The Shepherd of Hermas — Visions
Interlinear version (Beta)
About
The Shepherd of Hermas begins with the Visions, a series of five apocalyptic revelations reportedly experienced by Hermas, a former slave, in Rome during the early 2nd century AD.
While traditionally attributed to the Hermas mentioned by Paul in Romans 16:14, scholars now generally date the work later, suggesting it was written by another Hermas, possibly the brother of Pope Pius I (around 140-150 AD).
The Visions portion introduces the work's major themes through encounters with two female figures: an elderly woman representing the Church, and a younger woman symbolizing divine Wisdom. These visions establish the work's focus on repentance and church renewal, with the elderly woman gradually becoming younger to symbolize the Church's spiritual rejuvenation.
The text's authority in the early church was significant enough that some communities considered it scripture, though it was ultimately not included in the New Testament canon. The Visions section differs stylistically from the later Mandates and Parables (also known as the Similitudes), leading some scholars to suggest it may have originally circulated independently before being incorporated into the larger work.