The interpretation timeline

Rev 2:24

How this passage has been read — the sources, oldest to newest.

From the early Church Fathers to now.

8 Patristic witnesses · 1 Medieval witness

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Patristic before A.D. 750
220
PATR
Tertullian · c. A.D. 150–220 A.D. 220
“Else, both the devil's ingenuity in malice, and God the Lord's in the Discipline by which He fortifies us against the devil's depths, would have but limited scope, if we were judged only in such faults as even the heathen nations have decreed punishable.”
Historical Christian Faith commentaries database, on Rev 2:24 (On Idolatry) PD · Historical Christian Faith commentaries database ↗
303
PATR
Victorinus of Pettau · c. A.D. 250–303 A.D. 303
“The fourth class intimates the nobility of the faithful, who labour daily, and do greater works. But even among them also He shows that there are men of an easy disposition to grant unlawful peace, and to listen to new forms of prophesying; and He reproves and warns the others to whom this is not pleasing, who know the wickedness opposed to them: for which evils He purposes to bring upon the head of the faithful both sorrows and dangers; and therefore He says:- "I will not put upon you any other burden." That is, I have not given you laws, observances, and duties, which is another burden.”
Historical Christian Faith commentaries database, on Rev 2:24 (Commentary on the Apocalypse of the Blessed John) PD · Historical Christian Faith commentaries database ↗
390
PATR
Ticonius · d. A.D. 390 A.D. 390
“To be sure, the Lord speaks to those who kept their minds from the doctrines of the devil, lest they turn from the dogma of the truth of the church. For they were taught that they should follow no man but rather the truth of the faith, for the Lord said to those who had left the faith, "I never knew you, you evildoers." For just as those who do iniquity do not know God, although they speak of him, so also God does not acknowledge the workers of iniquity, although he knows them all. In this way, the righteous do not know the teaching of Satan, although they might hear it and feel the attraction of his temptations. And so it can happen that the righteous do not hear evil things from which they abstain by righteous living, since it is written, "There must be heresies so that those who are genuine among you may be recognized." And again, "Should they say to you, Lo, Christ is in the inner rooms, do not believe it."”
Historical Christian Faith commentaries database, on Rev 2:24-25 (COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 2:24) PD · Historical Christian Faith commentaries database ↗
247 years pass — nothing from this stretch is hosted yet
637
PATR
Andreas of Caesarea · c. A.D. 563–637 A.D. 637
“To the more simple, the Lord says, "Since on account of your simplicity you are not able to withstand those who are evil and have a facility with words," namely, that you do not know "the deep things of Satan," as you call it, I will not expect from you any war through words, but only that you preserve the teaching which you received until I remove you from there.”
Historical Christian Faith commentaries database, on Rev 2:24-25 (COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 2:24-25) PD · Historical Christian Faith commentaries database ↗
735
PATR
735
PATR
735
PATR
Bede · A.D. 673–735 A.D. 735
“I will put upon you no other burden, etc. I will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you can bear. Otherwise, he says, be wary of false prophets (Matt. VII). For I do not send you new doctrine, but what you have received, keep it until the end.”
Historical Christian Faith commentaries database, on Rev 2:24 (Commentary on Revelation) PD · Historical Christian Faith commentaries database ↗
Medieval c. 750 – 1100
804
MED
Alcuin of York · c. A.D. 735–804 A.D. 804
“To you I say, to the rest who are at Thyatira: Whosoever have not this doctrine, and who have not known the depth of Satan. In this passage the discourse returns to the elect. By the depth of Satan we should understand his ruinous pride, because of which he was the first to carry himself high and swell with vanity against God. The elect are said not to know this pride, that is, not to agree to take it as an example to imitate; in the same way as the sacred Scripture says that unmarried women have not known men, which means that they have no experience whatsoever of the actions of men in sexual acts, and in the same way as we say that a truthful person knows nothing about lying. As they say, I will not put upon you any other burthen. Who are those who say this but the peoples of the Jews, who say that the observances of the old law are being put on the shoulders of believers? Whence Luke the evangelist: Some coming down from Judea, taught the brethren: That except you be circumcised after the manner of Moses, you cannot be saved. [Acts 15:1]”
Historical Christian Faith commentaries database, on Rev 2:24 (COMMENTARY ON REVELATION) PD · Historical Christian Faith commentaries database ↗
Undated date unknown
Oecumenius · c. A.D. 550
“They have nothing in common with the adulterous woman; being simpler and not knowing the schemes of the wicked, for this reason, they say: I will not impose any further burden on you; simplicity is sufficient for you. But you must continue in the teaching what you have received until my second coming.”
Historical Christian Faith commentaries database, on Rev 2:24-25 (Commentary on Revelation) PD · Historical Christian Faith commentaries database ↗

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