The Shepherd of Hermas, Chapter 5 summary
Chapter 5 of 26 · 2 min to read the chapter
In Chapter 5, a glorious visitor appears during the narrator’s prayer, identifies himself as the shepherd entrusted with his care, and changes form so the narrator recognizes him. The shepherd orders him to record commandments and parables, making their practice with a pure heart the condition for receiving the Lord’s promises.
What happens
- While the narrator prays at home, a man dressed as a shepherd enters and sits beside him.
- The visitor says the most holy angel sends him to remain with the narrator for the rest of his life.
- The narrator suspects temptation, but the visitor changes form and becomes recognizable, leaving the narrator frightened and ashamed.
- The shepherd reassures him and commands him to write commandments and parables first so he can read and obey them.
- The narrator records the teachings and states that obedience brings the Lord’s promises, while continued sin brings the opposite.
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In this chapter
What to notice
The closing sentence identifies the visitor’s role and presents the written teachings as the result of his command.
Quick check
Why does the shepherd command the narrator to write the commandments and parables first?
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