Greek · Apologia prima
A defence of Christians addressed to Antoninus Pius, arguing that they are persecuted for the name alone and that Christ fulfilled prophecy. It ends with the earliest description of Christian baptism and Sunday worship.
Dating
Written some 150 years after Christ's birth (46.1) and addressed to Antoninus Pius and his sons; the mention of the prefect Felix of Egypt (29.2, in office c. 148-154) narrows it to c. 150-155.Books it uses
Extensive sayings material, largely Matthean (e.g. 15–17). The 'memoirs of the apostles... called Gospels' are read in Sunday worship with the prophets (66.3; 67.3).
Sayings harmonised from the Synoptics; Markan elements are not separable in the Apologies (see Dial. 106 for Mark).
66.3 institution narrative 'This do ye in remembrance of Me' (Luke 22:19 / 1 Cor 11:24) cited from 'the memoirs... called Gospels'.
61.4 'Except ye be born again, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven' (John 3:3–5) plus the Logos theology. Justin never names John's Gospel; Metzger and most scholars think he probably knew it.
Quotations
For the apostles, in the memoirs composed by them, which are called Gospels, have thus delivered unto us what was enjoined upon them; that Jesus took bread, and when He had given thanks, said, “This do ye in remembrance of Me, this is My body;” and that, after the same manner, having taken the cup and given thanks, He said, “This is My blood;” and gave it to them alone.
1 Apol. 66.3Quotation
ANF vol. 1 (1885), ed. Roberts & Donaldson, American ed. A. C. Coxe · Source (opens in a new tab)
The 'memoirs of the apostles' are identified as 'Gospels' (plural): a key mid-2nd-century witness to multiple written Gospels.
Luke 22:19–20 BSB
19And He took the bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body, given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 20In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is poured out for you.
Matthew 26:26–28 BSB
26While they were eating, Jesus took bread, spoke a blessing and broke it, and gave it to the disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is My body.” 27Then He took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
1 Corinthians 11:23–25 BSB
23For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night He was betrayed, took bread, 24and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 25In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”
And on the day called Sunday, all who live in cities or in the country gather together to one place, and the memoirs of the apostles or the writings of the prophets are read, as long as time permits; then, when the reader has ceased, the president verbally instructs, and exhorts to the imitation of these good things.
1 Apol. 67.3Names the book
ANF vol. 1 (1885), ed. Roberts & Donaldson, American ed. A. C. Coxe · Source (opens in a new tab)
The memoirs are read in Sunday worship alongside the prophets: functional scriptural status in Rome c. AD 150.
Concerning chastity, He uttered such sentiments as these: “Whosoever looketh upon a woman to lust after her, hath committed adultery with her already in his heart before God.
1 Apol. 15.1Quotation
ANF vol. 1 (1885), ed. Roberts & Donaldson, American ed. A. C. Coxe · Source (opens in a new tab)
Sayings of Jesus harmonised mainly from Matthew's Sermon on the Mount.
Matthew 5:28 BSB
28But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
For Christ also said, “Except ye be born again, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
1 Apol. 61.4Allusion
ANF vol. 1 (1885), ed. Roberts & Donaldson, American ed. A. C. Coxe · Source (opens in a new tab)
Close to John 3:3–5 but with Matthean 'kingdom of heaven'; whether Justin used John is contested (probable, not certain).
John 3:3–5 BSB
3Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” 4“How can a man be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked. “Can he enter his mother’s womb a second time to be born?” 5Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.