ACC ~ Matthew 2 v16

THE LORD’S SAFEKEEPING PROPHETICALLY FORETOLD

CHROMATIUS: For Herod, as we have said, in his desire to destroy the Savior of the world, sent word to Bethlehem and commanded that all children two years of age and under be killed, figuring the age according to the time that he had learned from the magi. He thought that his edict would reach even to the Lord himself, the source of life. The Holy Spirit had already foreseen his wickedness beforehand. Solomon, speaking for the church, had said, “Who will give to you my brother, the one who nurses at the breast of his mother?” [1] Moreover, by saying, “Who will give to you?” he was demonstrating that Herod would have no power over him who is the Lord and Prince of all powers. Thus the Lord spoke rightly when he bore witness about himself through the same Solomon: “Evil men will seek and not find me. For they hate wisdom and moreover have not partaken of the Word of God and have had no desire for it.” [2] The Spirit also said through David: “Since you are the one who gave birth to me, you are my hope, my mother, from the time I nursed at your breast … you are my protector.” [3] The blessed Moses also relates that Christ the Lord, an infant, could not have been killed while still nursing. He gave witness to this with his words, “You will not cook a lamb in the milk of its own mother.” [4] In this exact statement Moses revealed the expectation that Christ our Lord would be the true Lamb of God who was to suffer at the appointed time. [5] TRACTATE ON MATTHEW 6.2. [6]

[1] Song 8:1.

[2] Prov 1:28-30.

[3] Ps 71:5-6 (70:6 LXX).

[4] Ex 23:19; Deut 14:21.

[5] Accordingly, the law and prophets were anticipating the coming of Christ by identifying him in advance as the Lamb of God and by showing that he would not be harmed in his infancy, before his divine vocation was complete.

[6] CCL 9a:221-22.

WHETHER CHRIST ABANDONED THE LITTLE SOLDIERS

PETER CHRYSOLOGUS: Why did Christ do this? Christ is the judge of thoughts and the examiner of minds. Why did he desert those whom he knew were being sought because of himself and whom he knew would be killed for his sake? He was born a king, the king of heaven—why did he neglect the standard-bearers of his own innocence? Why did he disdain an army of the same age as himself? Why did he thus abandon those who were cut down as plunder from the same cradle as himself? Was it so that he, who would become the one king, might proceed against the forces of all his enemies? Brothers, Christ did not despise his own soldiers but promoted them and granted that they might walk in victory before they lived. He enabled them to participate in a victory without struggle. He gave to them the gift of the crown even before their bodies had grown. It was Christ’s will that they pass over vice for virtue, attain heaven before earth and share in the divine life immediately. Thus it was that Christ sent his soldiers ahead. He did not abandon them. He gathered up his ranks. He did not leave them behind. SERMONS 152.7. [1]

[1] CCL 24b:953-54; FC 17:257-58.

THE FIRST MARTYRS OF CHRIST

CHROMATIUS: In Bethlehem therefore all the babies were slain. These innocents who died then on Christ’s behalf became the first martyrs of Christ. David refers to them when he says, “From the mouths of nursing babies you have perfected praise because of your enemies, that you might bring ruin to the enemy.” [1] … For in this persecution even tiny infants and nursing babies were killed on Christ’s behalf and attained to the consummate praise of martyrs. Meanwhile the wicked king Herod was destroyed, he who had usurped the realm to defend himself against the king of the heavens. Thus it is that those blessed babes have deservedly lasted beyond others. They were the first who were worthy to die on Christ’s behalf. TRACTATE ON MATTHEW 6.2. [2]

[1] 28.

[2] CCL 9a:222.

TWO YEARS OLD OR UNDER

THEODORE OF MOPSUESTIA: He gave orders that not only the children in Bethlehem but even those in the outlying districts of the town be killed, thinking that amid the multitude of those killed would be the one he was seeking. Herod ordered those who were two years old and under to be slaughtered. He had calculated such was the time that had passed from the incarnation of Christ, taking into account the time the magi had spent on their journey and that which he had spent on the throne. But Christ was taken out of Bethlehem once night had arrived. It is not possible that the birth of Christ be the cause of the killing of the children. But the disclosure of Herod’s child-killing marked the beginning of a long string of wickedness. Even those who crucified Christ were not wicked at the time when they arrested Christ. Rather, they became wicked at the time when they undertook his murder. Yet for Christ’s sake the children will receive a good reward, fitting to their martyrdom. FRAGMENT 9. [1]

[1] MKGK 99.