# Chapter XXXVII explained — Barlaam and Ioasaph

> Chapter companion for Barlaam and Ioasaph by Anonymous.

## What happens

Ioasaph leaves the palace, exchanges his royal robes for a hair-shirt, and embarks on a hermit's life in the desert. He endures extreme thirst and hunger, faces temptations and demonic apparitions from the devil, but overcomes them through faith in Christ and the sign of the Cross. After many hardships, he arrives at the desert of Senaar where Barlaam dwells.

## Themes in this chapter

### Renunciation of Worldly Wealth

Ioasaph strips himself of his royal robes, gives away his outer garment as alms, and embraces a life of poverty in the desert.

### Spiritual Warfare

The devil raises temptations and apparitions against Ioasaph, who overcomes them through faith, prayer, and the sign of the Cross.

### Divine Providence and Free Will

Ioasaph freely chooses the ascetic path, trusting in God's grace and help, and is sustained by divine love despite physical hardships.

## Character check-ins

### Ioasaph

Departs from the palace, adopts the hair-shirt, and journeys into the desert, enduring thirst, temptations, and demonic attacks.

### Barlaam

Mentioned as the giver of the hair-shirt and the one Ioasaph seeks in the desert.

### Abenner

Not directly present, but Ioasaph recalls his former kingly glory and bodyguard.

### Theudas

Not present in this chapter.

### Nachor

Not present in this chapter.

### Zardan

Not present in this chapter.

## Key lines

> Thus this noble man went forth from his palace rejoicing, as when after long exile a man returneth with joy to his own country.

The noble man left his palace with joy, like someone returning home after a long exile.

_Describes Ioasaph's joyful departure from the palace to begin his hermit life._

> For his heart was wounded with a marvellous longing and divine love for Christ the immortal King; he was beside himself with longing, mad for God, possessed by love of him.

His heart was filled with an intense longing and divine love for Christ, making him seem mad with desire for God.

_Highlights Ioasaph's overwhelming spiritual passion for Christ._

> But desire of Christ conquered nature, and the thirst wherewith he thirsted for God bedewed the heat of thirst for water.

His love for Christ overcame his physical needs, and his spiritual thirst for God relieved the burning thirst for water.

_Shows how Ioasaph's devotion to God helped him endure extreme physical thirst._

> I know thee, deceiver, who thou art, which stiffest up this trouble for me; which from the beginning didst devise mischief against mankind, and art ever wicked, and never stintest to do hurt.

I recognize you, deceiver, as the one who has caused trouble from the beginning, always wicked and never ceasing to harm.

_Ioasaph addresses the devil directly, identifying him as the ancient deceiver._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/barlaam_and_ioasaph_se/chapters/xxxvii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/barlaam_and_ioasaph_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/barlaam_and_ioasaph_se/chapters