ACC ~ Luke 7 v18 - 23

JOHN SENT HIS DISCIPLES

EPHREM THE SYRIAN: John sent them to him not to interrogate him, but rather that the Lord might confirm those former things that John had proclaimed to them. John was directing the minds of his disciples toward the Lord. … He sent them out in such a way that, having seen Jesus’ miracles, they might be confirmed in their faith in him. COMMENTARY ON TATIAN’S DIATESSARON 9.2. [1]

[1] ECTD 154-55*.

JOHN IS A TYPE OF THE LAW

AMBROSE: John is the type of the law which was the foreteller of Christ, the law which was held confined in the hearts of the unbelievers as if in prisons [1] devoid of eternal light. The fruitful inner workings of punishment and the doors of malice restrained their hearts. The law rightly cannot achieve an outcome full of evidence of the divine dispensation without the assent of the gospel. EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 5.94. [2]

[1] Cf. Mt 11:2.

[2] EHG 181**.

MIRACLES TESTIFY THAT JESUS IS THE COMING ONE

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: “In that same hour he healed many of sicknesses and of scourges, and of evil spirits; and gave sight to many that were blind.” He made them spectators and eyewitnesses of his greatness and gathered into them a great admiration of his power and ability. They then bring forward the question and beg in John’s name to be informed whether he is “he who comes.” Here see, I ask, the beautiful art of the Savior’s management. He does not simply say, “I am.” If he had spoken this, it would have been true. He leads them to the proof given by the works themselves. In order that having accepted faith in him on good grounds and being furnished with knowledge from what had been done, they may return to him who sent them. “Go,” he says, “tell John the things that you have seen and heard.” “For you have heard indeed,” he says, “that I have raised the dead by the all-powerful word and by the touch of the hand. While you stood by, you have also seen that those things that were spoken of old time by the holy prophets are accomplished: the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the dumb hear, the dead rise, and the poor are preached to. The blessed prophets had announced all these things before, as about in due time to be accomplish by my hands. I bring to pass those things that were prophesied long before, and you are yourselves spectators of them. Return and tell those things that you have seen with your own eyes accomplished by my might and ability, and which at various times the blessed prophets foretold.” COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 37. [1]

[1] CGSL 159**.

ISAIAH FORETOLD THE HEALING MIRACLES OF JESUS

CHRYSOSTOM: Christ would work miracles and teach as soon as he came to well-known sections of his own country, and this had been foretold.

Isaiah went on to tell of other marvels and showed how Christ cured the lame, and how he made the blind to see and the mute to speak. “Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped.” [1] After that he spoke of the other marvels: “Then shall the lame man leap like a hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing for joy.” [2] This did not happen until his coming. DEMONSTRATION AGAINST THE PAGANS 8-9. [3]

[1] Is 35:5.

[2] Is 35:6.

[3] FC 73:199-200**.

JESUS’ HUMILITY IN FULFILLMENT OF THE OLD TESTAMENT

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: “And blessed is he who is not offended in me!” The Jews were indeed offended, either as not knowing the depth of the mystery or because they did not seek to know the mystery. Every part of the inspired Scripture announced beforehand that the Word of God would humble himself to emptiness and be seen on earth. This plainly refers to when he was as we are and would justify by faith every thing under heaven. Although Scripture prophesied all this, they stumbled against him, struck against the rock of offense, [1] fell, and were ground to powder. [2] Although they plainly saw him clothed with unspeakable dignity and surpassing glory, by means of the wondrous deeds he performed, they threw stones at him and said, “Why do you, being a man, make yourself God?” [3] In answer to these things Christ rebuked the immeasurable infirmity of their intellect and said, “If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not; but if I do, then though you believe not me, believe my works.” [4] Blessed is he who does not stumble against Christ, that is, he who believes him. COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 37. [5]

[1] Is 8:14; Rom 9:33.

[2] Lk 20:18.

[3] Jn 10:33.

[4] Jn 10:37.

[5] CGSL 159**.

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