ACC ~ Matthew 13 v58

BECAUSE OF THEIR UNBELIEF

ORIGEN: It seems to me that the production of miracles is similar in some ways to the case of physical things. Cultivation is not sufficient to produce a harvest of fruits unless the soil, or rather the atmosphere, cooperates to this end. And the atmosphere of itself is not sufficient to produce a harvest without cultivation. The one who providentially orders creation did not design things to spring up from the earth without cultivation. Only in the first instance did he do so when he said, “Let the earth bring forth vegetation, with the seed sowing according to its kind and according to its likeness.” [1]

It is just this way in regard to the production of miracles. The complete work resulting in a healing is not displayed without those being healed exercising faith. Faith, of whatever quality it might be, does not produce a healing without divine power. COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW 10.19. [2]

[1] Gen 1:11.

[2] GCS 40:26.

WHY JESUS HELD BACK FROM DOING MIRACLES

CHRYSOSTOM: Luke says, “And he did not do many miracles there.” And yet it was to be expected he should have done them. For if the feeling of wonder toward him was growing (for indeed even there he was marveled at), why did Jesus not do them? Because he wasn’t concerned with the spectacle [of miracles] but with their usefulness. Therefore when this did not succeed, he overlooked what was of concern to himself to avoid aggravating their punishment.

Why then did he still do a few miracles? That they might not say, “Physician, heal yourself.” [1] Or to prevent them saying, “He is a foe and an enemy to us and overlooks his own.” Or that they might not say, “If he had performed miracles, we also would have believed.” Therefore he both performed them and ceased doing so: the one, that he might fulfill his own part; the other, that he might not condemn them the more.

And consider the power of Jesus’ words. Possessed as the Jews were by envy, they still admired him. And as with regard to his works, they do not find fault with what is done but invent causes that have no basis, saying, “By Beelzebub he casts out devils.” [2] Even so here too they find no fault with his teaching but take refuge only in the lowly stature of his ancestors. THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 48.1. [3]

[1] Lk 4:23.

[2] Mt 12:24.

[3] PG 58:487; NPNF 1 10:297.

HE DID NO MIGHTY WORKS THERE

PETER CHRYSOLOGUS: Christ indeed came to his own country, because it was written, “He came among his own, and his own did not receive him.” [1] In plain fact, when he says, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country,” he is teaching that it is a painful situation to have influence among his own. To stand out among the local denizens is similar to an inflammation. A near relation’s glory burns the near relations. If neighbors have to pay homage to a neighbor, they consider it servitude. “And he did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief.” [2] Power has no effect where unbelief does not deserve it. And while Christ does not demand a reward when he heals, he becomes indignant when injustice is shown to him instead of honor. SERMONS 48.6. [3]

[1] Jn 1:11.

[2] Mt 13:58.

[3] CCL 24:267-68.