ACC ~ Matthew 26 v29 - 30

WHETHER THE FATHER WILLED THE SON’S DEATH

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: The disciples were not merely confused; rather the matter greatly disturbed them, and the knowledge of this mystery was hard to grasp. How could one be raised from the dead, or one with countless signs done on behalf of the people be handed over to death and dishonor? Yet this agrees with what the prophet said: “Strike the shepherd.” [1] David also says to the Father, “Therefore those whom you struck, they will persecute.” [2] However, not all this occurred at the will of the Father; he did not desire for him [the Son] to suffer, if only the Jews would have accepted him. So one cannot say he willed a murder. The Father consented with the Son’s choice to suffer this. So it is written that the Father struck “the shepherd.” He permitted him to suffer yet had the power to prevent the suffering. Something like this is at work in the passage that says Pilate was “over” Christ. “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above,” [3] that is, “if the Father had not permitted me to suffer.” FRAGMENT 292. [4]

[1] Zech 13:7.

[2] Ps 69:26 (68:27 LXX). The text here agrees best with LXX.

[3] Jn 19:11.

[4] MKGK 257.

I SHALL NOT DRINK AGAIN OF THIS VINE

CHRYSOSTOM: For because he had discoursed with them concerning his Passion and cross, he again introduces what he has to say about his resurrection. Here he speaks of “my Father’s kingdom,” which was his way of speaking of his own resurrection.

And in what sense did he drink after he was raised again? We must answer carefully to guard against those of low mind who might suppose the resurrection was merely an appearance. The apostles understood themselves after the resurrection to have eaten and drunk with him. He said this to show them that they would see him manifestly risen and that he would be with them once more. They themselves were to be witnesses to these events, in that they both saw them and experienced them. So he says, I will not drink the fruit of this vine again with you “until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” You will see me rise again. You will bear witness to my resurrection. THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 82.2. [1]

[1] PG 58:739-40; NPNF 1 10:492.

WHEN I DRINK IT NEW

CHRYSOSTOM: But what is “new”? He will drink it new as having an immortal and incorruptible body, a spiritual body. He will not drink out of need for drink. For it is not a body that suffers or has bodily needs. It was not because he needed to eat and drink after the resurrection that he spoke in this way of that which is new but in order to give them full assurance of his resurrection. THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 82.2. [1]

[1] PG 58:740; NPNF 1 10:492.

SINGING A HYMN

ORIGEN: After the disciples celebrated the feast with their teacher and received the bread of blessing and ate the body of the Word and drank the cup of thanksgiving, Christ taught them to sing a hymn to the Father for these gifts and to pass from one height to another height, for the faithful are never able to do anything in the valley. So they went up to “the Mount of Olives,” where each one of them, like a fruitful olive tree, was able to say, “I am like a green olive tree in the house of God.” [1] And those who had not yet become “like a green olive tree in the house of God” but were still “like olive shoots around the table” of their spiritual father, [2] were also able to be present on the Mount of Olives, about which Zechariah prophesied. [3] And how fitting it was that this mount of mercy be chosen as the place where the disciples would be forewarned of their future weakness. It is fitting because Christ did not wish upon them what he only foretold, for he was then already preparing to receive converts, not to banish defectors. COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW 86. [4]

[1] Ps 52:8 (51:10 LXX).

[2] HE DEATH OF JOHN THE BAPTIST | MATTHEW 14:1-12

[3] Zech 14:4.

[4] GCS 38.2:199-200.