ACC ~ Matthew 10 v1

THE EMPOWERMENT OF THE APOSTLES

JEROME: The kind and merciful Lord and Master does not begrudge his followers and disciples their powers. Even as he had healed every disease and every infirmity, he empowered his apostles to heal every disease and every infirmity. But there is a great gap between having and granting, between giving and receiving. Whatever he does, he does in the power of the Lord. Whatever they do, they display their own weakness and the power of the Lord, saying, “In the name of Jesus, arise and walk.” It must be noted, further, that the power to work miracles is granted to the apostles even to the twelfth man. COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW 1.10.1. [1]

[1] CCL 77:63.

PREPARING DISCIPLES FOR FUTURE DANGERS

CHRYSOSTOM: If the Spirit had not yet been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified, how then did the disciples cast out the unclean spirits? They did this by his own command, by the Son’s authority. [1]

Note the careful timing of their mission. They were not sent out at the beginning of their walk with him. They were not sent out until they had sufficiently benefited by following him daily. It was only after they had seen the dead raised, the sea rebuked, devils expelled, the legs of a paralytic brought to life, sins remitted, lepers cleansed, and had received a sufficient proof of his power both by deeds and words—only then did he send them out. And he did not send them out unprepared to do dangerous deeds, for as yet there was no danger in Palestine. They had only to stand against verbal abuse. However, Jesus still warned them of larger perils to come, preparing them for what was future. THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 32.3. [2]

[1] The disciples have the power to drive away impure spirits, even before having received the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, because they act in the name of Christ.

[2] PG 57:380; NPNF 1 10:213**.