ACC ~ Acts 8 v25 - 33
OVERVIEW:
The two sections that follow form a unity. In commenting on these passages the Fathers do not seem to notice the fact that the Ethiopian is the first Gentile to come to the faith, nor do they develop the key significance of the passage from Isaiah adduced by Luke in telling us what the eunuch was reading. They do, however, appreciate Luke’s subtle teaching about the attitudes that lead to faith and baptism. Chrysostom underscores the Ethiopian’s zeal in traveling to Jerusalem, in reading the Scriptures even while riding in his chariot and in inviting a poor stranger to join him in order to explain the Scriptures to him. Bede seeks symbolic significance in the various names in the narrative and extols the eunuch’s virtue. These two tendencies are present as well in Severus, who speaks of God’s desire to save all people, and in Athanasius as well as Augustine, who also draws theological conclusions from the fact that his text included a gloss mentioning that the “Spirit fell” on the eunuch.
8:25 | The Apostles Returned to Jerusalem
AS GENERALS DO IN WARS. CHRYSOSTOM: Why do they return to where the tyranny of evil was, where the people were especially thirsty for their blood? This is what generals do in wars: they take control of the part of the battle that is most in distress. Notice again that it is not by choice that they go to Samaria, but driven by persecution, just as it was in the case of Christ, and how the apostles are going to people who are now believers and no longer Samaritans. “Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard this,” it says, “they sent to them Peter and John.” They sent them again to free them from magic. And besides, [the Lord] had given them a pattern at the time when the Samaritans believed. “And in many villages,” it says, “of the Samaritans, they preached the gospel.” Look how even their journeys were actively employed and how they do nothing without a purpose. HOMILIES ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 18.
8:26 | An Angel of the Lord
ANGELS ASSIST THE PREACHING. CHRYSOSTOM: Look how the angels are assisting the preaching: they themselves do not preach but call these [to the work]. The wonderful nature of the occurrence is also shown by this, that what was rare before and hardly done now takes place, and with what readiness and encouragement to them! HOMILIES ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 19.
ETHIOPIA IN PROPHECY. BEDE: It is well that it was in the South that this man was sought, found and washed clean. Burning with devotion in his breast he deserved to be consecrated to God as, so to speak, the firstfruits of the Gentiles. In him especially was fulfilled that saying of the psalmist, “Ethiopia will stretch out its hands to God.” COMMENTARY ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 8.26A.
THE WAY TO GAZA. BEDE: It is not the road but Gaza that is referred to as a desert. For the old Gaza, which was formerly “the Canaanites’ boundary with Egypt,” was destroyed down to its foundations, and in a different place another [Gaza] was built to replace it. Allegorically this designates the people of the Gentiles, who were once separated from the worship of God, uncultivated by the preaching of the prophets. The road that went down to this same place from Jerusalem and opened the fountain of salvation is the Lord Jesus Christ, who said, “I am the way and the truth and the life.” From the Jerusalem above he “came down” to our infirmities, and with the water of baptism he made white the blackness of our guilty condition. COMMENTARY ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 8.26B.
8:27 | An Ethiopian Eunuch
HE FOUND CHRIST WHOM HE WAS SEEKING. BEDE: He is called a man because of his virtue and integrity of mind, and not undeservedly, for he devoted his study solely to the Scriptures, and he did not stop reading them even when he was on the road. Also, he showed so much love in [his] religion that, leaving behind a queen’s court, he came from the farthest regions of the world to the Lord’s temple. Hence, as a just reward, “while he sought the interpretation of something that he was reading, he found Christ whom he was seeking.” Furthermore, as Jerome says, “He found the church’s font there in the desert, rather than in the golden temple of the synagogue.” For there [in the desert] something happened that Jeremiah declared was to be wondered at, “an Ethiopian changed his skin,” that is, with the stain of his sins washed away by the waters [of baptism], he went up, shining white, to Jesus. COMMENTARY ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 8.27A.
THE ETHIOPIAN QUEEN AS A FIGURE. BEDE: The sending by the Ethiopian queen of treasures of the nations to Jerusalem signifies that the church would bring gifts of the virtues and of faith to the Lord. The etymology of her name is also appropriate, for in Hebrew Candace means exchanged. In the Scriptures (in the psalm “For those who will be exchanged”) it is she to whom it was said, “Hear, daughter, and see, and incline your ear. Forget your people and your father’s home,” and so forth. COMMENTARY ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 8.27C.
THE DESCRIPTION SEEN AS AN ALLEGORY. ARATOR: No trifling occasion of hidden allegory shines in the image of [the eunuch’s] country: the Almighty gave full approval for Moses to unite the Ethiopian woman to himself in the bond of marriage; Scriptures reveal that he later spoke with the Lord face to face. What is there astonishing if love for the law began to grow at that time when [the law] had been joined [in marriage] to the church? Rather, the Song of Songs does not conceal the fact that the everlasting bride comes from that region: it calls her black and beautiful. She comes from the south, which burns the Ethiopian soil, to praise her Peacemaker in the mouth of Solomon, by which name [Pacificus] what Christ possesses has long been signified. She sends [the eunuch] ahead as guardian of [the church’s] riches, by whose protection she might begin to bring forth her wealth. What better treasure is in her than the glory of the font? What richer gold than a wealthy faith in the heart? Finally, how rightly is her herald a eunuch! As [faith] proceeds, lust is driven off, and the chaste capture the heavenly kingdoms. ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 1.
PRAISE FOR THE EUNUCH. CHRYSOSTOM: Notice also the reason for his journey, sufficient to reveal his God-fearing attitude of mind—I mean, how long a journey he undertakes so as to pay adoration to the Lord. You see, they were still of the mind that worship was conducted in one place only and consequently traveled long distances to offer prayers there. For this reason, of course, he arrived at the place of the temple and Jewish cult so as to [offer] adoration to the Lord. HOMILIES ON GENESIS 35.4.
8:28 | Reading the Prophet Isaiah
THE ETHIOPIAN’S FERVOR. CHRYSOSTOM: Consider, I ask you, what a great effort it was not to neglect reading even while on a journey, and especially while seated in a chariot. Let this be heeded by those people who do not even deign to do it at home but rather think reading the Scriptures is a waste of time, claiming as an excuse their living with a wife, conscription in military service, caring for children, attending to domestics and looking after other concerns, they do not think it necessary for them to show any interest in reading the holy Scriptures. HOMILIES ON GENESIS 35.3.
8:29 | Go to His Chariot
THE SPIRIT SPOKE TO PHILIP. BEDE: The Spirit spoke to Philip in his heart. God’s Spirit utters certain words to us by a hidden power and tells us what must be done. COMMENTARY ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 8.29.
8:30 | Do You Understand What You Are Reading?
A HUMBLE LEARNER. ATHANASIUS: He was not ashamed to confess his ignorance and implored to be taught. Therefore, to him who became a learner, the grace of the Spirit was given. But as for those Jews who persisted in their ignorance; as the proverb says, ”Death came upon them. For the fool dies in his sins.” FESTAL LETTER 19.5.
ABLE TO ACKNOWLEDGE IGNORANCE. CHRYSOSTOM: I mean, when the apostle said, “Do you really understand?” and came close in his lowly condition, he was not put off, he made no objection, he did not consider himself disgraced in the way many foolish people react, often preferring to remain in unbroken ignorance through a sense of shame in admitting their ignorance and having to learn from those able to instruct them. HOMILIES ON GENESIS 35.5.
8:31 | How Can I, Unless Someone Guides Me?
HE WHO SEEKS, FINDS. CHRYSOSTOM: For it was necessary that he should ask, that he should desire it. Philip showed that he knew that the other man knew nothing, when he asks, “Do you understand what you are reading?” At the same time he shows that great indeed is the treasure within. It speaks well of the eunuch that he paid no attention to outward appearance. He did not ask, “Who are you?” He did not find fault with him or make false pretenses; he did not claim to know but confessed his ignorance. Therefore he learns. He shows his wound to the doctor. He saw at a glance that Philip both knows the matter and is willing to teach. Look how free he is from haughtiness! No splendor was presaged by his outward appearance. So desirous was he of learning and so attentive to the teachings that the saying, “He who seeks, finds,” was fulfilled in him. HOMILIES ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 19.
THE ETHIOPIAN’S VIRTUE. CHRYSOSTOM: Not only did he reply with restraint and continue on as well, but also he showed us the virtue in his own behavior by issuing an invitation in those words—the minister, the barbarian, seated in his chariot, inviting the man of lowly mien, despicable in attire, to mount and ride with him. HOMILIES ON GENESIS 35.5.
8:32 | As a Sheep Led to the Slaughter
ADMIT THAT WE ARE STRAYING SHEEP. AUGUSTINE: See how often it stresses this point and teaches this to those who are proud and contentious: “He was a wounded man,” it says, “and one who knew how to endure weaknesses; for this reason his face is turned away, bearing injuries and not much appreciated. He bears our infirmities, and he is amid sorrows on our behalf. And we thought that he was suffering sorrows, wounds and punishment. But he was wounded on account of our sins, and he became weak on account of our iniquities. In him we learned of our peace; by his bruises we were healed. We all went astray like sheep, and the Lord handed him over for our sins. And he did not open his mouth because he was mistreated. He was led off like a sheep for sacrifice, and like a lamb before his shearer, he made not a sound; thus he did not open his mouth. His judgment was removed in humility. Who will tell of his generation? For his life will be taken away from the earth. He was brought to death by the iniquities of my people. I will repay evil people on account of his burial and the rich on account of his death, because he did no wrong and had no deceit upon his lips. The Lord wishes to cleanse him of his wound. If you have given your life on account of your sins, you will see offspring with a long life. The Lord wishes to remove his soul from sorrows, to show him the light and form his mind, to justify the righteous one who serves the many well, and he will bear their sins. For this reason he will have many heirs and share the spoils with the mighty, because his soul was handed over to death and he was reckoned as one of the wicked. And he bore the sins of many and was handed over on account of their iniquities.” ON THE MERITS AND FORGIVENESS OF SINS AND ON INFANT BAPTISM 1.54.
LED LIKE A SHEEP TO THE SLAUGHTER. BEDE: Just as a sheep “does not resist when it is led away to be a sacrificial offering, so too he suffered by his own will.” Or, according to a more profound understanding, just as a lamb was customarily immolated at the Passover, so too “Christ our Passover lamb has been immolated.” COMMENTARY ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 8.32A.
SILENT BEFORE THE SHEARER. BEDE: He has not only redeemed us with his blood, but he has also clothed us with his wool. This is so that with his clothing he may warm those who are cold with infidelity, and so that we may hear the apostle telling us, “All of you who have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” He did not open his mouth during his passion when he chose to answer very little to Pilate and the chief priests and nothing at all to Herod. COMMENTARY ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 8.32B.
THE SHEEP WHO REDEEMS US. CYRIL OF JERUSALEM: He is called a sheep; not a senseless one, but that which cleanses the world from sin by its precious blood, and when led before its shearer knows when to be silent. CATECHETICAL LECTURE 10.3.
8:33 | Justice Denied
HIS CONDEMNATION WAS UNJUST. BEDE: “The judge of all did not obtain a true judgment, but, guiltless, he was condemned by the sedition of the Jews and by the voice of Pilate.” COMMENTARY ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 8.33A.
HIS ORIGINS ARE INEFFABLE. BEDE: With respect to his divinity, this must be taken to mean that it is impossible to know the mysteries of his divine nativity, about which the Father said, “Before the day star I begot you.” Or, with respect to his virgin birth, it means that with difficulty one can explain that [mystery], the plan of which the angel spoke to Mary in answer to her question when he said, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you.” Hence, whether by angel or by Evangelist, the mysteries of his nativity are said to be so great that there are very few who can expound them. COMMENTARY ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 8.33B.