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Which biblical passages do Roman Catholic supporters cite in support of purgatory?
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purgatory
Anastasis (Christ ascending from hell), apse fresco, c. 1320; in the Church of the Holy Saviour at the Monastery of the Chora (now the Kariye Museum), Istanbul.
Supporters of the Roman Catholic doctrine of purgatory point to several biblical passages that suggest the existence of an interim state after death, the efficacy of prayer for the dead, and the concept of a purifying fire.12
Key passages cited include:
- 2 Maccabees 12:41–46: Describes Judas Maccabeus offering prayers and a sin offering for fallen soldiers, supporting the practice of intercession for the dead.1
- Matthew 12:32: Implies that some sins may be forgiven in the world to come.1
- 1 Corinthians 3:11–15: Mentions a fire that tests and purifies the works of individuals, which some interpret as a metaphor for purgatorial cleansing.1
- 2 Timothy 1:18: References Saint Paul’s prayer for Onesiphorus, often cited as evidence for praying for the deceased.1
- Luke 16:19–26 and 23:43: The parable of Dives and Lazarus and the words of Jesus to the repentant thief are used to support the existence of an interim period before the Day of Judgment.1
- Hebrews 12:29: Refers to God as a "consuming fire," which is sometimes linked to the concept of divine purification.1