What Makes the Didache Interesting?

Aside from the teaching 16 topics which we will get into later there are some parallels that are worth pointing out.

The Two Ways Teaching
The Didache begins with the “Two Ways” teaching (Life vs. Death), which closely parallels Jewish ethical manuals like the Community Rule from Qumran (Dead Sea Scrolls) and rabbinic “Two Ways” traditions. The Dead Sea Scroll Community Rule [1QS 3:13–4:26] describes the “Way of Light” and the “Way of Darkness,” with lists of virtues and vices in much the same way. The Damascus Document (CD 1:1–2:1): also contrasts the righteous path with the path of wickedness.

Moral Instructions & Prohibitions
The Didache forbids murder, adultery, theft, magic, abortion, infanticide, idolatry and warns against anger, pride, hypocrisy, greed, grumbling, false teaching.

The Dead Sea Scrolls (1Qs, CD, 11Q19) prohibit murder, adultery, theft, infanticide (not literally abortion, idolatry, anger, pride, greed, grumbling/slander, and false teaching.

Communal Discipline
Didache

• Strong warnings against false prophets and exploiters (Did. 11–12).
• Tests for authenticity: if a prophet stays more than two days or asks for money, he is false.

Dead Sea Scrolls

• Community Rule (1QS 6–7): detailed rules for accepting/rejecting members, penalties for hypocrisy, false teaching, and corruption.
• Careful vetting of outsiders to preserve community purity.

Ritual Practices
Didache

• Baptism: insists on immersion in flowing “living water” if possible.
• Fasting: Christians should fast on Wednesdays and Fridays, not Mondays and Thursdays (traditional Jewish fast days).
• Prayer: the Lord’s Prayer is prescribed three times daily.
• Eucharist: thanksgiving prayers over bread and wine, with eschatological hope.

Dead Sea Scrolls

• Community Rule (1QS 3:4–9): members purify themselves in water immersions, with emphasis on inner purity. The mikva’ot (ritual baths) had channels connecting to natural water sources making them living water.
• Damascus Document (CD 6:19–20): fasting practices linked to covenant renewal.
• Songs of the Sabbath Sacrifice and Hodayot: formal prayers and blessings with thanksgiving language.
• Messianic Banquet (1QSa 2:11–22): vision of a communal eschatological meal with bread and wine.

And then [the Mess]iah of Israel shall [come]….

 

 

And [when] they shall gather for the common

le, to eat and [to drink] new wine, when the common table shall be set for eating and the new wine [poured] for drinking, let no man extend his hand over the firstfruits of bread and wine before the Priest; for [it is he] who shall bless the firstfruits of bread and wine, and shall be the first [to extend] his hand over the bread. Thereafter, the Messiah of Israel shall extend his hand over the bread, [and] all the congregation of the Community [shall utter a] blessing, [each man in the order] of his dignity. It is according to this statute that they shall proceed at every me[al at which] at least ten men are gathered together.

 

-1QSa two parts (The Messianic Rule) 

Apocalyptic Expectation

Didache

• Concludes with warnings of the End Times: increase of lawlessness, coming of the Deceiver, persecution, final appearance of the Lord (Did. 16).

Dead Sea Scrolls

• War Scroll (1QM): cosmic battle between Sons of Light and Sons of Darkness, awaiting God’s final intervention.
• Community Rule (1QS 4:18–26): apocalyptic destiny of the two ways, reward for the righteous and destruction for the wicked.

Sectarian Identity & Boundary-Marking

Didache

Differentiates Christian practice from “the hypocrites” (a term often used for certain Jewish groups):

• Different fasting days.
• Unique Eucharist prayer formulae.
• Emphasis on baptism “in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.”

Dead Sea Scrolls

• Qumran sect emphasizes separation from the “sons of darkness” and “seekers of smooth things” (probably Pharisees).
• Distinct halakhic rules, food laws, and ritual calendars mark them as “true Israel.”

The Didache Chapters

Teaching I | The Two Ways; The First Commandment

1. There are two ways, one of life and one of death, and there is a great difference between the two ways.
2. This is therefore the only thing of life: first you shall love God that made you, secondly your neighbor as yourself: that all you would not want done to you, do not do to each other.
3. And of these words this is the doctrine: bless those that curse you, and pray for your enemies, fast for them that persecute you. For what grace is it if you only love those that love you? Do not the nations do the same? But love them that hate you, and you have no enemy.
4. Abstain from carnal and bodily desires: if any man gives you a strike on the right cheek, give him also the other, and you shalt be perfect: If someone impresses you for one mile, go with him two. If any man takes your clothes (to exploit you), give him also your underwear (make clear his shame): If someone takes from you what is yours, ask it not back, for indeed you are not able. Give to every one that asks you, and ask it not back; for the Father wills that to all should be given of our own blessings (free gifts).
5. Blessed is he that gives according to the commandment; for he is guiltless. Woe to him that receives; for if one having need receives, he is guiltless; but he that receives not having need, shall pay the penalty, why he received and for what, and, coming into straits (confinement), he shall be examined concerning the things which he has done, and he shall not escape thence until he pay back the last cent.
6. But also of this it is said: Let your money sweat in your hands, until you know whom you are giving to.

Teaching II | The Second Commandment: Gross Sin Forbidden

1. But the second commandment of the teaching is:
2. You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not corrupt boys (pederasty), you shall not commit fornication, you shall not steal, you shall not practice magic, you shall not use potions, you shall not kill a child by abortion, nor shall you kill one that has been born. You shall not covet the things of your neighbor.
3. You shall not swear falsely, you shall not bear false witness, you shall not speak evil, you shall not bear a grudge.
4. You shall not be double-minded, nor double-tongued; for double-tongued speech is a snare of death.
5. Your word shall not be false, nor empty, but fulfilled in action.
6. You shall not be greedy, nor rapacious, nor hypocritical, nor malicious, nor arrogant. You shall not take evil counsel against your neighbor.
7. You shall not hate every person; but some you shall reprove, and for others you shall pray, and others you shall love more than your own life.

Teaching III | Other Sins Forbidden

1. My child, flee from every evil thing, and from everything like it.
2. Do not become quick-tempered, for anger leads to murder; do not be jealous, or contentious, or hot-tempered, for from all these murders are born.
3. My child, do not become lustful, for lust leads to fornication; do not be foul-mouthed or proud of eye, for from all these adulteries are born.
4. My child, do not be an augur (omen-watcher), since divination leads to idolatry; do not be an enchanter, or an astrologer, or one who purifies by charms; and do not even wish to look upon such things, for from all these idolatries are born.
5. My child, do not be a liar, for lying leads to theft; do not be money-loving, nor vainglorious, for from all these thefts are born.
6. My child, do not be a grumbler, for grumbling leads to blasphemy; do not be self-willed or evil-minded, for from all these blasphemies are born.
7. But be meek, for the meek shall inherit the earth.
8. Be long-suffering, and compassionate, and guileless, and gentle, and good, and tremble at the words you have heard.
9. Do not exalt yourself, nor give boldness to your soul. Do not let your soul be joined with the lofty, but walk with the righteous and humble.
10. Accept the events that come upon you as good, knowing that nothing happens apart from God.

Teaching IV | Various Precepts

1. My child, remember the one who speaks to you the word of God, night and day; and you shall honor him as the Lord. For where the lordship is spoken of, there the Lord is present.
2. And you shall seek each day the presence of the saints, so that you may rest in their words.
3. You shall not desire division, but shall make peace among those who fight. You shall judge justly; you shall not show partiality when reproving offenses.
4. You shall not be double-minded about whether something will be or not.
5. Do not be one who stretches out your hands to receive, but draws them back from giving.
6. If you have anything through the work of your hands, you shall give it as a ransom for your sins.
7. You shall not hesitate to give, nor when giving shall you grumble; for you will know who is the good Rewarder of your wage.
8. You shall not turn away from one in need, but shall share all things with your brother, and you shall not say that anything is your own. For if you are sharers in the immortal [things], how much more in mortal things?
9. You shall not withhold your hand from your son or from your daughter, but from their youth you shall teach them the fear of God.
10. You shall not command your male or female slave, who hope in the same God, in bitterness, lest they should cease to fear the God who is over both. For he comes not to call with regard to appearances, but upon those whom the Spirit has prepared.
11. But you servants, be subject to your masters as to a type of God, in shame and fear.
12. You shall hate all hypocrisy, and everything that is not pleasing to the Lord.
13. You shall not forsake the commandments of the Lord, but you shall keep what you have received, neither adding to it nor taking away from it.
14. In the assembly (church) you shall confess your transgressions, and you shall not come to your prayer with an evil conscience. This is the Way of Life.

Teaching V | The Way of Death

1. And the way of death is this: first of all, it is evil and full of curse —
   murders, adulteries, lusts, fornications, thefts, idolatries, acts of magic, sorceries, robberies, false testimonies, hypocrisies, duplicity of heart, deceit, arrogance, wickedness, self-will, covetousness, foul speech, jealousy, boldness, loftiness, boasting.
2. [They are] persecutors of the good, haters of truth, lovers of lies;
   not knowing the reward of righteousness, not clinging to what is good nor to just judgment, wakeful not for the good but for the evil;
   from whom meekness and patience are far removed;
   loving vanity, pursuing vengeance;
   not having compassion on the poor, not laboring for the afflicted;
   not knowing Him who made them;
   murderers of children, corrupters of God’s creation;
   turning away from the one in need, oppressing the troubled;
   advocates of the rich, lawless judges of the poor;
   utter sinners.

Keep yourselves, my children, far from all these.

Teaching VI | Against False Teachers, and Food Offered to Idols

1. See to it that no one lead you astray from this way of the teaching, for apart from God he teaches you.
2. For if you are able to bear the whole yoke of the Lord, you will be perfect; but if you are not able, then do what you can.
3. And concerning food, bear what you are able; but be especially on guard against that which has been offered to idols, for it is the worship of dead gods.

Teaching VII | Concerning Baptism

1. And concerning baptism, baptize in this way: after having said all these things beforehand, baptize into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit in living water.
2. But if you do not have living water, then baptize in other water; and if you cannot in cold, then in warm.
3. But if you have neither, then pour water three times on the head in the name of Father and Son and Holy Spirit.
4. But before the baptism, let the one baptizing and the one being baptized fast, and any others who are able; and you shall instruct the one who is to be baptized to fast one or two days before.

Teaching VIII | Concerning Fasting and Prayer (the Lord’s Prayer)

1. But let not your fasts be with the hypocrites. For they fast on the second day of the week and on the fifth; but you, fast on the fourth day (Wednesday) and on the preparation day (Friday).
2. And do not pray as the hypocrites, but as the Lord commanded in his Gospel, thus pray:

Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done, as in heaven so also on earth.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debt, as we also forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.
For yours is the power and the glory forever.

1. Pray this three times a day.

Teaching IX | The Thanksgiving (Eucharist)

1. And concerning the Eucharist, give thanks in this way:
2. First, concerning the cup:

We thank you, our Father,
for the holy vine of David your servant,
which you made known to us through Jesus your servant.
To you be the glory forever.

1. And concerning the broken bread:

We thank you, our Father,
for the life and knowledge
which you made known to us through Jesus your servant.
To you be the glory forever.

1. As this broken bread was scattered upon the mountains and, being gathered together, became one,
   so may your Church be gathered together from the ends of the earth into your kingdom.
   For yours is the glory and the power through Jesus forever.
2. But let no one eat or drink of your Eucharist except those who have been baptized in the name of the Lord.

For the Lord has said concerning this:
Do not give what is holy to the dogs.

Teaching X | Prayer After Communion

1. And after you are filled, give thanks in this way:
2. We thank you, holy Father,
   for your holy name,
   which you have made to dwell in our hearts,
   and for the knowledge and faith and immortality
   which you have made known to us through Jesus your servant.
   To you be the glory forever.
3. You, Master Almighty, created all things for the sake of your name,
   and you gave food and drink to human beings for enjoyment,
   that they might give you thanks.
   But to us you have graciously given spiritual food and drink
   and eternal life through your servant.
4. Above all we thank you, because you are mighty.
   To you be the glory forever.
5. Remember, Lord, your Church,
   to deliver it in your love,
   and to gather it together from the four winds,
   the sanctified Church,
   into your kingdom which you have prepared for it.
   For yours is the power and the glory forever.
6. Let grace come, and let this world pass away.
   Hosanna to the God of David!
   If anyone is holy, let him come.
   If anyone is not, let him repent.
   Maranatha! Amen.
7. But permit the prophets to give thanks as much as they desire.

Teaching XI | Concerning Teachers, Apostles, and Prophets

1. Whoever comes and teaches you all these things that were said before — receive him.
2. But if the teacher himself, having turned aside, teaches another doctrine that leads to destruction, do not listen to him. But if he teaches so as to add righteousness and the knowledge of the Lord, receive him as the Lord.
3. Now concerning the apostles and prophets, act according to the decree of the Gospel.
4. Every apostle coming to you, let him be received as the Lord.
5. But he shall not remain more than one day; if there is need, also the next. But if he remains three days, he is a false prophet.
6. And when the apostle departs, let him take nothing except bread, until he lodges. But if he asks for money, he is a false prophet.
7. And every prophet speaking in the Spirit you shall not test nor judge; for every sin shall be forgiven, but this sin shall not be forgiven.
8. Yet not everyone who speaks in the Spirit is a prophet, but only if he has the ways of the Lord. Therefore, by their ways the false prophet and the true prophet shall be known.
9. And every prophet who appoints a table in the Spirit shall not eat from it; but if he does, he is a false prophet.
10. And every prophet who teaches the truth, but does not do what he teaches, is a false prophet.
11. But every prophet who has been approved, who is true, and who does something as a mystery of the Church for the world, but does not teach others to do what he himself does — he shall not be judged among you; for with God he has his judgment. For in like manner also the ancient prophets acted.
12. But whoever says in the Spirit, “Give me silver or something else,” you shall not listen to him. But if he says to give on behalf of others who are in need, let no one judge him.

Teaching XII | Reception of Christians

1. But let everyone who comes in the name of the Lord be received; then, when you have tested him, you will know him, for you will have understanding of right and left.
2. If the one who comes is a traveler passing through, help him as much as you are able; but he shall not remain with you more than two or three days, if there is need.
3. But if he wishes to settle among you, being a craftsman, let him work and so eat.
4. But if he does not have a trade, according to your discretion provide for him, so that as a Christian he may not live idle among you.
5. But if he is not willing to do so, he is a Christ-monger (one who trades on the name of Christ); beware of such people.

Teaching XIII | Support of Prophets

1. Every true prophet who wishes to settle among you is worthy of his food.
2. Likewise, every true teacher is himself worthy, just like the worker, of his food.
3. Therefore, of all the firstfruits of the produce of the winepress and of the threshing floor, of oxen and of sheep, you shall take the firstfruits and give them to the prophets, for they are your high priests.
4. But if you do not have a prophet, give them to the poor.
5. If you make bread, take the firstfruits and give according to the commandment.
6. Likewise, when you open a jar of wine or of oil, take the firstfruits and give them to the prophets.
7. And of money, and clothing, and of every possession, take the firstfruits, as it may seem good to you, and give according to the commandment.

Teaching XIV | Christian Assembly on the Lord’s Day

1. And on the Lord’s Day of the Lord, after coming together, break bread and give thanks, having first confessed your transgressions, so that your sacrifice may be pure.
2. But let no one who has a dispute with his companion join you until they are reconciled, so that your sacrifice may not be defiled.
3. For this is what was spoken by the Lord: “In every place and time offer me a pure sacrifice, for I am a great King,” says the Lord, “and my name is marvelous among the nations.” [Malachi 1:11]

Teaching XV | Bishops and Deacons; Christian Reproof

1. Therefore appoint for yourselves bishops and deacons worthy of the Lord — men who are meek, not lovers of money, truthful, and approved; for they also serve you in the ministry of the prophets and teachers.
2. Do not, then, despise them; for they are the ones honored among you, together with the prophets and teachers.
3. Reprove one another, not in anger but in peace, as you have it in the Gospel. And let no one speak with, or let him be heard among you, who has sinned against his neighbor, until he repents.
4. But your prayers and your almsgiving and all your deeds, so do them as you have it in the Gospel of our Lord.

Teaching XVI | Watchfulness; The Coming of the Lord

1. Watch over your life: let your lamps not be quenched, and let your loins not be loosed, but be ready — for you do not know the hour in which our Lord is coming.
2. And gather together frequently, seeking the things that concern your souls; for your whole time of faith will not profit you, unless you are perfected in the last season.
3. For in the last days false prophets and corrupters will multiply, and the sheep will be turned into wolves, and love will be turned into hatred.
4. For as lawlessness increases, they will hate one another and persecute and betray, and then the Deceiver of the world will appear as the Son of God, and will perform signs and wonders, and the earth will be delivered into his hands, and he will commit lawless deeds such as have never been done from the beginning of the world.
5. Then all human creation shall come into the fiery trial of testing, and many shall stumble and perish; but those who endure in their faith shall be saved by the very same judgement.
6. And then the signs of truth shall appear: first, the sign of an opening out in heaven; then the sign of the sound of a trumpet; and the third, the resurrection of the dead.
7. But not of all, but as it was said: “The Lord shall come, and all his saints with him.”
8. Then the world shall see the Lord coming upon the clouds of heaven.