The Imitation of Christ: who's who, timeline and places
Everyone in The Imitation of Christ, what happens when, and where, without spoilers: tell us how far you have read and we show only what you already know.
- The speakerThe speaker urges readers to imitate Jesus Christ through humility, conduct, inward purpose, and love of God.First seen in chapter 1
- Jesus ChristJesus Christ is the example readers are urged to imitate in conduct and inward purpose.First seen in chapter 1
- The DiscipleThe Disciple admits his need for patience and receives teaching from God about enduring trials.First seen in chapter 49
- The SaintsThe Saints are figures in Heaven whose relative rank should not become a subject of argument.First seen in chapter 95
- PriestsProperly ordained priests alone may consecrate the Sacrament, though human holiness cannot earn this right.First seen in chapter 102
- Chapter 1
The speaker urges readers to imitate Jesus Christ, placing humility and love above religious knowledge alone.
- Chapter 7
The speaker urges readers to place hope in God rather than possessions, people, learning, or personal ability.
- Chapter 13
The speaker explains that unavoidable temptation can reveal weakness and teach humility, patience, and self-knowledge.
- Chapter 17
The speaker teaches that religious community requires self-denial, endurance, and humility.
- Chapter 23
The speaker urges preparation for death through repentance, good works, and freedom from worldly attachments.
- Chapter 28
The speaker teaches that peace with others begins with correcting oneself rather than judging neighbors.
- Chapter 34
The speaker teaches that devotion requires enduring the loss of comfort without abandoning God.
- Chapter 39
The speaker asks the Lord to speak directly to the heart.
- Chapter 43
The Lord teaches that true love values the giver above gifts and remains steady through hardship.
- Chapter 49
A disciple admits his need for patience, and God explains that peace means enduring trials.
- Chapter 55
Christ presents His freely chosen suffering as an example for enduring earthly hardship without complaint.
- Chapter 60
The Lord teaches peace through yielding to others, choosing less, taking the lowest position, and seeking God’s will.
- Chapter 69
The Lord teaches that freedom and rest require surrender of selfish desires, earthly pleasures, and attachment to possessions.
- Chapter 76
The Lord asks His son to entrust his affairs to Him, while the devotee admits the limits of planning.
- Chapter 85
The speaker contrasts heaven’s lasting joy with earthly suffering and asks Jesus for freedom from sin and distracted prayer.
- Chapter 91
A teacher contrasts Nature’s self-interest with Grace’s guidance toward humility, generosity, discipline, and patience.
- Chapter 95
God warns against investigating hidden judgments or arguing over which Saints deserve the highest place in Heaven.
- Chapter 97
Christ invites those burdened by work to find refreshment in Him and identifies His bread with His flesh.
- Chapter 102
The Beloved explains that only properly ordained priests may consecrate the Sacrament.
- Chapter 106
The Disciple offers himself to God during Communion, confesses his sins, and asks for purification.
- Chapter 112
The Beloved teaches that devotion requires prayer, humble patience, and surrender rather than demands for immediate comfort.
- Chapter 115
The Beloved warns against curious probing into the Sacrament and directs the faithful toward humility, obedience, and trust.
Hidden until you have read that far.
- religious communityReligious community is a setting that requires self-denial, endurance, and humility rather than outward signs of devotion.First seen in chapter 17
- heavenHeaven is where the Lord directs His child to turn when suffering contempt.First seen in chapter 78

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