Revelation 22 in the early church

[Vulgate: Apocalypse]

149 passages quote, allude to, or echo Revelation 22, grouped by verse; passages on the same verse are in date order. Verse text from the Berean Standard Bible (public domain). References use the Protestant English Bible's numbering, with a writer's own numbering in brackets where it differs.

Verses: 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 7 · 8 · 9 · 10 · 11 · 12 · 13 · 14 · 15 · 16 · 17 · 18 · 19 · 20

Revelation 22:1

Then the angel showed me a river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Rev 22:1–5	In Praise of Martyrdom 21 · Anonymous	allusion, medium confidence	3rd cent. (disputed)
Rev 22:1	Commentary on the Apocalypse 21.1 · Victorinus of Pettau	quotation, high confidence	late 3rd century
Rev 22:1–2	Tractates on the Psalms 1.17 · Hilary of Poitiers	quotation, high confidence	ca. 360–367
Rev 22:1	Question 97, section 4 · Ambrosiaster	allusion, medium confidence	ca. 370–384
Rev 22:1–2	Part 5, chapter 12 · Quodvultdeus of Carthage	allusion, high confidence	ca. 445-450

Revelation 22:2

down the middle of the main street of the city. On either side of the river stood a tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit and yielding a fresh crop for each month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Rev 22:2	5 Ezra 2.12 · Anonymous	allusion, medium confidence	2nd–3rd century
Rev 22:2	5 Ezra 2.18 · Anonymous	allusion, medium confidence	2nd–3rd century
Rev 22:2	The Instructor 3.3.25 · Clement of Alexandria	allusion, medium confidence	ca. 190–200
Rev 22:2	Commentary on the Apocalypse 21.1 · Victorinus of Pettau	quotation, high confidence	late 3rd century
Rev 22:2	Poem 5 (On Easter), lines 53–69 · Anonymous	echo, medium confidence	4th-5th cent. (disputed)
Rev 22:2	Poem 6 (To Flavius Felix on the Resurrection of the Dead), lines 225–249 · Anonymous	echo, medium confidence	4th-5th cent. (disputed)
Rev 22:2	Panarion (Adversus Haereses), Haer. 1-64 26.5.1 · Epiphanius of Salamis	echo, medium confidence	374-377
Rev 22:2	On the Beatitudes 1213 · Gregory of Nyssa	allusion, medium confidence	ca. 380–394

Revelation 22:3

No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be within the city, and His servants will worship Him.
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Rev 22:3	Exposition of Psalm 118 12.27.2 · Ambrose	quotation, high confidence	ca. 386-397

Revelation 22:4

They will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads.
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Rev 22:4	Fragment Z IV (on Rev 22:3) · Dionysius of Alexandria	allusion, high confidence	ca. 248–265

Revelation 22:5

There will be no more night in the city, and they will have no need for the light of a lamp or of the sun. For the Lord God will shine on them, and they will reign forever and ever.
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Rev 22:5	Sibylline Oracles 8.421ff. · Anonymous	allusion, medium confidence	2nd-3rd cent.
Rev 22:5	Against the Greeks 3 · Hippolytus of Rome	echo, medium confidence	3rd century (disputed)
Rev 22:5	On the Lord's Prayer 36 · Cyprian of Carthage	echo, medium confidence	ca. 252
Rev 22:5	Poem 6 (To Flavius Felix on the Resurrection of the Dead), lines 225–249 · Anonymous	allusion, medium confidence	4th-5th cent. (disputed)
Rev 22:5	Lines 64–80 · Anonymous	echo, low confidence	4th-5th century
Rev 22:5	Divine Institutes 6.2.4 · Lactantius	echo, low confidence	ca. 303–311
Rev 22:5	Tricennial Oration (In Praise of Constantine) 6.19 · Eusebius of Caesarea	allusion, medium confidence	335–336
Rev 22:5	Homilies on the Psalms 33.9 · Basil of Caesarea	allusion, medium confidence	ca. 360-378
Rev 22:5	Tractates on the Psalms 120.14 · Hilary of Poitiers	allusion, medium confidence	ca. 360–367
Rev 22:5	Question 107, section 2 · Ambrosiaster	echo, low confidence	ca. 370–384
Rev 22:5	On the Complaints of Job and David 1.24 · Ambrose	quotation, high confidence	ca. 383-390
Rev 22:5	Exposition of Psalm 118 12.27.1 · Ambrose	quotation, high confidence	ca. 386-397
Rev 22:5	On Elijah and Fasting 80 · Ambrose	allusion, high confidence	ca. 387-390
Rev 22:5	Explanation of Twelve Psalms 36.45.2 · Ambrose	quotation, high confidence	ca. 387-397
Rev 22:5	Explanation of Twelve Psalms 38.18.2 · Ambrose	allusion, high confidence	ca. 387-397
Rev 22:5	Sermon 16.5 · Augustine of Hippo	echo, medium confidence	ca. 391-430
Rev 22:5	Book 2, lines 229–254 · Sedulius	echo, medium confidence	ca. 425-450
Rev 22:5	Book 2, section 17 · Sedulius	echo, medium confidence	ca. 425-450
Rev 22:5	Part 5, chapter 3 · Quodvultdeus of Carthage	quotation, high confidence	ca. 445-450

Revelation 22:7

“Behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of prophecy in this book.”
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Rev 22:7	Church History 7.25.6 · Eusebius of Caesarea	quotation, high confidence	ca. 300–325
Rev 22:7	Church History 7.25.11 · Eusebius of Caesarea	quotation, high confidence	ca. 300–325
Rev 22:7	Part 4, chapter 13 · Quodvultdeus of Carthage	quotation, high confidence	ca. 445-450

Revelation 22:8

And I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I had heard and seen them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who had shown me these things.
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Rev 22:8	Church History 7.25.6 · Eusebius of Caesarea	quotation, high confidence	ca. 300–325
Rev 22:8–9	Sermon 46.16 · Augustine of Hippo	quotation, high confidence	ca. 391-430
Rev 22:8–9	On Christian Doctrine 1.33 · Augustine of Hippo	allusion, medium confidence	Books 1–3 ca. 396–397; completed 426–427

Revelation 22:9

But he said to me, “Do not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God!”
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Rev 22:9	On the Good of Patience 24 · Cyprian of Carthage	quotation, medium confidence	256
Rev 22:9	Oration II Against the Arians 23 · Athanasius of Alexandria	quotation, high confidence	ca. 339–346
Rev 22:9	Question 91, section 6 · Ambrosiaster	allusion, medium confidence	ca. 370–384
Rev 22:9	Letter 102.20 · Augustine of Hippo	allusion, medium confidence	ca. 386–430
Rev 22:9	On True Religion 55 · Augustine of Hippo	allusion, high confidence	ca. 389–391
Rev 22:9	Sermon 273.7 · Augustine of Hippo	allusion, medium confidence	ca. 391-430
Rev 22:9	Sermon 319.7 · Augustine of Hippo	allusion, medium confidence	ca. 391-430
Rev 22:9	Against Faustus the Manichaean 20.21 · Augustine of Hippo	allusion, medium confidence	ca. 398–400
Rev 22:9	Tractates on the Gospel of John 13.2 · Augustine of Hippo	quotation, high confidence	ca. 406–420
Rev 22:9	City of God 10.19 · Augustine of Hippo	allusion, high confidence	413–426

Revelation 22:10

Then he told me, “Do not seal up the words of prophecy in this book, because the time is near.
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Rev 22:10–12	To Quirinus 3.23 · Cyprian of Carthage	quotation, high confidence	ca. 248–250 (book 3 perhaps later)
Rev 22:10	On the Good of Patience 21 · Cyprian of Carthage	quotation, high confidence	256

Revelation 22:11

Let the unrighteous continue to be unrighteous, and the vile continue to be vile; let the righteous continue to practice righteousness, and the holy continue to be holy.”
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Rev 22:11	Commentary on John 32.108 · Origen	quotation, high confidence	ca. 230–248
Rev 22:11	Commentary on John 32.110 · Origen	quotation, high confidence	ca. 230–248
Rev 22:11	Commentary on John 32.285 · Origen	quotation, high confidence	ca. 230–248
Rev 22:11	On the Good of Patience 21 · Cyprian of Carthage	quotation, high confidence	256
Rev 22:11	Church History 5.1.58 · Eusebius of Caesarea	quotation, high confidence	ca. 300–325
Rev 22:11	Letter 78.9 · Augustine of Hippo	quotation, high confidence	ca. 386–430

Revelation 22:12

“Behold, I am coming soon, and My reward is with Me, to give to each one according to what he has done.
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Rev 22:12	1 Clement 34.3 · Clement of Rome	allusion, medium confidence	ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100)
Rev 22:12	Epistle of Barnabas 21.3 · Anonymous	echo, medium confidence	ca. 70–135 (often ca. 130)
Rev 22:12	Miscellanies 4.22.135 · Clement of Alexandria	quotation, medium confidence	ca. 198–203
Rev 22:12	Commentary on John 13.298 · Origen	quotation, medium confidence	ca. 230–248
Rev 22:12	Exhortation to Martyrdom 42 · Origen	quotation, high confidence	235
Rev 22:12	On the Good of Patience 21 · Cyprian of Carthage	quotation, high confidence	256
Rev 22:12	Apostolic Church Order 14 · Anonymous	allusion, medium confidence	ca. 300
Rev 22:12	Prophetic Extracts 4.18 · Eusebius of Caesarea	allusion, high confidence	before 325 (probably ca. 310–320)
Rev 22:12	Prophetic Extracts 4.33 · Eusebius of Caesarea	allusion, medium confidence	before 325 (probably ca. 310–320)
Rev 22:12	Divine Institutes 7.1.23 · Lactantius	echo, medium confidence	ca. 303–311
Rev 22:12	Homilies on the Psalms 32.10 · Basil of Caesarea	quotation, medium confidence	ca. 360-378
Rev 22:12	Oration 26.7 · Gregory of Nazianzus	echo, medium confidence	ca. 362–383

Revelation 22:13

I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Rev 22:13	On Pascha 105 · text not on this site · Melito of Sardis	echo, medium confidence	ca. 160-180
Rev 22:13	The Instructor 1.6.36 · Clement of Alexandria	allusion, high confidence	ca. 190–200
Rev 22:13	The Instructor 2.8.75 · Clement of Alexandria	allusion, medium confidence	ca. 190–200
Rev 22:13	Miscellanies 4.25.157 · Clement of Alexandria	allusion, high confidence	ca. 198–203
Rev 22:13	Miscellanies 6.16.141 · Clement of Alexandria	quotation, medium confidence	ca. 198–203
Rev 22:13	On Monogamy 5 · Tertullian	allusion, medium confidence	ca. 210–217
Rev 22:13	Fragments on Proverbs, column 155 · Origen	quotation, high confidence	ca. 220-254
Rev 22:13	Refutation of All Heresies 6.49.3 · Hippolytus of Rome	allusion, medium confidence	ca. 222–235
Rev 22:13	Commentary on John 1.22 · Origen	quotation, high confidence	ca. 230–248
Rev 22:13	Commentary on John 1.23 · Origen	quotation, high confidence	ca. 230–248
Rev 22:13	Commentary on John 1.116 · Origen	quotation, high confidence	ca. 230–248
Rev 22:13	Commentary on John 1.132 · Origen	quotation, high confidence	ca. 230–248
Rev 22:13	Commentary on John 1.209 · Origen	allusion, high confidence	ca. 230–248
Rev 22:13	Commentary on John 1.221 · Origen	allusion, high confidence	ca. 230–248
Rev 22:13	Commentary on John 1.226 · Origen	allusion, high confidence	ca. 230–248
Rev 22:13	Commentary on Matthew, Latin Series 106 · Origen	quotation, high confidence	ca. 244–249 (Latin translation, 4th–5th century)
Rev 22:13–14	To Quirinus 2.22 · Cyprian of Carthage	quotation, high confidence	ca. 248–250 (book 3 perhaps later)
Rev 22:13	Homilies 17.9 · Anonymous	echo, medium confidence	4th century (reworking earlier material)
Rev 22:13	Acts of Phileas and Philoromus 3.4 · Anonymous	echo, medium confidence	ca. 306-311
Rev 22:13	Oration IV Against the Arians 28 · Athanasius of Alexandria	quotation, high confidence	4th century (disputed)
Rev 22:13	Panarion (Adversus Haereses), Haer. 1-64 51.20.3 · Epiphanius of Salamis	allusion, medium confidence	374-377
Rev 22:13	On the Christian Faith 4.9 · Ambrose	echo, medium confidence	ca. 378–380
Rev 22:13	On the Christian Faith 5.9 · Ambrose	allusion, medium confidence	ca. 378–380
Rev 22:13	Apology of the Prophet David 81 · Ambrose	allusion, high confidence	ca. 384-390
Rev 22:13	Exposition of Psalm 118 5.24.1 · Ambrose	allusion, high confidence	ca. 386-397
Rev 22:13	Exposition of Psalm 118 12.47.2 · Ambrose	allusion, high confidence	ca. 386-397
Rev 22:13	Exposition of Psalm 118 20.3.3 · Ambrose	allusion, high confidence	ca. 386-397
Rev 22:13	Hexameron (Exameron) 1.15 · Ambrose	quotation, high confidence	ca. 387-390
Rev 22:13	On the Mysteries 8 · Ambrose	allusion, high confidence	ca. 387–391
Rev 22:13	Explanation of Twelve Psalms 61.1.2 · Ambrose	allusion, high confidence	ca. 387-397
Rev 22:13	Against Jovinianus 1.18 · Jerome	quotation, high confidence	393
Rev 22:13	Poem 19, lines 637–671 · Paulinus of Nola	allusion, high confidence	ca. 393–431
Rev 22:13	Letters 32.23 · Paulinus of Nola	allusion, medium confidence	ca. 394–413
Rev 22:13	Letters 38.3 · Paulinus of Nola	allusion, medium confidence	ca. 394–413
Rev 22:13	Letters 42.4 · Paulinus of Nola	allusion, medium confidence	ca. 394–413
Rev 22:13	Letters 43.3 · Paulinus of Nola	allusion, medium confidence	ca. 394–413
Rev 22:13	Carmina 3.31–59 · Orientius of Auch	echo, medium confidence	5th-6th century(?)
Rev 22:13	Book 3, lines 273–301 · Sedulius	allusion, high confidence	ca. 425-450
Rev 22:13	Book 3, section 24 · Sedulius	allusion, high confidence	ca. 425-450

Revelation 22:14

Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by its gates.
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Rev 22:14	On Modesty 19 · Tertullian	quotation, high confidence	ca. 210–220
Rev 22:14	Poem 5 (On Easter), lines 53–69 · Anonymous	echo, low confidence	4th-5th cent. (disputed)
Rev 22:14	Oration IV Against the Arians 28 · Athanasius of Alexandria	quotation, high confidence	4th century (disputed)
Rev 22:14	Part 5, chapter 12 · Quodvultdeus of Carthage	allusion, high confidence	ca. 445-450

Revelation 22:15

But outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Rev 22:15	On Christ and Antichrist 65 · Hippolytus of Rome	quotation, high confidence	ca. 200–215
Rev 22:15	Against Marcion 2.5 · Tertullian	allusion, medium confidence	207/208 (third edition, completed later)
Rev 22:15	On Modesty 19 · Tertullian	quotation, high confidence	ca. 210–220
Rev 22:15	Against Novatian 1 · Anonymous	allusion, high confidence	after 251 (disputed)
Rev 22:15	Oration IV Against the Arians 28 · Athanasius of Alexandria	quotation, high confidence	4th century (disputed)
Rev 22:15	Explanation of Twelve Psalms 43.4.3 · Ambrose	quotation, high confidence	ca. 387-397
Rev 22:15	Part 2, chapter 6 · Quodvultdeus of Carthage	quotation, high confidence	ca. 445-450

Revelation 22:16

“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the bright Morning Star.”
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Rev 22:16	Oration IV Against the Arians 28 · Athanasius of Alexandria	quotation, high confidence	4th century (disputed)
Rev 22:16	Book of Rules 7 · Tyconius	quotation, high confidence	ca. 380

Revelation 22:17

The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” Let the one who hears say, “Come!” And let the one who is thirsty come, and the one who desires the water of life drink freely.
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Rev 22:17	Dialogue with Trypho 114.4 · Justin Martyr	echo, medium confidence	ca. 155–160
Rev 22:17	Against Heresies 3.4.1 · Irenaeus of Lyons	echo, low confidence	ca. 180–190
Rev 22:17	Miscellanies 7.16.104 · Clement of Alexandria	echo, low confidence	ca. 198–203
Rev 22:17	PG 12:1495 (Ps 65 LXX) · Origen	allusion, low confidence	ca. 220-254
Rev 22:17	Against the Nations 2.64 · Arnobius of Sicca	echo, low confidence	ca. 297–303
Rev 22:17	Divine Institutes 3.26.11 · Lactantius	echo, low confidence	ca. 303–311
Rev 22:17	Oration IV Against the Arians 28 · Athanasius of Alexandria	quotation, high confidence	4th century (disputed)

Revelation 22:18

I testify to everyone who hears the words of prophecy in this book: If anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book.
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Rev 22:18	Epistle of the Apostles 29 · Anonymous	allusion, medium confidence	ca. 140-170
Rev 22:18	Against Heresies 5.30.1 · Irenaeus of Lyons	allusion, high confidence	ca. 180–190
Rev 22:18–19	Against Hermogenes 22 · Tertullian	allusion, high confidence	ca. 200–206
Rev 22:18	On First Principles 0.0.4 · Origen	echo, low confidence	ca. 220–230 (Rufinus's translation 398)
Rev 22:18	On the Trinity 16 · Novatian	allusion, high confidence	ca. 240–250
Rev 22:18	Apostolic Church Order 30 · Anonymous	allusion, medium confidence	ca. 300
Rev 22:18–19	Church History 4.23.12 · Eusebius of Caesarea	echo, medium confidence	ca. 300–325
Rev 22:18	Church History 5.16.3 · Eusebius of Caesarea	echo, medium confidence	ca. 300–325
Rev 22:18	Festal Letter 39 1 · Athanasius of Alexandria	allusion, medium confidence	367 (Easter letter)
Rev 22:18	Letter 80.3 · Jerome	allusion, medium confidence	ca. 370–419
Rev 22:18–19	On Paradise 56 · Ambrose	quotation, high confidence	ca. 375-378
Rev 22:18	Section 36 · Anonymous	allusion, medium confidence	3 September 381
Rev 22:18–19	Apology against Jerome 1.16 · Rufinus of Aquileia	echo, low confidence	ca. 401
Rev 22:18–19	Prayers 31–59b · Orientius of Auch	allusion, high confidence	5th-6th century(?)
Rev 22:18	Celestine, ACO I.2, letter 2.5 · Celestine I, bishop of Rome	allusion, medium confidence	430-432

Revelation 22:19

And if anyone takes away from the words of this book of prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and the holy city, which are described in this book.
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Rev 22:19	Against Heresies 5.30.1 · Irenaeus of Lyons	allusion, high confidence	ca. 180–190
Rev 22:19	On the Trinity 16 · Novatian	allusion, high confidence	ca. 240–250

Revelation 22:20

He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Rev 22:20	Didache 10.6 · Anonymous	echo, medium confidence	ca. 50–150 (often ca. 100)
Rev 22:20	On Elijah and Fasting 80 · Ambrose	allusion, high confidence	ca. 387-390
Rev 22:20	Homilies on the First Epistle of John 9.8 · Augustine of Hippo	allusion, high confidence	ca. 407