ACC ~ Matthew 19 v1

HE ENTERED JUDEA

INCOMPLETE WORK ON MATTHEW: Therefore, when he had completed these discourses, Jesus shifted his ministry from Galilee to Judea. He thus showed that the Lord of all loves some servants in such a way that he does not despise others. For just as they all owe him glory, as being Lord, so he renders to all of them mercy, as being servants. For if one place were to keep him all the time, he would not now be the possessor of all people but of some. “He went away from Galilee and entered the region of Judea.” He left Galilee his homeland, the place where he had been born, as though the sun were climbing higher in the east. He came to Judea, the place where he was going to die, as though the sun were setting in the west, as if reclining in the peace transcending his Passion. He did this so that again from another place he might show us a new sunrise by his resurrection. And so we may say with the apostle: “the old has passed away, behold, the new has come.” [1] And many crowds followed him. HOMILY 32. [2]

[1] 2 Cor 5:17.

[2] PG 56:799.

THE BORDERS OF JUDEA

CHRYSOSTOM: He had often before left Judea because of the people’s hostility. Now he returned there at last, as the time of his Passion was near. But he did not go up to Jerusalem yet, but to the borders of Judea. THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 62.1. [1]

[1] PG 58:595; NPNF 1 10:381.

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