Barlaam and Ioasaph · Chapter
The Temptation of Ioasaph and the Vision of Heaven and Hell explained
The devil, through a beautiful captive princess, tempts Ioasaph to break his vow of chastity by using Scripture to argue for marriage.
What happens
The devil, through a beautiful captive princess, tempts Ioasaph to break his vow of chastity by using Scripture to argue for marriage. Ioasaph resists, and after a vision of heavenly bliss and hellish torment, he falls ill and rebukes his father for trying to ensnare him. He then prays fervently, strengthens his ascetic discipline, and withstands further demonic attacks.
Themes in this chapter
Spiritual Warfare
The devil actively tempts Ioasaph through the damsel, using Scripture and deceit; Ioasaph resists through prayer, fasting, and remembrance of divine rewards and punishments.
Renunciation of Worldly Wealth
Ioasaph longs to forsake all and join Barlaam in the desert, rejecting the comforts of the palace and the allure of marriage.
Idolatry vs. True Worship
Ioasaph urges the damsel to abandon her idols and worship the living God, contrasting the error of idolatry with the truth of Christianity.
Characters to notice
- Ioasaph
Resists the temptress's arguments for marriage, recounts a vision of heaven and hell, falls ill, and strengthens his ascetic discipline.
- Abenner
King Abenner is informed of his son's illness and confronts him; Ioasaph rebukes him for setting a trap.
- Theudas
The magician Theudas is mentioned as having given orders to the devil to tempt Ioasaph.
- Barlaam
Ioasaph expresses a desire to join Barlaam in the desert.
Key passages
“Marriage is honourable, and the bed undefiled”
The institution of marriage is respectable and sexual relations within it are pure.
The temptress quotes Hebrews 13:4 to argue that marriage is not sinful, attempting to persuade Ioasaph to break his vow of celibacy.
“There is joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth”
The angels in heaven rejoice when a single sinner turns away from sin.
The damsel uses this verse (Luke 15:7) to suggest that Ioasaph's temporary sin would be justified by her subsequent conversion.
“Lord Almighty, who alone art powerful and merciful, the hope of the hopeless, and the help of the helpless”
O Lord, you alone are all-powerful and compassionate; you are the only hope for those who have no hope and the only help for those who cannot help themselves.
Ioasaph's prayer for deliverance from temptation, invoking God's mercy and power.