ACC ~ Matthew 13 v23

DIFFERENCES OF LIGHT AMONG THE RIGHTEOUS

ORIGEN: Daniel, knowing that the intelligent are the light of the world and that the multitudes of the righteous differ in glory, seems to have said this, “And the intelligent shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, and from among the multitudes of the righteous as the stars for ever and ever.” [1] And in the passage, “There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars. For one star differs from another star in glory: so also is the resurrection of the dead,” [2] the apostle says the same thing as Daniel, taking this thought from his prophecy. COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW 10.3. [3]

[1] Dan 12:3.

[2] 1 Cor 15:41-42.

[3] GCS 40:3; ANF 9:415.

THREE TYPES OF RESULTS

JEROME: “And the one sown upon good ground is he who hears the word, understands it and bears fruit.” Even as on bad ground there were three diverse situations (by the path, upon rocky ground and among thorns), so too on good ground the diversity is of three types: fruit of one hundredfold, sixtyfold and thirtyfold. Both in one and the other there is a change that takes place in the will, not in the nature itself. In both the unbelievers and believers it is the heart that receives the seed. “The wicked one comes,” he says, “and snatches away what has been sown in his heart.” In the second and third cases, he says, “That is he who hears the word.” In the explanation of the good ground, he is the one who hears the word. First we must listen, then understand; after understanding, we must bear the fruits of good teaching and yield fruit either one hundredfold, sixtyfold or thirtyfold. COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW 2.13.23. [1]

[1] CCL 77:105-6.