# Epistle of Barnabas

- Author: Anonymous
- Latin title: *Epistula Barnabae*
- Date: ca. 70–135 (often ca. 130) (disputed)
- Source: Kirsopp Lake, ed. and trans., The Apostolic Fathers, vol. 1, LCL 24 (London: Heinemann; New York: Macmillan, 1912), 340–407 (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)
- Translation: Claude, from the original text; each passage below gives the model and date
- Work page: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/
- Passages: 194

## Epistle of Barnabas 1.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/1/1/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:340
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Greeting to the readers as sons and daughters.

### Greek text

Χαίρετε, υἱοὶ καὶ θυγατέρες, ἐν ὀνόματι κυρίου τοῦ ἀγαπήσαντος ἡμᾶς, ἐν εἰρήνῃ.

### English translation (Claude)

Greetings, sons and daughters, in the name of the Lord who loved us, in peace.

### Translation notes

- The letter names neither its author nor its recipients. From the late second century it was attributed to Barnabas, Paul's companion (Acts 4:36), but modern scholars regard it as anonymous.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 1.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/1/1/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 1.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/1/2/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:340
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: The author rejoices in the spiritual gifts of his readers.

### Greek text

Μεγάλων μὲν ὄντων καὶ πλουσίων τῶν τοῦ θεοῦ δικαιωμάτων εἰς ὑμᾶς, ὑπέρ τι καὶ καθʼ ὑπερβολὴν ὑπερευφραίνομαι ἐπὶ τοῖς μακαρίοις καὶ ἐνδόξοις ὑμῶν πνεύμασιν· οὕτως ἔμφυτον τῆς δωρεᾶς πνευματικῆς χάριν εἰλήφατε.

### English translation (Claude)

Since God's righteous decrees toward you are great and rich, I rejoice above all and beyond measure in your blessed and glorious spirits; so implanted is the grace of the spiritual gift that you have received.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 1.2 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/1/2/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 1.3

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/1/3/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:340
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Seeing the Spirit poured out on them fills him with joy.

### Greek text

διὸ καὶ μᾶλλον συγχαίρω ἐμαυτῷ ἐλπίζων σωθῆναι, ὅτι ἀληθῶς βλέπω ἐν ὑμῖν ἐκκεχυμένον ἀπὸ τοῦ πλουσίου τῆς πηγῆς κυρίου πνεῦμα ἐφʼ ὑμᾶς. οὕτω με ἐξέπληξεν ἐπὶ ὑμῶν ἡ ἐμοὶ ἐπιποθήτη ὄψις ὑμῶν.

### English translation (Claude)

Therefore I rejoice all the more with myself in the hope of being saved, because I truly see among you the Spirit poured out upon you from the riches of the Lord's fountain. So greatly did the sight of you, which I had longed for, astonish me concerning you.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 1.3 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/1/3/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 1.4

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/1/4/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:340
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: He loves them more than his life because of their faith and love.

### Greek text

πεπεισμένος οὖν τοῦτο καὶ συνειδὼς ἐμαυτῷ, ὅτι ἐν ὑμῖν λαλήσας πολλὰ ἐπίσταμαι, ὅτι ἐμοὶ συνώδευσεν ἐν ὁδῷ δικαιοσύνης κύριος, καὶ πάντως ἀναγκάζομαι κἀγὼ εἰς τοῦτο, ἀγαπᾶν ὑμᾶς ὑπὲρ τὴν ψυχήν μου, ὅτι μεγάλη πίστις καὶ ἀγάπη ἐγκατοικεῖ ἐν ὑμῖν ἐπʼ ἐλπίδι ζωῆς αὐτοῦ.

### English translation (Claude)

Being persuaded of this, then, and conscious that, having spoken much among you, I know that the Lord traveled with me on the way of righteousness, I too am wholly compelled to this: to love you more than my own life, because great faith and love dwell in you in the hope of his life.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 1.4 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/1/4/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 1.5

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/1/5/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:340–342
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: He writes so that they may have perfect knowledge along with their faith.

### Greek text

λογισάμενος οὖν τοῦτο, ὅτι ἐὰν μελήσῃ μοι περὶ ὑμῶν τοῦ μέρος τι μεταδοῦναι ἀφʼ οὗ ἔλαβον, ὅτι ἔσται μοι τοιούτοις πνεύμασιν ὑπηρετήσαντι εἰς μισθόν, ἐσπούδασα κατὰ μικρὸν ὑμῖν πέμπειν, ἵνα μετὰ τῆς πίστεως ὑμῶν τελείαν ἔχητε τὴν γνῶσιν.

### English translation (Claude)

Considering this, then, that if I take care to share with you some part of what I have received, it will bring me a reward for having served such spirits, I have hastened to send you a short letter, so that along with your faith you may have perfect knowledge.

### Translation notes

- “Knowledge” (γνῶσις): a key word of the letter, meaning the deeper, largely allegorical understanding of scripture that the author offers.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 1.5 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/1/5/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 1.6

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/1/6/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:342
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Three teachings of the Lord: hope, righteousness, and love.

### Greek text

Τρία οὖν δόγματά ἐστιν κυρίου· ζωῆς ἐλπίς, ἀρχὴ καὶ τέλος πίστεως ἡμῶν· καὶ δικαιοσύνη, κρίσεως ἀρχὴ καὶ τέλος· ἀγάπη εὐφροσύνης καὶ ἀγαλλιάσεως ἔργων δικαιοσύνης μαρτυρία.

### English translation (Claude)

There are, then, three teachings of the Lord: the hope of life, the beginning and end of our faith; and righteousness, the beginning and end of judgment; love of gladness and exultation, the testimony of works of righteousness.

### Translation notes

- The Greek of this verse is uncertain and the manuscripts differ; the three “teachings” are hope, righteousness, and love.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 1.6 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/1/6/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 1.7

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/1/7/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:342
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: God has revealed past, present, and future through the prophets.

### Greek text

ἐγνώρισεν γὰρ ἡμῖν ὁ δεσπότης διὰ τῶν προφητῶν τὰ παρεληλυθότα καὶ τὰ ἐνεστῶτα, καὶ τῶν μελλόντων δοὺς ἀπαρχὰς ἡμῖν γεύσεως, ὧν τὰ καθʼ ἕκαστα βλέποντες ἐνεργούμενα, καθὼς ἐλάλησεν, ὀφείλομεν πλουσιώτερον καὶ ὑψηλότερον προσάγειν τῷ φόβῳ αὐτοῦ.

### English translation (Claude)

For the Master has made known to us through the prophets the things that are past and the things that are present, and has given us a foretaste of the things to come. As we see these things coming to pass one by one, just as he spoke, we ought to draw near to the fear of him more richly and more loftily.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 1.7 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/1/7/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 1.8

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/1/8/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:342
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: He writes not as a teacher but as one of them.

### Greek text

ἐγὼ δὲ οὐχ ὡς διδάσκαλος, ἀλλʼ ὡς εἷς ἐξ ὑμῶν ὑποδείξω ὀλίγα, διʼ ὧν ἐν τοῖς παροῦσιν εὐφρανθήσεσθε.

### English translation (Claude)

But I, not as a teacher but as one of you, will point out a few things by which you will be gladdened in the present circumstances.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 1.8 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/1/8/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 2.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/2/1/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:342
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: In evil days, seek the Lord's decrees.

### Greek text

Ἡμερῶν οὖν οὐσῶν πονηρῶν καὶ αὐτοῦ τοῦ ἐνεργοῦντος ἔχοντος τὴν ἐξουσίαν, ὀφείλομεν ἑαυτοῖς προσέχοντες ἐκζητεῖν τὰ δικαιώματα κυρίου,

### English translation (Claude)

Since, then, the days are evil and the one who is at work has the power, we ought to pay attention to ourselves and seek out the righteous decrees of the Lord.

### Translation notes

- “The one who is at work”: the devil.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 2.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/2/1/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 2.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/2/2/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:342
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Faith's helpers: fear, endurance, patience, self-control.

### Greek text

τῆς οὖν πίστεως ἡμῶν εἰσιν βοηθοὶ φόβος καὶ ὑπομονή, τὰ δὲ συμμαχοῦντα ἡμῖν μακροθυμία καὶ ἐγκράτεια·

### English translation (Claude)

The helpers of our faith, then, are fear and endurance, and our allies are patience and self-control.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 2.2 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/2/2/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 2.3

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/2/3/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:342–344
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: With these, wisdom and knowledge follow.

### Greek text

τούτων οὖν μενόντων τὰ πρὸς κύριον ἁγνῶς, συνευφραίνονται αὐτοῖς σοφία, σύνεσις, ἐπιστήμη, γνῶσις.

### English translation (Claude)

While these remain in purity toward the Lord, wisdom, understanding, insight, and knowledge rejoice with them.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 2.3 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/2/3/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 2.4

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/2/4/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:344
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: The prophets show God does not need sacrifices.

### Greek text

πεφανέρωκεν γὰρ ἡμῖν διὰ πάντων τῶν προφητῶν, ὅτι οὔτε θυσιῶν οὔτε ὁλοκαυτωμάτων οὔτε προσφορῶν χρῄζει, λέγων ὅτε μέν·

### English translation (Claude)

For he has made clear to us through all the prophets that he needs neither sacrifices nor burnt offerings nor offerings, saying in one place:

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 2.4 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/2/4/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 2.5

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/2/5/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:344
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Isaiah: God rejects empty sacrifices and festivals.

### Greek text

Τί μοι πλῆθος τῶν θυσιῶν ὑμῶν; λέγει κύριος. πλήρης εἰμὶ ὁλοκαυτωμάτων, καὶ στέαρ ἀρνῶν καὶ αἷμα ταύρων καὶ τράγων οὐ βούλομαι, οὐδʼ ἂν ἔρχησθε ὀφθῆναί μοι, τίς γὰρ ἐξεζήτησεν ταῦτα ἐκ τῶν χειρῶν ὑμῶν; πατεῖν μου τὴν αὐλὴν οὐ προσθήσεσθε. ἐὰν φέρητε σεμίδαλιν, μάταιον· θυμίαμα βδέλυγμά μοί ἐστιν· τὰς νεομηνίας ὑμῶν καὶ τὰ σάββατα οὐκ ἀνέχομαι.

### English translation (Claude)

“What is the multitude of your sacrifices to me? says the Lord. I am full of burnt offerings, and I do not want the fat of lambs and the blood of bulls and goats, not even if you come to appear before me. For who has required these things from your hands? You shall no longer trample my court. If you bring fine flour, it is futile; incense is an abomination to me; your new moons and sabbaths I cannot endure.”

### Scripture references

- Isa 1:11: quotation, high confidence
- Isa 1:12: quotation, high confidence
- Isa 1:13: quotation, high confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 2.5 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/2/5/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 2.6

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/2/6/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:344
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: The sacrifices were abolished for Christ's new law.

### Greek text

ταῦτα οὖν κατήργησεν, ἵνα ὁ καινὸς νόμος τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, ἄνευ ζυγοῦ ἀνάγκης ὤν, μὴ ἀνθρωποποίητον ἔχῃ τὴν προσφοράν.

### English translation (Claude)

These things, then, he abolished, so that the new law of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is without the yoke of compulsion, might have an offering not made by human hands.

### Translation notes

- The letter reads the Old Testament sacrificial and ritual laws as never having been meant literally; this is its central argument.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 2.6 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/2/6/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 2.7

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/2/7/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:344
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Jeremiah: God did not command sacrifices at the exodus.

### Greek text

λέγει δὲ πάλιν πρὸς αὐτούς· Μὴ ἐγὼ ἐνετειλάμην τοῖς πατράσιν ὑμῶν ἐκπορευομένοις ἐκ γῆς Αἰγύπτου, προσενέγκαι μοι ὁλοκαυτώματα καὶ θυσίας;

### English translation (Claude)

And again he says to them, “Did I command your fathers, when they came out of the land of Egypt, to offer me burnt offerings and sacrifices?

### Scripture references

- Jer 7:22: quotation, high confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 2.7 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/2/7/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 2.8

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/2/8/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:344
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: God commanded instead to bear no grudge and swear no false oath.

### Greek text

ἀλλʼ ἢ τοῦτο ἐνετειλάμην αὐτοῖς· ἕκαστος ὑμῶν κατὰ τοῦ πλησίον ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ ἑαυτοῦ κακίαν μὴ μνησικακείτω, καὶ ὅρκον ψευδῆ μὴ ἀγαπᾶτε.

### English translation (Claude)

But this is what I commanded them: let none of you bear a grudge in his heart against his neighbor, and do not love a false oath.”

### Scripture references

- Zech 8:17: quotation, high confidence
- Jer 7:23: allusion, medium confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 2.8 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/2/8/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 2.9

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/2/9/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:344
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: God wants us not to go astray as they did.

### Greek text

αἰσθάνεσθαι οὖν ὀφείλομεν, μὴ ὄντες ἀσύνετοι, τὴν γνώμην τῆς ἀγαθωσύνης τοῦ πατρὸς ἡμῶν, ὅτʼ ἡμῖν λέγει, θέλων ἡμᾶς μὴ ὁμοίως πλανωμένους ἐκείνοις ζητεῖν, πῶς προσάγωμεν αὐτῷ.

### English translation (Claude)

We ought to perceive, then, since we are not without understanding, the gracious purpose of our Father, for he speaks to us, wishing us not to go astray as they did, but to seek how we may draw near to him.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 2.9 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/2/9/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 2.10

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/2/10/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:344–346
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: The true sacrifice is a broken heart; guard against the evil one.

### Greek text

ἡμῖν οὖν οὕτως λέγει· Θυσία τῷ κυρίῳ καρδία συντετριμμένη, ὀσμὴ εὐωδίας τῷ κυρίῳ καρδία δοξάζουσα τὸν πεπλακότα αὐτήν. ἀκριβεύεσθαι οὖν ὀφείλομεν, ἀδελφοί, περὶ τῆς σωτηρίας ἡμῶν, ἵνα μὴ ὁ πονηρὸς παρείσδυσιν πλάνης ποιήσας ἐν ἡμῖν ἐκσφενδονήσῃ ἡμᾶς ἀπὸ τῆς ζωῆς ἡμῶν.

### English translation (Claude)

To us, then, he speaks thus: “A sacrifice to the Lord is a broken heart; a sweet fragrance to the Lord is a heart that glorifies the one who formed it.” We ought, then, brothers, to be very careful about our salvation, so that the evil one may not slip error into us and hurl us out of our life.

### Scripture references

- Ps 51:17 (50:19 LXX): quotation, high confidence

### Translation notes

- The first line is from Ps 51:17; the second is not in the Old Testament (a similar line appears in the Apocalypse of Adam).

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 2.10 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/2/10/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 3.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/3/1/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:346
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Isaiah on the fast God does not want.

### Greek text

Λέγει οὖν πάλιν περὶ τούτων πρὸς αὐτούς· Ἱνατί μοι νηστεύετε, λέγει κύριος, ὡς σήμερον ἀκουσθῆναι ἐν κραυγῇ τὴν φωνὴν ὑμῶν; οὐ ταύτην τὴν νηστείαν ἐγὼ ἐξελεξάμην, λέγει κύριος, οὐκ ἄνθρωπον ταπεινοῦντα τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ,

### English translation (Claude)

Again, then, he speaks to them about these things: “Why do you fast for me, says the Lord, so that today your voice is heard in a shout? This is not the fast that I have chosen, says the Lord, not a man humbling his soul;

### Scripture references

- Isa 58:4: quotation, high confidence
- Isa 58:5: quotation, high confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 3.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/3/1/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 3.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/3/2/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:346
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Outward signs of fasting are not enough.

### Greek text

οὐδʼ ἂν κάμψητε ὡς κρίκον τὸν τράχηλον ὑμῶν καὶ σάκκον ἐνδύσησθε καὶ σποδὸν ὑποστρώσητε, οὐδʼ οὕτως καλέσετε νηστείαν δεκτήν.

### English translation (Claude)

not even if you bend your neck like a ring and put on sackcloth and spread ashes beneath you, not even so will you call it an acceptable fast.”

### Scripture references

- Isa 58:5: quotation, high confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 3.2 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/3/2/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 3.3

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/3/3/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:346
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: The true fast: justice, freeing the oppressed, feeding the hungry.

### Greek text

πρὸς ἡμᾶς δὲ λέγει· Ἰδοὺ αὕτη ἡ νηστεία, ἣν ἐγὼ ἐξελεξάμην, λέγει κύριος· λύε πάντα σύνδεσμον ἀδικίας, διάλυε στραγγαλιὰς βιαίων συναλλαγμάτων, ἀπόστελλε τεθραυσμένους ἐν ἀφέσει καὶ πᾶσαν ἄδικον συγγραφὴν διάσπα. διάθρυπτε πεινῶσιν τὸν ἄρτον σου, καὶ γυμνὸν ἐὰν ἴδῃς περίβαλε· ἀστέγους εἴσαγε εἰς τὸν οἶκόν σου, καὶ ἐὰν ἴδῃς ταπεινόν, οὐχ ὑπερόψῃ αὐτόν, οὐδὲ ἀπὸ τῶν οἰκείων τοῦ σπέρματός σου.

### English translation (Claude)

But to us he says, “Behold, this is the fast that I have chosen, says the Lord: loose every bond of unrighteousness, untie the knots of forced contracts, send away the broken in release, and tear up every unjust agreement. Break your bread for the hungry, and if you see someone naked, clothe him; bring the homeless into your house; and if you see a lowly person, do not despise him, nor anyone of your own family.

### Scripture references

- Isa 58:6: quotation, high confidence
- Isa 58:7: quotation, high confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 3.3 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/3/3/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 3.4

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/3/4/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:346
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Then light and healing will come.

### Greek text

τότε ῥαγήσεται πρώϊμον τὸ φῶς σου, καὶ τὰ ἰάματά σου ταχέως ἀνατελεῖ, καὶ προπορεύσεται ἔμπροσθέν σου ἡ δικαιοσύνη, καὶ ἡ δόξα τοῦ θεοῦ περιστελεῖ σε.

### English translation (Claude)

Then your light will break forth early, and your healing will spring up quickly, and righteousness will go before you, and the glory of God will surround you.

### Scripture references

- Isa 58:8: quotation, high confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 3.4 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/3/4/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 3.5

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/3/5/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:346–348
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: God will answer those who show mercy.

### Greek text

τότε βοήσεις, καὶ ὁ θεὸς ἐπακούσεταί σου, ἔτι λαλοῦντός σου ἐρεῖ· Ἰδοὺ πάρειμι· ἐὰν ἀφέλῃς ἀπὸ σοῦ σύνδεσμον καὶ χειροτονίαν καὶ ῥῆμα γογγυσμοῦ, καὶ δῷς πεινῶντι τὸν ἄρτον σου ἐκ ψυχῆς σου καὶ ψυχὴν τεταπεινωμένην ἐλεήσῃς.

### English translation (Claude)

Then you will call out, and God will hear you; while you are still speaking he will say, ‘Behold, here I am’: if you take away from yourself the bond and the pointing of the finger and the word of grumbling, and give your bread to the hungry from your soul, and have mercy on a humbled soul.”

### Scripture references

- Isa 58:9: quotation, high confidence
- Isa 58:10: quotation, high confidence

### Translation notes

- “The pointing of the finger” (χειροτονία): literally “stretching out the hand”; in Isa 58:9 it is a gesture of contempt.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 3.5 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/3/5/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 3.6

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/3/6/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:348
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: God warned us beforehand so that we would not become proselytes to the Jewish law.

### Greek text

εἰς τοῦτο οὖν, ἀδελφοί, ὁ μακρόθυμος προβλέψας, ὡς ἐν ἀκεραιοσύνῃ πιστεύσει ὁ λαός, ὃν ἡτοίμασεν ἐν τῷ ἠγαπημένῳ αὐτοῦ, προεφανέρωσεν ἡμῖν περὶ πάντων, ἵνα μὴ προσρησσώμεθα ὡς ἐπήλυτοι τῷ ἐκείνων νόμῳ.

### English translation (Claude)

For this reason, then, brothers, the long-suffering one, foreseeing that the people whom he prepared in his Beloved would believe in innocence, revealed everything to us beforehand, so that we might not be shipwrecked as proselytes to their law.

### Translation notes

- “Their law”: the Jewish law as observed literally. The author sharply opposes Christian adoption of Jewish practice.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 3.6 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/3/6/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 4.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/4/1/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:348
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Flee lawlessness and hate the error of the present age.

### Greek text

Δεῖ οὖν ἡμᾶς περὶ τῶν ἐνεστώτων ἐπιπολὺ ἐραυνῶντας ἐκζητεῖν τὰ δυνάμενα ἡμᾶς σώζειν. φύγωμεν οὖν τελείως ἀπὸ πάντων τῶν ἔργων τῆς ἀνομίας, μήποτε καταλάβῃ ἡμᾶς τὰ ἔργα τῆς ἀνομίας· καὶ μισήσωμεν τὴν πλάνην τοῦ νῦν καιροῦ, ἵνα εἰς τὸν μέλλοντα ἀγαπηθῶμεν.

### English translation (Claude)

We must, then, search diligently about present things and seek out what is able to save us. Let us flee completely from all the works of lawlessness, lest the works of lawlessness overtake us; and let us hate the error of the present time, so that we may be loved in the time to come.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 4.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/4/1/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 4.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/4/2/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:348
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Do not keep company with the wicked.

### Greek text

μὴ δῶμεν τῇ ἑαυτῶν ψυχῇ ἄνεσιν, ὥστε ἔχειν αὐτὴν ἐξουσίαν μετὰ ἁμαρτωλῶν καὶ πονηρῶν συντρέχειν, μήποτε ὁμοιωθῶμεν αὐτοῖς.

### English translation (Claude)

Let us not give our soul freedom to run with sinners and wicked people, lest we become like them.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 4.2 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/4/2/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 4.3

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/4/3/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:348
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: The final trial is near, as Enoch foretold.

### Greek text

τὸ τέλειον σκάνδαλον ἤγγικεν, περὶ οὗ γέγραπται, ὡς Ἐνὼχ λέγει. Εἰς τοῦτο γὰρ ὁ δεσπότης συντέτμηκεν τοὺς καιροὺς καὶ τὰς ἡμέρας, ἵνα ταχύνῃ ὁ ἠγαπημένος αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐπὶ τὴν κληρονομίαν ἥξῃ,

### English translation (Claude)

The final stumbling block has drawn near, about which it is written, as Enoch says: “For this reason the Master has cut short the times and the days, so that his Beloved may hurry and come to his inheritance.”

### Extrabiblical texts

- 1 En. (1 Enoch): quotation, low confidence

### Translation notes

- The quotation is attributed to Enoch but is not found in the surviving books of Enoch.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 4.3 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/4/3/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 4.4

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/4/4/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:348
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Daniel's ten kingdoms and the little king.

### Greek text

λέγει δὲ οὕτως καὶ ὁ προφήτης· Βασιλεῖαι δέκα ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς βασιλεύσουσιν, καὶ ἐξαναστήσεται ὄπισθεν μικρὸς βασιλεύς, ὃς ταπεινώσει τρεῖς ὑφʼ ἓν τῶν βασιλέων.

### English translation (Claude)

And the prophet also speaks thus: “Ten kingdoms will reign upon the earth, and after them a little king will arise, who will subdue three of the kings at once.”

### Scripture references

- Dan 7:24: allusion, high confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 4.4 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/4/4/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 4.5

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/4/5/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:348–350
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Daniel's fourth beast and the little horn.

### Greek text

ὁμοίως περὶ τοῦ αὐτοῦ λέγει Δανιήλ· Καὶ εἶδον τὸ τέταρτον θηρίον τὸ πονηρὸν καὶ ἰσχυρὸν καὶ χαλεπώτερον παρὰ πάντα τὰ θηρία τῆς θαλάσσης, καὶ ὡς ἐξ αὐτοῦ ἀνέτειλεν δέκα κέρατα, καὶ ἐξ αὐτῶν μικρὸν κέρας παραφυάδιον, καὶ ὡς ἐταπείνωσεν ὑφʼ ἓν τρία τῶν μεγάλων κεράτων.

### English translation (Claude)

Likewise Daniel says concerning the same: “And I saw the fourth beast, wicked and strong and more fierce than all the beasts of the sea, and how ten horns sprang from it, and from them a little offshoot horn, and how it subdued three of the great horns at once.”

### Scripture references

- Dan 7:7: allusion, high confidence
- Dan 7:8: allusion, high confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 4.5 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/4/5/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 4.6

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/4/6/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:350
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Do not say that the covenant belongs to both Jews and Christians.

### Greek text

συνιέναι οὖν ὀφείλετε. ἔτι δὲ καὶ τοῦτο ἐρωτῶ ὑμᾶς ὡς εἶς ἐξ ὑμῶν ὤν, ἰδίως δὲ καὶ πάντας ἀγαπῶν ὑπὲρ τὴν ψυχήν μου, προσέχειν νῦν ἑαυτοῖς καὶ μὴ ὁμοιοῦσθαί τισιν ἐπισωρεύοντας ταῖς ἁμαρτίαις ὑμῶν λέγοντας, ὅτι ἡ διαθήκη ἐκείνων καὶ ἡμῶν.

### English translation (Claude)

You ought, then, to understand. And I ask you this also, as one who is one of you and who loves you all individually more than my own life: take heed to yourselves now, and do not be like some, heaping up your sins and saying that the covenant is both theirs and ours.

### Translation notes

- A key text for the letter's view that the covenant belongs to Christians only, not to the Jewish people; see 4.7–8. This view was not shared by all early Christian writers.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 4.6 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/4/6/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 4.7

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/4/7/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:350
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: The covenant given to Moses was lost by Israel.

### Greek text

ἡμῶν μέν· ἀλλʼ ἐκεῖνοι οὕτως εἰς τέλος ἀπώλεσαν αὐτὴν λαβόντος ἤδη τοῦ Μωϋσέως. λέγει γὰρ ἡ γραφή· Καὶ ἦν Μωϋσῆς ἐν τῷ ὄρει νηστεύων ἡμέρας τεσσαράκοντα καὶ νύκτας τεσσαράκοντα, καὶ ἔλαβεν τὴν διαθήκην ἀπὸ τοῦ κυρίου, πλάκας λιθίνας γεγραμμένας τῷ δακτύλῳ τῆς χειρὸς τοῦ κυρίου.

### English translation (Claude)

It is ours; but they lost it completely in this way, after Moses had already received it. For the scripture says, “And Moses was on the mountain fasting forty days and forty nights, and he received the covenant from the Lord, stone tablets written with the finger of the hand of the Lord.”

### Scripture references

- Exod 34:28: allusion, high confidence
- Exod 31:18: allusion, high confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 4.7 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/4/7/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 4.8

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/4/8/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:350
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Israel's idolatry broke the covenant; Jesus's covenant is sealed in our hearts.

### Greek text

ἀλλὰ ἐπιστραφέντες ἐπὶ τὰ εἴδωλα ἀπώλεσαν αὐτήν. λέγει γὰρ οὕτως κύριος· Μωϋσῆ Μωϋσῆ, κατάβηθι τὸ τάχος, ὅτι ἠνόμησεν ὁ λαός σου, οὓς ἐξήγαγες ἐκ γῆς Αἰγύπτου, καὶ συνῆκεν Μωϋσῆς καὶ ἔριψεν τὰς δύο πλάκας ἐκ τῶν χειρῶν αὐτοῦ· καὶ συνετρίβη αὐτῶν ἡ διαθήκη, ἵνα ἡ τοῦ ἠγαπημένου Ἰησοῦ ἐγκατασφραγισθῇ εἰς τὴν καρδίαν ἡμῶν ἐν ἐλπίδι τῆς πίστεως αὐτοῦ.

### English translation (Claude)

But turning to idols they lost it. For the Lord says thus: “Moses, Moses, go down quickly, for your people whom you brought out of the land of Egypt have acted lawlessly.” And Moses understood, and threw the two tablets out of his hands; and their covenant was broken, so that the covenant of the Beloved, Jesus, might be sealed in our hearts in the hope of faith in him.

### Scripture references

- Exod 32:7: allusion, high confidence
- Exod 32:19: allusion, high confidence
- Deut 9:12: allusion, medium confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 4.8 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/4/8/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 4.9

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/4/9/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:350–352
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: In the last days, resist so that the devil cannot slip in.

### Greek text

πολλὰ δὲ θέλων γράφειν, οὐχ ὡς διδάσκαλος, ἀλλʼ ὡς πρέπει ἀγαπῶντι ἀφʼ ὧν ἔχομεν μὴ ἐλλείπειν, γράφειν ἐσπούδασα, περίψημα ὑμῶν. διὸ προσέχωμεν ἐν ταῖς ἐσχάταις ἡμέραις· οὐδὲν γὰρ ὠφελήσει ἡμᾶς ὁ πᾶς χρόνος τῆς πίστεως ἡμῶν, ἐὰν μὴ νῦν ἐν τῷ ἀνόμῳ καιρῷ καὶ τοῖς μέλλουσιν σκανδάλοις, ὡς πρέπει υἱοῖς θεοῦ, ἀντιστῶμεν, ἵνα μὴ σχῇ παρείσδυσιν ὁ μέλας.

### English translation (Claude)

Though I wish to write many things, not as a teacher but as befits one who loves, not to fall short of what we have, I have hastened to write, I your devoted servant. So let us take heed in the last days; for the whole time of our faith will profit us nothing unless now, in the lawless time and in the stumbling blocks to come, we resist, as befits sons of God, so that the Black One may not find a way in.

### Translation notes

- “Your devoted servant” (περίψημα ὑμῶν): literally “your scapegoat” or “offscouring”; a phrase of humble devotion (compare 6.5; Ign. Eph. 8.1).
- “The Black One”: the devil.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 4.9 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/4/9/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 4.10

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/4/10/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:352
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Do not live in isolation; gather and seek the common good.

### Greek text

φύγωμεν ἀπὸ πάσης ματαιότητος, μισήσωμεν τελείως τὰ ἔργα τῆς πονηρᾶς ὁδοῦ. μὴ καθʼ ἑαυτοὺς ἐνδύνοντες μονάζετε ὡς ἤδη δεδικαιωμένοι, ἀλλʼ ἐπὶ τὸ αὐτὸ συνερχόμενοι συνζητεῖτε περὶ τοῦ κοινῇ συμφέροντος.

### English translation (Claude)

Let us flee from all vanity; let us utterly hate the works of the evil way. Do not withdraw by yourselves and live alone, as though already justified, but come together and seek together what is for the common good.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 4.10 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/4/10/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 4.11

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/4/11/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:352
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Become spiritual, a perfect temple for God.

### Greek text

λέγει γὰρ ἡ γραφή· Οὐαὶ οἱ συνετοὶ ἑαυτοῖς καὶ ἐνώπιον ἑαυτῶν ἐπιστήμονες. γενώμεθα πνευματικοί, γενώμεθα ναὸς τέλειος τῷ θεῷ. ἐφʼ ὅσον ἐστὶν ἐν ἡμῖν, μελετῶμεν τὸν φόβον τοῦ θεοῦ καὶ φυλάσσειν ἀγωνιζώμεθα τὰς ἐντολὰς αὐτοῦ, ἵνα ἐν τοῖς δικαιώμασιν αὐτοῦ εὐφρανθῶμεν.

### English translation (Claude)

For the scripture says, “Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight.” Let us become spiritual; let us become a perfect temple for God. As far as it lies with us, let us practice the fear of God and strive to keep his commandments, so that we may rejoice in his righteous decrees.

### Scripture references

- Isa 5:21: quotation, high confidence
- 1 Cor 3:16: echo, medium confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 4.11 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/4/11/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 4.12

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/4/12/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:352
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: God judges without favoritism; each receives according to deeds.

### Greek text

ὁ κύριος ἀπροσωπολήμπτως κρινεῖ τὸν κόσμον. ἕκαστος καθὼς ἐποίησεν κομιεῖται. ἐὰν ᾖ ἀγαθός, ἡ δικαιοσύνη αὐτοῦ προηγήσεται αὐτοῦ· ἐὰν ᾖ πονηρός, ὁ μισθὸς τῆς πονηρίας ἔμπροσθεν αὐτοῦ·

### English translation (Claude)

The Lord will judge the world without partiality. Each will receive according to what he has done. If he is good, his righteousness will go before him; if he is wicked, the wages of wickedness will be before him.

### Scripture references

- 1 Pet 1:17: echo, medium confidence
- 2 Cor 5:10: echo, medium confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 4.12 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/4/12/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 4.13

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/4/13/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:352
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Do not grow complacent as the called, lest the devil cast us out.

### Greek text

ἵνα μήποτε ἐπαναπαυόμενοι ὡς κλητοὶ ἐπικαθυπνώσωμεν ταῖς ἁμαρτίαις ἡμῶν, καὶ ὁ πονηρὸς ἄρχων λαβὼν τὴν καθʼ ἡμῶν ἐξουσίαν ἀπώσηται ἡμᾶς ἀπὸ τῆς βασιλείας τοῦ κυρίου.

### English translation (Claude)

Let us never rest as those who are called and fall asleep in our sins, and the evil ruler gain power over us and thrust us out of the kingdom of the Lord.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 4.13 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/4/13/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 4.14

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/4/14/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:352–354
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Israel was abandoned despite great signs: many are called, few chosen.

### Greek text

ἔτι δὲ κἀκεῖνο, ἀδελφοί μου, νοεῖτε· ὅταν βλέπετε μετὰ τηλικαῦτα σημεῖα καὶ τέρατα γεγονότα ἐν τῷ Ἰσραήλ, καὶ οὕτως ἐγκαταλελεῖφθαι αὐτούς· προσέχωμεν, μήποτε, ὡς γέγραπται, πολλοὶ κλητοί, ὀλίγοι δὲ ἐκλεκτοὶ εὑρεθῶμεν.

### English translation (Claude)

And consider this also, my brothers: when you see that after such great signs and wonders were done in Israel, even so they were abandoned, let us take heed lest, as it is written, we be found “many called, but few chosen.”

### Scripture references

- Matt 22:14: quotation, high confidence

### Translation notes

- “As it is written”: a saying of Jesus (Matt 22:14) introduced as scripture.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 4.14 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/4/14/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 5.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/5/1/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:354
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Christ gave his flesh so that we might be cleansed by his blood.

### Greek text

Εἰς τοῦτο γὰρ ὑπέμεινεν ὁ κύριος παραδοῦναι τὴν σάρκα εἰς καταφθοράν, ἵνα τῇ ἀφέσει τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν ἁγνισθῶμεν, ὅ ἐστιν ἐν τῷ αἵματι τοῦ ῥαντίσματος αὐτοῦ.

### English translation (Claude)

For this reason the Lord endured to hand over his flesh to destruction, so that we might be made pure by the forgiveness of sins, that is, by his sprinkled blood.

### Scripture references

- 1 Pet 1:2: echo, medium confidence
- Heb 12:24: echo, medium confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 5.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/5/1/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 5.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/5/2/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:354
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Isaiah's suffering servant is Christ.

### Greek text

γέγραπται γὰρ περὶ αὐτοῦ ἃ μὲν πρὸς τὸν Ἰσραήλ, ἃ δὲ πρὸς ἡμᾶς, λέγει δὲ οὕτως· Ἐτραυματίσθη διὰ τὰς ἀνομίας ἡμῶν καὶ μεμαλάκισται διὰ τὰς ἁμαρτίας ἡμῶν· τῷ μώλωπι αὐτοῦ ἡμεῖς ἰάθημεν· ὡς πρόβατον ἐπὶ σφαγὴν ἤχθη, καὶ ὡς ἀμνὸς ἄφωνος ἐναντίον τοῦ κείραντος αὐτόν.

### English translation (Claude)

For it is written about him, some things concerning Israel and some concerning us, and it says thus: “He was wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our sins; by his stripes we were healed. He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and like a lamb silent before its shearer.”

### Scripture references

- Isa 53:5: quotation, high confidence
- Isa 53:7: quotation, high confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 5.2 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/5/2/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 5.3

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/5/3/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:354
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Give thanks for God's revelation of past, present, and future.

### Greek text

οὐκοῦν ὑπερευχαριστεῖν ὀφείλομεν τῷ κυρίῳ, ὅτι καὶ τὰ παρεληλυθότα ἡμῖν ἐγνώρισεν καὶ ἐν τοῖς ἐνεστῶσιν ἡμᾶς ἐσόφισεν. καὶ εἰς τὰ μέλλοντα οὐκ ἐσμὲν ἀσύνετοι.

### English translation (Claude)

We ought, then, to give great thanks to the Lord, because he has made known to us the things that are past, and made us wise in things present, and we are not without understanding regarding things to come.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 5.3 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/5/3/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 5.4

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/5/4/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:354
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Whoever knows the right way but chooses darkness perishes justly.

### Greek text

λέγει δὲ ἡ γραφή· Οὐκ ἀδίκως ἐκτείνεται δίκτυα πτερωτοῖς. τοῦτο λέγει, ὅτι δικαίως ἀπολεῖται ἄνθρωπος, ὃς ἔχων ὁδοῦ δικαιοσύνης γνῶσιν ἑαυτὸν εἰς ὁδὸν σκότους ἀποσυνέχει.

### English translation (Claude)

And the scripture says, “Not unjustly are nets spread for birds.” It means this: that a man who has knowledge of the way of righteousness will justly perish if he shuts himself up in the way of darkness.

### Scripture references

- Prov 1:17: quotation, high confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 5.4 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/5/4/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 5.5

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/5/5/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:354
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Why did the Lord of the world, addressed at creation, suffer at human hands?

### Greek text

ἔτι δὲ καὶ τοῦτο, ἀδελφοί μου· εἰ ὁ κύριος ὑπέμεινεν παθεῖν περὶ τῆς ψυχῆς ἡμῶν, ὢν παντὸς τοῦ κόσμου κύριος ᾧ εἶπεν ὁ θεὸς ἀπὸ καταβολῆς κόσμου· Ποιήσωμεν ἄνθρωπον κατʼ εἰκόνα καὶ καθʼ ὁμοίωσιν ἡμετέραν· πῶς οὖν ὑπέμεινεν ὑπὸ χειρὸς ἀνθρώπων παθεῖν;

### English translation (Claude)

And further, my brothers: if the Lord endured to suffer for our soul, though he is Lord of the whole world, to whom God said at the foundation of the world, “Let us make man according to our image and likeness,” how, then, did he endure to suffer at the hand of men?

### Scripture references

- Gen 1:26: quotation, high confidence

### Translation notes

- The author reads Gen 1:26 (“Let us make”) as God speaking to the Son; see also 6.12.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 5.5 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/5/5/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 5.6

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/5/6/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:354–356
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Christ endured suffering to abolish death and show the resurrection.

### Greek text

μάθετε. οἱ προφῆται, ἀπʼ αὐτοῦ ἔχοντες τὴν χάριν, εἰς αὐτὸν ἐπροφήτευσαν· αὐτὸς δέ, ἵνα καταργήσῃ τὸν θάνατον καὶ τὴν ἐκ νεκρῶν ἀνάστασιν δείξῃ, ὅτι ἐν σαρκὶ ἔδει αὐτὸν φανερωθῆναι, ὑπέμεινεν,

### English translation (Claude)

Learn: the prophets, having their grace from him, prophesied of him; and he, in order to abolish death and show the resurrection from the dead, because he had to be manifested in the flesh, endured,

### Scripture references

- 2 Tim 1:10: echo, medium confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 5.6 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/5/6/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 5.7

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/5/7/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:356
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: He fulfilled the promise and prepared a new people.

### Greek text

ἵνα τοῖς πατράσιν τὴν ἐπαγγελίαν ἀποδῷ, καὶ αὐτὸς ἑαυτῷ τὸν λαὸν τὸν καινὸν ἑτοιμάζων ἐπιδείξῃ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς ὤν, ὅτι τὴν ἀνάστασιν αὐτὸς ποιήσας κρινεῖ.

### English translation (Claude)

so that he might fulfill the promise made to the fathers, and, preparing the new people for himself, show while he was on earth that he himself will raise the dead and will judge.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 5.7 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/5/7/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 5.8

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/5/8/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:356
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: He taught Israel and loved them greatly.

### Greek text

πέρας γέ τοι διδάσκων τὸν Ἰσραὴλ καὶ τηλικαῦτα τέρατα καὶ σημεῖα ποιῶν ἐκήρυσσεν, καὶ ὑπερηγάπησεν αὐτόν.

### English translation (Claude)

Indeed, he taught Israel and did such great wonders and signs, and preached, and loved them exceedingly.

### Translation notes

- The sense of the last clause is uncertain: “he loved them” (Israel) or “they loved him.”

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 5.8 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/5/8/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 5.9

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/5/9/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:356
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Christ chose sinners as apostles to show he came for sinners.

### Greek text

ὅτε δὲ τοὺς ἰδίους ἀποστόλους τοὺς μέλλοντας κηρύσσειν τὸ εὐαγγέλιον αὐτοῦ ἐξελέξατο, ὄντας ὑπὲρ πᾶσαν ἁμαρτίαν ἀνομωτέρους, ἵνα δείξῃ, ὅτι οὐκ ἦλθεν καλέσαι δικαίους, ἀλλὰ ἁμαρτωλούς, τότε ἐφανέρωσεν ἑαυτὸν εἶναι υἱὸν θεοῦ.

### English translation (Claude)

And when he chose his own apostles, who were to preach his gospel, men who were lawless beyond all sin, so that he might show that he came not to call the righteous but sinners, then he revealed himself to be the Son of God.

### Scripture references

- Matt 9:13: quotation, high confidence
- Mark 2:17: quotation, high confidence

### Translation notes

- “Lawless beyond all sin”: a striking exaggeration, to stress that Christ called sinners.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 5.9 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/5/9/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 5.10

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/5/10/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:356
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Christ came in the flesh because no one could look on his glory directly.

### Greek text

εἰ γὰρ μὴ ἦλθεν ἐν σαρκί, οὐδʼ ἄν πως οἱ ἄνθρωποι ἐσώθησαν βλέποντες αὐτόν, ὅτε τὸν μέλλοντα μὴ εἶναι ἥλιον, ἔργου τῶν χειρῶν αὐτοῦ ὑπάρχοντα, ἐμβλέποντες οὐκ ἰσχύουσιν εἰς τὰς ἀκτῖνας αὐτοῦ ἀντοφθαλμῆσαι·

### English translation (Claude)

For if he had not come in the flesh, how could people have been saved by looking at him? For when they look at the sun, which will cease to exist and is the work of his hands, they cannot gaze directly into its rays.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 5.10 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/5/10/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 5.11

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/5/11/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:356
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: He came in the flesh to complete the sins of those who killed the prophets.

### Greek text

οὐκοῦν ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ θεοῦ εἰς τοῦτο ἐν σαρκὶ ἦλθεν, ἵνα τὸ τέλειον τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν ἀνακεφαλαιώσῃ τοῖς διώξασιν ἐν θανάτῳ τοὺς προφήτας αὐτοῦ.

### English translation (Claude)

So the Son of God came in the flesh for this reason, that he might bring to completion the full measure of sins of those who persecuted his prophets to death.

### Scripture references

- Matt 23:32: echo, medium confidence
- 1 Thess 2:15: echo, medium confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 5.11 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/5/11/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 5.12

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/5/12/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:356
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Zechariah foretold that the shepherd would be struck.

### Greek text

οὐκοῦν εἰς τοῦτο ὑπέμεινεν. λέγει γὰρ ὁ θεὸς τὴν πληγὴν τῆς σαρκὸς αὐτοῦ ὅτι ἐξ αὐτῶν· Ὅταν πατάξωσιν τὸν ποιμένα ἑαυτῶν, τότε ἀπολεῖται τὰ πρόβατα τῆς ποίμνης.

### English translation (Claude)

So for this he endured. For God says that the wound of his flesh came from them: “When they strike their shepherd, then the sheep of the flock will perish.”

### Scripture references

- Zech 13:7: quotation, high confidence
- Matt 26:31: echo, medium confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 5.12 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/5/12/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 5.13

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/5/13/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:356
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: The Psalms foretold his suffering on a tree.

### Greek text

αὐτὸς δὲ ἠθέλησεν οὕτω παθεῖν· ἔδει γάρ, ἵνα ἐπὶ ξύλου πάθῃ. λέγει γὰρ ὁ προφητεύων ἐπʼ αὐτῷ· Φεῖσαί μου τῆς ψυχῆς ἀπὸ ῥομφαίας, καί· Καθήλωσόν μου τὰς σάρκας, ὅτι πονηρευομένων συναγωγαὶ ἐπανέστησάν μοι.

### English translation (Claude)

But he himself willed to suffer thus, for it was necessary that he suffer on a tree. For the one who prophesies of him says, “Spare my soul from the sword,” and, “Nail my flesh, for the assemblies of evildoers have risen up against me.”

### Scripture references

- Ps 22:20 (21:21 LXX): quotation, high confidence
- Ps 119:120 (118:120 LXX): quotation, high confidence
- Ps 22:16 (21:17 LXX): quotation, high confidence
- Ps 86:14 (85:14 LXX): echo, low confidence

### Translation notes

- “Nail my flesh”: from Ps 119:120 LXX (118:120), read as a prophecy of the crucifixion.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 5.13 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/5/13/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 5.14

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/5/14/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:356–358
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Isaiah: the servant gave his back to scourging.

### Greek text

καὶ πάλιν λέγει· Ἰδού, τέθεικά μου τὸν νῶτον εἰς μάστιγας, τὰς δὲ σιαγόνας εἰς ῥαπίσματα. τὸ δὲ πρόσωπόν μου ἔθηκα ὡς στερεὰν πέτραν.

### English translation (Claude)

And again he says, “Behold, I have given my back to scourges and my cheeks to blows, and I have set my face like a solid rock.”

### Scripture references

- Isa 50:6: quotation, high confidence
- Isa 50:7: quotation, high confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 5.14 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/5/14/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 6.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/6/1/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:358
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Isaiah: who will contend with the Lord's Servant?

### Greek text

Ὅτε οὖν ἐποίησεν τὴν ἐντολήν, τί λέγει; Τίς ὁ κρινόμενός μοι; ἀντιστήτω μοι· ἢ τίς ὁ δικαιούμενός μοι; ἐγγισάτω τῷ παιδὶ κυρίου.

### English translation (Claude)

When, then, he gave the command, what does he say? “Who is the one who disputes with me? Let him oppose me. Or who is the one who goes to law with me? Let him draw near to the Servant of the Lord.

### Scripture references

- Isa 50:8: quotation, high confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 6.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/6/1/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 6.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/6/2/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:358
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Christ is the chosen cornerstone of Zion.

### Greek text

οὐαὶ ὑμῖν, ὅτι ὑμεῖς πάντες ὡς ἱμάτιον παλαιωθήσεσθε, καὶ σὴς καταφάγεται ὑμᾶς. καὶ πάλιν λέγει ὁ προφήτης, ἐπεὶ ὡς λίθος ἰσχυρὸς ἐτέθη εἰς συντριβήν· Ἰδού, ἐμβαλῶ εἰς τὰ θεμέλια Σιὼν λίθον πολυτελῆ, ἐκλεκτόν, ἀκρογωνιαῖον, ἔντιμον.

### English translation (Claude)

Woe to you, for you will all grow old like a garment, and the moth will devour you.” And again the prophet says, since he was set as a strong stone for crushing: “Behold, I will lay in the foundations of Zion a precious stone, chosen, a cornerstone, honored.”

### Scripture references

- Isa 50:9: quotation, high confidence
- Isa 28:16: quotation, high confidence
- 1 Pet 2:6: echo, medium confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 6.2 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/6/2/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 6.3

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/6/3/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:358
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Our hope is not in a stone but in Christ's flesh set firm.

### Greek text

εἶτα τί λέγει; Καὶ ὃς ἐλπίσει ἐπʼ αὐτὸν ζήσεται εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα. ἐπὶ λίθον οὖν ἡμῶν ἡ ἐλπίς; μὴ γένοιτο· ἀλλʼ ἐπεὶ ἐν ἰσχύϊ τέθεικεν τὴν σάρκα αὐτοῦ κύριος. λέγει γάρ· Καὶ ἔθηκέ με ὡς στερεὰν πέτραν.

### English translation (Claude)

Then what does he say? “And whoever hopes in him will live forever.” Is our hope, then, in a stone? Certainly not; but because the Lord has set his flesh in strength. For he says, “And he set me like a solid rock.”

### Scripture references

- Isa 28:16: allusion, high confidence
- Isa 50:7: allusion, high confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 6.3 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/6/3/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 6.4

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/6/4/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:358
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: The rejected stone has become the cornerstone.

### Greek text

λέγει δὲ πάλιν ὁ προφήτης· Λίθον ὃν ἀπεδοκίμασαν οἱ οἰκοδομοῦντες, οὗτος ἐγενήθη εἰς κεφαλὴν γωνίας. καὶ πάλιν λέγει· Αὕτη ἐστὶν ἡ ἡμέρα ἡ μεγάλη καὶ θαυμαστή, ἣν ἐποίησεν ὁ κύριος.

### English translation (Claude)

And the prophet says again, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the head of the corner.” And again he says, “This is the great and wonderful day that the Lord has made.”

### Scripture references

- Ps 118:22 (117:22 LXX): quotation, high confidence
- Ps 118:24 (117:24 LXX): quotation, high confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 6.4 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/6/4/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 6.5

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/6/5/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:358
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: He writes simply so that they may understand.

### Greek text

ἁπλούστερον ὑμῖν γράφω, ἵνα συνιῆτε· ἐγὼ περίψημα τῆς ἀγάπης ὑμῶν.

### English translation (Claude)

I write to you more simply, so that you may understand; I am your love's devoted servant.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 6.5 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/6/5/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 6.6

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/6/6/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:358
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: The Psalms foretold the crucifixion.

### Greek text

τί οὖν λέγει πάλιν ὁ προφήτης; Περιέσχεν με συναγωγὴ πονηρευομένων, ἐκύκλωσάν με ὡσεὶ μέλισσαι κηρίον, καί· Ἐπὶ τὸν ἱματισμόν μου ἔβαλον κλῆρον.

### English translation (Claude)

What, then, does the prophet say again? “An assembly of evildoers surrounded me; they encircled me like bees around a honeycomb,” and, “For my clothing they cast lots.”

### Scripture references

- Ps 22:16 (21:17 LXX): quotation, high confidence
- Ps 118:12 (117:12 LXX): quotation, high confidence
- Ps 22:18 (21:19 LXX): quotation, high confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 6.6 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/6/6/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 6.7

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/6/7/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:358–360
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: The prophets foretold that Israel would bind the righteous one.

### Greek text

ἐν σαρκὶ οὖν αὐτοῦ μέλλοντος φανεροῦσθαι καὶ πάσχειν, προεφανερώθη τὸ πάθος. λέγει γὰρ ὁ προφήτης ἐπὶ τὸν Ἰσραήλ· Οὐαὶ τῇ ψυχῇ αὐτῶν, ὅτι βεβούλευνται βουλὴν πονηρὰν καθʼ ἑαυτῶν, εἰπόντες· Δήσωμεν τὸν δίκαιον, ὅτι δύσχρηστος ἡμῖν ἐστίν.

### English translation (Claude)

Since, then, he was about to be manifested and to suffer in the flesh, his suffering was revealed beforehand. For the prophet says concerning Israel, “Woe to their soul, for they have plotted an evil plot against themselves, saying, ‘Let us bind the righteous one, for he is troublesome to us.’”

### Scripture references

- Isa 3:9: quotation, high confidence
- Isa 3:10: quotation, high confidence

### Extrabiblical texts

- Wis 2:12 (Wisdom of Solomon): allusion, medium confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 6.7 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/6/7/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 6.8

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/6/8/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:360
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Moses: enter the good land flowing with milk and honey.

### Greek text

τί λέγει ὁ ἄλλος προφήτης Μωϋσῆς αὐτοῖς; Ἰδού, τάδε λέγει κύριος ὁ θεός· Εἰσέλθατε εἰς τὴν γῆν τὴν ἀγαθήν, ἣν ὤμοσεν κύριος τῷ Ἀβραὰμ καὶ Ἰσαὰκ καὶ Ἰακώβ, καὶ κατακληρονομήσατε αὐτήν, γῆν ῥέουσαν γάλα καὶ μέλι.

### English translation (Claude)

What does the other prophet, Moses, say to them? “Behold, thus says the Lord God: Enter into the good land, which the Lord swore to Abraham and Isaac and Jacob, and inherit it, a land flowing with milk and honey.”

### Scripture references

- Exod 33:1: allusion, high confidence
- Exod 33:3: allusion, high confidence
- Lev 20:24: allusion, medium confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 6.8 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/6/8/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 6.9

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/6/9/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:360
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: The “good land” is Jesus in the flesh; man is suffering earth.

### Greek text

τί δὲ λέγει ἡ γνῶσις; μάθετε. ἐλπίσατε, φησίν, ἐπὶ τὸν ἐν σαρκὶ μέλλοντα φανεροῦσθαι ὑμῖν Ἰησοῦν. ἄνθρωπος γὰρ γῆ ἐστιν πάσχουσα· ἀπὸ προσώπου γὰρ τῆς γῆς ἡ πλάσις τοῦ Ἀδὰμ ἐγένετο.

### English translation (Claude)

But what does knowledge say? Learn: “Hope,” it says, “in Jesus, who is about to be manifested to you in the flesh.” For man is earth that suffers; for the forming of Adam was from the face of the earth.

### Scripture references

- Gen 2:7: allusion, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- “Knowledge” (γνῶσις): the deeper sense of scripture; here the author gives his allegorical reading of the promised land as Christ's flesh.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 6.9 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/6/9/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 6.10

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/6/10/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:360
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Only the wise understand the Lord's parables.

### Greek text

τί οὖν λέγει· Εἰς τὴν γῆν τὴν ἀγαθήν, γῆν ῥέουσαν γάλα καὶ μέλι; εὐλογητὸς ὁ κύριος ἡμῶν, ἀδελφοί, ὁ σοφίαν καὶ νοῦν θέμενος ἐν ἡμῖν τῶν κρυφίων αὐτοῦ· λέγει γὰρ ὁ προφήτης παραβολὴν κυρίου· τίς νοήσει, εἰ μὴ σοφὸς καὶ ἐπιστήμων καὶ ἀγαπῶν τὸν κύριον αὐτοῦ;

### English translation (Claude)

What, then, does it mean: “Into the good land, a land flowing with milk and honey”? Blessed be our Lord, brothers, who has placed in us wisdom and understanding of his secrets. For the prophet speaks a parable of the Lord: who will understand it, except one who is wise and understanding and loves his Lord?

### Scripture references

- Prov 1:6: echo, low confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 6.10 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/6/10/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 6.11

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/6/11/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:360
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Forgiveness renewed us like newly formed children.

### Greek text

ἐπεὶ οὖν ἀνακαινίσας ἡμᾶς ἐν τῇ ἀφέσει τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν, ἐποίησεν ἡμᾶς ἄλλον τύπον, ὡς παιδίων ἔχειν τὴν ψυχήν, ὡς ἂν δὴ ἀναπλάσσοντος αὐτοῦ ἡμᾶς.

### English translation (Claude)

Since, then, he renewed us by the forgiveness of sins, he made us another type, so that we have the soul of children, as though he were forming us anew.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 6.11 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/6/11/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 6.12

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/6/12/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:360
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Genesis's “Let us make man” is God speaking to the Son about us.

### Greek text

λέγει γὰρ ἡ γραφὴ περὶ ἡμῶν, ὡς λέγει τῷ υἱῷ· Ποιήσωμεν κατʼ εἰκόνα καὶ καθʼ ὁμοίωσιν ἡμῶν τὸν ἄνθρωπον, καὶ ἀρχέτωσαν τῶν θηρίων τῆς γῆς καὶ τῶν πετεινῶν τοῦ οὐρανοῦ καὶ τῶν ἰχθύων τῆς θαλάσσης. καὶ εἶπεν κύριος, ἰδὼν τὸ καλὸν πλάσμα ἡμῶν· Αὐξάνεσθε καὶ πληθύνεσθε καὶ πληρώσατε τὴν γῆν. ταῦτα πρὸς τὸν υἱόν.

### English translation (Claude)

For the scripture speaks about us, as he says to the Son: “Let us make man according to our image and likeness, and let them rule over the beasts of the earth and the birds of heaven and the fish of the sea.” And the Lord said, seeing our beautiful form, “Increase and multiply and fill the earth.” These things he said to the Son.

### Scripture references

- Gen 1:26: quotation, high confidence
- Gen 1:28: quotation, high confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 6.12 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/6/12/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 6.13

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/6/13/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:360–362
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: In the last days God makes a new creation like the first.

### Greek text

πάλιν σοι ἐπιδείξω, πῶς πρὸς ἡμᾶς λέγει. δευτέραν πλάσιν ἐπʼ ἐσχάτων ἐποίησεν. λέγει δὲ κύριος· Ἰδού, ποιῶ τὰ ἔσχατα ὡς τὰ πρῶτα. εἰς τοῦτο οὖν ἐκήρυξεν ὁ προφήτης· Εἰσέλθατε εἰς γῆν ῥέουσαν γάλα καὶ μέλι καὶ κατακυριεύσατε αὐτῆς.

### English translation (Claude)

Again I will show you how he speaks to us. He made a second creation in the last days. And the Lord says, “Behold, I make the last things like the first.” For this reason, then, the prophet proclaimed, “Enter into a land flowing with milk and honey and rule over it.”

### Scripture references

- Exod 33:3: allusion, medium confidence
- Rev 21:5: echo, low confidence

### Translation notes

- “I make the last things like the first” is not found in scripture in this form.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 6.13 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/6/13/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 6.14

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/6/14/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:362
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: God replaces hearts of stone with hearts of flesh; Christ dwells in us.

### Greek text

ἴδε οὖν, ἡμεῖς ἀναπεπλάσμεθα, καθὼς πάλιν ἐν ἑτέρῳ προφήτῃ λέγει· Ἰδού, λέγει κύριος, ἐξελῶ τούτων, τουτέστιν ὧν προέβλεπεν τὸ πνεῦμα κυρίου, τὰς λιθίνας καρδίας καὶ ἐμβαλῶ σαρκίνας· ὅτι αὐτὸς ἐν σαρκὶ ἔμελλεν φανεροῦσθαι καὶ ἐν ἡμῖν κατοικεῖν.

### English translation (Claude)

See, then, we have been formed anew, as he says again in another prophet: “Behold, says the Lord, I will take out of them” (that is, out of those whom the Spirit of the Lord foresaw) “the hearts of stone and put in hearts of flesh”; for he himself was to be manifested in the flesh and to dwell in us.

### Scripture references

- Ezek 11:19: quotation, high confidence
- Ezek 36:26: quotation, high confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 6.14 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/6/14/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 6.15

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/6/15/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:362
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Our heart is a holy temple to the Lord.

### Greek text

ναὸς γὰρ ἅγιος, ἀδελφοί μου, τῷ κυρίῳ τὸ κατοικητήριον ἡμῶν τῆς καρδίας.

### English translation (Claude)

For the dwelling place of our heart, my brothers, is a holy temple to the Lord.

### Scripture references

- 1 Cor 3:16: echo, medium confidence
- Eph 2:21: echo, medium confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 6.15 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/6/15/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 6.16

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/6/16/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:362
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: We are those brought into the good land.

### Greek text

λέγει γὰρ κύριος πάλιν· Καὶ ἐν τίνι ὀφθήσομαι τῷ κυρίῳ τῷ θεῷ μου καὶ δοξασθήσομαι; λέγει· Ἐξομολογήσομαί σοι ἐν ἐκκλησίᾳ ἀδελφῶν μου, καὶ ψαλῶ σοι ἀνάμεσον ἐκκλησίας ἁγίων. οὐκοῦν ἡμεῖς ἐσμέν, οὕς εἰσήγαγεν εἰς τὴν γῆν τὴν ἀγαθήν.

### English translation (Claude)

For the Lord says again, “And with what shall I appear before the Lord my God and be glorified?” He says, “I will confess you in the assembly of my brothers, and I will sing to you in the midst of the assembly of the saints.” So we are the ones whom he brought into the good land.

### Scripture references

- Ps 42:2 (41:3 LXX): allusion, medium confidence
- Ps 22:22 (21:23 LXX): quotation, high confidence

### Translation notes

- The first question is a free form of Ps 42:2.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 6.16 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/6/16/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 6.17

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/6/17/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:362
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Milk and honey are the nourishment of faith and the word.

### Greek text

τί οὖν τὸ γάλα καὶ τὸ μέλι; ὅτι πρῶτον τὸ παιδίον μέλιτι, εἶτα γάλακτι ζωοποιεῖται· οὕτως οὖν καὶ ἡμεῖς τῇ πίστει τῆς ἐπαγγελίας καὶ τῷ λόγῳ ζωοποιούμενοι ζήσομεν κατακυριεύοντες τῆς γῆς.

### English translation (Claude)

What, then, is the milk and honey? That a child is first nourished with honey, then with milk. So also we, being nourished by faith in the promise and by the word, will live and rule over the earth.

### Translation notes

- The author refers to the ancient custom of giving a newborn honey and then milk; honey and milk were also given to the newly baptized in some early churches.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 6.17 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/6/17/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 6.18

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/6/18/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:362
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: No one yet truly rules creation.

### Greek text

προειρήκαμεν δὲ ἐπάνω. Καὶ αὐξανέσθωσαν καὶ πληθυνέσθωσαν καὶ ἀρχέτωσαν τῶν ἰχθύων. τίς οὖν ὁ δυνάμενος νῦν ἄρχειν θηρίων ἢ ἰχθύων ἢ πετεινῶν τοῦ οὐρανοῦ; αἰσθάνεσθαι γὰρ ὀφείλομεν, ὅτι τὸ ἄρχειν ἐξουσίας ἐστίν, ἵνα τις ἐπιτάξας κυριεύσῃ.

### English translation (Claude)

And we said above, “And let them increase and multiply and rule over the fish.” Who, then, is now able to rule over beasts or fish or birds of heaven? For we ought to understand that to rule implies authority, so that one may command and have dominion.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 6.18 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/6/18/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 6.19

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/6/19/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:362–364
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: We will rule creation when we are made perfect heirs.

### Greek text

εἰ οὖν οὐ γίνεται τοῦτο νῦν, ἄρα ἡμῖν εἴρηκεν, πότε· ὅταν καὶ αὐτοὶ τελειωθῶμεν κληρονόμοι τῆς διαθήκης κυρίου γενέσθαι.

### English translation (Claude)

If, then, this does not happen now, he has told us when: when we ourselves are made perfect so as to become heirs of the Lord's covenant.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 6.19 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/6/19/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 7.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/7/1/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:364
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: God revealed all things so that we might praise him.

### Greek text

Οὐκοῦν νοεῖτε, τέκνα εὐφροσύνης, ὅτι πάντα ὁ καλὸς κύριος προεφανέρωσεν ἡμῖν, ἵνα γνῶμεν, ᾧ κατὰ πάντα εὐχαριστοῦντες ὀφείλομεν αἰνεῖν.

### English translation (Claude)

Understand, then, children of gladness, that the good Lord revealed everything to us beforehand, so that we might know whom we ought to praise, giving thanks for everything.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 7.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/7/1/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 7.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/7/2/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:364
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: The Son of God suffered only for our sake.

### Greek text

εἰ οὖν ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ θεοῦ, ὢν κύριος καὶ μέλλων κρίνειν ζῶντας καὶ νεκρούς, ἔπαθεν, ἵνα ἡ πληγὴ αὐτοῦ ζωοποιήσῃ ἡμᾶς· πιστεύσωμεν, ὅτι ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ θεοῦ οὐκ ἠδύνατο παθεῖν εἰ μὴ διʼ ἡμᾶς.

### English translation (Claude)

If, then, the Son of God, being Lord and about to judge the living and the dead, suffered so that his wound might give us life, let us believe that the Son of God could not suffer except for our sake.

### Scripture references

- Acts 10:42: echo, medium confidence
- 2 Tim 4:1: echo, medium confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 7.2 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/7/2/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 7.3

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/7/3/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:364
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: The Day of Atonement fast and Isaac's sacrifice foreshadow Christ.

### Greek text

ἀλλὰ καὶ σταυρωθεὶς ἐποτίζετο ὄξει καὶ χολῇ. ἀκούσατε, πῶς περὶ τούτου πεφανέρωκαν οἱ ἱερεῖς τοῦ ναοῦ. γεγραμμένης ἐντολῆς· Ὃς ἂν μὴ νηστεύσῃ τὴν νηστείαν, θανάτῳ ἐξολεθρευθήσεται, ἐνετείλατο κύριος, ἐπεὶ καὶ αὐτὸς ὑπὲρ τῶν ἡμετέρων ἁμαρτιῶν ἔμελλεν τὸ σκεῦος τοῦ πνεύματος προσφέρειν θυσίαν, ἵνα καὶ ὁ τύπος ὁ γενόμενος ἐπὶ Ἰσαὰκ τοῦ προσενεχθέντος ἐπὶ τὸ θυσιαστήριον τελεσθῇ.

### English translation (Claude)

But also, when he was crucified, he was given vinegar and gall to drink. Hear how the priests of the temple revealed this. When the commandment was written, “Whoever does not keep the fast shall surely die,” the Lord commanded it, since he himself was to offer the vessel of the Spirit as a sacrifice for our sins, so that the type set forth in Isaac, who was offered on the altar, might be fulfilled.

### Scripture references

- Matt 27:34: echo, high confidence
- Lev 23:29: allusion, high confidence
- Gen 22:9: allusion, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- “The vessel of the Spirit”: Christ's body.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 7.3 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/7/3/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 7.4

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/7/4/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:364
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: The priests eat the goat's entrails with vinegar.

### Greek text

τί οὖν λέγει ἐν τῷ προφήτῃ; Καὶ φαγέτωσαν ἐκ τοῦ τράγου τοῦ προσφερομένου τῇ νηστείᾳ ὑπὲρ πασῶν τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν. προσέχετε ἀκριβῶς· Καὶ φαγέτωσαν οἱ ἱερεῖς μόνοι πάντες τὸ ἔντερον ἄπλυτον μετὰ ὄξους.

### English translation (Claude)

What, then, does he say in the prophet? “And let them eat of the goat that is offered at the fast for all their sins.” Pay close attention: “And let the priests alone eat the entrails unwashed with vinegar.”

### Translation notes

- These instructions are not in the Old Testament; they reflect Jewish tradition about the Day of Atonement (compare Mishnah, Menahot 11.7).

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 7.4 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/7/4/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 7.5

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/7/5/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:364
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: The rite foreshadows the gall and vinegar given to Christ.

### Greek text

πρὸς τί; ἐπειδὴ ἐμὲ ὑπὲρ ἁμαρτιῶν μέλλοντα τοῦ λαοῦ μου τοῦ καινοῦ προσφέρειν τὴν σάρκα μου μέλλετε ποτίζειν χολὴν μετὰ ὄξους, φάγετε ὑμεῖς μόνοι, τοῦ λαοῦ νηστεύοντος καὶ κοπτομένου ἐπὶ σάκκου καὶ σποδοῦ. ἵνα δείξῃ, ὅτι δεῖ αὐτὸν παθεῖν ὑπʼ αὐτῶν.

### English translation (Claude)

Why? Because you are going to give me gall with vinegar to drink when I am about to offer my flesh for the sins of my new people; you alone eat, while the people fast and mourn in sackcloth and ashes; to show that he must suffer at their hands.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 7.5 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/7/5/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 7.6

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/7/6/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:364
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: The two goats of the Day of Atonement.

### Greek text

ἃ ἐνετείλατο, προσέχετε· Λάβετε δύο τράγους καλοὺς καὶ ὁμοίους καὶ προσενέγκατε, καὶ λαβέτω ὁ ἱερεὺς τὸν ἔνα εἰς ὁλοκαύτωμα ὑπὲρ ἁμαρτιῶν.

### English translation (Claude)

Pay attention to what he commanded: “Take two goats, good and alike, and offer them, and let the priest take one as a whole burnt offering for sins.”

### Scripture references

- Lev 16:7: allusion, high confidence
- Lev 16:9: allusion, high confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 7.6 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/7/6/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 7.7

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/7/7/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:364–366
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: The second goat is accursed: a type of Jesus.

### Greek text

τὸν δὲ ἕνα τί ποιήσωσιν; Ἐπικατάρατος, φησιν, ὁ εἷς. προσέχετε, πῶς ὁ τύπος τοῦ Ἰησοῦ φανεροῦται·

### English translation (Claude)

And what shall they do with the other? “The other,” he says, “is accursed.” Notice how the type of Jesus is revealed:

### Scripture references

- Lev 16:8: allusion, medium confidence
- Gal 3:13: echo, medium confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 7.7 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/7/7/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 7.8

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/7/8/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:366
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: The scapegoat is spat upon, pierced, and crowned with scarlet wool.

### Greek text

Καὶ ἐμπτύσατε πάντες καὶ κατακεντήσατε καὶ περίθετε τὸ ἔριον τὸ κόκκινον περὶ τὴν κεφαλὴν αὐτοῦ, καὶ οὕτως εἰς ἔρημον βληθήτω. καὶ ὅταν γένηται οὕτως, ἄγει ὁ βαστάζων τὸν τράγον εἰς τὴν ἔρημον καὶ ἀφαιρεῖ τὸ ἔριον καὶ ἐπιτίθησιν αὐτὸ ἐπὶ φρύγανον τὸ λεγόμενον ῥαχήλ, οὗ καὶ τοὺς βλαστοὺς εἰώθαμεν τρώγειν ἐν τῇ χώρᾳ εὑρίσκοντες· οὕτω μόνης τῆς ῥαχοῦς οἱ καρποὶ γλυκεῖς εἰσιν.

### English translation (Claude)

“And all of you spit on it and pierce it, and put the scarlet wool around its head, and so let it be driven into the wilderness.” And when this has been done, the one who carries the goat leads it into the wilderness, takes off the wool, and places it on a bush called rachel, whose shoots we are accustomed to eat when we find them in the countryside; so sweet are the fruits of the rachel alone.

### Scripture references

- Lev 16:10: allusion, medium confidence
- Lev 16:21: allusion, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- These details of the scapegoat rite are not in Leviticus 16; they come from Jewish tradition.
- “Rachel”: a thorny bush, perhaps a kind of bramble; the name is otherwise unknown.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 7.8 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/7/8/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 7.9

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/7/9/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:366
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: At his coming, those who crucified Christ will recognize him.

### Greek text

τί οὖν τοῦτό ἐστιν; προσέχετε· Τὸν μὲν ἕνα ἐπὶ τὸ θυσιαστήριον, τὸν δὲ ἕνα ἐπικατάρατον, καὶ ὅτι τὸν ἐπικατάρατον ἐστεφανωμένον; ἐπειδὴ ὄψονται αὐτὸν τότε τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τὸν ποδήρη ἔχοντα τὸν κόκκινον περὶ τὴν σάρκα καὶ ἐροῦσιν· Οὐχ οὗτός ἐστιν, ὅν ποτε ἡμεῖς ἐσταυρώσαμεν ἐξουθενήσαντες καὶ κατακεντήσαντες καὶ ἐμπτύσαντες; ἀληθῶς οὗτος ἦν, ὁ τότε λέγων ἑαυτὸν υἱὸν θεοῦ εἶναι.

### English translation (Claude)

What, then, does this mean? Pay attention: “The one on the altar, the other accursed,” and why is the accursed one crowned? Because they will see him then on that day with the long scarlet robe about his flesh, and they will say, “Is this not the one whom we once crucified, despising and piercing and spitting on him? Truly this was the one who then said he was the Son of God.”

### Scripture references

- Zech 12:10: echo, medium confidence
- Rev 1:7: echo, medium confidence
- Matt 27:28: echo, medium confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 7.9 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/7/9/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 7.10

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/7/10/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:366
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: The identical goats foreshadow Christ's suffering and return.

### Greek text

πῶς γὰρ ὅμοιος ἐκείνῳ; εἰς τοῦτο ὁμοίους τοὺς τράγους, καλούς, ἴσους, ἵνα, ὅταν ἴδωσιν αὐτὸν τότε ἐρχόμενον, ἐκπλαγῶσιν ἐπὶ τῇ ὁμοιότητι τοῦ τράγου. οὐκοῦν ἴδε τὸν τύπον τοῦ μέλλοντος πάσχειν Ἰησοῦ.

### English translation (Claude)

For how is he like that goat? For this reason the goats are alike, good, and equal: so that when they see him coming then, they may be astonished at the likeness of the goat. See, then, the type of Jesus, who was to suffer.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 7.10 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/7/10/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 7.11

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/7/11/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:366–368
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: To gain the kingdom one must pass through thorns and suffering.

### Greek text

τί δέ, ὅτι τὸ ἔριον μέσον τῶν ἀκανθῶν τιθέασιν; τύπος ἐστὶν τοῦ Ἰησοῦ τῇ ἐκκλησίᾳ θέμενος, ὅτι ὃς ἐὰν θέλῃ τὸ ἔριον ἆραι τὸ κόκκινον, δεῖ αὐτὸν πολλὰ παθεῖν διὰ τὸ εἶναι φοβερὰν τὴν ἄκανθαν, καὶ θλιβέντα κυριεῦσαι αὐτοῦ. οὕτω, φησίν, οἱ θέλοντές με ἰδεῖν καὶ ἅψασθαί μου τῆς βασιλείας ὀφείλουσιν θλιβέντες καὶ παθόντες λαβεῖν με.

### English translation (Claude)

And why do they place the wool in the midst of the thorns? It is a type of Jesus set forth for the church: whoever wishes to take the scarlet wool must suffer much, because the thorn is fearsome, and gain it only through affliction. So, he says, those who wish to see me and lay hold of my kingdom must receive me through affliction and suffering.

### Scripture references

- Acts 14:22: echo, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- The closing saying is not found in the canonical Gospels; compare Acts 14:22.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 7.11 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/7/11/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 8.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/8/1/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:368
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: The red heifer rite is a type of the cross.

### Greek text

Τίνα δὲ δοκεῖτε τύπον εἶναι, ὅτι ἐντέταλται τῷ Ἰσραὴλ προσφέρειν δάμαλιν τοὺς ἄνδρας, ἐν οἷς εἰσὶν ἁμαρτίαι τέλειαι, καὶ σφάξαντας κατακαίειν, καὶ αἴρειν τότε τὴν σποδὸν παιδία καὶ βάλλειν εἰς ἄγγη καὶ περιτιθέναι τὸ ἔριον τὸ κόκκινον ἐπὶ ξύλον ʽἴδε πάλιν ὁ τύπος ὁ τοῦ σταυροῦ καὶ τὸ ἔριον τὸ κόκκινονʼ καὶ τὸ ὕσσωπον, καὶ οὕτως ῥαντίζειν τὰ παιδία καθʼ ἕνα τὸν λαόν, ἵνα ἁγνίζωνται ἀπὸ τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν;

### English translation (Claude)

And what do you think is the type in this, that Israel was commanded that men in whom sins are complete should offer a heifer, and slaughter and burn it, and that then children should take the ashes and put them into vessels, and tie the scarlet wool and the hyssop on a stick (see again the type of the cross and the scarlet wool), and so the children should sprinkle the people one by one, so that they might be purified from their sins?

### Scripture references

- Num 19:2: allusion, high confidence
- Num 19:9: allusion, medium confidence
- Num 19:18: allusion, medium confidence
- Heb 9:13: echo, medium confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 8.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/8/1/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 8.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/8/2/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:368
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: The calf is Jesus; those who offer it are those who killed him.

### Greek text

νοεῖτε, πῶς ἐν ἁπλότητι λέγει ὑμῖν. ὁ μόσχος ὁ Ἰησοῦς ἐστίν, οἱ προσφέροντες ἄνδρες ἁμαρτωλοὶ οἱ προσενέγκαντες αὐτὸν ἐπὶ τὴν σφαγήν. εἶτα οὐκέτι ἄνδρες, οὐκέτι ἁμαρτωλῶν ἡ δόξα.

### English translation (Claude)

Understand how simply he speaks to you. The calf is Jesus; the sinful men who offer it are those who brought him to the slaughter. Then there are no longer men, no longer the glory of sinners.

### Translation notes

- The last sentence is obscure; it may mean that after this, sinners have no more part in the rite.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 8.2 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/8/2/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 8.3

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/8/3/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:368
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: The sprinkling children are the twelve apostles.

### Greek text

οἱ ῥαντίζοντες παῖδες οἱ εὐαγγελισάμενοι ἡμῖν τὴν ἄφεσιν τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν καὶ τὸν ἁγνισμὸν τῆς καρδίας, οἷς ἔδωκεν τοῦ εὐαγγελίου τὴν ἐξουσίαν ʽοὖσιν δεκάδυο εἰς μαρτύριον τῶν φυλῶν ὅτι δεκάδυο φυλαὶ τοῦ Ἰσραήλʼ, εἰς τὸ κηρύσσειν.

### English translation (Claude)

The children who sprinkle are those who preached to us the forgiveness of sins and the purification of the heart, to whom he gave authority over the gospel to preach (they were twelve, as a testimony to the tribes, because there are twelve tribes of Israel).

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 8.3 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/8/3/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 8.4

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/8/4/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:368
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Three sprinklers stand for Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

### Greek text

διὰ τί δὲ τρεῖς παῖδες οἱ ῥαντίζοντες; εἰς μαρτύριον Ἀβραάμ, Ἰσαάκ, Ἰακώβ, ὅτι οὗτοι μεγάλοι τῷ θεῷ.

### English translation (Claude)

And why are there three children who sprinkle? As a testimony to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, because these were great before God.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 8.4 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/8/4/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 8.5

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/8/5/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:368–370
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: The wool on the stick means Jesus reigns from the cross.

### Greek text

ὅτι δὲ τὸ ἔριον ἐπὶ τὸ ξύλον; ὅτι ἡ βασιλεία Ἰησοῦ ἐπὶ ξύλου, καὶ ὅτι οἱ ἐλπίζοντες ἐπʼ αὐτὸν ζήσονται εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα.

### English translation (Claude)

And why is the wool on the stick? Because the kingdom of Jesus is on the tree, and because those who hope in him will live forever.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 8.5 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/8/5/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 8.6

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/8/6/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:370
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Hyssop means healing in evil days.

### Greek text

διὰ τί δὲ ἅμα τὸ ἔριον καὶ τὸ ὕσσωπον; ὅτι ἐν τῇ βασιλείᾳ αὐτοῦ ἡμέραι ἔσονται πονηραὶ καὶ ῥυπαραί, ἐν αἷς ἡμεῖς σωθησόμεθα· ὅτι καὶ ὁ ἀλγῶν σάρκα διὰ τοῦ ῥύπου τοῦ ὑσσώπου ἰᾶται.

### English translation (Claude)

And why the wool and the hyssop together? Because in his kingdom there will be evil and foul days, in which we shall be saved; for the one who suffers in the flesh is healed through the cleansing of the hyssop.

### Translation notes

- “The cleansing of the hyssop” (τοῦ ῥύπου τοῦ ὑσσώπου): literally “the dirt of the hyssop”; the phrase is obscure.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 8.6 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/8/6/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 8.7

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/8/7/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:370
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: These meanings are clear to us but hidden from those who did not listen.

### Greek text

καὶ διὰ τοῦτο οὕτως γενόμενα ἡμῖν μέν ἐστιν φανερά, ἐκείνοις δὲ σκοτεινά, ὅτι οὐκ ἤκουσαν φωνῆς κυρίου.

### English translation (Claude)

And for this reason these things, happening in this way, are plain to us but obscure to them, because they did not hear the voice of the Lord.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 8.7 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/8/7/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 9.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/9/1/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:370
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: God circumcised our hearts and ears to hear.

### Greek text

Λέγει γὰρ πάλιν περὶ τῶν ὠτίων, πῶς περιέτεμεν ἡμῶν τὴν καρδίαν. λέγει κύριος ἐν τῷ προφήτῃ· Εἰς ἀκοὴν ὠτίου ὑπήκουσάν μου. καὶ πάλιν λέγει· Ἀκοῇ ἀκούσονται οἱ πόρρωθεν, ἃ ἐποίησα γνώσονται. καί· Περιτμήθητε, λέγει κύριος, τὰς καρδίας ὑμῶν.

### English translation (Claude)

For he speaks again about the ears, how he circumcised our heart. The Lord says in the prophet, “At the hearing of the ear they obeyed me.” And again he says, “Those far off will hear with their hearing; they will know what I have done.” And, “Circumcise your hearts, says the Lord.”

### Scripture references

- Ps 18:44 (17:45 LXX): quotation, high confidence
- Isa 33:13: quotation, high confidence
- Jer 4:4: quotation, high confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 9.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/9/1/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 9.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/9/2/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:370
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: The prophets call Israel to hear the Lord's Servant.

### Greek text

καὶ πάλιν λέγει Ἄκουε Ἰσραήλ. ὅτι τάδε λέγει κύριος ὁ θεός σου. καὶ πάλιν τὸ πνεῦμα κυρίου προφητεύει· Τίς ἐστιν ὁ θέλων ζῆσαι εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα; ἀκοῇ ἀκουσάτω τῆς φωνῆς τοῦ παιδός μου.

### English translation (Claude)

And again he says, “Hear, O Israel, for thus says the Lord your God.” And again the Spirit of the Lord prophesies, “Who is the one who wishes to live forever? Let him listen closely to the voice of my Servant.”

### Scripture references

- Jer 7:2: allusion, medium confidence
- Deut 6:4: echo, medium confidence
- Ps 34:12 (33:13 LXX): allusion, medium confidence
- Isa 50:10: allusion, medium confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 9.2 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/9/2/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 9.3

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/9/3/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:370
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: God circumcised our hearing so that we might hear and believe.

### Greek text

καὶ πάλιν λέγει· Ἄκουε οὐρανέ, καὶ ἐνωτίζου γῆ, ὅτι κύριος ἐλάλησεν ταῦτα εἰς μαρτύριον. καὶ πάλιν λέγει· Ἀκούσατε λόγον κυρίου, ἄρχοντες τοῦ λαοῦ τούτου. καὶ πάλιν λέγει· Ἀκούσατε, τέκνα, φωνῆς βοῶντος ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ. οὐκοῦν περιέτεμεν ἡμῶν τὰς ἀκοάς, ἵνα ἀκούσαντες λόγον πιστεύσωμεν ἡμεῖς.

### English translation (Claude)

And again he says, “Hear, O heaven, and give ear, O earth, for the Lord has spoken these things as a testimony.” And again he says, “Hear the word of the Lord, you rulers of this people.” And again he says, “Hear, children, the voice of one crying in the wilderness.” So he circumcised our hearing, so that we might hear the word and believe.

### Scripture references

- Isa 1:2: quotation, high confidence
- Isa 1:10: quotation, high confidence
- Isa 28:14: allusion, medium confidence
- Isa 40:3: allusion, high confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 9.3 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/9/3/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 9.4

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/9/4/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:370–372
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Circumcision of the flesh was never meant; an evil angel misled Israel.

### Greek text

ἀλλὰ καὶ ἡ περιτομή, ἐφʼ ᾗ πεποίθασιν, κατήργηται, περιτομὴν γὰρ εἴρηκεν οὐ σαρκὸς γενηθῆναι· ἀλλὰ παρέβησαν, ὅτι ἄγγελος πονηρὸς ἐσόφιζεν αὐτούς.

### English translation (Claude)

But the circumcision in which they trust has been abolished. For he declared that circumcision was not of the flesh; but they transgressed, because an evil angel deceived them.

### Translation notes

- The claim that fleshly circumcision was due to an evil angel is the letter's own, and was not shared by other early Christian writers.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 9.4 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/9/4/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 9.5

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/9/5/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:372
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: The prophets call for circumcision of the heart.

### Greek text

λέγει πρὸς αὐτούς· Τάδε λέγει κύριος ὁ θεὸς ὑμῶν ʽὧδε εὑρίσκω ἐντολήνʼ· Μὴ σπείρητε ἐπʼ ἀκάνθαις, περιτμήθητε τῷ κυρίῳ ὑμῶν. καὶ τί λέγει; Περιτμήθητε τὴν σκληροκαρδίαν ὑμῶν, καὶ τὸν τράχηλον ὑμῶν οὐ σκληρυνεῖτε. λάβε πάλιν· Ἰδού, λέγει κύριος, πάντα τὰ ἔθνη ἀπερίτμητα ἀκροβυστίαν, ὁ δὲ λαὸς οὗτος ἀπερίτμητος καρδίας.

### English translation (Claude)

He says to them, “Thus says the Lord your God” (here I find a commandment): “Do not sow among thorns; be circumcised to your Lord.” And what does he say? “Circumcise your hardness of heart, and do not stiffen your neck.” Take this again: “Behold, says the Lord, all the nations are uncircumcised in foreskin, but this people is uncircumcised in heart.”

### Scripture references

- Jer 4:3: quotation, high confidence
- Jer 4:4: quotation, high confidence
- Deut 10:16: quotation, high confidence
- Jer 9:26: quotation, high confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 9.5 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/9/5/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 9.6

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/9/6/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:372
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Other peoples are circumcised too, so it cannot be the covenant's seal.

### Greek text

ἀλλʼ ἐρεῖς· Καὶ μὴν περιτέτμηται ὁ λαὸς εἰς σφραγῖδα. ἀλλὰ καὶ πᾶς Σύρος καὶ Ἄραψ καὶ πάντες οἱ ἱερεῖς τῶν εἰδώλων. ἄρα οὖν κἀκεῖνοι ἐκ τῆς διαθήκης αὐτῶν εἰσίν; ἀλλὰ καὶ οἱ Αἰγύπτιοι ἐν περιτομῇ εἰσίν.

### English translation (Claude)

But you will say, “Surely the people was circumcised as a seal.” But so is every Syrian and Arab and all the priests of the idols. Are they, then, also of their covenant? Why, even the Egyptians practice circumcision.

### Scripture references

- Rom 4:11: echo, medium confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 9.6 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/9/6/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 9.7

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/9/7/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:372
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Abraham's circumcision looked forward to Jesus.

### Greek text

μάθετε οὖν, τέκνα ἀγάπης, περὶ πάντων πλουσίως, ὅτι Ἀβραάμ, πρῶτος περιτομὴν δούς, ἐν πνεύματι προβλέψας εἰς τὸν Ἰησοῦν περιέτεμεν, λαβὼν τριῶν γραμμάτων δόγματα.

### English translation (Claude)

Learn, then, children of love, about everything richly: that Abraham, who first gave circumcision, circumcised looking forward in the Spirit to Jesus, having received the teachings of three letters.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 9.7 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/9/7/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 9.8

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/9/8/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:372
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: The number 318 spells Jesus (IH) and the cross (T) in Greek numerals.

### Greek text

λέγει γάρ· Καὶ περιέτεμεν Ἀβραὰμ ἐκ τοῦ οἴκου αὐτοῦ ἄνδρας δεκαοκτὼ καὶ τριακοσίους. τίς οὖν ἡ δοθεῖσα αὐτῷ γνῶσις; μάθετε, ὅτι τοὺς δεκαοκτὼ πρώτους, καὶ διάστημα ποιήσας λέγει τριακοσίους. τὸ δεκαοκτὼ ι δέκα, η ὀκτώ· ἔχεις Ἰησοῦν. ὅτι δὲ ὁ σταυρὸς ἐν τῷ ταῦ ἤμελλεν ἔχειν τὴν χάριν, λέγει καὶ τοὺς τριακοσίους. δηλοῖ οὖν τὸν μὲν Ἰησοῦν ἐν τοῖς δυσὶν γράμμασιν, καὶ ἐν τῷ ἑνὶ τὸν σταυρόν.

### English translation (Claude)

For it says, “And Abraham circumcised from his household eighteen men and three hundred.” What, then, was the knowledge given to him? Learn that he mentions the eighteen first, and then, after a pause, the three hundred. The eighteen: I is ten, H is eight; you have Jesus. And because the cross in the letter T was to have grace, he mentions also the three hundred. So he shows Jesus in the two letters, and the cross in the one.

### Scripture references

- Gen 14:14: allusion, high confidence
- Gen 17:23: allusion, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- Greek letters also served as numbers: Ι = 10, Η = 8 (ΙΗ, the first letters of ΙΗΣΟΥΣ, “Jesus”), and Τ = 300, a letter shaped like a cross. The count of 318 comes from Gen 14:14; Gen 17:23–27 tells of the circumcision.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 9.8 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/9/8/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 9.9

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/9/9/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:372–374
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: The author vouches for the truth of this teaching.

### Greek text

οἶδεν ὁ τὴν ἔμφυτον δωρεὰν τῆς διδαχῆς αὐτοῦ θέμενος ἐν ἡμῖν. οὐδεὶς γνησιώτερον ἔμαθεν ἀπʼ ἐμοῦ λόγον· ἀλλὰ οἶδα, ὅτι ἄξιοί ἐστε ὑμεῖς.

### English translation (Claude)

He who placed within us the implanted gift of his teaching knows it. No one has learned from me a more genuine word; but I know that you are worthy.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 9.9 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/9/9/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 10.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/10/1/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:374
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Moses' food laws contain three moral teachings.

### Greek text

Ὅτι δὲ Μωϋσῆς εἶπεν· Οὐ φάγεσθε χοῖρον οὔτε ἀετὸν οὔτε ὀξύπτερον οὔτε κόρακα οὔτε πάντα ἰχθύν, ὃς οὐκ ἔχει λεπίδα ἐν ἑαυτῷ, τρία ἔλαβεν ἐν τῇ συνέσει δόγματα.

### English translation (Claude)

Now when Moses said, “You shall not eat pig, nor eagle, nor hawk, nor crow, nor any fish that has no scales on it,” he received in his understanding three teachings.

### Scripture references

- Lev 11:7: allusion, high confidence
- Lev 11:13: allusion, high confidence
- Lev 11:10: allusion, high confidence
- Deut 14:8: allusion, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- Chapter 10 reads the Jewish food laws as moral allegories: each unclean animal stands for a kind of person to avoid. The natural history is that of ancient popular belief.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 10.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/10/1/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 10.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/10/2/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:374
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: The food laws were spoken spiritually, not literally.

### Greek text

πέρας γέ τοι λέγει αὐτοῖς ἐν τῷ Δευτερονομίῳ· Καὶ διαθήσομαι πρὸς τὸν λαὸν τοῦτον τὰ δικαιώματά μου. ἄρα οὖν οὐκ ἔστιν ἐντολὴ θεοῦ τὸ μὴ τρώγειν, Μωϋσῆς δὲ ἐν πνεύματι ἐλάλησεν.

### English translation (Claude)

Indeed, he says to them in Deuteronomy, “And I will establish my righteous decrees with this people.” So then, not eating is not a commandment of God; but Moses spoke in the Spirit.

### Scripture references

- Deut 4:1: allusion, low confidence
- Deut 4:5: allusion, low confidence

### Translation notes

- The quotation is a free summary; compare Deut 4:1, 5.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 10.2 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/10/2/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 10.3

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/10/3/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:374
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: The pig stands for people who remember God only in need.

### Greek text

τὸ οὖν χοιρίον πρὸς τοῦτο εἶπεν· οὐ κολληθήσῃ φησίν, ἀνθρώποις τοιούτοις, οἵτινές εἰσιν ὅμοιοι χοίρων· τουτέστιν ὅταν σπαταλῶσιν, ἐπιλανθάνονται τοῦ κυρίου, ὅταν δὲ ὑστεροῦνται, ἐπιγινώσκουσιν τὸν κύριον, ὡς καὶ ὁ χοῖρος ὅταν τρώγει τὸν κύριον οὐκ οἶδεν, ὅταν δὲ πεινᾷ κραυγάζει, καὶ λαβὼν πάλιν σιωπᾷ.

### English translation (Claude)

So he mentioned the pig for this reason: you shall not cling, he means, to people who are like pigs; that is, when they live in luxury they forget the Lord, but when they are in want they acknowledge the Lord, just as the pig, when it eats, does not know its master, but when it is hungry it cries out, and when it has received food it is silent again.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 10.3 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/10/3/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 10.4

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/10/4/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:374
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Birds of prey stand for people who live by robbing others.

### Greek text

Οὐδὲ φάγῃ τὸν ἀετὸν οὐδὲ τὸν ὀξύπτερον οὐδὲ τὸν ἰκτῖνα οὐδὲ τὸν κόρακα· οὐ μή, φησίν, κολληθήσῃ οὐδὲ ὁμοιωθήσῃ ἀνθρώποις τοιούτοις, οἵτινες οὐκ οἴδασιν διὰ κόπου καὶ ἱδρῶτος πορίζειν ἑαυτοῖς τὴν τροφήν, ἀλλὰ ἁρπάζουσιν τὰ ἀλλότρια ἐν ἀνομίᾳ αὐτῶν καὶ ἐπιτηροῦσιν ὡς ἐν ἀκεραιοσύνῃ περιπατοῦντες καὶ περιβλέπονται, τίνα ἐκδύσωσιν διὰ τὴν πλεονεξίαν, ὡς καὶ τὰ ὄρνεα ταῦτα μόνα ἑαυτοῖς οὐ πορίζει τὴν τροφήν, ἀλλὰ ἀργὰ καθήμενα ἐκζητεῖ, πῶς ἀλλοτρίας σάρκας καταφάγῃ, ὄντα λοιμὰ τῇ πονηρίᾳ αὐτῶν.

### English translation (Claude)

“Nor shall you eat the eagle, nor the hawk, nor the kite, nor the crow.” You shall not, he means, cling to or become like such people, who do not know how to provide their food by toil and sweat, but in their lawlessness seize what belongs to others, and, while walking about as if in innocence, watch and look around for someone to strip because of their greed; just as these birds alone do not provide food for themselves, but sit idle and seek how they may devour the flesh of others, being pests in their wickedness.

### Scripture references

- Lev 11:13: allusion, high confidence
- Lev 11:14: allusion, medium confidence
- Lev 11:15: allusion, medium confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 10.4 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/10/4/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 10.5

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/10/5/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:374–376
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Bottom-dwelling fish stand for the utterly ungodly.

### Greek text

Καὶ οὐ φάγῃ, φησίν, σμύραιναν οὐδὲ πολύποδα οὐδὲ σηπίαν· οὐ μή, φησίν, ὁμοιωθήσῃ κολλώμενος ἀνθρώποις τοιούτοις, οἵτινες εἰς τέλος εἰσὶν ἀσεβεῖς καὶ κεκριμένοι ἤδη τῷ θανάτῳ, ὡς καὶ ταῦτα τὰ ἰχθύδια μόνα ἐπικατάρατα ἐν τῷ βυθῷ νήχεται, μὴ κολυμβῶντα ὡς τὰ λοιπά, ἀλλʼ ἐν τῇ γῇ κάτω τοῦ βυθοῦ κατοικεῖ.

### English translation (Claude)

“And you shall not eat,” he says, “the lamprey, nor the octopus, nor the cuttlefish.” You shall not, he means, become like such people by clinging to them, who are utterly ungodly and already condemned to death; just as these fish alone are accursed and swim in the depths, not swimming like the rest, but dwelling on the ground below the deep.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 10.5 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/10/5/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 10.6

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/10/6/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:376
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: The hare stands for corrupters of boys.

### Greek text

ἀλλὰ καὶ τὸν δασύποδα οὐ φάγῃ. πρὸς τί; οὐ μὴ γένῃ, φησίν, παιδοφθόρος οὐδὲ ὁμοιωθήσῃ τοῖς τοιούτοις, ὅτι ὁ λαγωὸς κατʼ ἐνιαυτὸν πλεονεκτεῖ τὴν ἀφόδευσιν· ὅσα γὰρ ἔτη ζῇ, τοσαύτας ἔχει τρύπας.

### English translation (Claude)

But you shall not eat the hare either. Why? You shall not, he means, become a corrupter of boys, nor become like such people, because the hare gains an extra orifice every year; for as many years as it lives, so many holes it has.

### Translation notes

- “Corrupter of boys” (παιδοφθόρος): one who sexually abuses boys; compare Did. 2.2. The claim about the hare is ancient folklore.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 10.6 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/10/6/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 10.7

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/10/7/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:376
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: The hyena stands for adulterers and corrupters.

### Greek text

ἀλλὰ οὐδὲ τὴν ὕαιναν φάγῃ· οὐ μή, φησίν, γένῃ μοιχὸς οὐδὲ φθορεὺς οὐδὲ ὁμοιωθήσῃ τοῖς τοιούτοις. πρὸς τί; ὅτι τὸ ζῷον τοῦτο παρʼ ἐνιαυτὸν ἀλλάσσει τὴν φύσιν καὶ ποτὲ μὲν ἄρρεν, ποτὲ δὲ θῆλυ γίνεται.

### English translation (Claude)

Nor shall you eat the hyena. You shall not, he means, become an adulterer or a corrupter, nor become like such people. Why? Because this animal changes its nature every year, and is sometimes male, sometimes female.

### Translation notes

- The belief that the hyena changes sex is ancient folklore.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 10.7 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/10/7/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 10.8

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/10/8/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:376
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: The weasel stands for those who commit impure acts with the mouth.

### Greek text

ἀλλὰ καὶ τὴν γαλῆν ἐμίσησεν καλῶς. οὐ μή, φησίν, γενηθῇς τοιοῦτος, οἵους ἀκούομεν ἀνομίαν ποιοῦντας ἐν τῷ στόματι διʼ ἀκαθαρσίαν, οὐδὲ κολληθήσῃ ταῖς ἀκαθάρτοις ταῖς τὴν ἀνομίαν ποιούσαις ἐν τῷ στόματι. τὸ γὰρ ζῷον τοῦτο τῷ στόματι κύει.

### English translation (Claude)

But he rightly hated the weasel also. You shall not, he means, become like those whom we hear of doing lawlessness with the mouth because of impurity; nor shall you cling to impure women who do lawlessness with the mouth. For this animal conceives through its mouth.

### Translation notes

- The author refers to oral sexual acts, which he condemns. The belief about the weasel is ancient folklore.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 10.8 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/10/8/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 10.9

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/10/9/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:376
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Israel misread spiritual teachings as rules about food.

### Greek text

περὶ μὲν τῶν βρωμάτων λαβὼν Μωϋσῆς τρία δόγματα οὕτως ἐν πνεύματι ἐλάλησεν· οἱ δὲ κατʼ ἐπιθυμίαν τῆς σαρκὸς ὡς περὶ βρώσεως προσεδέξαντο.

### English translation (Claude)

Concerning foods, then, Moses received three teachings and spoke thus in the Spirit; but they, because of the desire of the flesh, accepted them as though they concerned food.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 10.9 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/10/9/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 10.10

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/10/10/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:376–378
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Psalm 1 confirms the three teachings.

### Greek text

λαμβάνει δὲ τῶν αὐτῶν τριῶν δογμάτων γνῶσιν Δαυείδ καὶ λέγει· Μακάριος ἀνήρ, ὃς οὐκ ἐπορεύθη ἐν βουλῇ ἀσεβῶν, καθὼς καὶ οἱ ἰχθύες πορεύονται ἐν σκότει εἰς τὰ βάθη· καὶ ἐν ὁδῷ ἁμαρτωλῶν οὐκ ἔστη, καθὼς οἱ δοκοῦντες φοβεῖσθαι τὸν κύριον ἁμαρτάνουσιν ὡς ὁ χοῖρος, καὶ ἐπὶ καθέδραν λοιμῶν οὐκ ἐκάθισεν, καθὼς τὰ πετεινὰ καθήμενα εἰς ἁρπαγήν. ἔχετε τελείως καὶ περὶ τῆς βρώσεως.

### English translation (Claude)

And David receives knowledge of the same three teachings and says: “Blessed is the man who has not walked in the counsel of the ungodly,” just as the fish go in darkness into the depths; “and has not stood in the way of sinners,” just as those who seem to fear the Lord sin like the pig; “and has not sat in the seat of pestilent men,” just as the birds sit waiting for plunder. You have the full teaching also about food.

### Scripture references

- Ps 1:1: quotation, high confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 10.10 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/10/10/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 10.11

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/10/11/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:378
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Clean animals stand for those who meditate on God's word and await the age to come.

### Greek text

πάλιν λέγει Μωϋσῆς· Φάγεσθε πᾶν διχηλοῦν καὶ μαρυκώμενον. τί λέγει; ὅτι τὴν τροφὴν λαμβάνων οἶδεν τὸν τρέφοντα αὐτὸν καὶ ἐπʼ αὐτῷ ἀναπαυόμενος εὐφραίνεσθαι δοκεῖ. καλῶς εἶπεν βλέπων τὴν ἐντολήν. τί οὖν λέγει; κολλᾶσθε μετὰ τῶν φοβουμένων τὸν κύριον, μετὰ τῶν μελετώντων ὃ ἔλαβον διάσταλμα ῥήματος ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ, μετὰ τῶν λαλούντων τὰ δικαιώματα κυρίου καὶ τηρούντων, μετὰ τῶν εἰδότων, ὅτι ἡ μελέτη ἐστὶν ἔργον εὐφροσύνης, καὶ ἀναμαρυκωμένων τὸν λόγον κυρίου. τί δὲ τὸ διχηλοῦν; ὅτι ὁ δίκαιος καὶ ἐν τούτῳ τῷ κόσμῳ περιπατεῖ καὶ τὸν ἅγιον αἰῶνα ἐκδέχεται. βλέπετε, πῶς ἐνομοθέτησεν Μωϋσῆς καλῶς.

### English translation (Claude)

Again Moses says, “You shall eat every animal that divides the hoof and chews the cud.” What does he mean? That the one who receives food knows the one who feeds him, and resting upon him seems to rejoice. He spoke well, looking to the commandment. What, then, does he mean? Cling to those who fear the Lord, to those who meditate in their heart on the exact meaning of the word they have received, to those who speak and keep the Lord's righteous decrees, to those who know that meditation is a work of gladness and who chew over the word of the Lord. And what is the divided hoof? That the righteous man both walks in this world and awaits the holy age. See how well Moses legislated.

### Scripture references

- Lev 11:3: quotation, high confidence
- Deut 14:6: quotation, medium confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 10.11 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/10/11/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 10.12

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/10/12/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:378
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: We understand the commandments because God circumcised our ears and hearts.

### Greek text

ἀλλὰ πόθεν ἐκείνοις ταῦτα νοῆσαι ἢ συνιέναι; ἡμεῖς δὲ δικαίως νοήσαντες τὰς ἐντολὰς λαλοῦμεν, ὡς ἠθέλησεν ὁ κύριος. διὰ τοῦτο περιέτεμεν τὰς ἀκοὰς ἡμῶν καὶ τὰς καρδίας, ἵνα συνιῶμεν ταῦτα.

### English translation (Claude)

But how could they perceive or understand these things? But we, rightly understanding the commandments, speak them as the Lord wished. For this reason he circumcised our ears and our hearts, so that we might understand these things.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 10.12 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/10/12/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 11.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11/1/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:378
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Scripture foretold baptism and the cross.

### Greek text

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.

### English translation (Claude)

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.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 11.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11/1/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 11.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11/2/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:378–380
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Jeremiah: Israel forsook the fountain of life.

### Greek text

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.

### English translation (Claude)

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.

### Scripture references

- Jer 2:12: quotation, high confidence
- Jer 2:13: quotation, high confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 11.2 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11/2/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 11.3

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11/3/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:380
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Isaiah: Israel will be like birds taken from the nest.

### Greek text

Μὴ πέτρα ἔρημός ἐστιν τὸ ὄρος τὸ ἅγιόν μου Σινᾶ; ἔσεσθε γὰρ ὡς πετεινοῦ νοσσοὶ ἀνιπτάμενοι νοσσιᾶς ἀφῃρημένοι.

### English translation (Claude)

Is my holy mountain Sinai a desert rock? For you will be like fledglings of a bird, fluttering about when taken from the nest.”

### Scripture references

- Isa 16:1: quotation, high confidence
- Isa 16:2: quotation, high confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 11.3 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11/3/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 11.4

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11/4/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:380
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Isaiah: God will go before his people and give hidden treasures.

### Greek text

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.

### English translation (Claude)

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.”

### Scripture references

- Isa 45:2: quotation, high confidence
- Isa 45:3: quotation, high confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 11.4 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11/4/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 11.5

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11/5/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:380
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Isaiah: the sure water and the king in glory.

### Greek text

καί· Κατοικήσεις ἐν ὑψηλῷ σπηλαίῳ πέτρας ἰσχυρᾶς. καί· τὸ ὕδωρ αὐτοῦ πιστόν· βασιλέα μετὰ δόξης ὄψεσθε, καὶ ἡ ψυχὴ ὑμῶν μελετήσει φόβον κυρίου

### English translation (Claude)

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.”

### Scripture references

- Isa 33:16: quotation, high confidence
- Isa 33:17: quotation, high confidence
- Isa 33:18: quotation, medium confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 11.5 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11/5/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 11.6

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11/6/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:380
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Psalm 1: the tree planted by streams of water.

### Greek text

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.

### English translation (Claude)

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.

### Scripture references

- Ps 1:3: quotation, high confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 11.6 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11/6/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 11.7

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11/7/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:380
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Psalm 1: the ungodly will perish.

### Greek text

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.

### English translation (Claude)

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.”

### Scripture references

- Ps 1:4: quotation, high confidence
- Ps 1:5: quotation, high confidence
- Ps 1:6: quotation, high confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 11.7 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11/7/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 11.8

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11/8/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:380
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: The tree and the water in Psalm 1 are the cross and baptism.

### Greek text

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.

### English translation (Claude)

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.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 11.8 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11/8/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 11.9

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11/9/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:380–382
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: The praised land is the body in which the Spirit dwells.

### Greek text

καὶ πάλιν ἕτερος προφήτης λέγει· Καὶ ἦν ἡ γῆ τοῦ Ἰακὼβ ἐπαινουμένη παρὰ πᾶσαν τὴν γῆν. τοῦτο λέγει· τὸ σκεῦος τοῦ πνεύματος αὐτοῦ δοξάζει.

### English translation (Claude)

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.

### Scripture references

- Zeph 3:19: allusion, low confidence

### Translation notes

- 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.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 11.9 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11/9/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 11.10

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11/10/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:382
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: The river with trees of life.

### Greek text

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.

### English translation (Claude)

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.”

### Scripture references

- Ezek 47:12: allusion, high confidence
- Ezek 47:7: allusion, medium confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 11.10 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11/10/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 11.11

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11/11/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:382
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: We go down into baptism full of sin and come up bearing fruit.

### Greek text

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.

### English translation (Claude)

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.

### Translation notes

- An early description of baptism as going down into and coming up out of the water.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 11.11 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/11/11/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 12.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/12/1/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:382
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: A prophecy of the cross: blood dripping from a tree.

### Greek text

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.

### English translation (Claude)

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.

### Extrabiblical texts

- 2 Esd 5:5 (2 Esdras): allusion, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- The quotation is not in the Old Testament; the second part resembles 4 Ezra 5:5 (2 Esdras 5:5).

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 12.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/12/1/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 12.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/12/2/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:382–384
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Moses' outstretched arms in battle were a type of the cross.

### Greek text

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.

### English translation (Claude)

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.

### Scripture references

- Exod 17:8: allusion, high confidence
- Exod 17:11: allusion, high confidence
- Exod 17:12: allusion, medium confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 12.2 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/12/2/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 12.3

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/12/3/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:384
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Salvation depends on hope in the crucified one.

### Greek text

πρὸς τί; ἵνα γνῶσιν ὅτι οὐ δύνανται σωθῆναι, ἐὰν μὴ ἐπʼ αὐτῷ ἐλπίσωσιν.

### English translation (Claude)

Why? So that they might know that they cannot be saved unless they hope in him.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 12.3 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/12/3/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 12.4

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/12/4/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:384
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Isaiah: God stretched out his hands all day long.

### Greek text

καὶ πάλιν ἐν ἑτέρῳ προφήτῃ λέγει· Ὅλην τὴν ἡμέραν ἐξεπέτασα τὰς χεῖράς μου πρὸς λαὸν ἀπειθῆ καὶ ἀντιλέγοντα ὁδῷ δικαίᾳ μου.

### English translation (Claude)

And again in another prophet he says, “All day long I stretched out my hands to a disobedient people, who oppose my righteous way.”

### Scripture references

- Isa 65:2: quotation, high confidence
- Rom 10:21: echo, medium confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 12.4 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/12/4/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 12.5

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/12/5/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:384
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: The serpents in the wilderness recall the fall and point to Christ.

### Greek text

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.

### English translation (Claude)

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.

### Scripture references

- Num 21:6: allusion, high confidence
- Gen 3:1: echo, medium confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 12.5 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/12/5/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 12.6

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/12/6/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:384
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Moses made the bronze serpent as a type of Jesus.

### Greek text

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.

### English translation (Claude)

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.

### Scripture references

- Deut 27:15: quotation, medium confidence
- Lev 26:1: echo, medium confidence
- Num 21:8: allusion, high confidence
- Num 21:9: allusion, high confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 12.6 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/12/6/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 12.7

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/12/7/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:384
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Looking to the bronze serpent in faith brought life: a sign of Jesus.

### Greek text

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.

### English translation (Claude)

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.

### Scripture references

- Num 21:7: allusion, high confidence
- Num 21:8: allusion, high confidence
- John 3:14: echo, medium confidence
- Col 1:16: echo, medium confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 12.7 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/12/7/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 12.8

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/12/8/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:384–386
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Moses gave Joshua the name Jesus as a prophecy.

### Greek text

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.

### English translation (Claude)

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.

### Scripture references

- Num 13:16: allusion, high confidence

### Translation notes

- In Greek, Joshua and Jesus are the same name (Ἰησοῦς). Moses renamed Hoshea as Joshua (Num 13:16).

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 12.8 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/12/8/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 12.9

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/12/9/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:386
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Moses foretold that the Son of God would destroy Amalek.

### Greek text

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.

### English translation (Claude)

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.”

### Scripture references

- Exod 17:14: allusion, high confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 12.9 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/12/9/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 12.10

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/12/10/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:386
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: David calls the Christ his Lord, not merely his son.

### Greek text

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.

### English translation (Claude)

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.”

### Scripture references

- Ps 110:1 (109:1 LXX): quotation, high confidence
- Matt 22:44: echo, medium confidence
- Mark 12:36: echo, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- “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).

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 12.10 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/12/10/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 12.11

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/12/11/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:386
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Isaiah and David both call the Christ Lord.

### Greek text

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.

### English translation (Claude)

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.

### Scripture references

- Isa 45:1: quotation, high confidence

### Translation notes

- Isa 45:1 LXX reads “to my anointed, Cyrus” (Κύρῳ); the author reads “to my Christ, the Lord” (κυρίῳ), differing by one letter.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 12.11 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/12/11/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 13.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/13/1/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:386
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Who is the heir of the covenant: this people or the former?

### Greek text

Ἴδωμεν δὲ εἰ οὗτος ὁ λαὸς κληρονομεῖ ἢ ὁ πρῶτος, καὶ εἰ ἡ διαθήκη εἰς ἡμᾶς ἢ εἰς ἐκείνους.

### English translation (Claude)

Let us see whether this people or the former is the heir, and whether the covenant is for us or for them.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 13.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/13/1/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 13.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/13/2/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:386–388
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Rebecca's twins: the greater will serve the lesser.

### Greek text

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.

### English translation (Claude)

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.”

### Scripture references

- 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

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 13.2 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/13/2/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 13.3

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/13/3/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:388
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Understand the meaning of Isaac and Rebecca.

### Greek text

αἰσθάνεσθαι ὀφείλετε, τίς ὁ Ἰσαὰκ καὶ τίς ἡ Ῥεβέκκα, καὶ ἐπὶ τίνων δέδειχεν, ὅτι μείζων ὁ λαὸς οὗτος ἢ ἐκεῖνος.

### English translation (Claude)

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.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 13.3 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/13/3/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 13.4

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/13/4/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:388
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Jacob asks to bless Joseph's sons.

### Greek text

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.

### English translation (Claude)

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.”

### Scripture references

- Gen 48:11: quotation, high confidence
- Gen 48:9: quotation, high confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 13.4 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/13/4/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 13.5

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/13/5/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:388
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Jacob's crossed hands blessed the younger son: a type of the new people.

### Greek text

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.

### English translation (Claude)

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.”

### Scripture references

- Gen 48:13: allusion, high confidence
- Gen 48:14: quotation, high confidence
- Gen 48:18: quotation, high confidence
- Gen 48:19: quotation, high confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 13.5 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/13/5/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 13.6

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/13/6/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:388
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: This people is first and heir of the covenant.

### Greek text

βλέπετε, ἐπὶ τίνων τέθεικεν, τὸν λαὸν τοῦτον εἶναι πρῶτον καὶ τῆς διαθήκης κληρονόμον.

### English translation (Claude)

See on whom he has set it: that this people is first and heir of the covenant.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 13.6 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/13/6/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 13.7

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/13/7/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:388–390
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Abraham is father of the uncircumcised who believe.

### Greek text

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.

### English translation (Claude)

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.”

### Scripture references

- Gen 15:6: allusion, high confidence
- Gen 17:5: allusion, high confidence
- Rom 4:11: allusion, high confidence
- Rom 4:17: allusion, medium confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 13.7 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/13/7/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 14.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/14/1/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:390
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: God gave the covenant, but Israel was unworthy to receive it.

### Greek text

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.

### English translation (Claude)

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.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 14.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/14/1/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 14.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/14/2/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:390
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Moses received the tablets on Sinai.

### Greek text

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.

### English translation (Claude)

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.

### Scripture references

- Exod 24:18: allusion, high confidence
- Exod 31:18: allusion, high confidence
- Exod 34:28: allusion, medium confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 14.2 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/14/2/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 14.3

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/14/3/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:390
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Israel's idolatry broke the tablets of the covenant.

### Greek text

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.

### English translation (Claude)

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.

### Scripture references

- Exod 32:7: allusion, high confidence
- Exod 32:19: allusion, high confidence
- Deut 9:12: allusion, high confidence
- Deut 9:17: allusion, medium confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 14.3 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/14/3/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 14.4

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/14/4/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:390
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Moses received the covenant as a servant; the Lord gave it to us himself.

### Greek text

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.

### English translation (Claude)

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.

### Scripture references

- Heb 3:5: echo, medium confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 14.4 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/14/4/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 14.5

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/14/5/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:390–392
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Christ appeared to redeem us and establish the covenant in us.

### Greek text

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.

### English translation (Claude)

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.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 14.5 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/14/5/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 14.6

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/14/6/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:392
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: The Father commanded Christ to prepare a holy people.

### Greek text

γέγραπται γάρ, πῶς αὐτῷ ὁ πατὴρ ἐντέλλεται, λυτρωσάμενον ἡμᾶς ἐκ τοῦ σκότους ἑτοιμάσαι ἑαυτῷ λαὸν ἅγιον.

### English translation (Claude)

For it is written how the Father commands him, having redeemed us from darkness, to prepare a holy people for himself.

### Scripture references

- Titus 2:14: echo, medium confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 14.6 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/14/6/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 14.7

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/14/7/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:392
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Isaiah: the Servant is a covenant and a light for the nations.

### Greek text

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.

### English translation (Claude)

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.

### Scripture references

- Isa 42:6: quotation, high confidence
- Isa 42:7: quotation, high confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 14.7 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/14/7/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 14.8

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/14/8/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:392
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Isaiah: a light to the nations and salvation to the ends of the earth.

### Greek text

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.

### English translation (Claude)

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.”

### Scripture references

- Isa 49:6: quotation, high confidence
- Isa 49:7: quotation, medium confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 14.8 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/14/8/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 14.9

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/14/9/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:392
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Isaiah: the Spirit of the Lord is upon me.

### Greek text

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.

### English translation (Claude)

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.”

### Scripture references

- Isa 61:1: quotation, high confidence
- Isa 61:2: quotation, high confidence
- Luke 4:18: echo, medium confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 14.9 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/14/9/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 15.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/15/1/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:392
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: The commandment to keep the Sabbath holy.

### Greek text

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.

### English translation (Claude)

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.”

### Scripture references

- Exod 20:8: allusion, high confidence
- Deut 5:12: allusion, high confidence
- Ps 24:4 (23:4 LXX): allusion, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- The words “with clean hands and a clean heart” are added from Ps 24:4.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 15.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/15/1/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 15.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/15/2/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:392–394
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: If they keep the Sabbath, God will show mercy.

### Greek text

καὶ ἐν ἑτέρῳ λέγει· Ἐὰν φυλάξωσιν οἱ υἱοί μου τὸ σάββατον, τότε ἐπιθήσω τὸ ἔλεός μου ἐπʼ αὐτούς.

### English translation (Claude)

And in another place he says, “If my sons keep the Sabbath, then I will bestow my mercy upon them.”

### Scripture references

- Jer 17:24: allusion, medium confidence
- Jer 17:25: allusion, medium confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 15.2 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/15/2/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 15.3

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/15/3/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:394
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: God finished creation in six days and rested on the seventh.

### Greek text

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.

### English translation (Claude)

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.”

### Scripture references

- Gen 2:2: quotation, high confidence
- Gen 2:3: quotation, high confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 15.3 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/15/3/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 15.4

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/15/4/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:394
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: The six days of creation mean six thousand years of history.

### Greek text

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.

### English translation (Claude)

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.

### Scripture references

- Ps 90:4 (89:4 LXX): allusion, high confidence
- 2 Pet 3:8: echo, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- An early form of the “world-week” scheme, in which history lasts six thousand years before the Lord's rest.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 15.4 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/15/4/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 15.5

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/15/5/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:394
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: God's rest on the seventh day is Christ's coming and judgment.

### Greek text

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.

### English translation (Claude)

“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.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 15.5 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/15/5/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 15.6

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/15/6/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:394
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: No one can now keep the Sabbath truly holy.

### Greek text

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.

### English translation (Claude)

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.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 15.6 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/15/6/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 15.7

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/15/7/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:394
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: We will keep the true Sabbath when all things are made new.

### Greek text

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.

### English translation (Claude)

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.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 15.7 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/15/7/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 15.8

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/15/8/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:394–396
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: God rejects the present sabbaths; the eighth day begins a new world.

### Greek text

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.

### English translation (Claude)

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.

### Scripture references

- Isa 1:13: quotation, high confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 15.8 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/15/8/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 15.9

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/15/9/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:396
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Christians celebrate the eighth day, the day of the resurrection.

### Greek text

διὸ καὶ ἄγομεν τὴν ἡμέραν τὴν ὀγδόην εἰς εὐφροσύνην, ἐν ᾗ καὶ ὁ Ἰησοῦς ἀνέστη ἐκ νεκρῶν καὶ φανερωθεὶς ἀνέβη εἰς οὐρανούς.

### English translation (Claude)

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.

### Translation notes

- 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.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 15.9 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/15/9/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 16.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/16/1/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:396
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Israel wrongly put its hope in the temple building.

### Greek text

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.

### English translation (Claude)

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.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 16.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/16/1/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 16.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/16/2/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:396
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Isaiah: God cannot be contained in a house.

### Greek text

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.

### English translation (Claude)

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.

### Scripture references

- Isa 40:12: quotation, high confidence
- Isa 66:1: quotation, high confidence
- Acts 7:49: echo, medium confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 16.2 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/16/2/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 16.3

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/16/3/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:396
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Those who destroyed the temple will rebuild it.

### Greek text

πέρας γέ τοι πάλιν λέγει· Ἰδού, οἱ καθελόντες τὸν ναὸν τοῦτον αὐτοὶ αὐτὸν οἰκοδομήσουσιν.

### English translation (Claude)

Indeed, again he says, “Behold, those who tore down this temple will themselves build it.”

### Scripture references

- Isa 49:17: allusion, low confidence

### Translation notes

- The quotation is not found as such in scripture; compare Isa 49:17 LXX.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 16.3 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/16/3/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 16.4

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/16/4/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:396
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: The temple destroyed by enemies will be rebuilt by their servants.

### Greek text

γίνεται, διὰ γὰρ τὸ πολεμεῖν αὐτοὺς καθῃρέθη ὑπὸ τῶν ἐχθρῶν· νῦν καὶ αὐτοὶ οἱ τῶν ἐχθρῶν ὑπηρέται ἀνοικοδομήσουσιν αὐτόν.

### English translation (Claude)

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.

### Translation notes

- 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.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 16.4 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/16/4/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 16.5

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/16/5/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:396
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Scripture foretold the handing over of the city and temple.

### Greek text

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.

### English translation (Claude)

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.

### Extrabiblical texts

- 1 En. 89.56 (1 Enoch): allusion, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- The quotation is not in the Old Testament; it resembles 1 En. 89.56–66, where the tower stands for the temple.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 16.5 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/16/5/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 16.6

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/16/6/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:396–398
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: There is a true temple of God, to be built in the Lord's name.

### Greek text

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.

### English translation (Claude)

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.”

### Scripture references

- Dan 9:24: allusion, low confidence

### Extrabiblical texts

- 1 En. 91.13 (1 Enoch): allusion, low confidence

### Translation notes

- The source of the quotation is uncertain; compare Dan 9:24–27 and 1 En. 91.13.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 16.6 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/16/6/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 16.7

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/16/7/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:398
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Before faith our hearts were a house of demons.

### Greek text

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,

### English translation (Claude)

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.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 16.7 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/16/7/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 16.8

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/16/8/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:398
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Forgiven and made new, we become God's dwelling.

### Greek text

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.

### English translation (Claude)

“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.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 16.8 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/16/8/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 16.9

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/16/9/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:398
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: God dwells in us and leads us into the incorruptible temple.

### Greek text

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.

### English translation (Claude)

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.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 16.9 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/16/9/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 16.10

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/16/10/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:398–400
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: The believer is a spiritual temple built for the Lord.

### Greek text

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.

### English translation (Claude)

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.

### Scripture references

- 1 Cor 3:16: echo, medium confidence
- Eph 2:21: echo, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- The first sentence is compressed; it seems to describe a hearer who is amazed that God speaks through a Christian preacher.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 16.10 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/16/10/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 17.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/17/1/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:400
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: The author hopes he has left out nothing needed for salvation.

### Greek text

Ἐφʼ ὅσον ἦν ἐν δυνατῷ καὶ ἁπλότητι δηλῶσαι ὑμῖν, ἐλπίζει μου ἡ ψυχὴ τῇ ἐπιθυμίᾳ μου μὴ παραλελοιπέναι τι τῶν ἀνηκόντων εἰς σωτηρίαν.

### English translation (Claude)

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.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 17.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/17/1/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 17.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/17/2/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:400
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Other matters are hidden in parables.

### Greek text

ἐὰν γὰρ περὶ τῶν ἐνεστώτων ἢ μελλόντων γράφω ὑμῖν, οὐ μὴ νοήσητε διὰ τὸ ἐν παραβολαῖς κεῖσθαι. ταῦτα μὲν οὕτως.

### English translation (Claude)

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.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 17.2 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/17/2/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 18.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/18/1/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:400
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: The Two Ways: light and darkness, with their angels.

### Greek text

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.

### English translation (Claude)

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.

### Translation notes

- 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.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 18.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/18/1/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 18.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/18/2/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:400
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: God rules forever; Satan rules the present lawless age.

### Greek text

καὶ ὁ μέν ἐστιν κύριος ἀπὸ αἰώνων καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας, ὁ δὲ ἄρχων καιροῦ τοῦ νῦν τῆς ἀνομίας.

### English translation (Claude)

And the one is Lord from eternity to eternity, and the other is the ruler of the present time of lawlessness.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 18.2 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/18/2/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 19.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/19/1/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:400
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: The way of light begins.

### Greek text

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.

### English translation (Claude)

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:

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 19.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/19/1/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 19.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/19/2/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:400–402
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Love, fear, and glorify God; hate hypocrisy.

### Greek text

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.

### English translation (Claude)

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.

### Scripture references

- Deut 6:5: echo, medium confidence
- Matt 5:3: echo, low confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 19.2 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/19/2/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 19.3

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/19/3/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:402
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Be humble; plot no evil against a neighbor.

### Greek text

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.

### English translation (Claude)

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.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 19.3 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/19/3/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 19.4

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/19/4/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:402
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: No sexual immorality, adultery, or abuse of boys; be gentle and forgiving.

### Greek text

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.

### English translation (Claude)

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.

### Scripture references

- Exod 20:14: echo, medium confidence
- Isa 66:2: echo, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- “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.”

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 19.4 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/19/4/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 19.5

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/19/5/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:402
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Love your neighbor; do not kill a child by abortion or after birth; teach children to fear God.

### Greek text

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.

### English translation (Claude)

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.

### Scripture references

- Exod 20:7: allusion, high confidence
- Lev 19:18: echo, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- “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).

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 19.5 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/19/5/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 19.6

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/19/6/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:402
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Do not covet; keep company with the humble; accept what comes as from God.

### Greek text

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.

### English translation (Claude)

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.

### Scripture references

- Exod 20:17: echo, medium confidence
- Rom 12:16: echo, low confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 19.6 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/19/6/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 19.7

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/19/7/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:402–404
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Slaves respect masters; masters must not treat slaves harshly.

### Greek text

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.

### English translation (Claude)

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.

### Scripture references

- Eph 6:5: echo, medium confidence
- Eph 6:9: echo, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- 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.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 19.7 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/19/7/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 19.8

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/19/8/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:404
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Share everything; guard the tongue; keep pure.

### Greek text

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.

### English translation (Claude)

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.

### Scripture references

- Acts 4:32: echo, medium confidence
- Prov 21:6: echo, low confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 19.8 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/19/8/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 19.9

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/19/9/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:404
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Be generous; cherish those who teach you God's word.

### Greek text

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.

### English translation (Claude)

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.

### Scripture references

- Deut 32:10: echo, low confidence

### Extrabiblical texts

- Sir 4:31 (Sirach): allusion, medium confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 19.9 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/19/9/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 19.10

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/19/10/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:404
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Remember the judgment; seek the saints; work to save souls or give for your sins.

### Greek text

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.

### English translation (Claude)

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.

### Translation notes

- “A ransom for your sins”: giving from one's labor (alms) as atonement for sins, as in Did. 4.6.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 19.10 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/19/10/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 19.11

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/19/11/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:404
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Give without grumbling; keep the teaching unaltered; judge justly.

### Greek text

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.

### English translation (Claude)

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.

### Scripture references

- Deut 4:2: allusion, medium confidence
- Deut 12:32: allusion, medium confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 19.11 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/19/11/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 19.12

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/19/12/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:404–406
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Make peace, confess sins, and pray with a clean conscience.

### Greek text

οὐ ποιήσεις σχίσμα, εἰρηνεύσεις δὲ μαχομένους συναγαγών. ἐξομολογήσῃ ἐπὶ ἁμαρτίαις σου. οὐ προσήξεις ἐπὶ προσευχὴν ἐν συνειδήσει πονηρᾷ. αὕτη ἐστὶν ἡ ὁδὸς τοῦ φωτός.

### English translation (Claude)

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.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 19.12 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/19/12/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 20.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/20/1/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:406
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: The way of darkness: a list of vices leading to eternal death.

### Greek text

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.

### English translation (Claude)

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.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 20.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/20/1/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 20.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/20/2/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:406
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Those on the way of darkness oppress the poor and kill children.

### Greek text

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.

### English translation (Claude)

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.

### Translation notes

- “Murderers of children, destroyers of God's handiwork”: the same words as in Did. 5.2.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 20.2 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/20/2/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 21.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/21/1/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:406–408
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Walk in the Lord's decrees; there will be resurrection and recompense.

### Greek text

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.

### English translation (Claude)

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.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 21.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/21/1/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 21.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/21/2/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:408
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: An appeal to the well-off to do good to those among them.

### Greek text

ἐρωτῶ τοὺς ὑπερέχοντας, εἴ τινά μου γνώμης ἀγαθῆς λαμβάνετε συμβουλίαν· ἔχετε μεθʼ ἑαυτῶν εἰς οὓς ἐργάσησθε τὸ καλόν· μὴ ἐλλείπητε,

### English translation (Claude)

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.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 21.2 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/21/2/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 21.3

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/21/3/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:408
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: The day of the Lord and his reward is near.

### Greek text

ἐγγὺς ἡ ἡμέρα ἐν ᾗ συναπολεῖται πάντα τῷ πονηρῷ· ἐγγὺς ὁ κύριος καὶ ὁ μισθὸς αὐτοῦ.

### English translation (Claude)

The day is near when everything will perish together with the evil one; the Lord and his reward are near.

### Scripture references

- Isa 40:10: echo, medium confidence
- Rev 22:12: echo, medium confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 21.3 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/21/3/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 21.4

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/21/4/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:408
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Be good guides and counselors to one another.

### Greek text

ἔτι καὶ ἔτι ἐρωτῶ ὑμᾶς· ἑαυτῶν γίνεσθε νομοθέται ἀγαθοί, ἑαυτῶν μένετε σύμβουλοι πιστοί, ἄρατε ἐξ ὑμῶν πᾶσαν ὑπόκρισιν.

### English translation (Claude)

Again and again I ask you: be good lawgivers for one another; remain faithful counselors of one another; remove all hypocrisy from among you.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 21.4 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/21/4/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 21.5

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/21/5/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:408
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: A prayer for wisdom and endurance.

### Greek text

ὁ δὲ θεός, ὁ τοῦ παντὸς κόσμου κυριεύων, δῴη ὑμῖν σοφίαν, σύνεσιν, ἐπιστήμην, γνῶσιν τῶν δικαιωμάτων αὐτοῦ, ὑπομονήν.

### English translation (Claude)

And may God, who rules the whole world, give you wisdom, understanding, insight, knowledge of his righteous decrees, and endurance.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 21.5 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/21/5/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 21.6

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/21/6/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:408
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Be taught by God and ready for the judgment.

### Greek text

γίνεσθε δὲ θεοδίδακτοι, ἐκζητοῦντες τί ζητεῖ κύριος ἀφʼ ὑμῶν, καὶ ποιεῖτε ἵνα εὑρεθῆτε ἐν ἡμέρᾳ κρίσεως.

### English translation (Claude)

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.

### Scripture references

- 1 Thess 4:9: echo, medium confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 21.6 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/21/6/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 21.7

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/21/7/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:408
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: The author asks to be remembered.

### Greek text

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.

### English translation (Claude)

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.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 21.7 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/21/7/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 21.8

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/21/8/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:408
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: While in the body, keep every commandment.

### Greek text

ἕως ἔτι τὸ καλὸν σκεῦός ἐστιν μεθʼ ὑμῶν, μὴ ἐλλείπητε μηδενὶ ἑαυτῶν, ἀλλὰ συνεχῶς ἐκζητεῖτε ταῦτα καὶ ἀναπληροῦτε πᾶσαν ἐντολήν· ἔστιν γὰρ ἄξια.

### English translation (Claude)

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.

### Translation notes

- “The good vessel”: the body.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 21.8 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/21/8/).

## Epistle of Barnabas 21.9

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/21/9/
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:408
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26

Summary: Farewell and blessing.

### Greek text

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

### English translation (Claude)

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.]

### Scripture references

- Gal 6:18: echo, medium confidence
- Phlm 1:25: echo, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- The last line is the manuscript's title for the work.

### Citation (SBL)

Barn. 21.9 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/barnabas/21/9/).