Dialogue with Trypho
c. 155–160
Justin’s dialogue with Trypho the Jew on Christ in the Scriptures. English by Marcus Dods and George Reith in the Ante-Nicene Fathers.
Translated by Marcus Dods and George Reith
English translation by Marcus Dods and George Reith, in Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol. I (eds. Alexander Roberts and James Donaldson; Buffalo: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1885). Public domain. Digital text via New Advent Church Fathers.
Contents
- 1. While I was going about one morning in the walks of the Xystus, a certain man [Trypho], with others
- 2. Justin: I will tell you what seems to me; for philosophy is, in fact, the greatest possession, and
- 3. Justin: And while I was thus disposed, when I wished at one period to be filled with great
- 4. Old Man: Is there, then, such and so great power in our mind?
- 5. Old Man: These philosophers know nothing, then, about these things; for they cannot tell what a
- 6. Old Man: It makes no matter to me whether Plato or Pythagoras, or, in short, any other man held
- 7. Justin: Should any one, then, employ a teacher?
- 8. Justin: When he had spoken these and many other things, which there is no time for mentioning at
- 9. Justin: I excuse and forgive you, my friend, for you know not what you say, but have been persuaded
- 10. And when they ceased, I again addressed them.
- 11. Justin: There will be no other God, O Trypho, nor was there from eternity any other existing, but
- 12. The Jews violate the eternal law, and interpret ill that of Moses
- 13. Justin: For Isaiah did not send you to a bath, there to wash away murder and other sins, which not
- 14. Righteousness is not placed in Jewish rites, but in the conversion of the heart given in baptism by Christ
- 15. Justin: Learn, therefore, to keep the true fast of God, as Isaiah says, that you may please God.
- 16. Circumcision given as a sign, that the Jews might be driven away for their evil deeds done to Christ and the Christians
- 17. Justin: For other nations have not inflicted on us and on Christ this wrong to such an extent as
- 18. Christians would observe the law, if they did not know why it was instituted
- 19. Circumcision unknown before Abraham. The law was given by Moses on account of the hardness of their hearts
- 20. Justin: Moreover, you were commanded to abstain from certain kinds of food, in order that you might
- 21. Sabbaths were instituted on account of the people's sins, and not for a work of righteousness
- 22. Justin: And that you may learn that it was for the sins of your own nation, and for their
- 23. Justin: But if we do not admit this, we shall be liable to fall into foolish opinions, as if it
- 24. Justin: Now, sirs, it is possible for us to show how the eighth day possessed a certain mysterious
- 25. Justin: Those who justify themselves, and say they are sons of Abraham, shall be desirous even in a
- 26. Justin: I do not say so; but those who have persecuted and do persecute Christ, if they do not
- 27. Trypho: Why do you select and quote whatever you wish from the prophetic writings, but do not refer
- 28. Trypho: We heard you adducing this consideration a little ago, and we have given it attention: for,
- 29. Justin: Let us glorify God, all nations gathered together; for He has also visited us.
- 30. Justin: But impute it to your own wickedness, that God even can be accused by those who have no
- 31. If Christ's power be now so great, how much greater at the second advent!
- 32. Trypho objecting that Christ is described as glorious by Daniel, Justin distinguishes two advents
- 33. Psalm 110 is not spoken of Hezekiah. He proves that Christ was first humble, then shall be glorious
- 34. Nor does Psalm 72 apply to Solomon, whose faults Christians shudder at
- 35. Trypho: I believe, however, that many of those who say that they confess Jesus, and are called
- 36. Trypho: Let these things be so as you say namely, that it was foretold Christ would suffer, and be
- 37. Justin: Moreover, in the diapsalm of the forty-sixth Psalm, reference is thus made to Christ: 'God
- 38. It is an annoyance to the Jew that Christ is said to be adored. Justin confirms it, however, from Psalm 45
- 39. The Jews hate the Christians who believe this. How great the distinction is between both!
- 40. He returns to the Mosaic laws, and proves that they were figures of the things which pertain to Christ
- 41. Justin: And the offering of fine flour, sirs, which was prescribed to be presented on behalf of
- 42. Justin: Moreover, the prescription that twelve bells be attached to the [robe] of the high priest,
- 43. He concludes that the law had an end in Christ, who was born of the Virgin
- 44. The Jews in vain promise themselves salvation, which cannot be obtained except through Christ
- 45. Trypho: If I seem to interrupt these matters, which you say must be investigated, yet the question
- 46. Trypho asks whether a man who keeps the law even now will be saved. Justin proves that it contributes nothing to righteousness
- 47. Trypho: But if some one, knowing that this is so, after he recognises that this man is Christ, and
- 48. Before the divinity of Christ is proved, he [Trypho] demands that it be settled that He is Christ
- 49. To those who object that Elijah has not yet come, he replies that he is the precursor of the first advent
- 50. Trypho: You seem to me to have come out of a great conflict with many persons about all the points
- 51. Trypho: All the words of the prophecy you repeat, sir, are ambiguous, and have no force in proving
- 52. Justin: And it was prophesied by Jacob the patriarch that there would be two advents of Christ, and
- 53. Jacob predicted that Christ would ride on an ass, and Zechariah confirms it
- 54. Justin: And that expression which was committed to writing by Moses, and prophesied by the
- 55. Trypho asks that Christ be proved God, but without metaphor. Justin promises to do so
- 56. Justin: Moses, then, the blessed and faithful servant of God, declares that He who appeared to
- 57. The Jew objects, why is He said to have eaten, if He be God? Answer of Justin
- 58. Justin: I purpose to quote to you Scriptures, not that I am anxious to make merely an artful
- 59. Justin: Permit me, further, to show you from the book of Exodus how this same One, who is both
- 60. Trypho: We do not perceive this from the passage quoted by you, but [only this], that it was an
- 61. Wisdom is begotten of the Father, as fire from fire
- 62. Justin: And the same sentiment was expressed, my friends, by the word of God [written] by Moses,
- 63. Trypho: This point has been proved to me forcibly, and by many arguments, my friend.
- 64. Justin adduces other proofs to the Jew, who denies that he needs this Christ
- 65. Trypho: Being shaken by so many Scriptures, I know not what to say about the Scripture which Isaiah
- 66. And I, resuming the discourse where I had left off at a previous stage, when proving that He was
- 67. Trypho compares Jesus with Perseus; and would prefer [to say] that He was elected [to be Christ] on account of observance of the law. Justin speaks of the law as formerly
- 68. He complains of the obstinacy of Trypho; he answers his objection; he convicts the Jews of bad faith
- 69. The devil, since he emulates the truth, has invented fables about Bacchus, Hercules, and Æsculapius
- 70. Justin: And when those who record the mysteries of Mithras say that he was begotten of a rock, and
- 71. The Jews reject the interpretation of the Septuagint, from which, moreover, they have taken away some passages
- 72. Justin: I shall do as you please.
- 73. [The words] From the wood have been cut out of Psalm 96
- 74. The beginning of Psalm 96 is attributed to the Father [by Trypho]. But [it refers] to Christ by these words: Tell among the nations that the Lord, etc
- 75. Justin: Moreover, in the book of Exodus we have also perceived that the name of God Himself which,
- 76. Justin: For when Daniel speaks of 'one like the Son of man' who received the everlasting kingdom,
- 77. Trypho: I admit that such and so great arguments are sufficient to persuade one; but I wish [you]
- 78. He proves that this prophecy harmonizes with Christ alone, from what is afterwards written
- 79. Trypho, who was somewhat angry, but respected the Scriptures, as was manifest from his countenance,
- 80. Trypho: I remarked to you sir, that you are very anxious to be safe in all respects, since you
- 81. Justin: For Isaiah spoke thus concerning this space of a thousand
- 82. Justin: For the prophetical gifts remain with us, even to the present time.
- 83. It is proved that the Psalm, The Lord said to My Lord, etc., does not suit Hezekiah
- 84. That prophecy, Behold, a virgin, etc., suits Christ alone
- 85. He proves that Christ is the Lord of Hosts from Psalm 24, and from his authority over demons
- 86. Justin: Hear, then, how this Man, of whom the Scriptures declare that He will come again in glory
- 87. Trypho maintains in objection these words: And shall rest on Him, etc. They are explained by Justin
- 88. Justin: Now, it is possible to see among us women and men who possess gifts of the Spirit of God;
- 89. The cross alone is offensive to Trypho on account of the curse, yet it proves that Jesus is Christ
- 90. Trypho: Bring us on, then, by the Scriptures, that we may also be persuaded by you; for we know
- 91. The cross was foretold in the blessings of Joseph, and in the serpent that was lifted up
- 92. Unless the scriptures be understood through God's great grace, God will not appear to have taught always the same righteousness
- 93. Justin: For [God] sets before every race of mankind that which is always and universally just, as
- 94. Justin: For tell me, was it not God who commanded by Moses that no image or likeness of anything
- 95. Justin: For the whole human race will be found to be under a curse.
- 96. Justin: For the statement in the law, 'Cursed is every one that hangs on a tree,' Deuteronomy 21:23
- 97. Justin: For it was not without design that the prophet Moses, when Hur and Aaron upheld his hands,
- 98. Predictions of Christ in Psalm 22
- 99. Justin: Now I will demonstrate to you that the whole Psalm refers thus to Christ, by the words
- 100. In what sense Christ is [called] Jacob, and Israel, and Son of Man
- 101. Justin: Then what follows of the Psalm is this, in which He says: 'Our fathers trusted in You; they
- 102. Justin: And what follows 'My hope from the breasts of my mother.
- 103. Justin: Then what is next said in the Psalm 'For trouble is near, for there is none to help me.
- 104. Justin: And the statement, 'You have brought me into the dust of death; for many dogs have
- 105. Justin: And what follows of the Psalm 'But You, Lord, do not remove Your assistance from me; give
- 106. Justin: The remainder of the Psalm makes it manifest that He knew His Father would grant to Him all
- 107. Justin: And that He would rise again on the third day after the crucifixion, it is written in the
- 108. The resurrection of Christ did not convert the Jews. But through the whole world they have sent men to accuse Christ
- 109. Justin: But that the Gentiles would repent of the evil in which they led erring lives, when they
- 110. A portion of the prophecy already fulfilled in the Christians: the rest shall be fulfilled at the second advent
- 111. The two advents were signified by the two goats. Other figures of the first advent, in which the Gentiles are freed by the blood of Christ
- 112. The Jews expound these signs jejunely and feebly, and take up their attention only with insignificant matters
- 113. Justin: What I mean is this.
- 114. Some rules for discerning what is said about Christ. The circumcision of the Jews is very different from that which Christians receive
- 115. Justin: But you ought to believe Zechariah when he shows in parable the mystery of Christ, and
- 116. Justin: But to give you the account of the revelation of the holy Jesus Christ, I take up again my
- 117. Malachi's prophecy concerning the sacrifices of the Christians. It cannot be taken as referring to the prayers of Jews of the dispersion
- 118. He exhorts to repentance before Christ comes; in whom Christians, since they believe, are far more religious than Jews
- 119. Justin: Would you suppose, sirs, that we could ever have understood these matters in the
- 120. Christians were promised to Isaac, Jacob, and Judah
- 121. From the fact that the Gentiles believe in Jesus, it is evident that He is Christ
- 122. Justin: You think that these words refer to the stranger and the proselytes, but in fact they refer
- 123. Justin: As, therefore, all these latter prophecies refer to Christ and the nations, you should
- 124. And when I saw that they were perturbed because I said that we are the sons of God, I anticipated
- 125. He explains what force the word Israel has, and how it suits Christ
- 126. The various names of Christ according to both natures. It is shown that He is God, and appeared to the patriarchs
- 127. These passages of Scripture do not apply to the Father, but to the Word
- 128. The Word is sent not as an inanimate power, but as a person begotten of the Father's substance
- 129. Justin: And now I shall again recite the words which I have spoken in proof of this point.
- 130. He returns to the conversion of the Gentiles, and shows that it was foretold
- 131. Justin: But I shall quote the passage by which it is made known that God divided all the nations.
- 132. Justin: Yet after this you made a calf, and were very zealous in committing fornication with the
- 133. The hard-heartedness of the Jews, for whom the Christians pray
- 134. Justin: If, then, the teaching of the prophets and of Himself moves you, it is better for you to
- 135. Christ is king of Israel, and Christians are the Israelitic race
- 136. The Jews, in rejecting Christ, rejected God who sent him
- 137. Justin: Say no evil thing, my brothers, against Him that was crucified, and treat not scornfully
- 138. Noah is a figure of Christ, who has regenerated us by water, and faith, and wood: [i.e., the cross.]
- 139. The blessings, and also the curse, pronounced by Noah were prophecies of the future
- 140. Justin: Hence also Jacob, as I remarked before, being himself a type of Christ, had married the two
- 141. Justin: But that you may not have a pretext for saying that Christ must have been crucified, and
- 142. The Jews return thanks, and leave Justin