ACC ~ Matthew 8 v4

PRIESTLY CORROBORATION

CHRYSOSTOM: It was an ancient law that the leper when cleansed should not entrust the recognition of his cleansing to private judgment but should show himself to the priest. By this means it would be confirmed in his own eyes, and he could then be numbered among the clean. For if the priest had not corroborated it, he would have remained outside the camp among the unclean. THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 25.3. [1]

[1] PG 57:330; NPNF 1 10:173**.

LET THE AUTHORITIES JUDGE

CHRYSOSTOM: Jesus did not imply that showing the healing to the priest was something he needed. Rather, he temporarily remits him to the law. This stopped every mouth. He did this lest others might claim that Jesus had arrogated to himself the priest’s honor. He performed the miracle himself, yet he entrusted its examination to the authorities and caused them to sit as judges of his own miracles. He was saying in effect: “I am so far from struggling against Moses or the priests that I even guide those cleansed to submit themselves to the priests.” THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 25.3. [1]

[1] PG 57:330; NPNF 1 10:173-74**.

THE GIFT THAT MOSES COMMANDED

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: What then was the gift that was to be brought by the leper according to the law? “Two small birds,” [1] one of which the priest killed “over running water.” Taking “cedar wood and broken scarlet and hyssop” and the living bird, he dipped them “in the blood of the slain bird, over running water.” He anointed the right ear, hand and foot of the leper who was cleansed. [2] He sent the living bird outside the city, “into the open field.” [3] Observe, therefore, how perfectly Christ depicts these things for us. By the living bird you may understand the living, heavenly Word. By the blood of the slain bird, you should understand the blood of our suffering Lord, for whom we say that he suffered “in the flesh,” rather than “in his own body.” The cedar is a wood not prone to rot. The incorruptible flesh, the body of Christ, “did not see corruption.” [4] Hyssop symbolizes the effervescence, activity and power of the Spirit. Scarlet intends the confession of the covenant made with blood. The running water signifies the life-creating gift of baptism. … Through this baptism, whoever has become a leper through sin may be cleansed. The sending of the living bird outside of the city teaches us to abandon this world, as did Christ in his ascension into heaven. Having thus come into the presence of God the Father, he makes intercession for all of us, and we therefore shall be cleansed. By the anointing of the leper’s right ear, hand and foot, we are taught that we must be, in contemplation and in action and in our way of life, in touch with divine things. FRAGMENT 93. [5]

[1] Lev 14:1-7.

[2] 9.

[3] Lev 14:7.

[4] Acts 2:31.

[5] MKGK 181-82.

JESUS DOES NOT TRANSGRESS THE LAW

CHRYSOSTOM: What is meant by “a proof to the people”? It was for their reproof, or as a demonstration or for accusation if they should prove fickle. For since the religious professionals would call him a deceiver and imposter and persecute him as an adversary of God and transgressor of the law, he was prepared to say, “You shall bear witness to me that I am not a transgressor of the law.” THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 25.3. [1]

[1] PG 57:330; NPNF 1 10:174**.