ACC ~ John 20 v27
THE SIGNS OF THE RESURRECTION
CHRYSOSTOM: It is worth inquiring how an incorruptible body showed the prints of the nails and was tangible to a mortal hand. But do not be disturbed. What took place was a matter of condescension. For that which was so subtle and light as to enter in when the doors were shut was entirely lacking all density. But this marvel was shown so that the resurrection might be believed and so that people might know that it was the crucified one himself and not another who rose instead of him. This is why he arose bearing the signs of the cross, and it is also why he eats. At least the apostles repeatedly made this a proof of the resurrection, saying “we, who did eat and drink with him.” [1] As, therefore, when we see him walking on the waves before the crucifixion, we do not say that his body is of a different nature but the same as our own. So after the resurrection, when we see him with the prints of the nails, we do not say that he is therefore still mortal. It was for the sake of the disciple that he appeared in this way. HOMILIES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 87.1. [2]
[1] Acts 10:41.
[2] NPNF 1 14:328*.
HE HAS REAL FLESH WITH BONES
THEODORET OF CYR: Before the passion he predicted his bodily death each time, saying that he would be handed over to the high priest’s followers and proclaiming the trophy of the cross. [1] But after the passion, when he rose from the dead on the third day and, since the disciples doubted that he had been raised, he appeared to them in his actual body. [He] declares that he has real flesh with bones, presents his wounded side to their eyes and shows them the marks of the nails. [2] DIALOGUE 2.18. [3]
[1] See Mt 20:18-19.
[2] See also Lk 24:39.
[3] FC 106:139-40.
WITNESSES WHO HANDLED THE WORD OF LIFE
TERTULLIAN: Marcion chose to believe that Jesus was a phantom, denying to him the reality of a perfect body. Now, not even to his apostles was his nature ever a matter of deception. He was truly both seen and heard on the mount. True and real was the draught of wine at the marriage of [Cana in] Galilee. True and real also was the touch of the then believing Thomas. Read the testimony of John: “That which we have seen, which we have heard, which we have looked on with our eyes and our hands have handled, of the Word of life.” [1] False, of course, and deceptive must have been that testimony, if the witness of our eyes and ears and hands by nature is a lie. ON THE SOUL 17. [2]
[1] 1 Jn 1:1.
[2] ANF 3:197.
THE SAME BODY RAISED THAT DIED
HIPPOLYTUS: He calls him, then, “the firstfruits of them that sleep,” [1] as the “first-begotten of the dead.” [2] For he, having risen and wanting to show that that same [body] had been raised that had also died, when his disciples were in doubt, called Thomas to him and said, “Reach here. Handle me, and see. For a spirit does not have bone and flesh, as you see me have.” In calling him the firstfruits, he testified to that which we have said, that is, that the Savior, taking to himself the flesh out of the same lump, raised this same flesh and made it the firstfruits of the flesh of the righteous, in order that all we who have believed in the hope of the risen one may have the resurrection in expectation. FRAGMENT 3. [3]
[1] 1 Cor 15:20.
[2] Col 1:18.
[3] ANF 5:240**; GCS 1 2:254.
THE SAME FLESH, BUT MORE GLORIOUS
JEROME: After the resurrection we shall have the same members that we now use, the same flesh and blood and bones, for it is not the nature of these that is condemned in Holy Scripture but their works. … The true confession of the resurrection declares that the flesh will be glorious, but without destroying its reality. And so, when the apostle says, “This [flesh] is corruptible and mortal,” [1] his words denote this very body, in other words, the flesh that was then seen. But when he further adds that it “puts on incorruption and immortality,” he is not saying that what was put on [i.e., the clothing] does away with the body that it adorns in glory. Rather, it makes that body glorious that previously lacked glory. When the more worthless robe of mortality and weakness is laid aside, then we can be clothed with the gold of immortality and the blessedness of strength as well as virtue. AGAINST JOHN OF JERUSALEM 28-29. [2]
[1] 1 Cor 15:53.
[2] NPNF 2 6:438-39**.
WILL MARTYRS RETAIN THEIR WOUNDS?
AUGUSTINE: The love we bear for the blessed martyrs causes us—how, I do not know—to desire to see in the heavenly kingdom the marks that they received for the name of Christ. And possibly we shall see them. For this will not be a deformity but a mark of honor and will add luster to their appearance as well as a spiritual (if not a bodily) beauty. … For even though the blemishes of the body will not be found in any resurrected body, the evidences of virtue can hardly be called blemishes. CITY OF GOD 22.19. [1]
WHO PROTECTED THOMAS’S HAND?
ROMANUS MELODUS:
Who protected the hand of the disciple which was not melted
At the time when he approached the fiery side of the Lord? [2]
Who gave it daring and strength to probe
The flaming bone? Certainly the side was examined.
If the side had not furnished abundant power,
How could a right hand of clay have touched
Sufferings which had shaken Heaven and earth?
It was grace itself which was given to Thomas
To touch and to cry out,
“Thou art our Lord and God.”
Truly the bramble which endured fire was burned but not consumed. [3]
From the hand of Thomas I have faith in the story of Moses.
For, though his hand was perishable and thorny, it was not burned
When it touched the side which was like burning flame.
Formerly fire came to the bramble bush,
But now, the thorny one hastened to the fire;
And God, Himself, was seen to guard both.
Hence I have faith; and hence I shall praise
God, Himself, and man, as I cry,
“Thou art our Lord and God.”
For truly the boundary line of faith was subscribed for me
By the hand of Thomas; for when he touched Christ
He became like the pen of a fast-writing scribe [4]
Which writes for the faithful. From it gushes forth faith.
From it, the robber drank and became sober again;
From it the disciples watered their hearts;
From it, Thomas drained the knowledge which he sought,
For he drank first and then offered drink
To many who had a little doubt. He persuaded them to say,
“Thou art our Lord and God.”
KONTAKION ON DOUBTING THOMAS 30.1-3. [5]
[1] NPNF 1 2:498**.
[2] Romanus finds a unique poetic way to communicate the fact that the disciples were in the presence of the now-glorified body of the human-divine Jesus. See also his Kontakion on the Baptism of Christ 5.12, where he connects John the Baptist’s touching of the human-divine Christ with Uzzah (2 Sam 6:6-8), who died when he touched the ark.
[3] Ex 3:3-5.
[4] Ps 44:2 (43:3 LXX).
[5] KRBM 1:329-30.
NO ONE NOW CAN DOUBT THE RESURRECTION’S POWER
GREGORY OF NYSSA: Once he had accustomed people to seeing the miracle of resurrection in other bodies, he confirmed his word in his own humanity. You already received a glimpse of that word working in others—those who were about to die, the child who had just ceased to live, the young man at the edge of the grave, the putrefying corpse, all alike restored by one command to life. … Now look at him whose hands were pierced with nails, look at him whose side was transfixed with a spear. Pass your fingers through the print of the nails, thrust your hand into the spear wound. You could surely guess how far within your hand would reach by the breadth of the external scar since the wound that gives admission to the hand shows to what depth the iron entered. If he then has been raised, well may we utter the apostle’s exclamation, “How do some say that there is no resurrection of the dead?” [1] Since, then, every prediction of the Lord is shown to be true by the testimony of events—in fact, we not only learned this from his words but also received the proof in his deeds from the very same people who returned to life by resurrection—what other occasion is left for those who do not believe? Let us rather bid farewell to those who pervert our simple faith by “philosophy and vain deceit.” [2] Let us instead hold on to our confession [of the resurrection] in its purity, a confession that we have learned through the gracious words of the prophet, “You shall take away their breath, and they shall fail and turn to dust. You shall then send forth your Spirit, and they shall be created, and you shall renew the face of the earth.” [3] ON THE MAKING OF MAN 25.12-13. [4]
[1] 1 Cor 15:12.
[2] Col 2:8.
[3] Ps 104:29-30 (103:29-30 LXX).
[4] NPNF 2 5:417**.
AN IMPERATIVE TO BELIEVE
GREGORY OF NAZIANZUS: If, like a Thomas, you were left out when the disciples were assembled to whom Christ shows himself, when you do see him do not be faithless. And if you do not believe, then believe those who tell you. And if you cannot believe them either, then have confidence in the print of the nails. ON HOLY EASTER, ORATION 45.24. [1]
[1] NPNF 2 7:432*.
Jn