Genesis 18 in the early church
363 passages quote, allude to, or echo Genesis 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 · 6 · 7 · 8 · 9 · 10 · 11 · 12 · 13 · 14 · 15 · 16 · 17 · 18 · 19 · 20 · 21 · 22 · 23 · 24 · 25 · 27 · 32 · 33
Genesis 18:1
Then the LORD appeared to Abraham by the Oaks of Mamre in the heat of the day, while he was sitting at the entrance of his tent.
Genesis 18:2
And Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he ran from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground.
Genesis 18:3
“My lord,” said Abraham, “if I have found favor in your sight, please do not pass your servant by.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gen 18:3 | Prophetic Extracts 1.3 · Eusebius of Caesarea | quotation, high confidence | before 325 (probably ca. 310–320) |
| Gen 18:3 | Ancoratus 29.5 · Epiphanius of Salamis | quotation, high confidence | 374 |
| Gen 18:3 | Altercatio, chapter 2, speech 10 · Evagrius of Gaul | quotation, high confidence | ca. 400 |
| Gen 18:3 | On the Duties of the Clergy 2.21 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 386–390 |
| Gen 18:3–17 | Genesis, lines 600–624 · Cyprianus Gallus | allusion, high confidence | early 5th cent. |
Genesis 18:4
Let a little water be brought, that you may wash your feet and rest yourselves under the tree.
Genesis 18:6
So Abraham hurried into the tent and said to Sarah, “Quick! Prepare three seahs of fine flour, knead it, and bake some bread.”
Genesis 18:7
Meanwhile, Abraham ran to the herd, selected a tender and choice calf, and gave it to a servant, who hurried to prepare it.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gen 18:7 | Fragments on Luke, column 361 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Gen 18:7 | Commentary on Matthew 15.33 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 246–248 |
| Gen 18:7 | Tractates 2.38.1 · Zeno of Verona | allusion, high confidence | ca. 362-380 |
| Gen 18:7 | Panarion (Adversus Haereses), Haer. 1-64 18.2.5 · Epiphanius of Salamis | allusion, high confidence | 374-377 |
| Gen 18:7 | On Cain and Abel 1.31 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 375-378 |
| Gen 18:7 | Homilies on Matthew 35.5 · John Chrysostom | allusion, high confidence | ca. 390 |
| Gen 18:7 | On Elijah and Fasting 13 · Ambrose | allusion, high confidence | ca. 387-390 |
Genesis 18:8
Then Abraham brought curds and milk and the calf that had been prepared, and he set them before the men and stood by them under the tree as they ate.
Genesis 18:9
“Where is your wife Sarah?” they asked. “There, in the tent,” he replied.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gen 18:9 | Ancoratus 39.4 · Epiphanius of Salamis | quotation, high confidence | 374 |
| Gen 18:9 | Ancoratus 108.1 · Epiphanius of Salamis | quotation, high confidence | 374 |
| Gen 18:9 | Ancoratus 109.5 · Epiphanius of Salamis | quotation, high confidence | 374 |
Genesis 18:10
Then the LORD said, “I will surely return to you at this time next year, and your wife Sarah will have a son!” Now Sarah was behind him, listening at the entrance to the tent.
Genesis 18:11
And Abraham and Sarah were already old and well along in years; Sarah had passed the age of childbearing.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gen 18:11 | Exhortation to Chastity 12 · Tertullian | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 208 |
| Gen 18:11 | Fragments on Genesis, column 115 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Gen 18:11 | On Prayer 2.1 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 233–234 |
| Gen 18:11 | Commentary on Romans 4.6 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 244–246 (Rufinus's translation ca. 405–406) |
| Gen 18:11 | Catechetical Lecture 12.28 · Cyril of Jerusalem | allusion, high confidence | ca. 350 |
| Gen 18:11 | Tractates 2.11.2 · Zeno of Verona | allusion, high confidence | ca. 362-380 |
| Gen 18:11 | Commentary on Galatians 4:23–24 · Ambrosiaster | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 366–384 |
| Gen 18:11 | Commentary on Romans 4:17 · Ambrosiaster | allusion, high confidence | ca. 366–384 |
| Gen 18:11–14 | Question 43, section 2 · Ambrosiaster | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 370–384 |
| Gen 18:11 | Letter 64.2 · Jerome | allusion, high confidence | ca. 370–419 |
| Gen 18:11 | Letter 65.1 · Jerome | allusion, high confidence | ca. 370–419 |
| Gen 18:11 | Ancoratus 94.5 · Epiphanius of Salamis | allusion, high confidence | 374 |
| Gen 18:11 | Against Helvidius 22 · Jerome | quotation, high confidence | ca. 383 |
| Gen 18:11 | On Fleeing the World 47 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 387-391 |
| Gen 18:11–12 | Homily 20.5 on Ephesians · John Chrysostom | quotation, high confidence | ca. 392-397 |
| Gen 18:11 | City of God 16.28 · Augustine of Hippo | allusion, high confidence | 413–426 |
| Gen 18:11 | Book 1, section 4 · Sedulius | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 425-450 |
| Gen 18:11 | Part 1, chapter 10 · Quodvultdeus of Carthage | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 445-450 |
Genesis 18:12
So she laughed to herself, saying, “After I am worn out and my master is old, will I now have this pleasure?”
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gen 18:12 | Miscellanies 6.12.101 · Clement of Alexandria | allusion, high confidence | ca. 198–203 |
| Gen 18:12 | Tractates 2.10.1 · Zeno of Verona | allusion, high confidence | ca. 362-380 |
| Gen 18:12 | Commentary on 1 Corinthians 14:34 · Ambrosiaster | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 366–384 |
| Gen 18:12 | Commentary on Ephesians 5:22–24 · Ambrosiaster | allusion, high confidence | ca. 366–384 |
| Gen 18:12 | Ancoratus 39.5 · Epiphanius of Salamis | quotation, high confidence | 374 |
| Gen 18:12 | Ancoratus 109.5 · Epiphanius of Salamis | allusion, high confidence | 374 |
| Gen 18:12 | Apostolic Constitutions 6.29.1 · Anonymous | quotation, high confidence | ca. 380 |
| Gen 18:12 | Commentary on Ephesians 5:22-23 · Jerome | allusion, high confidence | ca. 386 |
| Gen 18:12–15 | City of God 16.31 · Augustine of Hippo | allusion, high confidence | 413–426 |
| Gen 18:12 | Sermon 154 · Peter Chrysologus | allusion, high confidence | ca. 425-450 |
Genesis 18:13
And the LORD asked Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Can I really bear a child when I am old?’
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gen 18:13 | Dialogue with Trypho 56.17 · Justin Martyr | quotation, high confidence | ca. 155–160 |
| Gen 18:13 | Dialogue with Trypho 126.4 · Justin Martyr | quotation, high confidence | ca. 155–160 |
| Gen 18:13–14 | On the Trinity 4.28 · Hilary of Poitiers | quotation, high confidence | ca. 356–360 |
| Gen 18:13 | Homilies on Matthew 6.6 · John Chrysostom | allusion, high confidence | ca. 390 |
Genesis 18:14
Is anything too difficult for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you—in about a year—and Sarah will have a son.”
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gen 18:14 | Dialogue with Trypho 56.17 · Justin Martyr | quotation, high confidence | ca. 155–160 |
| Gen 18:14 | Dialogue with Trypho 126.4 · Justin Martyr | quotation, high confidence | ca. 155–160 |
| Gen 18:14 | Against Praxeas 10 · Tertullian | quotation, high confidence | ca. 213 or later |
| Gen 18:14 | On the Trinity 5.15 · Hilary of Poitiers | allusion, high confidence | ca. 356–360 |
Genesis 18:15
But Sarah was afraid, so she denied it and said, “I did not laugh.” “No,” replied the LORD, “but you did laugh.”
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gen 18:15 | On Lying 5 · Augustine of Hippo | allusion, high confidence | ca. 395 |
Genesis 18:16
When the men got up to leave, they looked out over Sodom, and Abraham walked along with them to see them off.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gen 18:16 | Dialogue with Trypho 56.17 · Justin Martyr | quotation, high confidence | ca. 155–160 |
| Gen 18:16 | Dialogue with Trypho 126.5 · Justin Martyr | quotation, high confidence | ca. 155–160 |
| Gen 18:16 | Prophetic Extracts 1.3 · Eusebius of Caesarea | quotation, high confidence | before 325 (probably ca. 310–320) |
| Gen 18:16 | Letter 108.11 · Jerome | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 370–419 |
| Gen 18:16–33 | Book 3, lines 663–690 · Claudius Marius Victor | allusion, high confidence | ca. 425-430 |
Genesis 18:17
And the LORD said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do?
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gen 18:17 | Dialogue with Trypho 56.17 · Justin Martyr | quotation, high confidence | ca. 155–160 |
| Gen 18:17 | Dialogue with Trypho 126.5 · Justin Martyr | quotation, high confidence | ca. 155–160 |
| Gen 18:17 | Homilies on Leviticus 13.3 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410) |
| Gen 18:17 | Prophetic Extracts 1.3 · Eusebius of Caesarea | quotation, high confidence | before 325 (probably ca. 310–320) |
| Gen 18:17–18 | Demonstration of the Gospel 1.2.12 · Eusebius of Caesarea | quotation, high confidence | ca. 314–324 |
| Gen 18:17–18 | Demonstration of the Gospel 2.1.5 · Eusebius of Caesarea | quotation, high confidence | ca. 314–324 |
| Gen 18:17–18 | Demonstration of the Gospel 5.9.3 · Eusebius of Caesarea | quotation, high confidence | ca. 314–324 |
| Gen 18:17 | On the Trinity 4.25 · Hilary of Poitiers | quotation, high confidence | ca. 356–360 |
| Gen 18:17 | Ancoratus 29.6 · Epiphanius of Salamis | quotation, high confidence | 374 |
| Gen 18:17 | Homilies on Matthew 26.1 · John Chrysostom | quotation, high confidence | ca. 390 |
Genesis 18:18
Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and through him all the nations of the earth will be blessed.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gen 18:18 | Church History 1.4.12 · Eusebius of Caesarea | quotation, high confidence | ca. 300–325 |
| Gen 18:18 | Prophetic Extracts 1.3 · Eusebius of Caesarea | quotation, high confidence | before 325 (probably ca. 310–320) |
| Gen 18:18 | Demonstration of the Gospel 8.1.4 · Eusebius of Caesarea | quotation, high confidence | ca. 314–324 |
| Gen 18:18 | Commentary on Galatians 3.8 · Marius Victorinus | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 360–363 |
| Gen 18:18 | Book of Rules 3 · Tyconius | quotation, high confidence | ca. 380 |
| Gen 18:18 | City of God 16.29 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | 413–426 |
Genesis 18:19
For I have chosen him, so that he will command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, in order that the LORD may bring upon Abraham what He has promised.”
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gen 18:19 | Prophetic Extracts 1.3 · Eusebius of Caesarea | quotation, high confidence | before 325 (probably ca. 310–320) |
| Gen 18:19 | Demonstration of the Gospel 5.9.4 · Eusebius of Caesarea | quotation, high confidence | ca. 314–324 |
| Gen 18:19 | Demonstration 2.2 · Aphrahat | quotation, high confidence | 337-345 |
| Gen 18:19 | Letter 14 · Ammonas | echo, low confidence | ca. 340-360 |
| Gen 18:19 | Book of Rules 3 · Tyconius | quotation, high confidence | ca. 380 |
| Gen 18:19 | On 1 Tim 5.10 · Theodoret of Cyrus | quotation, high confidence | ca. 436-448 |
Genesis 18:20
Then the LORD said, “The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great. Because their sin is so grievous,
Genesis 18:21
I will go down to see if their actions fully justify the outcry that has reached Me. If not, I will find out.”
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gen 18:21 | Dialogue with Trypho 56.18 · Justin Martyr | quotation, high confidence | ca. 155–160 |
| Gen 18:21 | Dialogue with Trypho 129.1 · Justin Martyr | allusion, high confidence | ca. 155–160 |
| Gen 18:21 | Against Marcion 2.25 · Tertullian | quotation, high confidence | 207/208 (third edition, completed later) |
| Gen 18:21 | Homily on Isaiah 1 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 235–250 |
| Gen 18:21 | Commentary on Romans 5.6 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 244–246 (Rufinus's translation ca. 405–406) |
| Gen 18:21 | Homilies 3.39 · Anonymous | quotation, high confidence | 4th century (reworking earlier material) |
| Gen 18:21 | Homilies 3.43 · Anonymous | quotation, high confidence | 4th century (reworking earlier material) |
| Gen 18:21 | Homilies 3.44 · Anonymous | allusion, high confidence | 4th century (reworking earlier material) |
| Gen 18:21 | On the Trinity 9.63 · Hilary of Poitiers | quotation, high confidence | ca. 356–360 |
| Gen 18:21 | On the Synods 85 · Hilary of Poitiers | allusion, high confidence | ca. 358–359 |
| Gen 18:21 | Homilies on the Psalms 32.8 · Basil of Caesarea | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360-378 |
| Gen 18:21 | On the Christian Faith 5.17 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 378–380 |
| Gen 18:21 | Homilies on Matthew 77.3 · John Chrysostom | quotation, high confidence | ca. 390 |
| Gen 18:21 | Sermon 341.8 · Augustine of Hippo | allusion, low confidence | ca. 391-430 |
Genesis 18:22
And the two men turned away and went toward Sodom, but Abraham remained standing before the LORD.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gen 18:22 | Dialogue with Trypho 56.18 · Justin Martyr | quotation, high confidence | ca. 155–160 |
| Gen 18:22 | Miscellanies 2.11.52 · Clement of Alexandria | allusion, high confidence | ca. 198–203 |
| Gen 18:22 | Prophetic Extracts 1.3 · Eusebius of Caesarea | quotation, high confidence | before 325 (probably ca. 310–320) |
| Gen 18:22–33 | City of God 16.29 · Augustine of Hippo | allusion, high confidence | 413–426 |
Genesis 18:23
Abraham stepped forward and said, “Will You really sweep away the righteous with the wicked?
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gen 18:23 | Dialogue with Trypho 56.18 · Justin Martyr | quotation, high confidence | ca. 155–160 |
| Gen 18:23 | Miscellanies 2.11.52 · Clement of Alexandria | allusion, high confidence | ca. 198–203 |
| Gen 18:23 | Fragments on Genesis, column 115 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Gen 18:23 | PG 12:1275 (Ps 25–26 LXX) · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Gen 18:23 | Canonical Epistle, canon 2 · Gregory Thaumaturgus | quotation, high confidence | ca. 254–264 |
| Gen 18:23 | Prophetic Extracts 1.3 · Eusebius of Caesarea | quotation, high confidence | before 325 (probably ca. 310–320) |
| Gen 18:23–25 | Demonstration of the Gospel 5.9.5 · Eusebius of Caesarea | quotation, high confidence | ca. 314–324 |
| Gen 18:23 | Apostolic Constitutions 2.14.7 · Anonymous | quotation, high confidence | ca. 380 |
| Gen 18:23 | Homilies on Matthew 5.4 · John Chrysostom | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 390 |
| Gen 18:23–32 | Part 1, chapter 16 · Quodvultdeus of Carthage | quotation, high confidence | ca. 445-450 |
Genesis 18:24
What if there are fifty righteous ones in the city? Will You really sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous ones who are there?
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gen 18:24 | Homilies on Numbers 5.2 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410) |
| Gen 18:24–26 | Against Celsus 8.70 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 248 |
| Gen 18:24 | Prophetic Extracts 1.3 · Eusebius of Caesarea | quotation, high confidence | before 325 (probably ca. 310–320) |
| Gen 18:24–32 | On Cain and Abel 2.11 · Ambrose | allusion, high confidence | ca. 375-378 |
| Gen 18:24–32 | Sermon 181.2 · Augustine of Hippo | allusion, high confidence | ca. 391-430 |
Genesis 18:25
Far be it from You to do such a thing—to kill the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from You! Will not the Judge of all the earth do what is right?”
Genesis 18:27
Then Abraham answered, “Now that I have ventured to speak to the Lord—though I am but dust and ashes—
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gen 18:27 | 1 Clement 17.2 · Clement of Rome | quotation, high confidence | ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) |
| Gen 18:27 | Miscellanies 3.6.46 · Clement of Alexandria | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 198–203 |
| Gen 18:27 | Miscellanies 4.17.106 · Clement of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 198–203 |
| Gen 18:27 | Cib. 14 · Methodius of Olympus | quotation, high confidence | late 3rd cent. (disputed) |
| Gen 18:27 | Demonstration 7.16 · Aphrahat | quotation, high confidence | 337-345 |
| Gen 18:27 | Demonstration 9.13 · Aphrahat | allusion, high confidence | 337-345 |
| Gen 18:27 | Catechetical Lecture 6.3 · Cyril of Jerusalem | quotation, high confidence | ca. 350 |
| Gen 18:27 | Long recension, Magnesians 12 · Anonymous | allusion, high confidence | later 4th century (probable) |
| Gen 18:27 | On the Trinity 6.19 · Hilary of Poitiers | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 356–360 |
| Gen 18:27 | Homilies on the Psalms 28.2 · Basil of Caesarea | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 360-378 |
| Gen 18:27 | Homilies 10.1 · Basil of Caesarea | allusion, high confidence | ca. 363-378 |
| Gen 18:27 | Homilies 15.1 · Basil of Caesarea | allusion, high confidence | ca. 363-378 |
| Gen 18:27 | Letter 4.2 · Jerome | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 370–419 |
| Gen 18:27 | Letter 120.10 · Jerome | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 370–419 |
| Gen 18:27 | Exposition of Psalm 118 20.17.1 · Ambrose | allusion, high confidence | ca. 386-397 |
| Gen 18:27 | Homilies on Matthew 25.1 · John Chrysostom | allusion, high confidence | ca. 390 |
| Gen 18:27 | Homilies on Matthew 65.6 · John Chrysostom | quotation, high confidence | ca. 390 |
| Gen 18:27 | Homilies on Matthew 72.4 · John Chrysostom | quotation, high confidence | ca. 390 |
| Gen 18:27 | Letters 38.1 · Paulinus of Nola | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 394–413 |
| Gen 18:27 | Confessions 1.7 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 397–401 |
| Gen 18:27 | Confessions 7.12 · Augustine of Hippo | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 397–401 |
| Gen 18:27 | Confessions 10.7 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 397–401 |
| Gen 18:27 | Apologetic Book 17.1 · Orosius | echo, medium confidence | ca. 415–416 |
| Gen 18:27 | Apologetic Book 29.6 · Orosius | quotation, high confidence | ca. 415–416 |
| Gen 18:27 | The Institutes 12.17 · John Cassian | echo, medium confidence | ca. 419–426 |
Genesis 18:32
Finally, Abraham said, “May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak once more. Suppose ten are found there?” And He answered, “On account of the ten, I will not destroy it.”
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gen 18:32 | Fragments on Genesis, column 113 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Gen 18:32 | Homilies on Numbers 9.3 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410) |
| Gen 18:32 | Demonstration 14.14 · Aphrahat | allusion, high confidence | 337-345 |
| Gen 18:32 | Homilies on Matthew 43.2 · John Chrysostom | allusion, high confidence | ca. 390 |
| Gen 18:32 | Against Jovinianus 2.24 · Jerome | allusion, high confidence | 393 |
| Gen 18:32 | Commentary on Jeremiah 1.92 · Jerome | allusion, high confidence | ca. 414-419 |
Genesis 18:33
When the LORD had finished speaking with Abraham, He departed, and Abraham returned home.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gen 18:33 | Dialogue with Trypho 56.19 · Justin Martyr | quotation, high confidence | ca. 155–160 |
| Gen 18:33 | Prophetic Extracts 1.3 · Eusebius of Caesarea | quotation, high confidence | before 325 (probably ca. 310–320) |
| Gen 18:33 | Demonstration of the Gospel 5.11.3 · Eusebius of Caesarea | quotation, high confidence | ca. 314–324 |
| Gen 18:33 | On the Trinity 2.11 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 399–419 |
| Gen 18:33 | On the Trinity 2.12 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 399–419 |