ACC ~ Matthew 11 v13

FROM THE DAYS OF JOHN UNTIL NOW

ORIGEN: “The days of John” and of Jesus are understood not in reference to time but in reference to the state of the soul of the hearer of the divine Scripture. And the word now marks out clearly the days of Jesus, which the psalm points to in this way: “In his days righteousness shall arise, and there will be an abundance of peace till the time when he is taken away.” [1] One who has been previously taught comes to the beginning of Jesus’ discourses and still makes progress in introductory things by way of that road that appears to be rugged and steep. One thereby “takes by force” the kingdom of heaven, which “suffers violence.” The expression “suffers violence” is not to be taken in an active sense but a passive, as if to say “it has been taken.” [2] But if the perfect Word, when he receives someone who was awaiting freedom under the law and prophetic schoolmasters and housekeepers, bestows on such a one his father’s inheritance freely, then fittingly it is said that “all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.” FRAGMENT 227. [3]

[1] Ps 72:7 (71:7 LXX); the LXX has “the moon” for “he.”

[2] Origen’s observation reveals the uncertainty as to whether the verb biazetai should be understood in the active or the passive, which he himself contends and is the normal modern interpretation.

[3] GCS 41.1:108.

ALL THE PROPHETS AND THE LAW

JEROME: This should not exclude the prophets who came after John the Baptist, for we read in the Acts of the Apostles that Agabus and Philip’s four young unmarried daughters uttered prophecies. [1] But insofar as the law and prophets of the Scriptures looked toward the future, they prophesied about our Lord. So when it is written, “All the prophets and the law up to the time of John have prophesied,” [2] the time of Christ is made known as those previous voices had said it would come. Then John showed he had come. COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW 2.11.13. [3]

[1] Acts 21:8-11.

[2] Mt 11:13.

[3] CCL 77:80-81.