ACC ~ Luke 23 v47

A GENTILE STRANGER RECOGNIZES JESUS’ INNOCENCE

AMBROSE: The person who crucified the author of his salvation and afterward did not beg for forgiveness is not free from sin. Granted, he did not know previously whom he was persecuting. Nevertheless he should have recognized that the one placed on the cross was the Lord of all the elements. All the elements trembled beneath him. The sky was darkened. The sun fled away. The earth split apart. The tombs of the dead lay open, and the dead regained the company of the living. For this reason also the centurion said, “Truly this man was the Son of God.” The centurion recognizes a stranger, but the Levite does not know his own. The Gentile worships him, but the Hebrew denies him. It was reasonable that the pillars of the world moved when the chief priests did not believe. [1] THE PRAYER OF JOB AND DAVID 1.5.13. [2]

[1] See Mt 26:60-68.

[2] FC 65:336**.

JESUS DRAWS THE CENTURION TO HIMSELF

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: When the centurion saw what happened, he glorified God. He said, “Truly this man was righteous.” Please observe that immediately after Christ endured the passion on the cross for us, he began to win many to the knowledge of the truth. It says, “When he saw what happened, the centurion glorified God saying, ‘Truly this man was righteous.’” Certain Jews also beat their chests, because their consciences doubtlessly pricked them. Their mind’s eye looked up to the Lord. Perhaps they tried to clear themselves of their impious conduct against Christ by shouting against those who crucified him, although they dared not do this openly because of their rulers’ impiety. Our Lord spoke the truth, saying, “When I have been lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men to myself.” [1] COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 153. [2]

[1] Jn 7:32.

[2] CGSL 611**.

JESUS’ RELATIVES STAND AT A DISTANCE IN FULFILLMENT OF SCRIPTURE

EPHREM THE SYRIAN: Jesus’ kinsfolk stood far off so that [the word of the psalmist] might be fulfilled: “My neighbors stood far off.” [1] They killed him before the sabbath, while there was opportunity for death, and before the sabbath they buried him, while there was place for mourning. For the sabbath itself is the boundary mark for toil, and on it all distress must remain [hidden] within. There is no place for suffering on it, and neither has it any share in corruption. COMMENTARY ON TATIAN’S DIATESSARON 21.8. [2]

[1] Ps 38:11 (37:12 LXX).

[2] ECTD 321.