ACC ~ Matthew 17 v22 - 23

THE DISCIPLES WERE GREATLY DISTRESSED

CHRYSOSTOM: In case they say “Why do we delay here so long?” again he tells them about his Passion. Hearing of it, they did not even want to see Jerusalem. … Peter had been rebuked, those around Moses and Elijah had spoken with him and had called the thing glory, and … the Father had spoken from above; after so many miracles had taken place and the resurrection was close by (for he said that he would not long remain in death but would rise on the third day)—not even thus could they endure it. But “they were distressed,” and not simply “distressed” but “greatly distressed.” This happened because they did not yet recognize the power of what he said. But Mark and Luke imply it; the former saying that “they did not understand the saying and they were afraid to ask”; [1] the latter saying that “it was concealed from them that they should not perceive it, and they were afraid to ask him about this saying.” [2] Yet if they did not know it, why were they distressed? Because they were not totally ignorant.

They knew that he would die, having heard it continually. But as yet they did not know clearly what kind of death this was to be, or that there would be a speedy release from it, or that it would work innumerable blessings, or what this resurrection might be. They did not know it, and so they were distressed, for they greatly adored their Master. THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 58.1. [3]

[1] Mk 9:32.

[2] Lk 9:45.

[3] PG 58:565-66; NPNF 1 10:358.

HE WILL BE RAISED

JEROME: Whenever the Lord speaks of future disaster, he always teaches its close relation with the happiness of redemption, so that when disasters suddenly come they do not terrify the apostles but may be borne by hearts that have premeditated them. If it saddens them because he is going to be killed, it ought to make them rejoice that it says, “On the third day he will arise again.” Further, their distress, in fact their great distress, does not come from lack of faith—elsewhere also they knew that Peter had been rebuked because he did not consider what belonged to God but what belonged to men—but because their love of their Master does not let them hear anything ominous or humiliating. COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW 3.17.23. [1]

[1] CCL 77:153-54.

THE NECESSITY OF HIS PASSION

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: Therefore he brought the disciples to the mountain and showed them the glory with which he will shine on the universe in the future. Then coming down from the mountain he freed a person from a rough and evil spirit. It was altogether necessary for him to undergo his saving Passion for us and to suffer the violence of the Jews. When this happened, it was quite likely that the disciples would be alarmed and would ponder it and say among themselves: “He has raised so many from the dead by divine power, he commands the seas and winds, he overwhelms Satan with his words—how has he now been taken and fallen to the noose of his murderers? Then maybe we were deceived when we thought that he was God?” So that they should know the future fully and completely, therefore, he foretells to them the mystery of the Passion. FRAGMENT 209. [1]

[1] MKGK 221.

THEY WILL KILL HIM

ORIGEN: I think we have an obligation to examine this, too: that Jesus was delivered into the hands of men, not by men into the hands of men but by powers to whom the Father delivered his Son on behalf of us all. In the very act of being delivered and coming under the power of those to whom he was delivered, he “destroyed him who had the power of death.” For “through death he destroyed him who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and delivered all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong bondage.” [1] COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW 13.8. [2]

[1] Heb 2:15-16.

[2] GCS 40:203; ANF 9:479.