Dialogue with Trypho: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 22:07, 22 September 2019

Latest revision as of 14:31, 28 August 2025

(36 intermediate revisions by 23 users not shown)

Line 2:

{{italic title}}

[[File:Justin Martyr.jpg|thumb|Justin Martyr]]

The '''''Dialogue with Trypho,''''' along with the First andis Second Apologies, isan aextant second-century [[Christianity|Christian]] [[Christian apologetics|apologetic]] text, documentingby thetheologian attempts by[[Justin theologianMartyr]]. Along with his [[First Apology of Justin Martyr|First]] and [[Second Apology of Justin Martyr|Second]] Apologies, it is usually agreed to be dated in between AD 155-160. It is seen as documenting the attempts to show that Christianity is the new law for all men, and to prove from Scripture that Jesus is the [[Messiah in Judaism|Jewishthe Messiah]].<ref name=Ron48>''Reading the Old Testament with the Ancient Church: Exploring the Formation of Early Christian Thought''; by Ronald E. Heine (Sep 1, 2007) pages 48-52</ref>

The ''Dialogue'' utilizes the literary device of an intellectual conversation between Justin and Trypho, a [[Jews|Jew]]. The concluding section propounds that the Christians are the "true" people of [[God]].

==Identity of Trypho==

{{See also|Justin Martyr}}

The identity of Trypho as rabbi[[Rabbi]] [[Tarfon]] - the Hebrew name 'Tarfon' itself is likely derived from Greek Trifon (Trypho) - has been proposed, but virtuallymany allJewish scholars mentioned in Claudia Setzer's ''Jewish Responses to Early Christians'' do not accept thethis notion that Justin Martyr's Trypho is Tarfon.<ref name=Claudia215>Claudia Setzer, ''Jewish Responses to Early Christians''; by Claudia Setzer (Nov 1, 1994) {{ISBN|080062680X}}, pagep. 215</ref> TheseThey scholarsinstead say thatconsider Trypho is a fictional character invented by Justin for his literary goalspurposes.<ref name=Claudia215/><ref name=Larry493>Larry R. Helyer, ''Exploring Jewish Literature of the Second Temple Period''; by Larry R. Helyer (Jul 5, 2002) {{ISBN|0830826785}} page 493</ref> Setzer's book further claims that, whether a character on which Trypho was based existed or not, one can generally assume that Trypho's words are "largely put in his mouth by Justin"p.<ref>''Jewish Responses to Early Christians''; by Claudia Setzer (Nov 1, 1994) {{ISBN|080062680X}} page 135493</ref>

==Setting and structure==

The setting is presented as a chance meeting between Justin and Trypho in [[Ephesus]]. Justin had just [[converted to Christianity]] from a philosophical background and Trypho had just fled the disturbances in Judea.<ref name=Ron48/>

When Justin suggests to Trypho to convert to Christianity, the dialogue becomes animated. Trypho criticizes Christians on a number of grounds, and Justin provides answers to each criticism.<ref name=Ron48/>

Line 18 ⟶ 17:

In the opening of the ''Dialogue'', Justin relates his vain search among the [[Stoicism|Stoics]], [[Peripatetic school|Peripatetic]]s, and [[Pythagoreanism|Pythagorean]]s for a satisfying knowledge of God; his finding in the ideas of [[Plato]] wings for his soul, by the aid of which he hoped to attain the contemplation of the God-head; and his meeting on the sea-shore with an aged man who told him that by no human endeavor but only by divine revelation could this blessedness be attained, that the prophets had conveyed this revelation to man, and that their words had been fulfilled. Of the truth of this he assured himself by his own investigation; and the daily life of the Christians and the courage of the martyrs convinced him that the charges against them were unfounded. So he sought to spread the knowledge of Christianity as the true philosophy.

Justin also accuses Jews of being blind, fleshly beings who cannot see beyond the text of religious law: "'For your ears are closed, your eyes are blinded, and the heart is hardened,' Jeremiah has cried; yet not even then do you listen. The Lawgiver is present, yet you do not see Him; to the poor the Gospel is preached, the blind see, yet you do not understand. You have now need of a second circumcision, though you glory greatly in the flesh."<ref>{{Cite book |last=Martyr |first=Justin |url=https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Ante-Nicene_Christian_Library/Dialogue_with_Trypho#Chapter_12 |title=Dialogue with Trypho |date=1867 |publisher=T. & T. Clark |editor-last=Donaldson |editor-first=Alexander Roberts & James |___location=Edinburgh}}</ref> This concept finds its origin in the [[Antisemitism and the New Testament|New Testament]]: Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 3:13-15 that "to this very day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their minds; but when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bible Gateway passage: 2 Corinthians 3:13-15 - New International Version |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Corinthians%203%3A13-15&version=NIV |access-date=2022-10-12 |website=Bible Gateway |language=en}}</ref>

In the ''Dialogue'', Justin also wrote, "For I choose to follow not men or men's doctrines, but God and the doctrines [delivered] by Him. For if you have fallen in with some who are called Christians, but who do not admit this [truth], and venture to blaspheme the God of [[Abraham]], and the God of [[Isaac]], and the God of [[Jacob]]; who say there is no resurrection of the dead, and that their souls, when they die, are taken to heaven; do not imagine that they are Christians." <ref>[[s:Ante-Nicene Christian Library/Dialogue with Trypho#Chapter 80|Dialogue with Trypho, Chapter 80]]</ref> This passage is sometimes cited as evidence that the [[early church]] subscribed to the doctrine of [[soul sleep]], though some claim that Justin's emphasis is on saying that denial of the [[resurrection of the dead]] is what makes them non-Christian, especially considering that he claims that "even after death souls are in a state of sensation" in Chapter 18 of his ''First Apology''.<ref>[[s:Ante-Nicene Christian Library/The First Apology of Justin Martyr#Chapter 18|First Apology, Chapter 18]]</ref>

In the ''Dialogue'', Justin also wrote, "For I choose to follow not men or men's doctrines, but God and the doctrines [delivered] by Him. For if you have fallen in with some who are called Christians, but who do not admit this [truth], and venture to blaspheme the God of [[Abraham]], and the God of [[Isaac]], and the God of [[Jacob]]; who say there is no resurrection of the dead, and that their souls, when they die, are taken to heaven; do not imagine that they are Christians." <ref>[[s:Ante-Nicene Christian Library/Dialogue with Trypho#Chapter 80|Dialogue with Trypho, Chapter 80]]</ref> This passage is sometimes cited as evidence that the [[early church]] subscribed to the doctrine of [[soul sleep]], though some claim that Justin's emphasis is on saying that denial of the [[resurrection of the dead]] is what makes them non-Christian, especially considering that he claims that "even after death souls are in a state of sensation" in Chapter 18 of his ''First Apology''.<ref>[[s:Ante-Nicene Christian Library/The First Apology of Justin Martyr#Chapter 18|First Apology, Chapter 18]]</ref>

In his critical edition (with French translation), Philippe Bobichon demonstrates the particular nature of this text, equally influenced by Greek and Rabbinic thought.<ref>Philippe Bobichon (ed.), ''Justin Martyr, Dialogue avec Tryphon'', édition critique, introduction, texte grec, traduction, commentaires, appendices, indices, (Coll. Paradosis nos. 47, vol. I-II.) Editions Universitaires de Fribourg Suisse, (1125 pp.), 2003</ref>

In his critical edition (with French translation), Philippe Bobichon demonstrates the particular nature of this text, equally influenced by Greek and Rabbinic thought.<ref>Philippe Bobichon (ed.), ''Justin Martyr, Dialogue avec Tryphon'', édition critique, introduction, texte grec, traduction, commentaires, appendices, indices, (Coll. Paradosis nos. 47, vol. I-II.) Editions Universitaires de Fribourg Suisse, (1125 pp.), 2003; Philippe Bobichon, "L'enseignement juif, païen, hérétique et chrétien dans l'œuvre de Justin Martyr", ''Revue des Études Augustiniennes'' 45/2 (1999), pp. 233-259 [https://www.academia.edu/7279724/_Lenseignement_juif_pa%C3%AFen_h%C3%A9r%C3%A9tique_et_chr%C3%A9tien_dans_l%C5%93uvre_de_Justin_Martyr_Revue_des_%C3%89tudes_Augustiniennes_45_2_1999_p_233_259 text online]</ref>

==Dating==

Because the text mentions Justin Martyr's ''[[First Apology of Justin Martyr|First Apology]]'', which was written sometime between AD 150-155 CE, ''Dialogue with Trypho'' must have been written after it. The date of authorship has been suggested to have been written anywhere between 155-167,<ref>{{cite book|last1=Allert|first1=Craig D.|title=Revelation, Truth, Canon and Interpretation: Studies in Justin Martyr's Dialogue with Trypho|date=2002|publisher=Brill|page=34|quote=If ''1 Apology'' lies between 151–154, and because the ''Dialogue'' mentions the ''Apology'' it is certain that the ''Dialogue'' was composed after that date. Any conjecture regarding a more exact date than 155–167 is only that. We must, therefore, be satisfied with an imprecise date for the ''Dialogue with Trypho''.}}</ref> with some scholars favoring 155–160,<ref>{{cite book|last1=Wendel|first1=Susan J|title=Scriptural Interpretation and Community Self-Definition in Luke-Acts and the Writings of Justin Martyr|date=2011|publisher=Brill|page=11|quote=Scholars generally agree that Justin wrote the ''Apologies'' around 150–155 CE and produced the final form of the ''Dialogue with Trypho'' at a slightly later date (~155–160 CE).}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Osborn|first1=Eric Francis|title=Justin Martyr|date=1973|publisher=Tübingen|page=8|quote=The apologies were written shortly after 150 and the Dialogue was written between 155 and 160.}}</ref> or even thea more specific date, ofc. 160.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Barnard|first1=Leslie W.|title=Justin Martyr: His Life and Thought|date=December 4, 2008|publisher=Cambridge University Press|page=23|quote=The date of the ''Dialogue'' cannot be determined with accuracy. It is certainly later than the ''First Apology'', which we have dated ''c.'' A.D. 151-5, which it quotes. Many scholars are of the opinion that a date ''c.'' A.D. 160 best fits the background of the ''Dialogue''.}}</ref>

==Authenticity==

{{Unreferenced section|date=May 2018}}

The ''Dialogue with Trypho'' and the two ''Apologies'' isare universally accepted by scholars as authentic works of Justin. Though they are preserved only in the ''[[Sacra parallela]]''; but, besides that they were known byto [[Tatian]], [[Methodius of Olympus]], and [[Eusebius]], and their influence is traceable in [[Athenagoras of Athens|Athenagoras]], [[Theophilus of Antioch]], the Pseudo-Melito, and especially [[Tertullian]]. Eusebius speaks of two ''Apologies'', but he quotes them both as one, which indeed they are in substance. The identity of authorship is backed up not only by the reference in chapter 120 of the ''Dialogue'' to the ''Apology,'' but by the unity of treatment. Zahn showed that the ''Dialogue'' was originally divided into two books, that there is a considerable lacuna in chapter 74, as well as at the beginning, and that it is probably based on an actual occurrence at [[Ephesus]], the personality of the Rabbi [[Tarfon]] being employed, though in a Hellenized form.

==Editions==

===English===

* {{ws|{{cite book |author=Justin Martyr |translator-first=George |translator-last=Reith |chapter=[[s:Ante-Nicene Christian Library/Dialogue with Trypho|Dialogue with Trypho]] |editor-first1=Alexander |editor-last1=Roberts |editor-first2=James |editor-last2=Donaldson |title=Ante-Nicene Christian Library |___location=Edinburgh |publisher=T. & T. Clark |year=1885<!--probably earlier--> |volume=II}}}}

* {{cite book |author=Justin Martyr |url=http://pvspade.com/Logic/docs/justin.pdf |title=Dialogue with Trypho, a Jew |translator-first=Paul Vincent |translator-last=Spade |yeardate=22 July 1995 | publication-place=Bloomington, Indiana, USA | publisher=Paul Vincent Spade | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080511223131/http://pvspade.com/Logic/docs/justin.pdf | archive-date=2008-05-11}}, from the Greek text in {{harvnb|van Winden|1971}}.

===Greek===

* {{cite book |first=J. C. M. |last=van Winden |title=An Early Christian Philosopher: Justin Martyr's Dialogue with Trypho |series=Philosophia patrum |volume=Volume 1 |___location=Leiden |publisher=E. J. Brill |year=1971 |ref=harv}}

* {{cite book | last=Bobichon | first=P. | title=Dialogue avec Tryphon: édition critique | volume=Volume 1 |publisher=University of Fribourg | year=2003 | isbn=978-2-8271-0958-6 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0uDYAAAAMAAJ | language=fr | ref=harv}}

* {{cite web |author=<!--Justin Martyr -->|title=Τοῦ ἁγίου Ἰουστίνου πρὸς Τρύφωνα Ἰουδαῖον Διάλογος |language=grc |url=http://khazarzar.skeptik.net/books/justinus/tryphong.htm |editor-first=Ruslan |editor-last=Khazarzar |website=khazarzar.skeptik.net}}

Line 46 ⟶ 47:

==Further reading==

* Rokeah, David (2002). ''Justin Martyr and the Jews''. Brill.

* {{cite book | last=Bobichon | first=P. | title=Dialogue avec Tryphon: Notes de la traduction, appendices, indices | volume=Volume 2 |publisher=University of Fribourg | year=2003 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gOHYAAAAMAAJ | language=fr | ref=harv}}

* {{cite book | last=Bobichon | first=Philippe | title=Dialogue avec Tryphon: Notes de la traduction, appendices, indices | volume=2 |publisher=University of Fribourg | year=2003 | isbn=9782827109586 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gOHYAAAAMAAJ | language=fr }} [https://www.academia.edu/7280008/JUSTIN_MARTYR_Dialogue_avec_Tryphon_Dialogue_with_Trypho_%C3%A9dition_critique_VOLUME_I_Introduction_Texte_grec_Traduction_Coll_Paradosis_%C3%A9ditions_universitaires_de_Fribourg_Suisse_no_47_1_2003_563_pages volume 1 online] [https://www.academia.edu/7280015/JUSTIN_MARTYR_Dialogue_avec_Tryphon_Dialogue_with_Trypho_%C3%A9dition_critique_VOLUME_II_Commentaires_Appendices_Indices_Collection_Paradosis_%C3%A9ditions_universitaires_de_Fribourg_Suisse_n_47_2_2003_562_pages volume 2 online]

* Bobichon, Philippe, "Œuvres de Justin Martyr : Le manuscrit de Londres (Musei Britannici Loan 36/13) apographon du manuscrit de Paris (Parisinus Graecus 450)" , ''Scriptorium'' 57/2 (2004), pp.&nbsp;157–172 [https://www.academia.edu/7279802/_%C5%92uvres_de_Justin_Martyr_Le_manuscrit_de_Londres_Musei_Britannici_Loan_36_13_apographon_du_manuscrit_de_Paris_Parisinus_Graecus_450_Scriptorium_57_2_2004_p_157_172 online]

* Bobichon, Philippe, "Justin Martyr : étude stylistique du Dialogue avec Tryphon suivie d’une comparaison avec l’Apologie et le De resurrectione", ''Recherches augustiniennes et patristiques'' 34 (2005), pp.&nbsp;1–61 [https://www.academia.edu/7279808/_Justin_Martyr_%C3%A9tude_stylistique_du_Dialogue_avec_Tryphon_suivie_d_une_comparaison_avec_l_Apologie_et_le_De_resurrectione_60_p_Recherches_augustiniennes_et_patristiques_34_2005_p_1_61 online]

* Bobichon, Philippe, "Comment Justin a-t-il acquis sa connaissance exceptionnelle des exégèses juives (contenus et méthodes) ?", ''Revue de Théologie et de Philosophie'', 139, 2007, pp.&nbsp;101–126 [https://www.academia.edu/7279873/_Comment_Justin_a_t_il_acquis_sa_connaissance_exceptionnelle_des_ex%C3%A9g%C3%A8ses_juives_contenus_et_m%C3%A9thodes_Revue_de_Th%C3%A9ologie_et_de_Philosophie_139_2007_p_101_126 article online]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Dialogue With Trypho}}