ACC ~ Matthew 3 v16

NOT BAPTIZED AS ONE REPENTING

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: In the times before Christ’s coming, those being baptized were held down in the water a longer time for the confession of sin. But Christ, being sinless, “came up immediately.” For Christ was not baptized as one repenting but as one cleansing sins and sanctifying the waters. FRAGMENT 29. [1]

[1] MKGK 162.

IN BAPTISM WE ARE IMMEDIATELY MADE CHILDREN OF GOD

ANONYMOUS: I do not understand why it states “He immediately came up from the water.” What difference does it make if he came out later? [1] The Evangelist therefore could have said, “After being baptized, Jesus came out of the water.” I believe that Christ’s action belongs to the mystery of all those who were subsequently to be truly baptized. Thus he said “immediately.” And note that he did not say “he went out” but “he came up.” All those who, as members formed and established in righteousness, are worthily baptized in Christ immediately come up from the water in the sense that they advance in virtue and are raised up to heavenly dignity. Those who enter the water as carnal children of Adam the sinner immediately come up from the water as persons who have been made spiritual children of God. INCOMPLETE WORK ON MATTHEW, HOMILY 4. [2]

[1] Here we have a typical defectus litterae (see pp. xlii, xliv).

[2] PG 56:658.

THE MEEKNESS OF THE DOVE

ORIGEN: Christ was baptized for our sake, in order to sanctify the waters. The Spirit descended in the form of a dove, since wherever there is reconciliation with God there is a dove, as in the case of Noah’s ark … announcing God’s mercy to the world and at the same time making clear that what is spiritual should be meek and without wickedness, simple and without guile. [1] FRAGMENT 56. [2]

[1] Cf. Mt 10:16.

[2] GCS 41.1:37.

THE STEADY ALLEGIANCE OF THE DOVE

THEODORE OF MOPSUESTIA: The Holy Spirit appeared in the form of a dove, being kindly, affectionate and a lover of humanity. Although frequently pushed aside, [1] the dove nevertheless comes again to be possessed by us and does us good according to its own goodness. For the dove is an affectionate creature, a friend of humanity, who, even though mistreated by people who snatch away and eat its nestlings, does not depart from those it is accustomed to live with but remains no matter what. FRAGMENT 15. [2]

[1] Cf. 1 Thess 4:8; Heb 10:29.

[2] MKGK 102.