that is placed on the tree, and let him hope, believing that though it is dead it can give life, and he will be saved at once.” And so they did. Again you have in these things also the glory of Jesus, that all things are in him and for him.
Num 21:7 (allusion, high confidence) · Num 21:8 (allusion, high confidence) · John 3:14 (echo, medium confidence) · Col 1:16 (echo, medium confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: Looking to the bronze serpent in faith brought life: a sign of Jesus.
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (digitization slip against Lake's printed text (wrong diacritic); punctuation slip in the digital text (the sentence continues)): ἐδέοντο Μωῦσέως → ἐδέοντο Μωϋσέως; φησίν. δηχθῇ → φησίν, δηχθῇ.
Topics: Christology
Cite (SBL): Barn. 12.7 (Lake, LCL 24:384; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11-1/#p-12-7).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
12.8Lake, LCL 24:384–386
τί λέγει πάλιν Μωϋσῆς Ἰησοῦ, υἱῷ Ναυή, ἐπιθεὶς αὐτῷ τοῦτο τὸ ὄνομα, ὄντι προφήτῃ, ἵνα μόνον ἀκούσῃ πᾶς ὁ λαός; ὅτι πάντα ὁ πατὴρ φανεροῖ περὶ τοῦ υἱοῦ Ἰησοῦ.
ti legei palin Mōÿsēs Iēsou, huiǭ Nauē, epitheis autǭ touto to onoma, onti prophētę̄, hina monon akousę̄ pas ho laos? hoti panta ho patēr phaneroi peri tou huiou Iēsou.
What again does Moses say to Jesus the son of Nun, when he gave him this name, being a prophet, so that all the people might listen to him alone? That the Father reveals everything about his Son Jesus.
Num 13:16 (allusion, high confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: Moses gave Joshua the name Jesus as a prophecy.
- In Greek, Joshua and Jesus are the same name (Ἰησοῦς). Moses renamed Hoshea as Joshua (Num 13:16).
Topics: Christology
Cite (SBL): Barn. 12.8 (Lake, LCL 24:384–386; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11-1/#p-12-8).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
12.9Lake, LCL 24:386
λέγει οὖν Μωϋσῆς Ἰησοῦ, υἱῷ Ναυή, ἐπιθεὶς τοῦτο τὸ ὄνομα, ὁπότε ἔπεμψεν αὐτὸν κατάσκοπον τῆς γῆς· Λάβε βιβλίον εἰς τὰς χεῖράς σου καὶ γράψον, ἃ λέγει κύριος, ὅτι ἐκκόψει ἐκ ῥιζῶν τὸν οἶκον πάντα τοῦ Ἀμαλὴκ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ θεοῦ ἐπʼ ἐσχάτων τῶν ἡμερῶν.
legei oun Mōÿsēs Iēsou, huiǭ Nauē, epitheis touto to onoma, hopote epempsen auton kataskopon tēs gēs; Labe biblion eis tas cheiras sou kai grapson, ha legei kyrios, hoti ekkopsei ek rhizōn ton oikon panta tou Amalēk ho huios tou theou epʼ eschatōn tōn hēmerōn.
So Moses says to Jesus the son of Nun, having given him this name when he sent him to spy out the land: “Take a book in your hands and write what the Lord says: that the Son of God will cut off by the roots the whole house of Amalek in the last days.”
Exod 17:14 (allusion, high confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: Moses foretold that the Son of God would destroy Amalek.
Topics: Christology
Cite (SBL): Barn. 12.9 (Lake, LCL 24:386; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11-1/#p-12-9).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
12.10Lake, LCL 24:386
ἴδε πάλιν Ἰησοῦς, οὐχὶ υἱὸς ἀνθρώπου, ἀλλὰ υἱὸς τοῦ θεοῦ, τύπῳ δὲ ἐν σαρκὶ φανερωθείς. ἐπεὶ οὖν μέλλουσιν λέγειν, ὅτι Χριστὸς υἱὸς Δαυείδ ἐστιν, αὐτὸς προφητεύει Δαυείδ, φοβούμενος καὶ συνίων τὴν πλάνην τῶν ἁμαρτωλῶν· Εἶπεν κύριος τῷ κυρίῳ μου· Κάθου ἐκ δεξιῶν μου, ἕως ἂν θῶ τοὺς ἐχθρούς σου ὑποπόδιον τῶν ποδῶν σου.
ide palin Iēsous, ouchi huios anthrōpou, alla huios tou theou, typǭ de en sarki phanerōtheis. epei oun mellousin legein, hoti Christos huios Daueid estin, autos prophēteuei Daueid, phoboumenos kai syniōn tēn planēn tōn hamartōlōn; Eipen kyrios tǭ kyriǭ mou; Kathou ek dexiōn mou, heōs an thō tous echthrous sou hypopodion tōn podōn sou.
See again: Jesus, not a son of man but the Son of God, yet manifested in type in the flesh. Since, then, they are going to say that the Christ is the son of David, David himself prophesies, fearing and understanding the error of sinners: “The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.”
Ps 110:1 (109:1 LXX) (quotation, high confidence) · Matt 22:44 (echo, medium confidence) · Mark 12:36 (echo, medium confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: David calls the Christ his Lord, not merely his son.
- “Not a son of man but the Son of God”: the author stresses Christ's divine sonship against the view that he was only David's descendant; he does not deny Christ's humanity (see 5.10–11).
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (digitization slip against Lake's printed text (wrong accent)): Εἷπεν κύριος τῷ κυρίῳ → Εἶπεν κύριος τῷ κυρίῳ.
Topics: Christology
Cite (SBL): Barn. 12.10 (Lake, LCL 24:386; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11-1/#p-12-10).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
12.11Lake, LCL 24:386
καὶ πάλιν λέγει οὕτως Ἡσαΐας· Εἶπεν κύριος τῷ Χριστῷ μου κυρίῳ, οὗ ἐκράτησα τῆς δεξιᾶς αὐτοῦ, ἐπακοῦσαι ἔμπροσθεν αὐτοῦ ἔθνη, καὶ ἰσχὺν βασιλέων διαρρήξω. ἴδε, πῶς Δαυεὶδ λέγει αὐτὸν κύριον, καὶ υἱὸν οὐ λέγει.
kai palin legei houtōs Hēsaïas; Eipen kyrios tǭ Christǭ mou kyriǭ, hou ekratēsa tēs dexias autou, epakousai emprosthen autou ethnē, kai ischyn basileōn diarrēxō. ide, pōs Daueid legei auton kyrion, kai huion ou legei.
And again Isaiah speaks thus: “The Lord said to my Christ, the Lord, whose right hand I have held, that nations should obey before him, and I will shatter the strength of kings.” See how David calls him Lord, and does not call him son.
Isa 45:1 (quotation, high confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: Isaiah and David both call the Christ Lord.
- Isa 45:1 LXX reads “to my anointed, Cyrus” (Κύρῳ); the author reads “to my Christ, the Lord” (κυρίῳ), differing by one letter.
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (digitization slips against Lake's printed text (wrong accent; punctuation); punctuation slip in the digital text (the sentence continues)): Εἷπεν κύριος τῷ Χριστῷ μου κυρίῳ. οὗ → Εἶπεν κύριος τῷ Χριστῷ μου κυρίῳ, οὗ; κύριον. καὶ υἱὸν → κύριον, καὶ υἱὸν.
Topics: Christology
Cite (SBL): Barn. 12.11 (Lake, LCL 24:386; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11-1/#p-12-11).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
Chapter 13
13.1Lake, LCL 24:386
Ἴδωμεν δὲ εἰ οὗτος ὁ λαὸς κληρονομεῖ ἢ ὁ πρῶτος, καὶ εἰ ἡ διαθήκη εἰς ἡμᾶς ἢ εἰς ἐκείνους.
Idōmen de ei houtos ho laos klēronomei ē ho prōtos, kai ei hē diathēkē eis hēmas ē eis ekeinous.
Let us see whether this people or the former is the heir, and whether the covenant is for us or for them.
Notes and citation
Summary: Who is the heir of the covenant: this people or the former?
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (digitization slip against Lake's printed text (wrong accent)): κληρονομεῖ ἡ ὁ πρῶτος → κληρονομεῖ ἢ ὁ πρῶτος.
Cite (SBL): Barn. 13.1 (Lake, LCL 24:386; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11-1/#p-13-1).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
13.2Lake, LCL 24:386–388
ἀκούσατε οὖν περὶ τοῦ λαοῦ τί λέγει ἡ γραφή· Ἐδεῖτο δὲ Ἰσαὰκ περὶ Ῥεβέκκας τῆς γυναικὸς αὐτοῦ, ὅτι στεῖρα ἦν· καὶ συνέλαβεν. εἶτα ἐξῆλθεν Ῥεβέκκα πυθέσθαι παρὰ κυρίου, καὶ εἶπεν κύριος πρὸς αὐτήν· Δύο ἔθνη ἐν τῇ γαστρί σου καὶ δύο λαοὶ ἐν τῇ κοιλίᾳ σου, καὶ ὑπερέξει λαὸς λαοῦ καὶ ὁ μείζων δουλεύσει τῷ ἐλάσσονι.
akousate oun peri tou laou ti legei hē graphē; Edeito de Isaak peri Rhebekkas tēs gynaikos autou, hoti steira ēn; kai synelaben. eita exēlthen Rhebekka pythesthai para kyriou, kai eipen kyrios pros autēn; Dyo ethnē en tę̄ gastri sou kai dyo laoi en tę̄ koilią sou, kai hyperexei laos laou kai ho meizōn douleusei tǭ elassoni.
Hear, then, what the scripture says about the people: “And Isaac prayed for Rebecca his wife, because she was barren, and she conceived. Then Rebecca went out to inquire of the Lord, and the Lord said to her: Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples in your belly; and one people will surpass the other, and the greater will serve the lesser.”
Gen 25:21 (quotation, high confidence) · Gen 25:22 (quotation, high confidence) · Gen 25:23 (quotation, high confidence) · Rom 9:10 (echo, medium confidence) · Rom 9:12 (echo, medium confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: Rebecca's twins: the greater will serve the lesser.
Cite (SBL): Barn. 13.2 (Lake, LCL 24:386–388; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11-1/#p-13-2).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
13.3Lake, LCL 24:388
αἰσθάνεσθαι ὀφείλετε, τίς ὁ Ἰσαὰκ καὶ τίς ἡ Ῥεβέκκα, καὶ ἐπὶ τίνων δέδειχεν, ὅτι μείζων ὁ λαὸς οὗτος ἢ ἐκεῖνος.
aisthanesthai opheilete, tis ho Isaak kai tis hē Rhebekka, kai epi tinōn dedeichen, hoti meizōn ho laos houtos ē ekeinos.
You ought to understand who Isaac is and who Rebecca is, and concerning whom he has shown that this people is greater than that one.
Notes and citation
Summary: Understand the meaning of Isaac and Rebecca.
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (punctuation slip in the digital text (the sentence continues)): ἡ Ῥεβέκκα. καὶ ἐπὶ → ἡ Ῥεβέκκα, καὶ ἐπὶ.
Cite (SBL): Barn. 13.3 (Lake, LCL 24:388; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11-1/#p-13-3).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
13.4Lake, LCL 24:388
καὶ ἐν ἄλλῃ προφητείᾳ λέγει φανερώτερον ὁ Ἰακὼβ πρὸς Ἰωσὴφ τὸν υἱὸν αὐτοῦ, λέγων· Ἰδού, οὐκ ἐστέρησέν με κύριος τοῦ προσώπου σου· προσάγαγέ μοι τοὺς υἱούς σου, ἵνα εὐλογήσω αὐτούς.
kai en allę̄ prophēteią legei phanerōteron ho Iakōb pros Iōsēph ton huion autou, legōn; Idou, ouk esterēsen me kyrios tou prosōpou sou; prosagage moi tous huious sou, hina eulogēsō autous.
And in another prophecy Jacob speaks more plainly to Joseph his son, saying, “Behold, the Lord has not deprived me of your face; bring me your sons, that I may bless them.”
Gen 48:11 (quotation, high confidence) · Gen 48:9 (quotation, high confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: Jacob asks to bless Joseph's sons.
Cite (SBL): Barn. 13.4 (Lake, LCL 24:388; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11-1/#p-13-4).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
13.5Lake, LCL 24:388
καὶ προσήγαγεν Ἐφραὶμ καὶ Μανασσῆ, τὸν Μανασσῆ θέλων ἵνα εὐλογηθῇ, ὅτι πρεσβύτερος ἦν· ὁ γὰρ Ἰωσὴφ προσήγαγεν εἰς τὴν δεξιὰν χεῖρα τοῦ πατρὸς Ἰακώβ. εἶδεν δὲ Ἰακὼβ τύπον τῷ πνεύματι τοῦ λαοῦ τοῦ μεταξύ· καὶ τί λέγει; Καὶ ἐποίησεν Ἰακὼβ ἐναλλὰξ τὰς χεῖρας αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐπέθηκεν τὴν δεξιὰν ἐπὶ τὴν κεφαλὴν Ἐφραίμ, τοῦ δευτέρου καὶ νεωτέρου, καὶ εὐλόγησεν αὐτόν. καὶ εἶπεν Ἰωσὴφ πρὸς Ἰακώβ· Μετάθες σου τὴν δεξιὰν ἐπὶ τὴν κεφαλὴν Μανασσῆ, ὅτι πρωτότοκός μου υἱός ἐστιν. καὶ εἶπεν Ἰακὼβ πρὸς Ἰωσήφ· Οἶδα, τέκνον, οἶδα· ἀλλʼ ὁ μείζων δουλεύσει τῷ ἐλάσσονι, καὶ οὗτος δὲ εὐλογηθήσεται.
kai prosēgagen Ephraim kai Manassē, ton Manassē thelōn hina eulogēthę̄, hoti presbyteros ēn; ho gar Iōsēph prosēgagen eis tēn dexian cheira tou patros Iakōb. eiden de Iakōb typon tǭ pneumati tou laou tou metaxy; kai ti legei? Kai epoiēsen Iakōb enallax tas cheiras autou kai epethēken tēn dexian epi tēn kephalēn Ephraim, tou deuterou kai neōterou, kai eulogēsen auton. kai eipen Iōsēph pros Iakōb; Metathes sou tēn dexian epi tēn kephalēn Manassē, hoti prōtotokos mou huios estin. kai eipen Iakōb pros Iōsēph; Oida, teknon, oida; allʼ ho meizōn douleusei tǭ elassoni, kai houtos de eulogēthēsetai.
And he brought Ephraim and Manasseh, wishing Manasseh to be blessed, because he was the elder; for Joseph brought him to the right hand of his father Jacob. But Jacob saw in the Spirit a type of the people to come. And what does it say? “And Jacob crossed his hands and put his right hand on the head of Ephraim, the second and younger, and blessed him. And Joseph said to Jacob, Move your right hand onto the head of Manasseh, for he is my firstborn son. And Jacob said to Joseph, I know, child, I know; but the greater will serve the lesser, and this one too will be blessed.”
Gen 48:13 (allusion, high confidence) · Gen 48:14 (quotation, high confidence) · Gen 48:18 (quotation, high confidence) · Gen 48:19 (quotation, high confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: Jacob's crossed hands blessed the younger son: a type of the new people.
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (digitization slip against Lake's printed text (missing accent)): Οἰδα, τέκνον → Οἶδα, τέκνον.
Cite (SBL): Barn. 13.5 (Lake, LCL 24:388; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11-1/#p-13-5).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
13.6Lake, LCL 24:388
βλέπετε, ἐπὶ τίνων τέθεικεν, τὸν λαὸν τοῦτον εἶναι πρῶτον καὶ τῆς διαθήκης κληρονόμον.
blepete, epi tinōn tetheiken, ton laon touton einai prōton kai tēs diathēkēs klēronomon.
See on whom he has set it: that this people is first and heir of the covenant.
Notes and citation
Summary: This people is first and heir of the covenant.
Cite (SBL): Barn. 13.6 (Lake, LCL 24:388; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11-1/#p-13-6).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
13.7Lake, LCL 24:388–390
εἰ οὖν ἔτι καὶ διὰ τοῦ Ἀβραὰμ ἐμνήσθη, ἀπέχομεν τὸ τέλειον τῆς γνώσεως ἡμῶν. τί οὖν λέγει τῷ Ἀβραάμ, ὅτε μόνος πιστεύσας ἐτέθη εἰς δικαιοσύνην; Ἰδού, τέθεικά σε, Ἀβραάμ, πατέρα ἐθνῶν τῶν πιστευόντων διʼ ἀκροβυστίας τῷ θεῷ.
ei oun eti kai dia tou Abraam emnēsthē, apechomen to teleion tēs gnōseōs hēmōn. ti oun legei tǭ Abraam, hote monos pisteusas etethē eis dikaiosynēn? Idou, tetheika se, Abraam, patera ethnōn tōn pisteuontōn diʼ akrobystias tǭ theǭ.
If, then, it was also mentioned through Abraham, we have the completion of our knowledge. What, then, does he say to Abraham, when he alone believed and was set for righteousness? “Behold, I have made you, Abraham, the father of the nations who believe in God in uncircumcision.”
Gen 15:6 (allusion, high confidence) · Gen 17:5 (allusion, high confidence) · Rom 4:11 (allusion, high confidence) · Rom 4:17 (allusion, medium confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: Abraham is father of the uncircumcised who believe.
Cite (SBL): Barn. 13.7 (Lake, LCL 24:388–390; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11-1/#p-13-7).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
Chapter 14
14.1Lake, LCL 24:390
Ναί. ἀλλὰ ἴδωμεν, εἰ ἡ διαθήκη, ἣν ὤμοσεν τοῖς πατράσιν δοῦναι τῷ λαῷ, εἰ δέδωκεν. δέδωκεν· αὐτοὶ δὲ οὐκ ἐγένοντο ἄξιοι λαβεῖν διὰ τὰς ἁμαρτίας αὐτῶν.
Nai. alla idōmen, ei hē diathēkē, hēn ōmosen tois patrasin dounai tǭ laǭ, ei dedōken. dedōken; autoi de ouk egenonto axioi labein dia tas hamartias autōn.
Yes. But let us see whether he has given the covenant that he swore to the fathers to give to the people. He has given it; but they were not worthy to receive it because of their sins.
Notes and citation
Summary: God gave the covenant, but Israel was unworthy to receive it.
Cite (SBL): Barn. 14.1 (Lake, LCL 24:390; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11-1/#p-14-1).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
14.2Lake, LCL 24:390
λέγει γὰρ ὁ προφήτης· Καὶ ἦν Μωϋσῆς νηστεύων ἐν ὄρει Σινᾶ, τοῦ λαβεῖν τὴν διαθήκην κυρίου πρὸς τὸν λαόν, ἡμέρας τεσσεράκοντα καὶ νύκτας τεσσεράκοντα. καὶ ἔλαβεν Μωϋσῆς παρὰ κυρίου τὰς δύο πλάκας τὰς γεγραμμένας τῷ δακτύλῳ τῆς χειρὸς κυρίου ἐν πνεύματι· καὶ λαβὼν Μωϋσῆς κατέφερεν πρὸς τὸν λαὸν δοῦναι.
legei gar ho prophētēs; Kai ēn Mōÿsēs nēsteuōn en orei Sina, tou labein tēn diathēkēn kyriou pros ton laon, hēmeras tesserakonta kai nyktas tesserakonta. kai elaben Mōÿsēs para kyriou tas dyo plakas tas gegrammenas tǭ daktylǭ tēs cheiros kyriou en pneumati; kai labōn Mōÿsēs katepheren pros ton laon dounai.
For the prophet says, “And Moses was fasting on Mount Sinai, to receive the covenant of the Lord for the people, forty days and forty nights. And Moses received from the Lord the two tablets written by the finger of the hand of the Lord in the Spirit.” And having received them, Moses was bringing them down to give to the people.
Exod 24:18 (allusion, high confidence) · Exod 31:18 (allusion, high confidence) · Exod 34:28 (allusion, medium confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: Moses received the tablets on Sinai.
Cite (SBL): Barn. 14.2 (Lake, LCL 24:390; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11-1/#p-14-2).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
14.3Lake, LCL 24:390
καὶ εἶπεν κύριος πρὸς Μωϋσῆν· Μωϋσῆ Μωϋσῆ, κατάβηθι τὸ τάχος, ὅτι ὁ λαός σου, ὃν ἐξήγαγες ἐκ γῆς Αἰγύπτου, ἠνόμησεν. καὶ συνῆκεν Μωϋσῆς, ὅτι ἐποίησαν ἑαυτοῖς πάλιν χωνεύματα, καὶ ἔρριψεν ἐκ τῶν χειρῶν, καὶ συνετρίβησαν αἱ πλάκες τῆς διαθήκης κυρίου.
kai eipen kyrios pros Mōÿsēn; Mōÿsē Mōÿsē, katabēthi to tachos, hoti ho laos sou, hon exēgages ek gēs Aigyptou, ēnomēsen. kai synēken Mōÿsēs, hoti epoiēsan heautois palin chōneumata, kai erripsen ek tōn cheirōn, kai synetribēsan hai plakes tēs diathēkēs kyriou.
And the Lord said to Moses, “Moses, Moses, go down quickly, for your people whom you brought out of the land of Egypt has acted lawlessly.” And Moses understood that they had again made themselves molten images, and he threw them out of his hands, and the tablets of the covenant of the Lord were broken.
Exod 32:7 (allusion, high confidence) · Exod 32:19 (allusion, high confidence) · Deut 9:12 (allusion, high confidence) · Deut 9:17 (allusion, medium confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: Israel's idolatry broke the tablets of the covenant.
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (punctuation slip in the digital text (a quotation follows); punctuation slip in the digital text (the sentence continues)): πρὸς Μωϋσῆν. Μωϋσῆ → πρὸς Μωϋσῆν· Μωϋσῆ; Αἰγύπτου. ἠνόμησεν → Αἰγύπτου, ἠνόμησεν.
Cite (SBL): Barn. 14.3 (Lake, LCL 24:390; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11-1/#p-14-3).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
14.4Lake, LCL 24:390
Μωϋσῆς μὲν ἔλαβεν, αὐτοὶ δὲ οὐκ ἐγένοντο ἄξιοι. πῶς δὲ ἡμεῖς ἐλάβομεν, μάθετε. Μωϋσῆς θεράπων ὢν ἔλαβεν, αὐτὸς δὲ κύριος ἡμῖν ἔδωκεν εἰς λαὸν κληρονομίας, διʼ ἡμᾶς ὑπομείνας.
Mōÿsēs men elaben, autoi de ouk egenonto axioi. pōs de hēmeis elabomen, mathete. Mōÿsēs therapōn ōn elaben, autos de kyrios hēmin edōken eis laon klēronomias, diʼ hēmas hypomeinas.
Moses received it, but they were not worthy. But learn how we received it. Moses received it as a servant, but the Lord himself gave it to us, to be a people of inheritance, having endured suffering for our sake.
Heb 3:5 (echo, medium confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: Moses received the covenant as a servant; the Lord gave it to us himself.
Topics: Christology
Cite (SBL): Barn. 14.4 (Lake, LCL 24:390; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11-1/#p-14-4).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
14.5Lake, LCL 24:390–392
ἐφανερώθη δέ, ἵνα κἀκεῖνοι τελειωθῶσιν τοῖς ἁμαρτήμασιν, καὶ ἡμεῖς διὰ τοῦ κληρονομοῦντος διαθήκην κυρίου Ἰησοῦ λάβωμεν, ὃς εἰς τοῦτο ἡτοιμάσθη, ἵνα αὐτὸς φανείς, τὰς ἤδη δεδαπανημένας ἡμῶν καρδίας τῷ θανάτῳ καὶ παραδεδομένας τῇ τῆς πλάνης ἀνομίᾳ λυτρωσάμενος ἐκ τοῦ σκότους, διάθηται ἐν ἡμῖν διαθήκην λόγῳ.
ephanerōthē de, hina kakeinoi teleiōthōsin tois hamartēmasin, kai hēmeis dia tou klēronomountos diathēkēn kyriou Iēsou labōmen, hos eis touto hētoimasthē, hina autos phaneis, tas ēdē dedapanēmenas hēmōn kardias tǭ thanatǭ kai paradedomenas tę̄ tēs planēs anomią lytrōsamenos ek tou skotous, diathētai en hēmin diathēkēn logǭ.
And he was manifested, so that they might be made complete in their sins, and we might receive the covenant through the Lord Jesus who inherited it, who was prepared for this, so that, when he appeared, he might redeem from darkness our hearts, already spent by death and handed over to the lawlessness of error, and establish a covenant in us by his word.
Notes and citation
Summary: Christ appeared to redeem us and establish the covenant in us.
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (punctuation slip in the digital text (the sentence continues)): ἐφανερώθη δέ. ἵνα → ἐφανερώθη δέ, ἵνα.
Topics: Christology
Cite (SBL): Barn. 14.5 (Lake, LCL 24:390–392; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11-1/#p-14-5).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
14.6Lake, LCL 24:392
γέγραπται γάρ, πῶς αὐτῷ ὁ πατὴρ ἐντέλλεται, λυτρωσάμενον ἡμᾶς ἐκ τοῦ σκότους ἑτοιμάσαι ἑαυτῷ λαὸν ἅγιον.
gegraptai gar, pōs autǭ ho patēr entelletai, lytrōsamenon hēmas ek tou skotous hetoimasai heautǭ laon hagion.
For it is written how the Father commands him, having redeemed us from darkness, to prepare a holy people for himself.
Titus 2:14 (echo, medium confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: The Father commanded Christ to prepare a holy people.
Cite (SBL): Barn. 14.6 (Lake, LCL 24:392; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11-1/#p-14-6).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
14.7Lake, LCL 24:392
λέγει οὖν ὁ προφήτης· Ἐγὼ κύριος, ὁ θεός σου, ἐκάλεσά σε ἐν δικαιοσύνῃ καὶ κρατήσω τῆς χειρός σου καὶ ἐνισχύσω σε, καὶ ἔδωκά σε εἰς διαθήκην γένους, εἰς φῶς ἐθνῶν ἀνοῖξαι ὀφθαλμοὺς τυφλῶν καὶ ἐξαγαγεῖν ἐκ δεσμῶν πεπεδημένους καὶ ἐξ οἴκου φυλακῆς καθημένους ἐν σκότει. γινώσκομεν οὖν, πόθεν ἐλυτρώθημεν.
legei oun ho prophētēs; Egō kyrios, ho theos sou, ekalesa se en dikaiosynę̄ kai kratēsō tēs cheiros sou kai enischysō se, kai edōka se eis diathēkēn genous, eis phōs ethnōn anoixai ophthalmous typhlōn kai exagagein ek desmōn pepedēmenous kai ex oikou phylakēs kathēmenous en skotei. ginōskomen oun, pothen elytrōthēmen.
So the prophet says, “I, the Lord your God, have called you in righteousness, and I will hold your hand and strengthen you; and I have given you as a covenant for the people, as a light for the nations, to open the eyes of the blind, and to bring out from their chains those who are bound, and from the prison house those who sit in darkness.” We know, then, from what we have been redeemed.
Isa 42:6 (quotation, high confidence) · Isa 42:7 (quotation, high confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: Isaiah: the Servant is a covenant and a light for the nations.
Topics: Christology
Cite (SBL): Barn. 14.7 (Lake, LCL 24:392; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11-1/#p-14-7).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
14.8Lake, LCL 24:392
πάλιν ὁ προφήτης λέγει· Ἰδού, τέθεικά σε εἰς φῶς ἐθνῶν, τοῦ εἶναί σε εἰς σωτηρίαν ἕως ἐσχάτου τῆς γῆς, οὕτως λέγει κύριος ὁ λυτρωσάμενός σε θεός.
palin ho prophētēs legei; Idou, tetheika se eis phōs ethnōn, tou einai se eis sōtērian heōs eschatou tēs gēs, houtōs legei kyrios ho lytrōsamenos se theos.
Again the prophet says, “Behold, I have made you a light for the nations, that you may be for salvation to the end of the earth; thus says the Lord, the God who redeemed you.”
Isa 49:6 (quotation, high confidence) · Isa 49:7 (quotation, medium confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: Isaiah: a light to the nations and salvation to the ends of the earth.
Cite (SBL): Barn. 14.8 (Lake, LCL 24:392; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11-1/#p-14-8).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
14.9Lake, LCL 24:392
καὶ πάλιν ὁ προφήτης λέγει· Πνεῦμα κυρίου ἐπʼ ἐμέ, οὗ εἵνεκεν ἔχρισέν με εὐαγγελίσασθαι ταπεινοῖς χάριν, ἀπέσταλκέν με ἰάσασθαι τοὺς συντετριμμένους τὴν καρδίαν, κηρῦξαι αἰχμαλώτοις ἄφεσιν καὶ τυφλοῖς ἀνάβλεψιν, καλέσαι ἐνιαυτὸν κυρίου δεκτὸν καὶ ἡμέραν ἀνταποδόσεως, παρακαλέσαι πάντας τοὺς πενθοῦντας.
kai palin ho prophētēs legei; Pneuma kyriou epʼ eme, hou heineken echrisen me euangelisasthai tapeinois charin, apestalken me iasasthai tous syntetrimmenous tēn kardian, kēryxai aichmalōtois aphesin kai typhlois anablepsin, kalesai eniauton kyriou dekton kai hēmeran antapodoseōs, parakalesai pantas tous penthountas.
And again the prophet says, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he anointed me to preach good news of grace to the lowly; he has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord and the day of recompense, to comfort all who mourn.”
Isa 61:1 (quotation, high confidence) · Isa 61:2 (quotation, high confidence) · Luke 4:18 (echo, medium confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: Isaiah: the Spirit of the Lord is upon me.
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (digitization slip against Lake's printed text (wrong breathing and accent)): οὖ εἵνεκεν → οὗ εἵνεκεν.
Topics: Christology
Cite (SBL): Barn. 14.9 (Lake, LCL 24:392; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11-1/#p-14-9).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
Chapter 15
15.1Lake, LCL 24:392
Ἔτι οὖν καὶ περὶ τοῦ σαββάτου γέγραπται ἐν τοῖς δέκα λόγοις, ἐν οἷς ἐλάλησεν ἐν τῷ ὄρει Σινᾶ πρὸς Μωϋσῆν κατὰ πρόσωπον· Καὶ ἁγιάσατε τὸ σάββατον κυρίου χερσὶν καθαραῖς καὶ καρδίᾳ καθαρᾷ.
Eti oun kai peri tou sabbatou gegraptai en tois deka logois, en hois elalēsen en tǭ orei Sina pros Mōÿsēn kata prosōpon; Kai hagiasate to sabbaton kyriou chersin katharais kai kardią katharą.
Further, then, concerning the Sabbath also it is written in the Ten Words, in which he spoke face to face to Moses on Mount Sinai: “And sanctify the Sabbath of the Lord with clean hands and a clean heart.”
Exod 20:8 (allusion, high confidence) · Deut 5:12 (allusion, high confidence) · Ps 24:4 (23:4 LXX) (allusion, medium confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: The commandment to keep the Sabbath holy.
- The words “with clean hands and a clean heart” are added from Ps 24:4.
Cite (SBL): Barn. 15.1 (Lake, LCL 24:392; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11-1/#p-15-1).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
15.2Lake, LCL 24:392–394
καὶ ἐν ἑτέρῳ λέγει· Ἐὰν φυλάξωσιν οἱ υἱοί μου τὸ σάββατον, τότε ἐπιθήσω τὸ ἔλεός μου ἐπʼ αὐτούς.
kai en heterǭ legei; Ean phylaxōsin hoi huioi mou to sabbaton, tote epithēsō to eleos mou epʼ autous.
And in another place he says, “If my sons keep the Sabbath, then I will bestow my mercy upon them.”
Jer 17:24 (allusion, medium confidence) · Jer 17:25 (allusion, medium confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: If they keep the Sabbath, God will show mercy.
Cite (SBL): Barn. 15.2 (Lake, LCL 24:392–394; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11-1/#p-15-2).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
15.3Lake, LCL 24:394
τὸ σάββατον λέγει ἐν ἀρχῇ τῆς κτίσεως· Καὶ ἐποίησεν ὁ θεὸς ἐν ἓξ ἡμέραις τὰ ἔργα τῶν χειρῶν αὐτοῦ, καὶ συνετέλεσεν ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ ἑβδόμῃ καὶ κατέπαυσεν ἐν αὐτῇ καὶ ἡγίασεν αὐτήν.
to sabbaton legei en archę̄ tēs ktiseōs; Kai epoiēsen ho theos en hex hēmerais ta erga tōn cheirōn autou, kai synetelesen en tę̄ hēmerą tę̄ hebdomę̄ kai katepausen en autę̄ kai hēgiasen autēn.
He speaks of the Sabbath at the beginning of creation: “And God made the works of his hands in six days, and finished on the seventh day, and rested on it and sanctified it.”
Gen 2:2 (quotation, high confidence) · Gen 2:3 (quotation, high confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: God finished creation in six days and rested on the seventh.
Cite (SBL): Barn. 15.3 (Lake, LCL 24:394; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11-1/#p-15-3).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
15.4Lake, LCL 24:394
προσέχετε, τέκνα, τί λέγει τὸ συνετέλεσεν ἐν ἓξ ἡμέραις. τοῦτο λέγει, ὅτι ἐν ἑξακισχιλίοις ἔτεσιν συντελέσει κύριος τὰ σύμπαντα· ἡ γὰρ ἡμέρα παρʼ αὐτῷ σημαίνει χίλια ἔτη. αὐτὸς δέ μοι μαρτυρεῖ λέγων· Ἰδού, ἡμέρα κυρίου ἔσται ὡς χίλια ἔτη. οὐκοῦν, τέκνα, ἐν ἓξ ἡμέραις, ἐν τοῖς ἑξακισχιλίοις ἔτεσιν συντελεσθήσεται τὰ σύμπαντα.
prosechete, tekna, ti legei to synetelesen en hex hēmerais. touto legei, hoti en hexakischiliois etesin syntelesei kyrios ta sympanta; hē gar hēmera parʼ autǭ sēmainei chilia etē. autos de moi martyrei legōn; Idou, hēmera kyriou estai hōs chilia etē. oukoun, tekna, en hex hēmerais, en tois hexakischiliois etesin syntelesthēsetai ta sympanta.
Pay attention, children, to what “he finished in six days” means. It means this: that in six thousand years the Lord will bring all things to completion; for with him a day signifies a thousand years. And he himself testifies to me, saying, “Behold, the day of the Lord will be as a thousand years.” So then, children, in six days, that is, in six thousand years, all things will be brought to completion.
Ps 90:4 (89:4 LXX) (allusion, high confidence) · 2 Pet 3:8 (echo, medium confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: The six days of creation mean six thousand years of history.
- An early form of the “world-week” scheme, in which history lasts six thousand years before the Lord's rest.
Topics: Eschatology
Cite (SBL): Barn. 15.4 (Lake, LCL 24:394; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11-1/#p-15-4).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
15.5Lake, LCL 24:394
Καὶ κατέπαυσεν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ ἑβδόμῃ. τοῦτο λέγει· ὅταν ἐλθὼν ὁ υἱὸς αὐτοῦ καταργήσει τὸν καιρὸν τοῦ ἀνόμου καὶ κρινεῖ τοὺς ἀσεβεῖς καὶ ἀλλάξει τὸν ἥλιον καὶ τὴν σελήνην καὶ τοὺς ἀστέρας, τότε καλῶς καταπαύσεται ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ ἑβδόμῃ.
Kai katepausen tę̄ hēmerą tę̄ hebdomę̄. touto legei; hotan elthōn ho huios autou katargēsei ton kairon tou anomou kai krinei tous asebeis kai allaxei ton hēlion kai tēn selēnēn kai tous asteras, tote kalōs katapausetai en tę̄ hēmerą tę̄ hebdomę̄.
“And he rested on the seventh day.” This means: when his Son comes and abolishes the time of the lawless one, and judges the ungodly, and changes the sun and the moon and the stars, then he will truly rest on the seventh day.
Notes and citation
Summary: God's rest on the seventh day is Christ's coming and judgment.
Topics: Eschatology, Christology
Cite (SBL): Barn. 15.5 (Lake, LCL 24:394; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11-1/#p-15-5).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
15.6Lake, LCL 24:394
πέρας γέ τοι λέγει· Ἁγιάσεις αὐτὴν χερσὶν καθαραῖς καὶ καρδίᾳ καθαρᾷ. εἰ οὖν ἣν ὁ θεὸς ἡμέραν ἡγίασεν νῦν τις δύναται ἁγιάσαι καθαρὸς ὢν τῇ καρδίᾳ, ἐν πᾶσιν πεπλανήμεθα.
peras ge toi legei; Hagiaseis autēn chersin katharais kai kardią katharą. ei oun hēn ho theos hēmeran hēgiasen nyn tis dynatai hagiasai katharos ōn tę̄ kardią, en pasin peplanēmetha.
Indeed, he says, “You shall sanctify it with clean hands and a clean heart.” If, then, anyone can now sanctify the day that God sanctified by being pure in heart, we are deceived in everything.
Notes and citation
Summary: No one can now keep the Sabbath truly holy.
Cite (SBL): Barn. 15.6 (Lake, LCL 24:394; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11-1/#p-15-6).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
15.7Lake, LCL 24:394
ἴδε ὅτι ἄρα τότε καλῶς καταπαυόμενοι ἁγιάσομεν αὐτήν, ὅτε δυνησόμεθα αὐτοὶ δικαιωθέντες καὶ ἀπολαβόντες τὴν ἐπαγγελίαν, μηκέτι οὔσης τῆς ἀνομίας, καινῶν δὲ γεγονότων πάντων ὑπὸ κυρίου· τότε δυνησόμεθα αὐτὴν ἁγιάσαι, αὐτοὶ ἁγιασθέντες πρῶτον.
ide hoti ara tote kalōs katapauomenoi hagiasomen autēn, hote dynēsometha autoi dikaiōthentes kai apolabontes tēn epangelian, mēketi ousēs tēs anomias, kainōn de gegonotōn pantōn hypo kyriou; tote dynēsometha autēn hagiasai, autoi hagiasthentes prōton.
See, then, that we will truly rest and sanctify it only then, when we are able to do so ourselves, having been justified and having received the promise, when lawlessness is no more and all things have been made new by the Lord. Then we will be able to sanctify it, having first been sanctified ourselves.
Notes and citation
Summary: We will keep the true Sabbath when all things are made new.
Topics: Eschatology
Cite (SBL): Barn. 15.7 (Lake, LCL 24:394; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11-1/#p-15-7).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
15.8Lake, LCL 24:394–396
πέρας γέ τοι λέγει αὐτοῖς· Τὰς νεομηνίας ὑμῶν καὶ τὰ σάββατα οὐκ ἀνέχομαι. ὁρᾶτε, πῶς λέγει; οὐ τὰ νῦν σάββατα ἐμοὶ δεκτά, ἀλλὰ ὃ πεποίηκα, ἐν ᾧ καταπαύσας τὰ πάντα ἀρχὴν ἡμέρας ὀγδόης ποιήσω, ὅ ἐστιν ἄλλου κόσμου ἀρχήν.
peras ge toi legei autois; Tas neomēnias hymōn kai ta sabbata ouk anechomai. horate, pōs legei? ou ta nyn sabbata emoi dekta, alla ho pepoiēka, en hǭ katapausas ta panta archēn hēmeras ogdoēs poiēsō, ho estin allou kosmou archēn.
Indeed, he says to them, “Your new moons and your sabbaths I cannot endure.” Do you see what he means? The present sabbaths are not acceptable to me, but the one that I have made, on which, having brought all things to rest, I will make the beginning of an eighth day, that is, the beginning of another world.
Isa 1:13 (quotation, high confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: God rejects the present sabbaths; the eighth day begins a new world.
Topics: Eschatology
Cite (SBL): Barn. 15.8 (Lake, LCL 24:394–396; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11-1/#p-15-8).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
15.9Lake, LCL 24:396
διὸ καὶ ἄγομεν τὴν ἡμέραν τὴν ὀγδόην εἰς εὐφροσύνην, ἐν ᾗ καὶ ὁ Ἰησοῦς ἀνέστη ἐκ νεκρῶν καὶ φανερωθεὶς ἀνέβη εἰς οὐρανούς.
dio kai agomen tēn hēmeran tēn ogdoēn eis euphrosynēn, en hę̄ kai ho Iēsous anestē ek nekrōn kai phanerōtheis anebē eis ouranous.
For this reason we also keep the eighth day with gladness, the day on which Jesus also rose from the dead, and, having been manifested, ascended into heaven.
Notes and citation
Summary: Christians celebrate the eighth day, the day of the resurrection.
- The “eighth day” is Sunday, the day after the Sabbath; one of the earliest witnesses to Christian Sunday observance.
- The text seems to place the ascension on a Sunday as well; the sense of the sentence is debated.
Topics: Christology
Cite (SBL): Barn. 15.9 (Lake, LCL 24:396; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11-1/#p-15-9).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
Chapter 16
16.1Lake, LCL 24:396
Ἔτι δὲ καὶ περὶ τοῦ ναοῦ ἐρῶ ὑμῖν, ὡς πλανώμενοι οἱ ταλαίπωροι εἰς τὴν οἰκοδομὴν ἤλπισαν, καὶ οὐκ ἐπὶ τὸν θεὸν αὐτῶν τὸν ποιήσαντα αὐτούς, ὡς ὄντα οἶκον θεοῦ.
Eti de kai peri tou naou erō hymin, hōs planōmenoi hoi talaipōroi eis tēn oikodomēn ēlpisan, kai ouk epi ton theon autōn ton poiēsanta autous, hōs onta oikon theou.
Further, I will also speak to you about the temple, how the wretched people, going astray, set their hope on the building and not on their God who made them, as if it were the house of God.
Notes and citation
Summary: Israel wrongly put its hope in the temple building.
Cite (SBL): Barn. 16.1 (Lake, LCL 24:396; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11-1/#p-16-1).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
16.2Lake, LCL 24:396
σχεδὸν γὰρ ὡς τὰ ἔθνη ἀφιέρωσαν αὐτὸν ἐν τῷ ναῷ. ἀλλὰ πῶς λέγει κύριος καταργῶν αὐτόν, μάθετε· Τίς ἐμέτρησεν τὸν οὐρανὸν σπιθαμῇ ἢ τὴν γῆν δρακί; οὐκ ἐγώ; λέγει κύριος· Ὁ οὐρανός μοι θρόνος, ἡ δὲ γῆ ὑποπόδιον τῶν ποδῶν μου· ποῖον οἶκον οἰκοδομήσετέ μοι, ἢ τίς τόπος τῆς καταπαύσεώς μου; ἐγνώκατε, ὅτι ματαία ἡ ἐλπὶς αὐτῶν.
schedon gar hōs ta ethnē aphierōsan auton en tǭ naǭ. alla pōs legei kyrios katargōn auton, mathete; Tis emetrēsen ton ouranon spithamę̄ ē tēn gēn draki? ouk egō? legei kyrios; Ho ouranos moi thronos, hē de gē hypopodion tōn podōn mou; poion oikon oikodomēsete moi, ē tis topos tēs katapauseōs mou? egnōkate, hoti mataia hē elpis autōn.
For almost like the Gentiles they consecrated him in the temple. But learn how the Lord speaks, abolishing it: “Who has measured heaven with a span, or the earth with his hand? Have not I? says the Lord. Heaven is my throne, and the earth the footstool of my feet; what kind of house will you build for me, or what is the place of my rest?” You have learned that their hope is vain.
Isa 40:12 (quotation, high confidence) · Isa 66:1 (quotation, high confidence) · Acts 7:49 (echo, medium confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: Isaiah: God cannot be contained in a house.
Cite (SBL): Barn. 16.2 (Lake, LCL 24:396; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11-1/#p-16-2).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
16.3Lake, LCL 24:396
πέρας γέ τοι πάλιν λέγει· Ἰδού, οἱ καθελόντες τὸν ναὸν τοῦτον αὐτοὶ αὐτὸν οἰκοδομήσουσιν.
peras ge toi palin legei; Idou, hoi kathelontes ton naon touton autoi auton oikodomēsousin.
Indeed, again he says, “Behold, those who tore down this temple will themselves build it.”
Isa 49:17 (allusion, low confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: Those who destroyed the temple will rebuild it.
- The quotation is not found as such in scripture; compare Isa 49:17 LXX.
Cite (SBL): Barn. 16.3 (Lake, LCL 24:396; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11-1/#p-16-3).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
16.4Lake, LCL 24:396
γίνεται, διὰ γὰρ τὸ πολεμεῖν αὐτοὺς καθῃρέθη ὑπὸ τῶν ἐχθρῶν· νῦν καὶ αὐτοὶ οἱ τῶν ἐχθρῶν ὑπηρέται ἀνοικοδομήσουσιν αὐτόν.
ginetai, dia gar to polemein autous kathę̄rethē hypo tōn echthrōn; nyn kai autoi hoi tōn echthrōn hypēretai anoikodomēsousin auton.
It is happening. For because they went to war it was torn down by their enemies; now the very servants of their enemies will build it up again.
Textual problem in this passage: see the notes.
Notes and citation
Summary: The temple destroyed by enemies will be rebuilt by their servants.
- This refers to the destruction of the Jerusalem temple by the Romans in AD 70. The rebuilding may refer to Hadrian's plan (ca. 130) to build a pagan temple on the site, which would date the letter to about that time; the reference is disputed.
- Or: “now they themselves, as servants of their enemies, will rebuild it.” The manuscripts differ here, and the reading affects the letter's date: either the Jews hoped to rebuild the temple with Roman permission, or the Romans would build their own temple on the site.
Cite (SBL): Barn. 16.4 (Lake, LCL 24:396; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11-1/#p-16-4).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
16.5Lake, LCL 24:396
πάλιν ὡς ἔμελλεν ἡ πόλις καὶ ὁ ναὸς καὶ ὁ λαὸς Ἰσραὴλ παραδίδοσθαι, ἐφανερώθη. λέγει γὰρ ἡ γραφή· Καὶ ἔσται ἐπʼ ἐσχάτων τῶν ἡμερῶν, καὶ παραδώσει κύριος τὰ πρόβατα τῆς νομῆς καὶ τὴν μάνδραν καὶ τὸν πύργον αὐτῶν εἰς καταφθοράν. καὶ ἐγένετο καθʼ ἃ ἐλάλησεν κύριος.
palin hōs emellen hē polis kai ho naos kai ho laos Israēl paradidosthai, ephanerōthē. legei gar hē graphē; Kai estai epʼ eschatōn tōn hēmerōn, kai paradōsei kyrios ta probata tēs nomēs kai tēn mandran kai ton pyrgon autōn eis kataphthoran. kai egeneto kathʼ ha elalēsen kyrios.
Again, it was revealed that the city and the temple and the people of Israel were to be handed over. For the scripture says, “And it will come to pass in the last days that the Lord will hand over the sheep of the pasture and the fold and their tower to destruction.” And it happened as the Lord said.
Notes and citation
Summary: Scripture foretold the handing over of the city and temple.
- The quotation is not in the Old Testament; it resembles 1 En. 89.56–66, where the tower stands for the temple.
Extrabiblical texts: 1 En. 89.56 (1 Enoch [in the ETH canon]; allusion)
Cite (SBL): Barn. 16.5 (Lake, LCL 24:396; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11-1/#p-16-5).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
16.6Lake, LCL 24:396–398
ζητήσωμεν δέ, εἰ ἔστιν ναὸς θεοῦ. ἔστιν, ὅπου αὐτὸς λέγει ποιεῖν καὶ καταρτίζειν. γέγραπται γάρ· Καὶ ἔσται, τῆς ἑβδομάδος συντελουμένης οἰκοδομηθήσεται ναὸς θεοῦ ἐνδόξως ἐπὶ τῷ ὀνόματι κυρίου.
zētēsōmen de, ei estin naos theou. estin, hopou autos legei poiein kai katartizein. gegraptai gar; Kai estai, tēs hebdomados synteloumenēs oikodomēthēsetai naos theou endoxōs epi tǭ onomati kyriou.
But let us inquire whether there is a temple of God. There is, where he himself says he makes and completes it. For it is written, “And it will come to pass, when the week is completed, that a temple of God will be built gloriously in the name of the Lord.”
Dan 9:24 (allusion, low confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: There is a true temple of God, to be built in the Lord's name.
- The source of the quotation is uncertain; compare Dan 9:24–27 and 1 En. 91.13.
Extrabiblical texts: 1 En. 91.13 (1 Enoch [in the ETH canon]; allusion)
Cite (SBL): Barn. 16.6 (Lake, LCL 24:396–398; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11-1/#p-16-6).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
16.7Lake, LCL 24:398
εὑρίσκω οὖν, ὅτι ἔστιν ναός. πῶς οὖν οἰκοδομηθήσεται ἐπὶ τῷ ὀνόματι κυρίου, μάθετε. πρὸ τοῦ ἡμᾶς πιστεῦσαι τῷ θεῷ ἦν ἡμῶν τὸ κατοικητήριον τῆς καρδίας φθαρτὸν καὶ ἀσθενές, ὡς ἀληθῶς οἰκοδομητὸς ναὸς διὰ χειρός, ὅτι ἦν πλήρης μὲν εἰδωλολατρείας καὶ ἦν οἶκος δαιμονίων διὰ τὸ ποιεῖν, ὅσα ἦν ἐναντία τῷ θεῷ,
heuriskō oun, hoti estin naos. pōs oun oikodomēthēsetai epi tǭ onomati kyriou, mathete. pro tou hēmas pisteusai tǭ theǭ ēn hēmōn to katoikētērion tēs kardias phtharton kai asthenes, hōs alēthōs oikodomētos naos dia cheiros, hoti ēn plērēs men eidōlolatreias kai ēn oikos daimoniōn dia to poiein, hosa ēn enantia tǭ theǭ,
I find, then, that there is a temple. Learn, then, how it will be built in the name of the Lord. Before we believed in God, the dwelling place of our heart was corrupt and weak, truly a temple built by hand; for it was full of idolatry and was a house of demons, because we did whatever was contrary to God.
Notes and citation
Summary: Before faith our hearts were a house of demons.
Cite (SBL): Barn. 16.7 (Lake, LCL 24:398; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11-1/#p-16-7).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
16.8Lake, LCL 24:398
Οἰκοδομηθήσεται δὲ ἐπὶ τῷ ὀνόματι κυρίου. προσέχετε δέ, ἵνα ὁ ναὸς τοῦ κυρίου ἐνδόξως οἰκοδομηθῇ. πῶς, μάθετε. λαβόντες τὴν ἄφεσιν τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν καὶ ἐλπίσαντες ἐπὶ τὸ ὄνομα ἐγενόμεθα καινοί, πάλιν ἐξ ἀρχῆς κτιζόμενοι· διὸ ἐν τῷ κατοικητηρίῳ ἡμῶν ἀληθῶς ὁ θεὸς κατοικεῖ ἐν ἡμῖν.
Oikodomēthēsetai de epi tǭ onomati kyriou. prosechete de, hina ho naos tou kyriou endoxōs oikodomēthę̄. pōs, mathete. labontes tēn aphesin tōn hamartiōn kai elpisantes epi to onoma egenometha kainoi, palin ex archēs ktizomenoi; dio en tǭ katoikētēriǭ hēmōn alēthōs ho theos katoikei en hēmin.
“But it will be built in the name of the Lord.” Pay attention, so that the temple of the Lord may be built gloriously. Learn how: having received the forgiveness of sins and hoped on the name, we became new, created again from the beginning; therefore God truly dwells in us, in our dwelling place.
Notes and citation
Summary: Forgiven and made new, we become God's dwelling.
Topics: Baptism
Cite (SBL): Barn. 16.8 (Lake, LCL 24:398; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11-1/#p-16-8).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
16.9Lake, LCL 24:398
πῶς; ὁ λόγος αὐτοῦ τῆς πίστεως, ἡ κλῆσις αὐτοῦ τῆς ἐπαγγελίας, ἡ σοφία τῶν δικαιωμάτων, αἱ ἐντολαὶ τῆς διδαχῆς, αὐτὸς ἐν ἡμῖν προφητεύων, αὐτὸς ἐν ἡμῖν κατοικῶν, τοὺς τῷ θανάτῳ δεδουλωμένους ἀνοίγων ἡμῖν τὴν θύραν τοῦ ναοῦ, ὅ ἐστιν στόμα, μετάνοιαν διδοὺς ἡμῖν, εἰσάγει εἰς τὸν ἄφθαρτον ναόν.
pōs? ho logos autou tēs pisteōs, hē klēsis autou tēs epangelias, hē sophia tōn dikaiōmatōn, hai entolai tēs didachēs, autos en hēmin prophēteuōn, autos en hēmin katoikōn, tous tǭ thanatǭ dedoulōmenous anoigōn hēmin tēn thyran tou naou, ho estin stoma, metanoian didous hēmin, eisagei eis ton aphtharton naon.
How? His word of faith, his calling of promise, the wisdom of the righteous decrees, the commandments of the teaching, he himself prophesying in us, he himself dwelling in us: opening for us who were enslaved to death the door of the temple, which is the mouth, and giving us repentance, he leads us into the incorruptible temple.
Notes and citation
Summary: God dwells in us and leads us into the incorruptible temple.
Cite (SBL): Barn. 16.9 (Lake, LCL 24:398; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11-1/#p-16-9).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
16.10Lake, LCL 24:398–400
ὁ γὰρ ποθῶν σωθῆναι βλέπει οὐκ εἰς τὸν ἄνθρωπον, ἀλλʼ εἰς τὸν ἐν αὐτῷ κατοικοῦντα καὶ λαλοῦντα, ἐπʼ αὐτῷ ἐκπλησσόμενος, ἐπὶ τῷ μηδέποτε μήτε τοῦ λέγοντος τὰ ῥήματα ἀκηκοέναι ἐκ τοῦ στόματος μήτε αὐτός ποτε ἐπιτεθυμηκέναι ἀκούειν. τοῦτό ἐστιν πνευματικὸς ναὸς οἰκοδομούμενος τῷ κυρίῳ.
ho gar pothōn sōthēnai blepei ouk eis ton anthrōpon, allʼ eis ton en autǭ katoikounta kai lalounta, epʼ autǭ ekplēssomenos, epi tǭ mēdepote mēte tou legontos ta rhēmata akēkoenai ek tou stomatos mēte autos pote epitethymēkenai akouein. touto estin pneumatikos naos oikodomoumenos tǭ kyriǭ.
For the one who longs to be saved looks not to the man but to the one who dwells and speaks in him, amazed at him, that he has never heard such words from the speaker's mouth, nor ever himself desired to hear them. This is a spiritual temple being built for the Lord.
1 Cor 3:16 (echo, medium confidence) · Eph 2:21 (echo, medium confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: The believer is a spiritual temple built for the Lord.
- The first sentence is compressed; it seems to describe a hearer who is amazed that God speaks through a Christian preacher.
Cite (SBL): Barn. 16.10 (Lake, LCL 24:398–400; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11-1/#p-16-10).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
Chapter 17
17.1Lake, LCL 24:400
Ἐφʼ ὅσον ἦν ἐν δυνατῷ καὶ ἁπλότητι δηλῶσαι ὑμῖν, ἐλπίζει μου ἡ ψυχὴ τῇ ἐπιθυμίᾳ μου μὴ παραλελοιπέναι τι τῶν ἀνηκόντων εἰς σωτηρίαν.
Ephʼ hoson ēn en dynatǭ kai haplotēti dēlōsai hymin, elpizei mou hē psychē tę̄ epithymią mou mē paraleloipenai ti tōn anēkontōn eis sōtērian.
As far as it was possible to explain to you simply, my soul hopes, according to my desire, that I have not left out anything that pertains to salvation.
Notes and citation
Summary: The author hopes he has left out nothing needed for salvation.
Cite (SBL): Barn. 17.1 (Lake, LCL 24:400; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11-1/#p-17-1).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
17.2Lake, LCL 24:400
ἐὰν γὰρ περὶ τῶν ἐνεστώτων ἢ μελλόντων γράφω ὑμῖν, οὐ μὴ νοήσητε διὰ τὸ ἐν παραβολαῖς κεῖσθαι. ταῦτα μὲν οὕτως.
ean gar peri tōn enestōtōn ē mellontōn graphō hymin, ou mē noēsēte dia to en parabolais keisthai. tauta men houtōs.
For if I write to you about things present or to come, you will not understand, because they are set in parables. So much for these things.
Notes and citation
Summary: Other matters are hidden in parables.
Cite (SBL): Barn. 17.2 (Lake, LCL 24:400; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11-1/#p-17-2).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
Chapter 18
18.1Lake, LCL 24:400
Μεταβῶμεν δὲ καὶ ἐπὶ ἑτέραν γνῶσιν καὶ διδαχήν. Ὁδοὶ δύο εἰσὶν διδαχῆς καὶ ἐξουσίας, ἥ τε τοῦ φωτὸς καὶ ἡ τοῦ σκότους. διαφορὰ δὲ πολλὴ τῶν δύο ὁδῶν. ἐφʼ ἧς μὲν γάρ εἰσιν τεταγμένοι φωταγωγοὶ ἄγγελοι τοῦ θεοῦ, ἐφʼ ἧς δὲ ἄγγελοι τοῦ σατανᾶ.
Metabōmen de kai epi heteran gnōsin kai didachēn. Hodoi dyo eisin didachēs kai exousias, hē te tou phōtos kai hē tou skotous. diaphora de pollē tōn dyo hodōn. ephʼ hēs men gar eisin tetagmenoi phōtagōgoi angeloi tou theou, ephʼ hēs de angeloi tou satana.
But let us pass on also to another knowledge and teaching. There are two ways of teaching and of power, the one of light and the other of darkness. And there is a great difference between the two ways. For over the one are set light-bearing angels of God, and over the other angels of Satan.
Notes and citation
Summary: The Two Ways: light and darkness, with their angels.
- Chapters 18–20 contain a form of the “Two Ways” teaching also found in the Didache (1–5). Both probably draw on a common earlier source.
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (digitization slip against Lake's printed text (wrong breathing and accent)): ἐφʼ ἦς δὲ → ἐφʼ ἧς δὲ.
Topics: Ethics
Cite (SBL): Barn. 18.1 (Lake, LCL 24:400; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11-1/#p-18-1).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
18.2Lake, LCL 24:400
καὶ ὁ μέν ἐστιν κύριος ἀπὸ αἰώνων καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας, ὁ δὲ ἄρχων καιροῦ τοῦ νῦν τῆς ἀνομίας.
kai ho men estin kyrios apo aiōnōn kai eis tous aiōnas, ho de archōn kairou tou nyn tēs anomias.
And the one is Lord from eternity to eternity, and the other is the ruler of the present time of lawlessness.
Notes and citation
Summary: God rules forever; Satan rules the present lawless age.
Cite (SBL): Barn. 18.2 (Lake, LCL 24:400; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11-1/#p-18-2).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
Chapter 19
19.1Lake, LCL 24:400
Ἡ οὖν ὁδὸς τοῦ φωτός ἐστιν αὕτη· ἐάν τις θέλων ὁδὸν ὁδεύειν ἐπὶ τὸν ὡρισμένον τόπον, σπεύσῃ τοῖς ἔργοις αὐτοῦ. ἔστιν οὖν ἡ δοθεῖσα ἡμῖν γνῶσις τοῦ περιπατεῖν ἐν αὐτῇ τοιαύτη.
Hē oun hodos tou phōtos estin hautē; ean tis thelōn hodon hodeuein epi ton hōrismenon topon, speusę̄ tois ergois autou. estin oun hē dotheisa hēmin gnōsis tou peripatein en autę̄ toiautē.
This, then, is the way of light: if anyone wishes to travel the way to the appointed place, let him be zealous in his works. The knowledge given to us for walking in it is this:
Notes and citation
Summary: The way of light begins.
Cite (SBL): Barn. 19.1 (Lake, LCL 24:400; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11-1/#p-19-1).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
19.2Lake, LCL 24:400–402
ἀγαπήσεις τὸν ποιήσαντά σε, φοβηθήσῃ τόν σε πλάσαντα, δοξάσεις τόν σε λυτρωσάμενον ἐκ θανάτου· ἔσῃ ἁπλοῦς τῇ καρδίᾳ καὶ πλούσιος τῷ πνεύματι· οὐ κολληθήσῃ μετὰ τῶν πορευομένων ἐν ὁδῷ θανάτου, μισήσεις πᾶν, ὃ οὐκ ἔστιν ἀρεστὸν τῷ θεῷ, μισήσεις πᾶσαν ὑπόκρισιν· οὐ μὴ ἐγκαταλίπῃς ἐντολὰς κυρίου.
agapēseis ton poiēsanta se, phobēthēsę̄ ton se plasanta, doxaseis ton se lytrōsamenon ek thanatou; esę̄ haplous tę̄ kardią kai plousios tǭ pneumati; ou kollēthēsę̄ meta tōn poreuomenōn en hodǭ thanatou, misēseis pan, ho ouk estin areston tǭ theǭ, misēseis pasan hypokrisin; ou mē enkatalipę̄s entolas kyriou.
You shall love the one who made you; you shall fear the one who formed you; you shall glorify the one who redeemed you from death. You shall be simple in heart and rich in spirit. You shall not join those who walk in the way of death. You shall hate everything that is not pleasing to God; you shall hate all hypocrisy. You shall never abandon the commandments of the Lord.
Deut 6:5 (echo, medium confidence) · Matt 5:3 (echo, low confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: Love, fear, and glorify God; hate hypocrisy.
Topics: Ethics
Cite (SBL): Barn. 19.2 (Lake, LCL 24:400–402; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11-1/#p-19-2).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
19.3Lake, LCL 24:402
οὐχ ὑψώσεις σεαυτόν, ἔσῃ δὲ ταπεινόφρων κατὰ πάντα· οὐκ ἀρεῖς ἐπὶ σεαυτὸν δόξαν. οὐ λήμψῃ βουλὴν πονηρὰν κατὰ τοῦ πλησίον σου, οὐ δώσεις τῇ ψυχῇ σου θράσος.
ouch hypsōseis seauton, esę̄ de tapeinophrōn kata panta; ouk areis epi seauton doxan. ou lēmpsę̄ boulēn ponēran kata tou plēsion sou, ou dōseis tę̄ psychę̄ sou thrasos.
You shall not exalt yourself, but shall be humble-minded in all things. You shall not take glory upon yourself. You shall not form an evil plan against your neighbor. You shall not give your soul arrogance.
Notes and citation
Summary: Be humble; plot no evil against a neighbor.
Topics: Ethics
Cite (SBL): Barn. 19.3 (Lake, LCL 24:402; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11-1/#p-19-3).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
19.4Lake, LCL 24:402
οὐ πορνεύσεις, οὐ μοιχεύσεις, οὐ παιδοφθορήσεις. οὐ μή σου ὁ λόγος τοῦ θεοῦ ἐξέλθῃ ἐν ἀκαθαρσίᾳ τινῶν. οὐ λήμψῃ πρόσωπον ἐλέγξαι τινὰ ἐπὶ παραπτώματι. ἔσῃ πραΰς, ἔσῃ ἡσύχιος, ἔσῃ τρέμων τοὺς λόγους οὓς ἤκουσας. οὐ μνησικακήσεις τῷ ἀδελφῷ σου.
ou porneuseis, ou moicheuseis, ou paidophthorēseis. ou mē sou ho logos tou theou exelthę̄ en akatharsią tinōn. ou lēmpsę̄ prosōpon elenxai tina epi paraptōmati. esę̄ praÿs, esę̄ hēsychios, esę̄ tremōn tous logous hous ēkousas. ou mnēsikakēseis tǭ adelphǭ sou.
You shall not commit sexual immorality; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not corrupt boys. The word of God shall never go out from you among any who are impure. You shall not show partiality in rebuking anyone for a transgression. You shall be gentle; you shall be quiet; you shall tremble at the words you have heard. You shall not bear a grudge against your brother.
Textual problem in this passage: see the notes.
Exod 20:14 (echo, medium confidence) · Isa 66:2 (echo, medium confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: No sexual immorality, adultery, or abuse of boys; be gentle and forgiving.
- “Corrupt boys” (παιδοφθορήσεις): sexually abuse boys; compare Did. 2.2.
- “Among any who are impure”: the sense is uncertain; perhaps “do not speak God's word with impure lips.”
Topics: Ethics
Cite (SBL): Barn. 19.4 (Lake, LCL 24:402; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11-1/#p-19-4).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
19.5Lake, LCL 24:402
οὐ μὴ διψυχήσῃς, πότερον ἔσται ἢ οὔ. οὐ μὴ λάβῃς ἐπὶ ματαίῳ τὸ ὄνομα κυρίου. ἀγαπήσεις τὸν πλησίον σου ὑπὲρ τὴν ψυχήν σου. οὐ φονεύσεις τέκνον ἐν φθορᾷ, οὐδὲ πάλιν γεννηθὲν ἀποκτενεῖς. οὐ μὴ ἄρῃς τὴν χεῖρά σου ἀπὸ τοῦ υἱοῦ σου ἢ ἀπὸ τῆς θυγατρός σου, ἀλλὰ ἀπὸ νεότητος διδάξεις φόβου θεοῦ.
ou mē dipsychēsę̄s, poteron estai ē ou. ou mē labę̄s epi mataiǭ to onoma kyriou. agapēseis ton plēsion sou hyper tēn psychēn sou. ou phoneuseis teknon en phthorą, oude palin gennēthen apokteneis. ou mē arę̄s tēn cheira sou apo tou huiou sou ē apo tēs thygatros sou, alla apo neotētos didaxeis phobou theou.
You shall not be double-minded whether it shall be or not. You shall never take the name of the Lord in vain. You shall love your neighbor more than your own life. You shall not murder a child by abortion, nor again kill it when it is born. You shall not withhold your hand from your son or your daughter, but from their youth you shall teach them the fear of God.
Exod 20:7 (allusion, high confidence) · Lev 19:18 (echo, medium confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: Love your neighbor; do not kill a child by abortion or after birth; teach children to fear God.
- “By abortion” (ἐν φθορᾷ): literally “in destruction”; as in Did. 2.2, abortion and the killing of newborns (exposure) are both condemned.
- “Double-minded whether it shall be or not”: probably doubt about God's promises or judgment (compare Did. 4.4).
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (digitization slip against Lake's printed text (wrong accent)): υἱοῦ σου ἡ ἀπὸ → υἱοῦ σου ἢ ἀπὸ.
Topics: Ethics
Cite (SBL): Barn. 19.5 (Lake, LCL 24:402; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11-1/#p-19-5).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
19.6Lake, LCL 24:402
οὐ μὴ γένῃ ἐπιθυμῶν τὰ τοῦ πλησίον σου, οὐ μὴ γένῃ πλεονέκτης. οὐδὲ κολληθήσῃ ἐκ ψυχῆς σου μετὰ ὑψηλῶν, ἀλλὰ μετὰ ταπεινῶν καὶ δικαίων ἀναστραφήσῃ. τὰ συμβαίνοντά σοι ἐνεργήματα ὡς ἀγαθὰ προσδέξῃ, εἰδώς, ὅτι ἄνευ θεοῦ οὐδὲν γίνεται.
ou mē genę̄ epithymōn ta tou plēsion sou, ou mē genę̄ pleonektēs. oude kollēthēsę̄ ek psychēs sou meta hypsēlōn, alla meta tapeinōn kai dikaiōn anastraphēsę̄. ta symbainonta soi energēmata hōs agatha prosdexę̄, eidōs, hoti aneu theou ouden ginetai.
You shall not covet your neighbor's goods; you shall not be greedy. Nor shall you join yourself from your soul to the lofty, but you shall live with the humble and righteous. You shall accept the things that happen to you as good, knowing that nothing happens without God.
Exod 20:17 (echo, medium confidence) · Rom 12:16 (echo, low confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: Do not covet; keep company with the humble; accept what comes as from God.
Topics: Ethics
Cite (SBL): Barn. 19.6 (Lake, LCL 24:402; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11-1/#p-19-6).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
19.7Lake, LCL 24:402–404
οὐκ ἔσῃ διγνώμων οὐδὲ γλωσσώδης, ὑποταγήσῃ κυρίοις ὡς τύπῳ θεοῦ ἐν αἰσχύνῃ καὶ φόβῳ· οὐ μὴ ἐπιτάξῃς δούλῳ σου ἢ παιδίσκῃ ἐν πικρίᾳ, τοῖς ἐπὶ τὸν αὐτὸν θεὸν ἐλπίζουσιν, μή ποτε οὐ μὴ φοβηθήσονται τὸν ἐπʼ ἀμφοτέροις θεόν· ὅτι οὐκ ἦλθεν κατὰ πρόσωπον καλέσαι, ἀλλʼ ἐφʼ οὓς τὸ πνεῦμα ἡτοίμασεν.
ouk esę̄ dignōmōn oude glōssōdēs, hypotagēsę̄ kyriois hōs typǭ theou en aischynę̄ kai phobǭ; ou mē epitaxę̄s doulǭ sou ē paidiskę̄ en pikrią, tois epi ton auton theon elpizousin, mē pote ou mē phobēthēsontai ton epʼ amphoterois theon; hoti ouk ēlthen kata prosōpon kalesai, allʼ ephʼ hous to pneuma hētoimasen.
You shall not be double-minded or double-tongued. You shall be subject to masters as to a representation of God, with respect and fear. You shall never give orders in bitterness to your male or female slave, who hope in the same God, lest they cease to fear the God who is over both; for he came not to call people according to their status, but those whom the Spirit prepared.
Eph 6:5 (echo, medium confidence) · Eph 6:9 (echo, medium confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: Slaves respect masters; masters must not treat slaves harshly.
- As in Did. 4.10–11 and Eph 6:5–9, slavery is assumed, but masters are told that their slaves share the same God and hope.
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (digitization slip against Lake's printed text (wrong accent)): δούλῳ σου ἡ παιδίσκῃ → δούλῳ σου ἢ παιδίσκῃ.
Topics: Ethics
Cite (SBL): Barn. 19.7 (Lake, LCL 24:402–404; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11-1/#p-19-7).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
19.8Lake, LCL 24:404
κοινωνήσεις ἐν πᾶσιν τῷ πλησίον σου καὶ οὐκ ἐρεῖς ἴδια εἶναι· εἰ γὰρ ἐν τῷ ἀφθάρτῳ κοινωνοί ἐστε, πόσῳ μᾶλλον ἐν τοῖς φθαρτοῖς; οὐκ ἔσῃ πρόγλωσσος· παγὶς γὰρ τὸ στόμα θανάτου. ὅσον δύνασαι, ὑπὲρ τῆς ψυχῆς σου ἁγνεύσεις.
koinōnēseis en pasin tǭ plēsion sou kai ouk ereis idia einai; ei gar en tǭ aphthartǭ koinōnoi este, posǭ mallon en tois phthartois? ouk esę̄ proglōssos; pagis gar to stoma thanatou. hoson dynasai, hyper tēs psychēs sou hagneuseis.
You shall share everything with your neighbor and not say that anything is your own; for if you are sharers in what is imperishable, how much more in perishable things? You shall not be quick to speak, for the mouth is a snare of death. As far as you can, you shall be pure for your soul's sake.
Acts 4:32 (echo, medium confidence) · Prov 21:6 (echo, low confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: Share everything; guard the tongue; keep pure.
Topics: Ethics
Cite (SBL): Barn. 19.8 (Lake, LCL 24:404; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11-1/#p-19-8).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
19.9Lake, LCL 24:404
μὴ γίνου πρὸς μὲν τὸ λαβεῖν ἐκτείνων τὰς χεῖρας, πρὸς δὲ τὸ δοῦναι συσπῶν. ἀγαπήσεις ὡς κόρην τοῦ ὀφθαλμοῦ σου πάντα τὸν λαλοῦντά σοι τὸν λόγον κυρίου.
mē ginou pros men to labein ekteinōn tas cheiras, pros de to dounai syspōn. agapēseis hōs korēn tou ophthalmou sou panta ton lalounta soi ton logon kyriou.
Do not be one who stretches out his hands to receive, but draws them back when it comes to giving. You shall love as the apple of your eye everyone who speaks to you the word of the Lord.
Deut 32:10 (echo, low confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: Be generous; cherish those who teach you God's word.
Extrabiblical texts: Sir 4:31 (Sirach [in RC, EO, ETH canons]; allusion)
Topics: Ethics
Cite (SBL): Barn. 19.9 (Lake, LCL 24:404; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11-1/#p-19-9).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
19.10Lake, LCL 24:404
μνησθήσῃ ἡμέραν κρίσεως νυκτὸς καὶ ἡμέρας, καὶ ἐκζητήσεις καθʼ ἑκάστην ἡμέραν τὰ πρόσωπα τῶν ἁγίων, ἢ διὰ λόγου κοπιῶν καὶ πορευόμενος εἰς τὸ παρακαλέσαι καὶ μελετῶν εἰς τὸ σῶσαι ψυχὴν τῷ λόγῳ, ἢ διὰ τῶν χειρῶν σου ἐργάσῃ εἰς λύτρωσιν ἁμαρτιῶν σου.
mnēsthēsę̄ hēmeran kriseōs nyktos kai hēmeras, kai ekzētēseis kathʼ hekastēn hēmeran ta prosōpa tōn hagiōn, ē dia logou kopiōn kai poreuomenos eis to parakalesai kai meletōn eis to sōsai psychēn tǭ logǭ, ē dia tōn cheirōn sou ergasę̄ eis lytrōsin hamartiōn sou.
You shall remember the day of judgment night and day, and you shall seek out every day the company of the saints, either laboring by word and going to exhort and striving to save a soul by the word, or working with your hands for a ransom for your sins.
Notes and citation
Summary: Remember the judgment; seek the saints; work to save souls or give for your sins.
- “A ransom for your sins”: giving from one's labor (alms) as atonement for sins, as in Did. 4.6.
Topics: Eschatology, Ethics
Cite (SBL): Barn. 19.10 (Lake, LCL 24:404; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11-1/#p-19-10).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
19.11Lake, LCL 24:404
οὐ διστάσεις δοῦναι οὐδὲ διδοὺς γογγύσεις· γνώσῃ δέ, τίς ὁ τοῦ μισθοῦ καλὸς ἀνταποδότης. φυλάξεις ἃ παρέλαβες, μήτε προστιθεὶς μήτε ἀφαιρῶν. εἰς τέλος μισήσεις τὸ πονηρόν. κρινεῖς δικαίως.
ou distaseis dounai oude didous gongyseis; gnōsę̄ de, tis ho tou misthou kalos antapodotēs. phylaxeis ha parelabes, mēte prostitheis mēte aphairōn. eis telos misēseis to ponēron. krineis dikaiōs.
You shall not hesitate to give, nor grumble when giving; but you shall know who is the good paymaster of the reward. You shall keep what you have received, neither adding nor taking away. You shall utterly hate evil. You shall judge justly.
Deut 4:2 (allusion, medium confidence) · Deut 12:32 (allusion, medium confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: Give without grumbling; keep the teaching unaltered; judge justly.
Topics: Ethics
Cite (SBL): Barn. 19.11 (Lake, LCL 24:404; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11-1/#p-19-11).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
19.12Lake, LCL 24:404–406
οὐ ποιήσεις σχίσμα, εἰρηνεύσεις δὲ μαχομένους συναγαγών. ἐξομολογήσῃ ἐπὶ ἁμαρτίαις σου. οὐ προσήξεις ἐπὶ προσευχὴν ἐν συνειδήσει πονηρᾷ. αὕτη ἐστὶν ἡ ὁδὸς τοῦ φωτός.
ou poiēseis schisma, eirēneuseis de machomenous synagagōn. exomologēsę̄ epi hamartiais sou. ou prosēxeis epi proseuchēn en syneidēsei ponērą. hautē estin hē hodos tou phōtos.
You shall not cause division, but you shall make peace by bringing together those who quarrel. You shall confess your sins. You shall not come to prayer with an evil conscience. This is the way of light.
Notes and citation
Summary: Make peace, confess sins, and pray with a clean conscience.
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (punctuation slip in the digital text): ἡ ὁδὸς, τοῦ φωτός → ἡ ὁδὸς τοῦ φωτός.
Cite (SBL): Barn. 19.12 (Lake, LCL 24:404–406; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11-1/#p-19-12).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
Chapter 20
20.1Lake, LCL 24:406
Ἡ δὲ τοῦ μέλανος ὁδός ἐστιν σκολιὰ καὶ κατάρας μεστή. ὁδὸς γάρ ἐστιν θανάτου αἰωνίου μετὰ τιμωρίας, ἐν ᾗ ἐστιν τὰ ἀπολλύντα τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτῶν· εἰδωλολατρεία, θρασύτης, ὕψος δυνάμεως, ὑπόκρισις, διπλοκαρδία, μοιχεία, φόνος, ἁρπαγή, ὑπερηφανία, παράβασις, δόλος, κακία, αὐθάδεια, φαρμακεία, μαγεία, πλεονεξία, ἀφοβία θεοῦ.
Hē de tou melanos hodos estin skolia kai kataras mestē. hodos gar estin thanatou aiōniou meta timōrias, en hę̄ estin ta apollynta tēn psychēn autōn; eidōlolatreia, thrasytēs, hypsos dynameōs, hypokrisis, diplokardia, moicheia, phonos, harpagē, hyperēphania, parabasis, dolos, kakia, authadeia, pharmakeia, mageia, pleonexia, aphobia theou.
But the way of the Black One is crooked and full of curse. For it is the way of eternal death with punishment, in which are the things that destroy their soul: idolatry, boldness, the arrogance of power, hypocrisy, double-heartedness, adultery, murder, robbery, pride, transgression, deceit, malice, self-will, sorcery, magic, greed, lack of the fear of God.
Notes and citation
Summary: The way of darkness: a list of vices leading to eternal death.
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (digitization slip against Lake's printed text (wrong breathing)): ἐν ᾖ ἐστιν → ἐν ᾗ ἐστιν.
Topics: Ethics, Eschatology
Cite (SBL): Barn. 20.1 (Lake, LCL 24:406; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11-1/#p-20-1).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
20.2Lake, LCL 24:406
διῶκται τῶν ἀγαθῶν, μισοῦντες ἀλήθειαν, ἀγαπῶντες ψεῦδος, οὐ γινώσκοντες μισθὸν δικαιοσύνης, οὐ κολλώμενοι ἀγαθῷ, οὐ κρίσει δικαίᾳ, χήρᾳ καὶ ὀρφανῷ οὐ προσέχοντες, ἀγρυπνοῦντες οὐκ εἰς φόβον θεοῦ, ἀλλʼ ἐπὶ τὸ πονηρόν, ὧν μακρὰν καὶ πόρρω πραΰτης καὶ ὑπομονή, ἀγαπῶντες μάταια, διώκοντες ἀνταπόδομα, οὐκ ἐλεῶντες πτωχόν, οὐ πονοῦντες ἐπὶ καταπονουμένῳ, εὐχερεῖς ἐν καταλαλιᾷ, οὐ γινώσκοντες τὸν ποιήσαντα αὐτούς, φονεῖς τέκνων, φθορεῖς πλάσματος θεοῦ, ἀποστρεφόμενοι τὸν ἐνδεόμενον, καταπονοῦντες τὸν θλιβόμενον, πλουσίων παράκλητοι, πενήτων ἄνομοι κριταί, πανθαμάρτητοι.
diōktai tōn agathōn, misountes alētheian, agapōntes pseudos, ou ginōskontes misthon dikaiosynēs, ou kollōmenoi agathǭ, ou krisei dikaią, chērą kai orphanǭ ou prosechontes, agrypnountes ouk eis phobon theou, allʼ epi to ponēron, hōn makran kai porrō praÿtēs kai hypomonē, agapōntes mataia, diōkontes antapodoma, ouk eleōntes ptōchon, ou ponountes epi kataponoumenǭ, euchereis en katalalią, ou ginōskontes ton poiēsanta autous, phoneis teknōn, phthoreis plasmatos theou, apostrephomenoi ton endeomenon, kataponountes ton thlibomenon, plousiōn paraklētoi, penētōn anomoi kritai, panthamartētoi.
Persecutors of the good, hating truth, loving falsehood, not knowing the reward of righteousness, not clinging to the good nor to righteous judgment, paying no attention to the widow and the orphan, lying awake not for the fear of God but for evil; from whom gentleness and endurance are far and distant; loving vain things, pursuing reward, having no pity for the poor, not toiling for the oppressed, quick to slander, not knowing the one who made them, murderers of children, destroyers of God's handiwork, turning away the needy, oppressing the afflicted, advocates of the rich, lawless judges of the poor, utterly sinful.
Notes and citation
Summary: Those on the way of darkness oppress the poor and kill children.
- “Murderers of children, destroyers of God's handiwork”: the same words as in Did. 5.2.
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (digitization slip against Lake's printed text (wrong breathing and accent)): ὦν μακρὰν → ὧν μακρὰν.
Topics: Ethics
Cite (SBL): Barn. 20.2 (Lake, LCL 24:406; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11-1/#p-20-2).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
Chapter 21
21.1Lake, LCL 24:406–408
Καλὸν οὖν ἐστὶν μαθόντα τὰ δικαιώματα τοῦ κυρίου, ὅσα γέγραπται, ἐν τούτοις περιπατεῖν· ὁ γὰρ ταῦτα ποιῶν ἐν τῇ βασιλείᾳ τοῦ θεοῦ δοξασθήσεται· ὁ ἐκεῖνα ἐκλεγόμενος μετὰ τῶν ἔργων αὐτοῦ συναπολεῖται. διὰ τοῦτο ἀνάστασις. διὰ τοῦτο ἀνταπόδομα.
Kalon oun estin mathonta ta dikaiōmata tou kyriou, hosa gegraptai, en toutois peripatein; ho gar tauta poiōn en tę̄ basileią tou theou doxasthēsetai; ho ekeina eklegomenos meta tōn ergōn autou synapoleitai. dia touto anastasis. dia touto antapodoma.
It is good, then, having learned the righteous decrees of the Lord, as many as are written, to walk in them. For whoever does these things will be glorified in the kingdom of God; whoever chooses those things will perish together with his works. For this reason there is a resurrection; for this reason there is a recompense.
Notes and citation
Summary: Walk in the Lord's decrees; there will be resurrection and recompense.
Topics: Eschatology
Cite (SBL): Barn. 21.1 (Lake, LCL 24:406–408; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11-1/#p-21-1).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
21.2Lake, LCL 24:408
ἐρωτῶ τοὺς ὑπερέχοντας, εἴ τινά μου γνώμης ἀγαθῆς λαμβάνετε συμβουλίαν· ἔχετε μεθʼ ἑαυτῶν εἰς οὓς ἐργάσησθε τὸ καλόν· μὴ ἐλλείπητε,
erōtō tous hyperechontas, ei tina mou gnōmēs agathēs lambanete symboulian; echete methʼ heautōn eis hous ergasēsthe to kalon; mē elleipēte,
I ask those who are in high positions, if you will accept any advice from my goodwill: you have among you those to whom you may do good; do not fail.
Notes and citation
Summary: An appeal to the well-off to do good to those among them.
Topics: Ethics
Cite (SBL): Barn. 21.2 (Lake, LCL 24:408; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11-1/#p-21-2).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
21.3Lake, LCL 24:408
ἐγγὺς ἡ ἡμέρα ἐν ᾗ συναπολεῖται πάντα τῷ πονηρῷ· ἐγγὺς ὁ κύριος καὶ ὁ μισθὸς αὐτοῦ.
engys hē hēmera en hę̄ synapoleitai panta tǭ ponērǭ; engys ho kyrios kai ho misthos autou.
The day is near when everything will perish together with the evil one; the Lord and his reward are near.
Isa 40:10 (echo, medium confidence) · Rev 22:12 (echo, medium confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: The day of the Lord and his reward is near.
Topics: Eschatology
Cite (SBL): Barn. 21.3 (Lake, LCL 24:408; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11-1/#p-21-3).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
21.4Lake, LCL 24:408
ἔτι καὶ ἔτι ἐρωτῶ ὑμᾶς· ἑαυτῶν γίνεσθε νομοθέται ἀγαθοί, ἑαυτῶν μένετε σύμβουλοι πιστοί, ἄρατε ἐξ ὑμῶν πᾶσαν ὑπόκρισιν.
eti kai eti erōtō hymas; heautōn ginesthe nomothetai agathoi, heautōn menete symbouloi pistoi, arate ex hymōn pasan hypokrisin.
Again and again I ask you: be good lawgivers for one another; remain faithful counselors of one another; remove all hypocrisy from among you.
Notes and citation
Summary: Be good guides and counselors to one another.
Cite (SBL): Barn. 21.4 (Lake, LCL 24:408; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11-1/#p-21-4).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
21.5Lake, LCL 24:408
ὁ δὲ θεός, ὁ τοῦ παντὸς κόσμου κυριεύων, δῴη ὑμῖν σοφίαν, σύνεσιν, ἐπιστήμην, γνῶσιν τῶν δικαιωμάτων αὐτοῦ, ὑπομονήν.
ho de theos, ho tou pantos kosmou kyrieuōn, dǭē hymin sophian, synesin, epistēmēn, gnōsin tōn dikaiōmatōn autou, hypomonēn.
And may God, who rules the whole world, give you wisdom, understanding, insight, knowledge of his righteous decrees, and endurance.
Notes and citation
Summary: A prayer for wisdom and endurance.
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (punctuation slip in the digital text (the list continues)): σύνεσιν. ἐπιστήμην → σύνεσιν, ἐπιστήμην.
Topics: Prayer
Cite (SBL): Barn. 21.5 (Lake, LCL 24:408; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11-1/#p-21-5).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
21.6Lake, LCL 24:408
γίνεσθε δὲ θεοδίδακτοι, ἐκζητοῦντες τί ζητεῖ κύριος ἀφʼ ὑμῶν, καὶ ποιεῖτε ἵνα εὑρεθῆτε ἐν ἡμέρᾳ κρίσεως.
ginesthe de theodidaktoi, ekzētountes ti zētei kyrios aphʼ hymōn, kai poieite hina heurethēte en hēmerą kriseōs.
And be taught by God, seeking out what the Lord seeks from you, and do it, so that you may be found on the day of judgment.
1 Thess 4:9 (echo, medium confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: Be taught by God and ready for the judgment.
Topics: Eschatology
Cite (SBL): Barn. 21.6 (Lake, LCL 24:408; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11-1/#p-21-6).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
21.7Lake, LCL 24:408
εἰ δὲ τίς ἐστιν ἀγαθοῦ μνεία, μνημονεύετέ μου μελετῶντες ταῦτα, ἵνα καὶ ἡ ἐπιθυμία καὶ ἡ ἀγρυπνία εἴς τι ἀγαθὸν χωρήσῃ. ἐρωτῶ ὑμᾶς, χάριν αἰτούμενος.
ei de tis estin agathou mneia, mnēmoneuete mou meletōntes tauta, hina kai hē epithymia kai hē agrypnia eis ti agathon chōrēsę̄. erōtō hymas, charin aitoumenos.
And if there is any remembrance of good, remember me as you meditate on these things, so that both my desire and my watchfulness may come to some good. I ask you, begging this as a favor.
Notes and citation
Summary: The author asks to be remembered.
Cite (SBL): Barn. 21.7 (Lake, LCL 24:408; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11-1/#p-21-7).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
21.8Lake, LCL 24:408
ἕως ἔτι τὸ καλὸν σκεῦός ἐστιν μεθʼ ὑμῶν, μὴ ἐλλείπητε μηδενὶ ἑαυτῶν, ἀλλὰ συνεχῶς ἐκζητεῖτε ταῦτα καὶ ἀναπληροῦτε πᾶσαν ἐντολήν· ἔστιν γὰρ ἄξια.
heōs eti to kalon skeuos estin methʼ hymōn, mē elleipēte mēdeni heautōn, alla synechōs ekzēteite tauta kai anaplēroute pasan entolēn; estin gar axia.
While the good vessel is still with you, do not fail in any of these things, but seek them out constantly and fulfill every commandment; for they are worthy.
Notes and citation
Summary: While in the body, keep every commandment.
- “The good vessel”: the body.
Cite (SBL): Barn. 21.8 (Lake, LCL 24:408; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11-1/#p-21-8).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.
21.9Lake, LCL 24:408
διὸ μᾶλλον ἐσπούδασα γράψαι ἀφʼ ὧν ἠδυνήθην, εἰς τὸ εὐφρᾶναι ὑμᾶς. σώζεσθε, ἀγάπης τέκνα καὶ εἰρήνης. ὁ κύριος τῆς δόξης καὶ πάσης χάριτος μετὰ τοῦ πνεύματος ὑμῶν. Ἐπιστολὴ Βαρνάβα
dio mallon espoudasa grapsai aphʼ hōn ēdynēthēn, eis to euphranai hymas. sōzesthe, agapēs tekna kai eirēnēs. ho kyrios tēs doxēs kai pasēs charitos meta tou pneumatos hymōn. Epistolē Barnaba
For this reason I have been all the more eager to write, as far as I was able, to gladden you. Farewell, children of love and peace. The Lord of glory and of all grace be with your spirit. [The Epistle of Barnabas.]
Textual problem in this passage: see the notes.
Gal 6:18 (echo, medium confidence) · Phlm 1:25 (echo, medium confidence)
Notes and citation
Summary: Farewell and blessing.
- The last line is the manuscript's title for the work.
Notes on the original text
- Digital text corrected (punctuation slip in the digital text (the sentence continues)): ἠδυνήθην. εἰς τὸ → ἠδυνήθην, εἰς τὸ.
Cite (SBL): Barn. 21.9 (Lake, LCL 24:408; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11-1/#p-21-9).
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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Greek text of Lake (LCL 24, 1912); made independently of existing English translations.