Deuteronomy 18 in the early church

124 passages quote, allude to, or echo Deuteronomy 18, grouped by verse; passages on the same verse are in date order. Verse text from the Berean Standard Bible (public domain). References use the Protestant English Bible's numbering, with a writer's own numbering in brackets where it differs.

Verses: 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 9 · 10 · 13 · 14 · 15 · 16 · 17 · 18 · 19 · 20 · 21 · 22

Deuteronomy 18:1

The Levitical priests—indeed the whole tribe of Levi—shall have no portion or inheritance with Israel. They are to eat the food offerings to the LORD; that is their inheritance.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Deut 18:1Against Heresies 4.8.3 · Irenaeus of Lyonsquotation, high confidenceca. 180–190
Deut 18:1–2Tractates on the Psalms 118.8.3 · Hilary of Poitiersquotation, high confidenceca. 360–367
Deut 18:1–5Commentary on 1 Corinthians 9:13 · Ambrosiasterallusion, high confidenceca. 366–384
Deut 18:1–2Apostolic Constitutions 2.25.6 · Anonymousallusion, medium confidenceca. 380
Deut 18:1To the Church 2.38 · Salvian of Marseillesallusion, high confidenceca. 435-440

Deuteronomy 18:2

Although they have no inheritance among their brothers, the LORD is their inheritance, as He promised them.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Deut 18:2Exposition of Psalm 118 8.4.4 · Ambroseallusion, high confidenceca. 386-397

Deuteronomy 18:3

This shall be the priests’ share from the people who offer a sacrifice, whether a bull or a sheep: the priests are to be given the shoulder, the jowls, and the stomach.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Deut 18:3Homily on Luke 37 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 233–250
Deut 18:3Homilies on Exodus 9.4 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)
Deut 18:3Letter 64.1 · Jeromeallusion, high confidenceca. 370–419
Deut 18:3Letter 64.2 · Jeromeallusion, high confidenceca. 370–419

Deuteronomy 18:4

You are to give them the firstfruits of your grain, new wine, and oil, and the first wool sheared from your flock.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Deut 18:4Didache 13.3 · Anonymousecho, medium confidenceca. 50–150 (often ca. 100)

Deuteronomy 18:9

When you enter the land that the LORD your God is giving you, do not imitate the detestable ways of the nations there.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Deut 18:9–12Homilies on Numbers 16.7 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)
Deut 18:9–13Demonstration of the Gospel 4.10.7 · Eusebius of Caesareaquotation, high confidenceca. 314–324
Deut 18:9–12On the Witch of Endor 24 · Eustathius of Antiochquotation, high confidenceca. 324–337

Deuteronomy 18:10

Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, practices divination or conjury, interprets omens, practices sorcery,

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Deut 18:10Homilies on Numbers 13.5 · Origenallusion, medium confidenceca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)
Deut 18:10To Quirinus 3.82 · Cyprian of Carthageecho, low confidenceca. 248–250 (book 3 perhaps later)
Deut 18:10Apostolic Church Order 10 · Anonymousallusion, low confidenceca. 300
Deut 18:10Homilies 14.5 · Anonymousallusion, low confidence4th century (reworking earlier material)
Deut 18:10Prophetic Extracts 4.0 · Eusebius of Caesareaallusion, medium confidencebefore 325 (probably ca. 310–320)
Deut 18:10–12On the Witch of Endor 2 · Eustathius of Antiochallusion, medium confidenceca. 324–337
Deut 18:10–11Catechetical Lecture 4.37 · Cyril of Jerusalemecho, medium confidenceca. 350
Deut 18:10–11Apostolic Constitutions 7.6.2 · Anonymousallusion, high confidenceca. 380
Deut 18:10–11Book of Heresies 21.3 · Philastrius of Bresciaallusion, low confidenceca. 380s
Deut 18:10–11City of God 21.6 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, low confidence413–426

Deuteronomy 18:13

You must be blameless before the LORD your God.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Deut 18:13–16Homilies on Numbers 16.7 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)
Deut 18:13On Man's Perfection in Righteousness 20 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 415

Deuteronomy 18:14

Though these nations, which you will dispossess, listen to conjurers and diviners, the LORD your God has not permitted you to do so.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Deut 18:14–15Against Celsus 1.36 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 248
Deut 18:14–15Against Celsus 4.95 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 248
Deut 18:14Prophetic Extracts 4.0 · Eusebius of Caesareaquotation, high confidencebefore 325 (probably ca. 310–320)

Deuteronomy 18:15

The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your brothers. You must listen to him.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Deut 18:15To Autolycus 3.11 · Theophilus of Antiochecho, low confidenceca. 180–185
Deut 18:15The Instructor 1.7.60 · Clement of Alexandriaquotation, high confidenceca. 190–200
Deut 18:15Against Heresies 3.12.3 · Irenaeus of Lyonsallusion, high confidenceca. 180–190
Deut 18:15Miscellanies 4.21.130 · Clement of Alexandriaallusion, high confidenceca. 198–203
Deut 18:15Against Marcion 4.22 · Tertullianquotation, high confidence207/208 (third edition, completed later)
Deut 18:15Commentary on John 6.45 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 230–248
Deut 18:15Commentary on John 6.90 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 230–248
Deut 18:15Commentary on John 13.374 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 230–248
Deut 18:15Homilies on Exodus 12.3 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)
Deut 18:15Homilies on Jeremiah 1.12 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 240
Deut 18:15On the Trinity 9 · Novatianquotation, high confidenceca. 240–250
Deut 18:15Commentary on Matthew 17.14 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 246–248
Deut 18:15Acta Archelai (Latin) 46 · Hegemoniusquotation, high confidenceearly to mid 4th century (Greek original)
Deut 18:15Acta Archelai (Latin) 50 · Hegemoniusquotation, high confidenceearly to mid 4th century (Greek original)
Deut 18:15Homilies 3.53 · Anonymousquotation, high confidence4th century (reworking earlier material)
Deut 18:15Recognitions 1.36 · Anonymousquotation, high confidenceGreek original 3rd–4th century; Rufinus's Latin translation before 407
Deut 18:15Recognitions 1.40 · Anonymousallusion, high confidenceGreek original 3rd–4th century; Rufinus's Latin translation before 407
Deut 18:15Recognitions 1.43 · Anonymousallusion, medium confidenceGreek original 3rd–4th century; Rufinus's Latin translation before 407
Deut 18:15Recognitions 1.49 · Anonymousallusion, medium confidenceGreek original 3rd–4th century; Rufinus's Latin translation before 407
Deut 18:15Recognitions 1.56 · Anonymousallusion, medium confidenceGreek original 3rd–4th century; Rufinus's Latin translation before 407
Deut 18:15Recognitions 1.57 · Anonymousallusion, medium confidenceGreek original 3rd–4th century; Rufinus's Latin translation before 407
Deut 18:15Recognitions 7.33 · Anonymousallusion, medium confidenceGreek original 3rd–4th century; Rufinus's Latin translation before 407
Deut 18:15Prophetic Extracts 1.15 · Eusebius of Caesareaquotation, high confidencebefore 325 (probably ca. 310–320)
Deut 18:15Prophetic Extracts 4.0 · Eusebius of Caesareaquotation, high confidencebefore 325 (probably ca. 310–320)
Deut 18:15Preparation for the Gospel 8.10.4 · Eusebius of Caesareaallusion, low confidenceca. 313–324
Deut 18:15Demonstration of the Gospel 1.3.43 · Eusebius of Caesareaquotation, high confidenceca. 314–324
Deut 18:15Demonstration of the Gospel 1.7.7 · Eusebius of Caesareaquotation, high confidenceca. 314–324
Deut 18:15Demonstration of the Gospel 1.7.8 · Eusebius of Caesareaquotation, high confidenceca. 314–324
Deut 18:15Demonstration of the Gospel 1.7.20 · Eusebius of Caesareaallusion, high confidenceca. 314–324
Deut 18:15Demonstration of the Gospel 1.7.22 · Eusebius of Caesareaquotation, high confidenceca. 314–324
Deut 18:15–16Demonstration of the Gospel 3.2.3 · Eusebius of Caesareaquotation, high confidenceca. 314–324
Deut 18:15–16Demonstration of the Gospel 3.2.29 · Eusebius of Caesareaquotation, high confidenceca. 314–324
Deut 18:15–19Demonstration of the Gospel 9.11.1 · Eusebius of Caesareaquotation, high confidenceca. 314–324
Deut 18:15Demonstration of the Gospel 9.11.3 · Eusebius of Caesareaallusion, high confidenceca. 314–324
Deut 18:15Oration I Against the Arians 54 · Athanasius of Alexandriaquotation, high confidenceca. 339–346
Deut 18:15Catechetical Lecture 12.17 · Cyril of Jerusalemquotation, high confidenceca. 350
Deut 18:15Long recension, Antiochians 2 · Anonymousquotation, high confidencelater 4th century (probable)
Deut 18:15Against the Manichees, Greek continuation of book 3, Lagarde p. 86 · Titus of Bostraquotation, high confidenceca. 360s
Deut 18:15Commentary on Colossians 1:23–24 · Ambrosiasterquotation, high confidenceca. 366–384
Deut 18:15Commentary on Galatians 3:20 · Ambrosiasterquotation, high confidenceca. 366–384
Deut 18:15Panarion (Adversus Haereses), Haer. 1-64 8.5.6 · Epiphanius of Salamisallusion, high confidence374-377
Deut 18:15Panarion (Adversus Haereses), Haer. 1-64 42.11.17 · Epiphanius of Salamisquotation, high confidence374-377
Deut 18:15Panarion (Adversus Haereses), Haer. 1-64 42.12.3 · Epiphanius of Salamisquotation, high confidence374-377
Deut 18:15Panarion (Adversus Haereses), Haer. 1-64 54.3.1 · Epiphanius of Salamisquotation, high confidence374-377
Deut 18:15Apostolic Constitutions 5.20.6 · Anonymousquotation, high confidenceca. 380
Deut 18:15Book of Heresies 119.2 · Philastrius of Bresciaquotation, high confidenceca. 380s
Deut 18:15Exposition of Psalm 118 8.54.1 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 386-397
Deut 18:15Against Faustus the Manichaean 16.4 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 398–400
Deut 18:15Against Faustus the Manichaean 16.15 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 398–400
Deut 18:15Against Faustus the Manichaean 16.18 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 398–400
Deut 18:15Against Faustus the Manichaean 16.19 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 398–400
Deut 18:15Against Faustus the Manichaean 16.22 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 398–400
Deut 18:15Tractates 9 · Gaudentius of Bresciaquotation, high confidenceca. 397-410
Deut 18:15Questions and Answers to the Orthodox 100–101 · Anonymousquotation, high confidence5th century (disputed)
Deut 18:15Book 3, lines 202–227 · Seduliusallusion, medium confidenceca. 425-450
Deut 18:15Book 3, section 18 · Seduliusallusion, medium confidenceca. 425-450
Deut 18:15Chapter 13 · Quodvultdeus of Carthagequotation, high confidenceca. 437-450

Deuteronomy 18:16

This is what you asked of the LORD your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly, when you said, “Let us not hear the voice of the LORD our God or see this great fire anymore, so that we will not die!”

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Deut 18:16Prophetic Extracts 1.15 · Eusebius of Caesareaquotation, high confidencebefore 325 (probably ca. 310–320)

Deuteronomy 18:17

Then the LORD said to me, “They have spoken well.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Deut 18:17Prophetic Extracts 1.15 · Eusebius of Caesareaquotation, high confidencebefore 325 (probably ca. 310–320)
Deut 18:17–18Demonstration of the Gospel 9.11.7 · Eusebius of Caesareaquotation, high confidenceca. 314–324

Deuteronomy 18:18

I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. I will put My words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Deut 18:18–19To Quirinus 1.18 · Cyprian of Carthagequotation, high confidenceca. 248–250 (book 3 perhaps later)
Deut 18:18Prophetic Extracts 1.15 · Eusebius of Caesareaquotation, high confidencebefore 325 (probably ca. 310–320)
Deut 18:18Divine Institutes 4.17.6 · Lactantiusquotation, high confidenceca. 303–311
Deut 18:18Demonstration of the Gospel 1.7.7 · Eusebius of Caesareaallusion, medium confidenceca. 314–324
Deut 18:18–19Demonstration of the Gospel 3.2.2 · Eusebius of Caesareaquotation, high confidenceca. 314–324
Deut 18:18–19Demonstration of the Gospel 3.2.28 · Eusebius of Caesareaquotation, high confidenceca. 314–324
Deut 18:18To the Bishops of Egypt 4 · Athanasius of Alexandriaallusion, medium confidenceca. 356
Deut 18:18Commentary on Romans 10:13 · Ambrosiasterquotation, medium confidenceca. 366–384
Deut 18:18Against Faustus the Manichaean 16.4 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidenceca. 398–400
Deut 18:18Against Faustus the Manichaean 16.15 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidenceca. 398–400
Deut 18:18Tractates on the Gospel of John 15.23 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 406–420
Deut 18:18Tractates on the Gospel of John 24.7 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 406–420

Deuteronomy 18:19

And I will hold accountable anyone who does not listen to My words that the prophet speaks in My name.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Deut 18:19The Instructor 1.7.60 · Clement of Alexandriaquotation, high confidenceca. 190–200
Deut 18:19Against Heresies 3.12.3 · Irenaeus of Lyonsallusion, high confidenceca. 180–190
Deut 18:19Against Marcion 4.22 · Tertullianquotation, high confidence207/208 (third edition, completed later)
Deut 18:19Homilies on Jeremiah 1.12 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 240
Deut 18:19Commentary on Matthew 17.14 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 246–248
Deut 18:19Homilies 3.53 · Anonymousallusion, medium confidence4th century (reworking earlier material)
Deut 18:19Recognitions 1.36 · Anonymousquotation, high confidenceGreek original 3rd–4th century; Rufinus's Latin translation before 407
Deut 18:19Prophetic Extracts 1.15 · Eusebius of Caesareaquotation, high confidencebefore 325 (probably ca. 310–320)
Deut 18:19Divine Institutes 4.17.6 · Lactantiusquotation, high confidenceca. 303–311
Deut 18:19Demonstration of the Gospel 1.3.43 · Eusebius of Caesareaallusion, high confidenceca. 314–324
Deut 18:19Demonstration of the Gospel 1.7.20 · Eusebius of Caesareaquotation, high confidenceca. 314–324
Deut 18:19Demonstration of the Gospel 1.7.22 · Eusebius of Caesareaquotation, high confidenceca. 314–324
Deut 18:19Demonstration of the Gospel 9.11.13 · Eusebius of Caesareaquotation, high confidenceca. 314–324
Deut 18:19Commentary on Colossians 1:23–24 · Ambrosiasterquotation, high confidenceca. 366–384
Deut 18:19Commentary on Romans 10:13 · Ambrosiasterquotation, high confidenceca. 366–384
Deut 18:19Panarion (Adversus Haereses), Haer. 1-64 8.7.2 · Epiphanius of Salamisallusion, high confidence374-377
Deut 18:19Book of Heresies 119.2 · Philastrius of Bresciaquotation, medium confidenceca. 380s
Deut 18:19Exposition of Psalm 118 8.54.1 · Ambroseallusion, high confidenceca. 386-397
Deut 18:19Tractates 9 · Gaudentius of Bresciaquotation, high confidenceca. 397-410
Deut 18:19Chapter 13 · Quodvultdeus of Carthagequotation, high confidenceca. 437-450

Deuteronomy 18:20

But if any prophet dares to speak a message in My name that I have not commanded him to speak, or to speak in the name of other gods, that prophet must be put to death.”

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Deut 18:20Exhortation to Martyrdom 8 · Origenquotation, high confidence235

Deuteronomy 18:21

You may ask in your heart, “How can we recognize a message that the LORD has not spoken?”

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Deut 18:21–22Commentary on Jeremiah 5.59 · Jeromeallusion, high confidenceca. 414-419

Deuteronomy 18:22

When a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD and the message does not come to pass or come true, that is a message the LORD has not spoken. The prophet has spoken presumptuously. Do not be afraid of him.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Deut 18:22Recognitions 8.60 · Anonymousecho, medium confidenceGreek original 3rd–4th century; Rufinus's Latin translation before 407