The City of God · Chapter
Of the burial of the dead: that the denial of it to Christians does them no injury explained
Augustine argues that the denial of burial to Christians does them no real harm, as their resurrection is assured by God.
What happens
Augustine argues that the denial of burial to Christians does them no real harm, as their resurrection is assured by God. He emphasizes that the body's fate after death is irrelevant to the soul's salvation, citing Christ's teaching not to fear those who kill the body. The chapter contrasts the solace of funeral rites for the living with the comfort of the dead, and uses the parable of Dives and Lazarus to illustrate that true honor comes from God, not human burial customs.
Themes in this chapter
Sin, Grace, and Redemption
The chapter emphasizes that bodily death and lack of burial cannot hinder the resurrection promised to the faithful, underscoring God's power to redeem and restore.
Eschatology and the Last Things
Augustine focuses on the blessed resurrection and the assurance that not a hair of the head shall perish, pointing to the final restoration of the body.
Characters to notice
- Augustine
Author and defender of the City of God, arguing against those who mock Christian beliefs about burial and resurrection.
- Jesus Christ
Quoted as the Truth who said 'Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul' and 'Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.'
- Abraham
Referenced in the parable of Dives and Lazarus, where Lazarus is carried to Abraham's bosom.
- Holy Scripture
Cited from the Psalm: 'The dead bodies of Thy servants have they given to be meat unto the fowls of the heaven... and there was none to bury them.'
Key passages
“Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul”
Do not be afraid of those who can kill the body but cannot destroy the soul.
Augustine uses this verse to argue that even denial of burial cannot harm the soul's future life.
“Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do”
Do not fear those who kill the body, for after that they have no further power over you.
Augustine refutes the idea that enemies can harm the dead by depriving them of burial, asserting that the dead have no sensation.
“precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints”
The death of God's holy ones is valuable in God's eyes.
Augustine contrasts human perception of a harsh death with God's view of the saints' death as precious.