The Shepherd of Hermas

I said to him: Sir, tell me what this tree is. For I am perplexed about it, that although so many[*](The explanation of the parable) branches have been cut off, the tree is healthy, and nothing seems to have been cut from it; I am perplexed at this.

Listen, said he, this great tree, which covers plains and mountains and

And the great and glorious angel[*](But in Sim. ix. he is the Son of God. This together with the identification of the Son with the Spirit in Sim. ix. 1 (cf. Sim. v. 5) makes it very hard to reconstruct the Christology of Hermas. On the question of Michael see W. Lueken’s Michael Göttingen, 1898.) is Michael, who has power over this people and governs them; for this is he who put the law into the hearts of those who believe. Therefore he looks after those to whom he gave it to see if they have really kept it.

But you see the sticks of each one, for the sticks are the law. Therefore, you see that many sticks have been made useless, and you will understand, that they are all the men who have not observed the law; and you will see the dwelling of each one of them.

I said to him: Sir, why did he send some into the tower, and left some to you? All those who have transgressed against the law, which they received from him, he left to my authority for repentance. But as many as were already well-pleased with the law, and have observed it, he keeps them under his own authority.

Who then, Sir, said I, are they who were crowned and went into the tower? All those, said he, who wrestled with the devil and conquered him, have been crowned. These are they who suffered for the law.

And the others who also gave up their sticks green and having buds, but without fruit, are they who were persecuted for the law, but

And those who gave them up green, as they received them, are holy and righteous and have walked far with a pure heart, and have kept the commandments of the Lord. And the rest you will know, when I look at these sticks which have been planted and watered.