ACC ~ Matthew 26 v31

YOU WILL FALL AWAY THIS NIGHT

ORIGEN: They didn’t fall away in the daytime but at night, and it was on the night in which Jesus was betrayed. Peter also denied Christ at night, not during the day. Moreover, it was still in the middle of the night, since the cock had not yet crowed. Anyone who questions how the disciples could have fallen away after seeing such great signs and wonders and after hearing words of equal power (for the signs and wonders were performed by his words) should realize that Christ wanted to demonstrate through this warning that just as “no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit,” [1] so also no one is able to keep from falling away except by the Holy Spirit. When what Jesus had foretold came to pass, “You will all fall away from me this night,” it was still true that “the Holy Spirit had not yet been given because Jesus had not yet been glorified.” [2] If we … who have already professed Jesus to be Lord by the Holy Spirit (for “all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God”), [3] then fall away or deny him, we will not have an excuse like those who fell away or denied him without the Holy Spirit. COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW 87. [4]

[1] 1 Cor 12:3.

[2] Jn 7:39.

[3] Rom 8:14.

[4] GCS 38.2:200.

I WILL STRIKE THE SHEPHERD

CHRYSOSTOM: Then he said to them, “You will all fall away because of me.” After this he mentions a prophecy: “For it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’” [1] He was urging them to be attentive to what has been prophetically predicted of his death and resurrection, and at the same time he wanted to make it plain that he was indeed crucified according to God’s purpose. All of this was to show that he was no alien from the old covenant or from the God who preached it. What was done in the Old Testament was a dispensation. All the prophets proclaimed all things beforehand from the beginning that are included in this salvation event. All this was to increase faith.

And he teaches us to know what the disciples were before the crucifixion and what they did after the crucifixion. For indeed they who were not able so much as to stand their ground when he was crucified, after his death became mighty and stronger than adamant. THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 82.2. [2]

[1] Zech 13:7.

[2] PG 58:740; NPNF 1 10:493.

THE FLOCK WILL BE SCATTERED

JEROME: “For it is written, ‘I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’” Zechariah the prophet says the same thing, only differently; and if I am not mistaken, God is addressed in the person of the prophet: “Strike the shepherd that the sheep may be scattered.” [1] In harmony with these words is the psalm, which is recited in its entirety to the Lord: “For they persecute him whom you have struck.” [2] The good shepherd is struck, however, that he may lay down his life for his sheep and that out of many flocks of wandering sheep there may be one flock and one shepherd. COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW 4.26.31. [3]

[1] Zech 13:7.

[2] Ps 69:26 (68:27 LXX).

[3] CCL 77:252.