Barlaam and Ioasaph · Chapter
XXXV explained
King Abenner, pricked to the heart by Ioasaph's inspired wisdom, confesses Christ, destroys idols, and is baptized.
What happens
King Abenner, pricked to the heart by Ioasaph's inspired wisdom, confesses Christ, destroys idols, and is baptized. He hands the kingdom to Ioasaph and lives in repentance for four years. On his deathbed, he is comforted by Ioasaph's words of divine mercy, dies in peace, and is buried in a garment of penitence. Ioasaph mourns seven days, then distributes all his wealth to the poor.
Themes in this chapter
Conversion and Baptism
King Abenner's public confession of Christ, destruction of idols, and baptism by the holy bishop, leading to the mass baptism of the city and region.
Renunciation of Worldly Wealth
Abenner distributes gold and silver idols to the poor; Ioasaph distributes all his wealth to the poor after his father's death.
Divine Providence and Free Will
Ioasaph comforts Abenner by emphasizing that God's mercy is immeasurable and that repentance can overcome any sin, highlighting the interplay of divine grace and human choice.
Characters to notice
Key passages
“Why art thou so full of heaviness, O my father, and why art thou so disquieted within thee? Set thy hope on God, and give him thanks, who is the hope of all the ends of the earth, and of them that remain in the sea afar, who crieth by the mouth of his prophet, 'Wash you, make you clean: put away from before mine eyes the wickedness of your souls; learn to do well'; and 'Though your sins be as scarlet, I will make them white as snow; though they be red like crimson, I will make them as wool.'”
Ioasaph comforts his dying father by urging him to trust in God's mercy, quoting Isaiah's promise that even scarlet sins can be made white as snow through repentance.
This passage illustrates Ioasaph's role as a spiritual guide, using scripture to alleviate Abenner's fear of judgment.
“I was lost, and was found through thee: I was dead in sin and am alive again: an enemy, and rebel against God, and am reconciled with him.”
Abenner acknowledges that through Ioasaph he has been saved from sin and reconciled to God.
Highlights the theme of spiritual rebirth and the reversal of the father-son relationship, where Ioasaph becomes the spiritual father.
“Into thy hands, O God, thou lover of men, do I commit my spirit.”
Abenner's final prayer, echoing Christ's words on the cross, entrusting his soul to God.
Shows Abenner's peaceful death after repentance, modeled on the death of a saint.