ACC ~ Luke 13 v31 - 35

OVERVIEW:

On the surface, the Pharisees seem to be positively inclined toward Jesus when they warn him in strong words to “depart from here and continue on your journey, because Herod wants to kill you.” Although they may sound favorably inclined toward Jesus, their heart is full of hate (CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA). Herod the fox first attempted to thwart this plan with the slaughter of the holy innocents in Bethlehem (AUGUSTINE).

Jesus’ ministry is that of releasing those captive in bondage to Satan, sickness and sin, testifying to the gracious presence of God, and pointing to his passion on the cross (CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA). Jesus’ prophetic destiny of rejection, suffering, death and resurrection must take place in Jerusalem, the holy city for whom Jesus patiently waits, the place where God dwells and atonement must take place (EPHREM THE SYRIAN). In Luke’s Gospel, the day when Jesus is acclaimed as the blessed Coming One is Palm Sunday, when on this triumphant day of entrance, Jesus is brought to the brink of reaching his goal (CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA).

13:31 | The Warning of the Pharisees

THE PHARISEES FULL OF HATRED

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: What hour does he mean as that in which the Pharisees said these things to Jesus? He was occupied in teaching the Jewish multitudes, when someone asked him whether there were many that are saved. He, however, passed by the question as unprofitable and turned to what he saw as a suitable topic, namely, the way by which people must walk to become heirs of the kingdom of heaven. He said, “Strive to enter through the narrow gate,” [1] and told them that if they refuse so to do, they will see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and themselves cast out. He also added that whereas they had been the first, they would be the last at the calling of the heathen. These remarks goaded the mind of the Pharisees to anger. They saw the multitudes already repenting and receiving with eagerness faith in him. They saw that now they needed only a little more instruction to learn his glory and the great and adorable mystery of the incarnation. Likely to lose their office of leaders of the people and already fallen and expelled from their authority over them and deprived of their profits—for they were fond of wealth, and covetous, and given to lucre—they made pretense of loving him, and even drew near, and said, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.” COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 100. [2]

[1] Lk 13:24.

[2] CGSL 401*.

13:32-33 | Jesus’ Response About His Destiny

HEROD THE FOX

AUGUSTINE: The Lord said of Herod, “Go and tell that fox.” Because it [the fox] was troubled, what did it do? It slaughtered infants. What did it do? It slaughtered infants in place of the infant Word. They were made martyrs by the shedding of their blood, before they could confess the Lord with their mouths. And these are the first fruits that Christ sent to the Father. An infant came, and infants went. An infant came to us, infants went to God. From the mouths of infants and sucklings you have perfected praise. [1] SERMON 375.1. [2]

[1] Ps 8:2.

[2] WSA 3 10:328.

THE MIRACLES OF JESUS POINT TO HIS PASSION

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: But what did he tell them to say? “Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I finish my course.” You see that he declares his intention of performing what he knew would grieve the troop of Pharisees. So they drive him from Jerusalem, fearing that by the display of miracles he will win many to faith in himself. But inasmuch as their purpose there did not escape him since he was God, he declares his intention of performing what they hated and says that he shall also rebuke unclean spirits and deliver the sick from their sufferings and be perfected. This means that of his own will he will endure the passion on the cross for the salvation of the world. He knew, therefore, as it appears, both how and when he would endure death in the flesh. COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 100. [1]

[1] CGSL 402.

JESUS MUST DIE IN JERUSALEM

EPHREM THE SYRIAN: It was prophetic that Moses had given [the Israelites] the order to offer their sacrifices in one single place [1] —there to offer the lamb in sacrifice and [there] to accomplish an image of the redemption. Herod did not kill [the Lord] with the infants of Bethlehem, [2] nor did the Nazarenes when they hurled him down from the mountain, [3] since it was not possible for him to die outside of Jerusalem. For it cannot be that a prophet should perish outside of Jerusalem. Take note that although it was Jerusalem that killed him, nevertheless Herod and Nazareth were united with regard to his death, and vengeance will be required of both for his death. Learn also from this that not only will vengeance for his blood be required of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, but also everyone who saw and denied him will be convicted for having killed him. In saying “between the sanctuary and the altar,” [4] he has indeed shown their perversity, in that they did not respect even the place of atonement. The words, “How often would I have gathered your children together,” are similar to these, “See, these three years I have come, seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none.” [5] COMMENTARY ON TATIAN’S DIATESSARON 18.10. [6]

[1] Deut 12:2-18.

[2] Mt 2:13-18.

[3] Lk 4:29-30.

[4] Mt 23:35.

[5] Lk 13:7.

[6] ECTD 275-76**.

13:34-35 | Jesus’ Lament over Jerusalem

JERUSALEM REJECTED THOSE WHO SPEAK FOR GOD

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: He shows that Jerusalem is guilty of the blood of many saints, declaring that it is not possible for a prophet to perish away from it. From this it follows that its people were about to fall from being members of God’s spiritual family, that they were about to be rejected from the hope of the saints and entirely deprived of the inheritance of those blessings which are in store for those who have been saved by faith. He showed them that they were forgetful of God’s gifts, and stubborn, and slothful to everything that might have profited them, saying, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, killing the prophets and stoning those who are sent to you! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not! Behold, your house is forsaken.” He taught them through the most wise Moses, and ordained for them the law to direct them in their conduct, and to be their ruler and guide in a life worthy of admiration. Though this law was but as yet in shadows, it nevertheless possessed the type of the true worship. He admonished them by the holy prophets. He would have had them under his wings, that is, under the protection of his power, but they lost the valuable blessings by being disposed to evil, ungrateful and scornful. COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 100. [1]

[1] CGSL 402-3**.

JESUS FORESHADOWS HIS TRIUMPHANT ENTRANCE

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: “And I tell you,” he says, “you will not see me until you say, ‘Blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord.’” What does this mean? The Lord withdrew from Jerusalem and left as unworthy of his presence those who said, “Get away from here.” And after he had walked about Judea and saved many and performed miracles which no words can adequately describe, he returned again to Jerusalem. It was then that he sat upon a colt of a donkey, while vast multitudes and young children, holding up branches of palm trees, went before him, praising him and saying, “Hosanna to the Son of David. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” [1] Having left them, therefore, as being unworthy, he says that when the time of his passion has arrived, he will then barely be seen by them. Then again he went up to Jerusalem and entered amidst praises, and at that very time endured his saving passion in our behalf, that by suffering he might save and renew to incorruption the inhabitants of the earth. God the Father has saved us by Christ. COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 100. [2]

[1] Mt 21:9.

[2] CGSL 403**.