ACC ~ Luke 23 v6 - 12

JESUS’ SILENCE IS A SIGN OF DISDAIN FOR HEROD AND THE CHARGES

AMBROSE: There follows a wonderful passage that gives human hearts the spiritual endurance to submit calmly to injustice. They accuse the Lord, and he stands mute. [1] The one that does not lack a defense is suitably mute. Let those who fear to being overcome seek a defense. By remaining silent, he does not confirm the accusation. By not refuting it, he despises it. A special attribute of Christ is that among wicked judges he seemed to have been unwilling rather than unable to be defended. The Lord explained why he would remain silent, saying, “If I should tell you, you will not believe me; and if I should also ask you, you will not answer me.” [2] It is extraordinary that he chose to prove himself a king, rather than speak, so that those who confess what they taunt would have no grounds for condemnation. When Herod wanted to see him work wonders, he was silent and performed none because Herod’s cruelty did not merit to behold the divine and the Lord shunned boasting. Perhaps Herod prefigures all the impious, who if they did not believe in the law and the prophets cannot see the miraculous works of Christ in the gospel either. [3] EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 10.97-99. [4]

[1] Mt 27:12, 14.

[2] Lk 22:67-68.

[3] See Jn 5:46-47.

[4] EHG 420**.

JESUS’ WHITE ROBE SYMBOLIZES HIS SINLESS PASSION

AMBROSE: It is significant that Jesus is clothed in a white garment by Herod. It denotes his sinless passion, because the Lamb of God without stain and with glory accepted the sins of the world. [1] Herod and Pilate, who became friends instead of enemies through Jesus Christ, symbolize the peoples of Israel and the Gentiles, since the future harmony of both follows from the Lord’s passion. [2] First the people of the nations capture the Word of God and bring it to the people of the Jews, through the devotion of their faith. They clothe with glory the body of Christ, whom they had previously despised. [3] EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 10.103. [4]

[1] See Jn 1:29.

[2] See Eph 2:13.

[3] Rom 11:30-31.

[4] EHG 421-22**.

JESUS RECONCILES THE HEARTS OF PILATE AND HEROD

CYRIL OF JERUSALEM: Having been bound, Christ went from Caiaphas to Pilate; is this also written? Yes: “And having bound him, they led him away as a present to the King of Jarim.” [1] But some keen listener will object: “Pilate was not a king.” (Let us pass over for the time the main points of the inquiry.) “How then, having bound him, did they lead him as a present to the king?” But read the Gospel: “Pilate, hearing that he was from Galilee, sent him to Herod; for Herod was then king and was present in Jerusalem.” Notice the exactness of the prophet, for he says that he was sent as a present. For “Herod and Pilate became friends that very day; whereas previously they had been at enmity with each other.” It was fitting that he, who was to restore peace between earth and heaven, should first put at peace the very men who condemned him, for the Lord himself was there present, “who reconciles the hearts of the princes of the earth.” [2] Mark the exactness of the prophets and their truthful testimony. CATECHETICAL LECTURES 13.14. [3]

[1] Hos 10:6 LXX. The accommodation of the Old Testament text may seem strained, but Cyril had the example of Justin (Dialogue with Trypho 103) before him, and Rufinus after him drew the same parallel.

[2] Job 12:24.

[3] FC 64:14-15.