ACC ~ Matthew 27 v18 - 19

THE DREAM OF PILATE’S WIFE

CHRYSOSTOM: This dream was no small event. It should have been enough to stop them in their tracks when viewed in relation to the other proofs seen in other things that occurred. Why didn’t the dream come to Pilate? Perhaps she was more worthy. Or perhaps because, even if he had seen it, he would not have equally believed or perhaps would not have even mentioned it. So it was providentially arranged that the wife should see it, in order that it might become more commonly known. And note that she does not only behold the dream but also suffers from it. One might imagine that Pilate might have been made more reluctant to participate in this murder, even from a feeling of sympathy toward his wife. The time of the dream also is significant, for it happened on that very night. THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 86.1. [1]

[1] PG 58:764; NPNF 1 10:512.

SHE SUFFERED IN A DREAM

ORIGEN: Jesus was delivered up out of jealousy, and plainly out of jealousy. Even Pilate could not ignore it. Furthermore, the Evangelist did not overlook the matter of divine providence regarding the praise of God, who desired to convert Pilate’s wife in a dream. The woman took it upon herself to prevent her husband from passing sentence against Jesus. But Matthew did not explain the dream. All he said was that she had “suffered many things in a dream” because of Jesus. Therefore she “suffered in a dream” and did not suffer beyond that, so we may say that Pilate’s wife was fortunate. She “suffered many things in a dream” because of Jesus and she received “in a dream” what she would suffer. Hence you may say it is better for someone to receive bad things in a dream than to receive them in life. Who indeed would not choose to receive bad things “in a dream” [rather than receive them] in life [unless one deserved such things, and it were better to receive bitter things in life than to receive minor troubles in a dream]? He finds comfort indeed and peaceful repose “in the bosom of Abraham” [1] who receives bad things in his life (and not those bad things which he receives in his dreams), and because of them he will also be consoled. As to whether he will also have the beginning of conversion to God for having “suffered many things in a dream” because of Jesus, God only knows. COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW 122. [2]

[1] Lk 16:23.

[2] GCS 38.2:257-58.

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