The Apologists · AD 130–180 · External witness

Justinus the Gnostic

fl. 2nd century (death unrecorded) · Author of the Book of Baruch · unknown

External witness

Who Justinus the Gnostic was

Author of the strangest system Hippolytus preserved: the Book of Baruch, a mythology of three unbegotten principles in which Elohim abandons Eden, the angel Baruch enlists Heracles and at last Jesus, and the oath of secrecy guards the whole. Not to be confused with Justin Martyr — a confusion the Refutation itself pauses to forestall.

Verified single attestation

Hippolytus alone (Refutation V.24–27) preserves the Book of Baruch.

Also listed in non-christian witnesses.

Common questions

When was Justinus active?

Justinus the Gnostic is dated fl. 2nd century (death unrecorded) in the archive, which places Justinus in the Apologists (AD 130–180).

What did Justinus write?

Justinus the Gnostic has 1 catalogued writing in the archive: The Book of Baruch (excerpts).

Which early sources mention Justinus?

Justinus the Gnostic is named in 1 primary-source passage catalogued here, drawn from Hippolytus of Rome. Every passage is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.

Where was Justinus from?

The archive associates Justinus the Gnostic with unknown.

Writings (1)

The Book of Baruch (excerpts)

Surviving only in Hippolytus's hostile excerpts
[Excerpted at length — oaths, angels, and the Good One — in Refutation V.24–27]

Earliest witness · Paris, suppl. gr. 464 (from Mount Athos) (14th c.)

Read the interlinear source text →

Primary-source mentions (1)

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

Refutation of All Heresies V.24

c. AD 225
He binds his hearers with an oath: 'If thou wilt know what eye hath not seen, and ear hath not heard… swear to keep the secrets of the discipline, and to tell them to no one.'
Hippolytus of Rome · V.24 · source text

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