ACC ~ Matthew 10 v27
WHAT YOU HEAR IN THE DARK
HILARY: We do not take this to mean that the Lord was accustomed to preach at night and to transmit his teaching in the dark. Rather, to those who are carnal, everything he said is darkness, and to unbelievers his word is night. … Therefore Jesus commands that those things which were said in the darkness should be preached in the light. In this way the things he secretly whispered into their ears will be heard from the housetops, from on high, through those who speak as heralds. ON MATTHEW 10.17. [1]
[1] SC 254:234-36.
WHAT YOU HEAR WHISPERED
CHRYSOSTOM: The point is not that Jesus was literally whispering into their ears or speaking in physical darkness. Rather, he was here pressing a strong figure of speech. He was conversing with them quietly and alone in a small corner of Palestine. In contrast with this tone of voice, they would soon be preaching with a boldness of speech that would in due time be conferred upon them. The metaphor of whispering in the ear in a dark place, in this present quietness, is contrasted with what is to come. For they were soon to be commissioned to speak not to one or two or three cities but to the whole world. They would soon be traversing land and sea, amid inhabited countries and across deserts, addressing both princes and tribes, philosophers and orators, telling it like it is with an open face and with all boldness of speech. THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 34.2. [1]
[1] PG 57:399-400; NPNF 1 10:227-28**.
PUBLIC SPEECH AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME
EUSEBIUS OF EMESA: But someone may ask, “If it is good to speak in the light, why did he himself speak in darkness? And if it is good to preach from the housetops, why did he himself quietly speak into their ears?” He keeps quiet because it is timely, but he instructs the disciples to proclaim and preach his words. He is not afraid—it is, rather, for ignorant people to fear the Lord Jesus. He is carefully managing his speech, much like a steward manages money. At times he keeps silent and at other appropriate times he speaks openly. HOMILY 27.3. [1]
[1] SSL 27:196.
BEYOND THE ENIGMA OF PARABLES
ANONYMOUS: What is the meaning of “What I tell you in the dark, utter in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim upon the housetops”? This refers to the darkness of the Jewish people, as is written elsewhere: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” [1] The “darkness” means that they have not been capable of recognizing the true light. And so the Lord was proclaiming that whatever he had said among the Jews would have to be made manifest in the church. … To return to our passage, “What I tell you in the dark, utter in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim upon the housetops.” This means, “What I am now telling you through the enigma of parables, you are hereafter to say openly.” INCOMPLETE WORK ON MATTHEW, HOMILY 25. [2]
[1] Jn 1:5.
[2] PG 56:761.
NO PLACE WHERE CHRIST WILL NOT BE KNOWN
ANONYMOUS: He now reveals to them what will be the outcome of their preaching, because their preaching was going to have a glorious result. “Here I am,” he says. “I am the light hidden in the shadows, God concealed in a man, exaltation in humility. So although this mystery was hidden from the ages, it will now be made manifest to all through you, so that the prophecy I spoke will be fulfilled: ‘Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them; and there is nothing hid from its heat.’” [1] For there is no place where the sun is not seen and its heat is not felt. In the same way there will be no place where Christ is not known and his divine nature is not understood. In this way all humankind will be divided into two groups: the unbelievers who will have no excuse and will be punished, and believers. INCOMPLETE WORK ON MATTHEW, HOMILY 25. [2]
[1] Ps 19:6 (18:6 LXX).
[2] PG 56:760.
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