The Apologists · AD 130–180

Justin Martyr

c. 100 – 165 · Philosopher · Apologist · Martyr · Flavia Neapolis → Rome

The Apologists

Justin Martyr — historical depiction 1 — Justin MartyrTheophanes the Cretan · Public domain · Commons

Justin Martyr — historical depiction 2 — Justin MartyrJacques Callot, Israël Henriet · Public domain · Commons

Justin Martyr — historical depiction 3 — Justin MartyrAndré Thévet · Public domain · Commons

Justin Martyr — historical depiction 4 — Justin Martyrhttp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Deror_avi · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Commons

Justin Martyr — historical depiction 5 — Justin MartyrIustinus · Public domain · Commons

Who Justin Martyr was

Born to pagan settlers at ancient Shechem, Justin shopped the philosophical schools — Stoic, Peripatetic, Pythagorean, Platonist — until an old man on a seashore pointed him to the Hebrew prophets, “the only sure and profitable philosophy.” He kept the philosopher’s cloak, taught in Rome above a bathhouse, and addressed two Apologies to Antoninus Pius and the Senate, arguing that the Logos scattered seeds of truth among the Greeks and stands fully revealed in Christ. His Dialogue with Trypho preserves a day-long debate with a learned Jew. His First Apology contains our earliest full description of baptism and Sunday eucharist. Denounced by a rival philosopher, he was beheaded with six students around 165 — the trial transcript survives.

Also listed in martyrs and under marcus aurelius.

Common questions

When did Justin Martyr live?

Justin Martyr is dated c. 100 – 165 in the archive, which places Justin Martyr in the Apologists (AD 130–180). The dating is traditional and approximate; the archive marks it as uncertain rather than fixing a year the sources do not give.

What did Justin Martyr write?

Justin Martyr has 2 catalogued writings in the archive: First Apology and Dialogue with Trypho.

Which early sources mention Justin Martyr?

Justin Martyr is named in 4 primary-source passages catalogued here, drawn from The court record, Tatian the Assyrian, Irenaeus of Lyon and Jerome. Every passage is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.

Where was Justin Martyr from?

The archive associates Justin Martyr with Flavia Neapolis, Rome. The sources record more than one location, so the places are listed in the order the record moves through them.

Writings (2)

First Apology

c. 155

And on the day called Sunday, all who live in cities or in the country gather together to one place, and the memoirs of the apostles or the writings of the prophets are read, as long as time permits.

Earliest witness · Codex Parisinus gr. 450 (AD 1364)

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Dialogue with Trypho

c. 160

Straightway a flame was kindled in my soul; and a love of the prophets, and of those men who are friends of Christ, possessed me… I found this philosophy alone to be safe and profitable.

Earliest witness · Codex Parisinus gr. 450 (AD 1364)

Read the interlinear source text →

Primary-source mentions (4)

Every passage below is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.

The Acts of Justin and Companions (the trial record itself)

c. AD 165

The holy martyrs having glorified God, and having gone forth to the accustomed place, were beheaded, and perfected their testimony in the confession of the Saviour.

The court record · Acts of Justin 1–5 · source text

Address to the Greeks 18–19

c. AD 170

The most admirable Justin.

Tatian the Assyrian · Address to the Greeks 18 · source text

Against Heresies IV.6.2 (his book against Marcion cited)

c. AD 180

Justin well said in his book against Marcion, that he would not have believed the Lord Himself, if He had announced any other God than the Creator.

Irenaeus of Lyon · Against Heresies IV.6.2 · source text

On Illustrious Men 23

c. AD 393

Justin, a philosopher, and wearing the garb of philosopher, a citizen of Neapolis, a city of Palestine… laboured strenuously in behalf of the religion of Christ.

Jerome · 23 · source text