NT References in the Ante-Nicene Fathers
Matthew 25:34
Irenaeus Against Heresies Book IV
For I was an hungered, and ye gave Me to eat: I was thirsty, and ye gave Me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took Me in: naked, and ye clothed Me; sick, and ye visited Me; in prison, and ye came to Me."[259]
Irenaeus Against Heresies Book IV
these shall be damned for ever; and to whomsoever He shall say, "Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you for eternity,"[406]
Irenaeus Against Heresies Book IV
and that to some He will say, "Come, ye blessed of My Father, receive the kingdom which has been prepared for you,"[631]
Clement of Alexandria The Instructor Book III
The Instructor Himself will say again, loving to refer to Himself the kindness of the brethren, "In as much as ye have done it to these least, ye have done it to Me. And these shall go away into everlasting life."[199]
Clement of Alexandria Who is the Rich Man that Shall Be Saved?
Again, on the opposite side, to those who have not performed these things, "Verily I say unto you, in as much as ye have not done it unto one of the least of these, ye have not done it to Me."[45]
Origen de Principiis Book III
Even the words addressed to those who are on His right hand, "Come unto Me, all ye blessed of My Father," etc.; "for I was an hungered, and ye gave Me to eat; I was thirsty, and ye gave Me drink,"[45]
Origen de Principiis Book III
And when He says to those on His right hand, "Come, ye blessed of My Father," etc.; "for I was an hungered, and ye gave Me to eat; I was athirst, and ye gave Me to drink,"[57]
Hippolytus Exegetical Fragments
And thus, too, the inspired apostles survive and wait for the time of their redemption, when they shall be called into a kingdom which cannot be moved, when Christ addresses them with the word, "Come, ye blessed of my Father, '[30]
Hippolytus Dogmatical and Historical Fragments
And to the saints He will say, "Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world."[168]
Cyprian Treatise IV On the Lord's Prayer
For when does God not reign, or when does that begin with Him which both always has been, and never ceases to be? We pray that our kingdom, which has been promised us by God, may come, which was acquired by the blood and passion of Christ; that we who first are His subjects in the world, may hereafter reign with Christ when He reigns, as He Himself promises and says, "Come, ye blessed of my Father, receive the kingdom which has been prepared for you from the beginning of the world."[35]
Cyprian Treatise X On Jealousy and Envy
Let Christ rather applaud you, and invite you to the reward, saying, "Come, ye blessed of my Father, receive the kingdom which is prepared for you from the beginning of the world."[43]
Constitutions of the Holy Apostles Book V
Then shall they also answer and say, Lord when saw we Thee hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto Thee? Then shall He answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have not done it unto one of the least of these, neither have ye done it unto me. And these shall go away unto everlasting punishment."[2]
Origen Commentary on Matthew Book XI
The righteous, indeed, are prepared for the kingdom of heaven and for the exaltation in the kingdom of God;[161]