ACC ~ Matthew 10 v19

A NEW SORT OF WARFARE

CHRYSOSTOM: He is teaching them a new sort of warfare. He sends them out exposed, with only one coat, barefoot and without a staff, without clothing or provisions. The manner of their battle array is entirely unimpressive. He calls them to allow themselves to be totally supported by the generosity of such as receive them. All this is to accentuate his unspeakable power. Then, to press this reverse strategy to its limits, he tells them to exhibit the gentleness of sheep, even though they are going out among wolves, and not simply toward the wolves but trustfully moving right into the midst of the wolves. THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 33.1. [1]

[1] PG 57:389; NPNF 1 10:219-20.

OFFERED AS A SACRIFICE

ANONYMOUS: “For they will deliver you up to councils, and scourge you in their synagogues.” [1] As though for the greater glory of God, they will whip you in their synagogues. Where there are prayers and praises and readings or sacrifices, there they will punish the apostles as though offering to God a sacrifice. In fact, the suffering of the apostles was a sacrifice to God, not as wages paid to the Jews but as their own crown. For the Jews, however, it marked their downfall. INCOMPLETE WORK ON MATTHEW, HOMILY 24. [2]

[1] Mt 10:17; Mk 13:9.

[2] PG 56:758.