ACC ~ Matthew 26 v55 - 56

JESUS YIELDS VOLUNTARILY

CHRYSOSTOM: Then he also adds, “Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me.” By this he makes it clear that the seizure was of his permission. He passes over the miracles and mentions only his teaching, that he might not seem to boast.

When I taught, you did not seize me. Why now, when I hold my peace, do you come against me? I was in the temple every day, and no one seized me. Now you come to me late and at midnight with swords and staves! What need is there of these weapons? I have been around daily. Thus he was teaching them that unless he had voluntarily yielded, not even then would they have succeeded. Even then those who were holding him with their hands would not succeed in doing so if he were not willing. THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 84.2. [1]

[1] PG 58:753; NPNF 1 10:502-3.

THE SCRIPTURES FULFILLED

CHRYSOSTOM: After this, he solves also the difficulty of why he willed it at this time. “All this has taken place that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” [1] See how even up to the last hour and in the very act of being betrayed, he did everything he did seeking their amendment and healing, employing prophecy and argument and admonition. Those who take up coercion will perish by their coercion. To show that he is suffering voluntarily, he says, “I was daily with you teaching.” All this was to show his accord with his Father’s will and “that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.”

But why did they not lay hold on him in the temple? Because they would not have dared to do so in the temple on account of the people. This is why he continued teaching at all times and places, even to the last hour, taking away their excuse. In order to obey the prophets, he gave up even his very life. In no way did he teach contrary to the prophets.

“Then all the disciples forsook him and fled.” Up until the time he was seized, they remained. But when he had said these things to the multitudes, they fled. For from then on they could see that escape was no longer possible. So he gave himself up to them voluntarily, saying that this was done according to the Scriptures. THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 84.2. [2]

[1] Chrysostom holds that Jesus recalled the fulfillment of the Scriptures in order to strengthen his disciples in that critical moment.

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

THEY FLED

ORIGEN: There is now much to choose from the prophets, such as their sayings that were fulfilled when Christ said he had to suffer these things. Moveover, it is customary for scholars to collect prophetic words that were fulfilled. And in the psalm [1] you may find a number of things reflected in those who came with Judas to seize Jesus, even as you may find things said about Judas in that psalm. “Then all the disciples forsook him and fled.” Fearing the crowds and Judas at their head, they fled because they did not yet have the Spirit (“since Jesus had not yet been glorified”) [2] and the “Spirit of power and love.” If they had the Spirit, they would not be weak nor would they need anything besides divine love. COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW 104. [3]

[1] Ps 109:2-4, 22-25 (108:2-4, 22-25 LXX).

[2] Jn 7:39.

[3] GCS 38.2:224-25.