ACC ~ Matthew 15 v31

FROM THE PROMISE TO THE GENTILES TO THE HEALING OF THE MULTITUDES

HILARY OF POITIERS: Remember that the context is the plea of the Canaanite woman. Remember that the Lord’s silence with her had proceeded from a consideration of the gradual timing of revelation and not from any problem of her volition. So when he said, “O woman, great is your faith,” [1] she is now certain of being saved. Indeed, he also comes to the whole Gentile community, when those who accordingly believe will at once be freed like the girl from any power of the unclean spirits. And faith in the deed therefore follows. What follows immediately after the Gentile people are prefigured in the daughter of the Canaanite woman? Those afflicted with different kinds of diseases are offered by the crowd to the Lord on the mountain. That is, the faithless and the sick are instructed by the believers to fall down and adore. They are made well again, and all the functions of mind and body are being restored for hearing, contemplating, praising and following the Lord. ON MATTHEW 15.5. [2]

[1] Mt 15:28.

[2] SC 258:38-40.

THE REQUEST OF THE CANAANITE WOMAN AND THE HEALING OF THE CROWDS

CHRYSOSTOM: Great was the marvel and strange, to see them that were carried walking, the blind having no need for any to lead them by the hand. Yes, both the multitude of the healed and their rapid cure amazed them.

Remember how long Jesus had delayed healing the Canaanite woman. But now he heals these immediately. This is not because these are better than she; indeed, she was more faithful than they. In her case he defers and delays in order to manifest her constancy. In the case of these, he bestows the gift immediately to shut the mouths of unbelievers and cut away from them every excuse. For the greater the favors one has received, so much the more is one held accountable and liable if unresponsive. This is why we see the rich turning more wicked and being more severely punished than the poor. Why? They have not been softened, even by their prosperity. THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 52.3. [1]

[1] PG 58:522; NPNF 1 10:323-24.

THEY GLORIFIED THE GOD OF ISRAEL

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: They had not yet thoroughly understood the Lord’s dignity as God but supposed him to be a mere man. For this reason they offered up glory to the God of Israel. FRAGMENT 188. [1]

[1] MKGK 214.