Lines 28-30: “I saw, above thousands of lanterns, a Sun that kindled all of them, as ours does the sights above…”

· This seems fitting that Dante describes the coming of Jesus as awaiting the morning sun in Canto 23 of Paradiso. In fact, the word “Sun” is personified by its capitalization, implying its strong connection to whom it represents. Revelation 22:16 quotes Jesus at the end of days saying, “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.” (New International Version). It appears that Dante wants to provide his own separate vision that is not meant to accompany or add to the Bible. After all, Revelation 22:18 states “I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues…”

Lines 31-33: “…and through its living light the bright Substance…that they could not endure it.”

· Dante mentions in line 32 a “substance” that was so bright his eyes could not take it all in. According to this Franke’s article, this failure to describe the manifestation of God or even Mary at times appears often (3). Several times is the concept of theophany, or God manifested into man expressed in canto 23. Franke continues in his work that Dante attempts to maintain myth and metaphor in Paradiso, but he also seeks intuition of the divine essence (6). This is one of many examples of Christ’s light or “substance” as mentioned in line 32 as being unbearably full and bright.

Lines 37-39: “There is the Wisdom and the Power that opened the pathways between Heaven and earth…holds the keys to such glory.”

· Dante references the power that Jesus holds to salvation. This imagery of Jesus holding the proverbial keys to Heaven is referenced throughout the Bible and mentioned by Dante in Paradiso several times. For instance, John 14:6 claims “I [Jesus] am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me,” implying the proper path to Heaven through Jesus’ sacrifice. Additionally, Jesus discusses passing these keys on to Peter in Matthew 16:19 after Jesus’ resurrection: “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven…”. Biblically, this is one of the first instances of Jesus transferring his power of priesthood onto Peter with whom He tasked in building the first church.