ACC ~ Matthew 11 v10

I SEND MY MESSENGER BEFORE YOUR FACE

JEROME: John is greater than the other prophets for this reason: the other prophets predicted to John that someone was to come, but John pointed out with his finger that he had indeed come, saying, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world.” [1] And he reached not only the rank of a prophet but even to that of Baptist, by baptizing his Lord. This heightened his significance. He thereby fulfilled the prophecy of Malachi in which an angel is foretold. [2] John belonged to the order of the angels not by nature but by the importance of his task. It means he was the messenger who would announce the coming of the Lord. COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW 2.11.9. [3]

[1] Jn 1:29.

[2] Mal 3:1.

[3] CCL 77:79.

HOW JOHN IS GREATER THAN A PROPHET

CHRYSOSTOM: But suppose someone might say, “What if John had one opinion earlier but later changed his mind?” This is why Jesus spoke further about his garments, his imprisonment and his role in prophecy. Having said that he is greater than a prophet, Jesus signifies also in what way he is greater. And in what is he greater? In being so very near the One who was to come. For “behold, I send,” he says, “my messenger before your face,” which means in proximity to Messiah. For as with kings, those who ride near the chariot are more illustrious than the rest, just so John also appears in his course near the advent itself. THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 37.2. [1]

[1] PG 57:420-21; NPNF 1 10:244**.

MY MESSENGER WILL PREPARE THE WAY

ANONYMOUS: Listen now and learn the real meaning of this. If it is not too bold to say so, I believe that insofar as John was a man and yet was called an angel because of his strength and his merit, he was more glorious than if he had been an angel both in name and nature. If an angel is called an angel, that is not so much a tribute to his merit as merely fitting to his nature. A man is miraculous, however, if with his human nature he passes into angelic holiness and attains by the grace of God what is not his by nature. INCOMPLETE WORK ON MATTHEW, HOMILY 27. [1]

[1] PG 56:774.