# Of the burial of the dead: that the denial of it to Christians does them no injury explained — The City of God

> Chapter companion for The City of God by Augustine of Hippo.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se/chapters/part-i-xii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se/chapters