Commentaries on Luke
arm the Word who was born from her. And by proud he means the wicked demons with their ruler who fell through pride, and the wise men of the Greeks wh
of those reigning, and the invincible power of the Father. To show mercy. (I f. 133) Christ is mercy and righteousness for we have received mercy thr
the natures have run together, but nevertheless the one from both is one alone and the one Lord Jesus Christ is not to be divided into a man separate
all things without sin and in that He first raised His own flesh to incorruption and He stood as only-begotten according to nature, inasmuch as He a
power, was extinguished with death, and also the bearing of children in sorrows by the mothers on earth. Do you wish to learn another cause of the mat
to call, and as from the things done at various times sometimes to devise the names this has been observed in the case of Christ himself for he is t
Therefore Christ redeemed from the curse of the law those who were under the law, yet had not kept it. And how did he redeem them? By fulfilling it. A
circumcision, when that which was signified by it was introduced to us, that is, baptism for this reason we are no longer circumcised. For it seems t
Christ has offered at one time the truth together with the types as a fragrant aroma, that He might bring us through Himself to God the Father, and th
having their mind full of folly, but still the remnant has been saved, and has been glorified through Christ. The first fruits of these have become th
completely of the divine dignities, but of the Word of God extending along with the age of the body, little by little, the manifestation of wisdom. (A
72.512 CHAPTER 3.
But God of all, having become man, has abolished sin in the flesh, all things have become smooth and easy to travel no height, no depth meets those w
a seed shall be called for you and, that I have made you a father of many nations but the, in Isaac, signifies the one according to the promise
from another, but from himself and essentially to Christ for he baptizes in the Holy Spirit. He is therefore God, and the fruit of the substance of G
and purifying them on our behalf. For the only-begotten Word of God is holy of holies and He Himself would not have needed holy baptism, nor to recei
delirium, wrongly interpreting the Gospel saying, that Jesus began at about thirty years of age and not understanding that he *was*, and he *began*
it is useful for them to live in it and necessary for salvation? For they depart as from a storm of waves, and from the chance distractions of the pre
the word from God, and spiritual bread, strengthening the heart of man, according to what is sung in the book of Psalms and we say that such is the f
the Savior's voice for if such a thing is true according to them, we have made Christ our hope, but he himself has the Father as a refuge therefore
under heaven for we do not say that the Son was anointed in any other way, except that He was born according to the flesh, that is, like us and becam
we have been made fruitful for God the Father through Him. Therefore He said: When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men to Myself. And
again they say something like this about the said prophecy, he necessarily takes precautions, and says that Today this scripture has been fulfilled i
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, and the rest. For they thought he was making himself equal to the prophets, and they cast him out of the city pa
He has appeared to us He says that he was given not only as a testimony, but also as a ruler and commander to the nations. The blessed prophets, and
Luke, I do not know unless we shall be forced to say that the rebuked living thing does not contain the energy of the one rebuking for to say that so
with darkness? or what harmony has Christ with Belial? CHAP. 5. And he saw two boats standing by the lake but the fishermen had gone out of them and
hindering me from being pitied? And what does Christ say to this? He confirms the faith in him, and works full assurance in this very thing for He ac
he shall take the living bird, and shall dip it into the blood of the bird that was slain over living water, and he shall sprinkle upon him that is to
not positing man and God as separate parts, but affirming that the Word Himself from God the Father became man, while remaining God. Since let those o
but it is possible to see them sometimes being weak, according to the reason which the distributor of divine gifts himself knows but in the case of t
sin, he promises to cut away beforehand for when this is removed, on account of which the suffering also exists, the disease must necessarily be dest
that Christ came to save sinners? Do you see how the only-begotten Word of God, having been made flesh, transferred the devil's vessels to Himself? An
being saved, fast rationally on the one hand, humbling themselves in the eyes of God, and as it were bringing a self-inflicted penalty upon themselve
old, the heart of the Jews and for this reason it has not held the new wine, that is, the evangelical and saving oracle, which gladdens the heart of
his hand: Stand in the middle. And what is the reason for this act? Perhaps so that he might call to mercy the harsh and unpitying Pharisee perhaps
of all things, beyond all that is created, king of all things, steward of heaven and earth, giver of every good thing together with God the Father. An
being preeminent, they were entrusted with the ministry of the evangelical ordinances for it was said to them: Heal the sick, cast out demons, clean
his collar tightly for suddenly those who bite him shall arise, and those who plot against you shall awaken, and you shall be for a plunder to them.
to name among these, those who are superior to love of gain, and have a disposition free from the love of money. And indeed the most wise Paul is show
Let the speech of such men be with you, he says for how will the disorder of their tongue harm the mind that is well-established? For to those who kn
preconceptions in our own minds that are not good, and the unconquerable tyranny of the passions that are in us therefore, knowing that the natural m
holy apostles that these things are perhaps difficult to achieve. He, therefore, who knows all things, accepts the law of self-love in us as the arbit
will reap and he who sows in blessings, in blessings will also reap that is, if someone does not have, he has not sinned in not doing this for acc
the beam out of your eye.9 (A f. 111) That is, show yourself to be pure from great sins, and then you will be a counselor to the one who stumbles in s
disobedient and slothful, running into the outer darkness. For those who received the talents, and doubled what was given for the master, have been ho
The preparation of their heart, your ear has attended to and sometimes: Their infirmities were multiplied, after these things they made haste. For
transcendent, and the incomparable excess. For I heard him saying: You yourselves bear witness that I said: I am not the Christ, but that I am sent b
the divine Baptist sent some of his acquaintances to ask if he is the one who is to come. 9But in that very hour he healed many.9 (A f. 116 b) Therefo
Did he have royal commands? and did he carry royal letters, and decrees, and laws? was he not splendid in appearance? Did he not wear a garment of hai
But neither did they dance for the latter, having accomplished no work of virtue. 9For John the Baptist has come, neither eating bread nor drinking wi
For he was not yet able to stand before him before the remission of sins.
will not let us be tempted beyond what we can, but will also with the temptation make a way to escape, that we may be able to bear it. But if it shou
an unexpected and harsh storm upon the boat, and the wave swelling high with the blasts of the winds, instilled the fear of death in the disciples fo
saying to one another, Who then is this, that he commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him? Therefore, was it as if not knowing him t
Then how do you plunder what is not yours, but rather His? Then you say: What have I to do with you? And what earthly king would ever tolerate handi
clean, or to touch any of the holy things, or to come near a holy man. We have been fully assured therefore that Emmanuel is true God, both from the p
a recompense, and makes them partakers of His own glory. Receive a clear and evident proof of the matter, the holy apostles. See them having become mo
they might have a uniform way of life, looking only to the duty of initiating into the mysteries, He commanded them to take no account of either cloth
as if placing by hands, and bringing down the blessing from above upon it, has become for us economically a beginning and a type and a way of the matt
Peter, and becomes the mouth of the whole choir, and utters god-loving words and he brings forth an accurate confession of faith in him, saying, The
to those on earth the gates above, and to join earth to heaven, He revealed Him as being truly God. Therefore He commands them to be silent about the
writing it down but those who had foretold in many ways, that He would also be seen in due time in a form like ours, and for the sake of the salvatio
they fall on their face, so that again through this we may learn how most necessary for those on earth was the presence of the Savior and the mediatio
but were not indolent nor ignorant of the writings of Moses and indeed for this reason they were chosen by Christ. But as the blessed Paul says: A p
speaking of evil spirits. When, therefore, such foxes and birds have dens and burrows in us, how might Christ come? And where will he rest? What fello
not that they should be occupied with things outside the body, where they should not even care for provisions, nor carry anything with them that was n
Paul says, They became futile in their thinking, and their foolish heart was darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glor
of the Father alone, you yourselves have dared E. f. to think and to say, that He is less than Him, as if you knew Him precisely? For He whom the Fath
and beyond human nature and fitting only for the God who is beyond all things but the beginning of this for us has been the Word, who appeared in hum
with the Savior's words, pouring ridicule upon his own head. For since it was the custom for Christ, the Savior of all, to speak often about eternal l
in the parable also this, that he who is not puffed up with pride more readily finds his neighbor by nature, than he who is puffed up. For the Samarit
These things Christ said: Go, and do thou likewise. For the dignity of the priesthood is useless, for those who have obtained it, and for those who
speaking to God alone, with a pure and undistracted mind. For it was necessary that the beginning and teacher of every good and most beneficial thing
and upon all, He is the Holy of Holies, then taking His fear into our minds, we practice an upright and blameless life so that, having thus become ho
except that he wants all to be perfecters and knowers of all virtue? Thus also we say that the holy angels excel in the heavens. For it is written con
having departed from the things in which we have already stumbled, but holding fast to the will to live henceforth in a manner befitting saints. It is
he commands for what is sought is always found somehow through labor. The one who knocks with his hand strikes the door, so that the master of the ho
Christ [sends] the evil demons to the abyss, and unwillingly removes them, by sending them out from those who have them, and although it was necessary
divine signs. 9But if I cast out demons by the finger of God, etc.9 (A f. 156, B f. 115 b) Since, he says, what is said by you is not true, but is rat
f. 157 b) That this whole parable is for the Jews, Matthew has shown, exclaiming: So shall it be also to this wicked generation. For while they were
with me.(A f. 159) And He says that the Ninevites will be for their condemnation at the time of judgment. For they 72.709 were cruel and barbarous men
But of that which is in the mind and heart, how could he deliver anyone? But we say this: O foolish Pharisee, you have a high opinion of yourself for
paying attention. Therefore, He has proceeded economically against their prevailing sickness. 9You tithe mint and rue and every herb, etc.9 (A f. 163
he says, Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without pity on the evidence of two or three witnesses. Woe to you, therefore, O lawyers fo
the expected king, for fear of becoming subject to a king who would oppress them. Therefore, they handle the one who testifies these things about the
to answer their crafty questions immediately and, as it were, without thinking, thinking that he would surely slip up, and say something that was not
He added also that The hairs of your head are all numbered. Do you see how much providence He has for those who love Him? For if He extends even to
of the angels in the glory of his Father, at the consummation of the present age there he crowns the genuine confessor but the others, that is, thos
copper into your belts. And again: Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail. And a
he speaks the words of the poor man. For what shall I do, he says, being in want of necessities? He always utters such a wretched cry. But behold, the
they made this a supreme pretext, saying: Blessed are we, Israel, to whom the things pleasing to the Lord are known. But I would say: Thrice blessed
soul? Since, therefore, the soul is greater than food and clothing, why do we not rather spend our care on the greater things, but so honor the lesser
and brief and condensed, but boundless and long is that which is after these things. He who treasures up in heaven will have the kingdom in heaven, wh
Christ is as one from a festival through whom it is clearly shown, that the Divine is always in the festivals that are fitting for it for there gloo
power, he rightly inquires. (A f. 183, δ φ. 51 b) What then does Christ say to these things? 72.749 He uses a clear and most evident example, showing
But knowing idleness to be a gate of destruction, Paul said: Woe is to me if I do not preach the gospel. (A f. 184) And that a bitter, painful, and
the prophet Jeremiah: Behold, I have put my words in your mouth as fire, and this people as wood. And again, Are not my words like fire, says the L
father or mother more than me, is not worthy of me and he who loves son or daughter more than me, is not worthy of me. Therefore, when, for the sake
you may be reconciled with him but if this does not happen, he will hand you over to the judge. Then, when you are found liable for the debts, you wi
(A f. 189 b) If, then, someone should wish to say that it was an angel appointed by God to preside over the Synagogue of the Jews, he would not miss w
and this for we must gather what is useful from every source. It is possible, therefore, to see from this, that Satan often receives power over certa
the power.(B f. 154) Therefore, if the ruler of the synagogue had been sharp-witted, he would have understood who and how great the Savior is, from su
on the one hand that he had healed, but on the other that he was being freed from his illness.(A f. 192) Behold for me the ruler of the synagogue, how
preaching for thus the prophet Isaiah also makes mention of it, saying: And it shall be in that day, they will sound the great trumpet. For truly a
being saved? What benefit then would have resulted for the hearers? But it was necessary and advantageous to know rather the way by which one might go
and also in the synagogues of the books of Moses, not writing his own things rather, but interpreting those from God for he always placed before his
a man for the beast is somehow always crafty and perverse such also are the Pharisees. 9Behold, I cast out demons and I perform healings today and t
he wishes them to be unpitying because of the Sabbath's inactivity. But you could not show this from anywhere. But since they were sullenly silent, Ch
unrewarded. 9When you give a dinner or a supper, do not ask your friends, etc.9 (A f. 200 b, B f. 139, δ φ. 56 b) But this is the command concerning h
the one calling and the one sent and they all began with one accord to make excuses, that is, from one signal. 9And they all began with one accord to
call. Something like this the prophet David is also found saying to God about them: With bit and bridle bind the jaws of them that will not come near
your soul for temptation make your heart straight, and be patient. But those in whom there is no such eagerness, how could they have the strength to
myriads stand around His supreme throne. Therefore, the sheep are one hundred but one of them has gone astray, that is, the race on earth, which the
darkness, but will have the light of life. Therefore the lost has been saved in light, and the matter has become a delight to the powers above for t
disposed just as those are concerning those who return from sins to repentance. For the Savior and Lord of all says there is joy in heaven in the pres
by his own blood for the people, suffered outside the gate. What then is the purpose of the parable? Let us investigate the reason for which it was t
conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile.(A f. 212 b, Ε f. 242) Perhaps you will say to yourself: I have been stained by much s
Knowing this, the Savior Himself said somewhere concerning them: How difficult it is for those who have money to enter the kingdom of God! And again
stewarding. This, I think, is to be faithful in a little, to distribute help from one's possessions to those in extreme misery. If therefore we have b
just as them. Therefore, the Savior of all, having spent a long argument on them, then seeing that they did not depart from their own thoughts and pas
her ways with thorns, and I will build up her ways and she shall not find her path. For the way of the pious became straight, and there was nothing
Scripture but there will be no resurrection, unless Christ comes again to us from heaven in the glory of the Father with the 72.824 holy angels. Thus
For though He could have said: 'A certain man was perhaps a rich man,' as in the case of Job, He did not say this but He simply calls the man rich, b
the blessed Paul rebukes the inventors of scandals, saying: But when you thus sin against the brothers, and wound their weak conscience, you sin agai
but of grace, the confirmation and strength for this. Wherefore, since all things are possible with God, the Lord says that all things are possible fo
of those praying, as the Acts of the Apostles have recorded. It is clear that faith also, on the contrary, makes steady the things that are shaken, su
to rule, how will he take care of the Church? 9Ten leprous men met him.9 (A f. 232, E f.143 b) Again the Savior makes his own glory manifest to us, a
the kingdom of God comes? instead of, Before the kingdom spoken of by you, a cross and death will take you. What then does Christ say to these thin
of his own flesh, and to remove the sin of the world, and to abolish the ruler of this age, then thus to ascend to the Father, and to appear at the ap
will be taken, and the other will be left.9 (A f. 235 b, B f. 166 b, E f.144 b, δ φ. 58 b) Indeed, he calls the time of judgment night, because, as
The preceding parable will confirm that God will grant the requests of those who make their prayers with zeal and unceasingly. For if the widow’s cons
And indeed concerning this very thing the Psalmist cried out against him, saying: How long do you set upon a man? You all murder, as a leaning wall a
and by his very appearance, he accuses himself of his own wickedness he strikes his breast, he confesses his crimes, he shows his disease as to a phy
the Son and as an image, showing the beauty of the one who begot him in his own nature.(A f. 245) But these things are sufficient for the present. It
his, and so on. For while the divine proclamation was drawing into the faith under it the whole world under heaven, some indeed wish to come to this,
the morning star rises in your hearts. 9Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me.9 (A f. 251 b, E f.146 b) This man approached him as God who is all-pow
Since His purpose was that all men should be saved, He offers gentleness and encouraging him He says, Make haste and come down for he was seeking
making them partakers of good things and indeed of the kingdom but of those who in the present life rejected the proclamation, and enlisted themselve
to his own servants, according to the parable in the Gospels. Therefore open your hearts, and receive it rejoicing become approved money-changers tr
of seeds, when buried in the clods of earth, they bear fruit but those not covered are snatched away. (A f. 257 b) The one who lent the talents will
He was receiving a hymnology befitting God and indeed the bold ones came forward, all but protesting and saying: Do you not hear what these are sayi
to visit and to save, and having peace from the Romans so that if even the whole city had known the things that make for its peace, no one would have
Melchizedek. Tell me then, who of the Scribes or Pharisees has ministered to God according to the order of Melchizedek, who both blessed and received
and having dishonored those who were sent, they sent them away empty. But the master of the vineyard reasons with himself, saying, What shall I do?
sometimes accurately, but at other times reporting concisely. 9The chief priests and the scribes sought to lay hands on him.9 (A f. 264, E f.149 b) Th
they will surely be of the life in this world for they will live as befits saints, and have already drawn near to God for they are equal to angels a
to wish to depart from their innate love of glory, nor indeed from the accursed love of money. 9Beware of the scribes who wish to walk in long robes,
he might judge the world in righteousness. Therefore, when 72.897 certain false christs and false prophets arise, do not go after them.(A f. 269, E f.
showing them to be believers. Therefore he himself calls the event our redemption, saying: And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up,
for he himself was the one who said about himself, I am the truth. Therefore, with the shadow having been moved away, let the power of the truth now
Therefore, giving the reason for not wishing to say clearly with whom he was staying With desire, he says, I have desired to eat this Passover with
and to earth you shall return.” But the gentleness of the Creator overcame the harm of that one’s malevolence He has helped those on earth for God t
the power of life to the elements set before us, and transforms them into the activity of His own flesh, that we may have them for a life-giving parti
after putting on incorruptibility, shall we again be in need of food and a table? By no means but from our own affairs he hints at spiritual things.
of the kingdom of the hea vens, and to heal every disease and every sick ness among the people and he commanded them as they went to take no thought
Are you sorrowful and distressed? Yes, he says, I know the good things that will happen to the world from the passion but Israel the firstborn grieve
the memory of death, having entered, troubles Jesus but the power of the divinity immediately masters the agitated passion, and transforms it to cour
backward and this happened three times. What then is the economy, and for what reason did the Savior present himself, while they fell down hearing,
Christ, and not once, but three times, and made the denial with an oath for Matthew said that He began to curse and to swear, saying, I do not know
was it? And they said, We do not know. And he asked somewhere else, saying, What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he? And they said, O
they say, but they have been silent about the manner of the teaching, fearing lest somehow Pilate himself should also be found numbered among the beli
He calls Himself a tree, that is, green and fruitful and flourishing and His fruits were initiations into mysteries, and exhortations, and demonstrat
And creation itself mourned its own Master for the sun was darkened, and rocks were split, and the temple itself took on the appearance of those who
to them: In sorrow you shall bring forth children, He has given them a pause from the evil, meeting them in the garden, as another evangelist says,
resurrection the things of the Lord toward men were such as before, because they too needed renewal, and a second life according to Christ, 72.945 so
Regarding his hands and his feet for the disciples, the Lord fully convinced them that the body that had suffered was raised but that in addition to
as if placing by hands, and bringing down the blessing from above upon it, has become for us economically a beginning and a type and a way of the matter.(B f. 90 b) Then where did the miracle proceed? A multitude of not a few men was satisfied, for it extended to five thousand, besides women and children. For another of the holy evangelists added this to his own account. And the wonder did not stop there; but indeed twelve baskets of fragments were also collected. And what follows from this? A clear assurance, that the practice of hospitality has a rich recompense from God. And it is possible to see the new miracles corresponding with the more ancient ones, and being workings of one and the same power. He rained down manna in the wilderness for those of Israel; "He gave them the bread of heaven; man ate the bread of angels," according to what is sung in the Psalms. But behold, again in the wilderness he has abundantly supplied those in need of food, as if sending it down from heaven. For to multiply the little, and as it were out of nothing to feed so great a multitude, would not be unlike the first sign. 9He asked them, saying, Who do the crowds say that I am?9 (A f. 135 b) First of all and before the others, it is worth seeing what it was that called our Lord Jesus Christ to proceed to this, and to propose the inquiry, that is, the question, to the holy apostles. For he both speaks and works nothing outside of the opportune time and fitting reason. What then shall we say? He fed the crowds in the wilderness, who were not few in number, with five loaves, having also broken two small fish; and what came from nothing so increased that even twelve baskets of fragments were taken up. Therefore the blessed disciples, along with the crowds, were astonished and saw through the very miracles performed that he was truly God and the Son of God. Then, having departed from the crowds, and being alone, he devoted himself to prayers, setting himself as a type for us in this as well, or rather, teaching the disciples the skill of doctrinal lessons. For it is necessary, I think, for those who preside over the people, and who are appointed to lead his flock, to be always engaged in necessary matters, and to be seen doing those things in which God delights. And the divine Paul, knowing this, says, "Pray without ceasing." Therefore the Savior and Lord of all made himself, as I said, a type of a holy life for the disciples, praying alone with them alone. But it was likely that the matter would disturb the disciples; for they saw him praying in a human way, whom they had yesterday seen performing miracles 72.648 in a manner befitting God; it is not, then, at all unlikely that they might say to themselves something like this: Who shall we think this man to be? Is he God, or a man, and as one of us, that is, of the holy prophets? For he works miracles as God, but it is unfitting for him, being God by nature, to pray. For of what at all is God in need? In order, then, to drive away the confusion of such thoughts, he makes the inquiry; not ignorant of any of the things rumored about him among those outside; but rather drawing them away from the opinion of the many, and wishing to implant in them the right faith. "Who then," he says, "do the crowds say that I am?" (B f. 91, E f.126 b) Do you see the skill of the inquiry? He did not immediately say, "Who do you say that I am?" But he rather directs them to the rumor of those outside; so that, having cast it out and declared it worthless, he might then lead them over to the true opinion, which indeed was also done. For when the disciples stated the opinion of the crowd, he said to them, "But who do you say that I am? Oh how exceptional is the, 'you!' He places them outside the others, so that they may flee their opinions, and not have a small opinion about him. 'You,' he says, 'who have been chosen, who by my decree have been called to the apostolate, you who are witnesses of my wonders, 'who do you say that I am?'" But again he leaps forward from the others
ὥσπερ ἐνθέντες χερσὶ, καὶ τὴν ἄνωθεν εὐλογίαν ἐπ' αὐτὸν καταφέρειν, ἀρχὴ καὶ τύπος καὶ ὁδὸς τοῦ πράγματος γέγονεν ἡμῖν οἰκονομικῶς.(B
f. 90 b) Εἶτα ὅποι ποτὲ προ έβη τὸ θαῦμα; Κατεκορέσθη πληθὺς ἀνδρῶν οὐκ ὀλίγων, εἰς πέντε γὰρ ἐξετείνετο χιλιάδας, χωρὶς γυναικῶν
καὶ παιδίων. Τοῦτο γὰρ ἕτερός τις τῶν ἁγίων εὐαγγελιστῶν τοῖς ἑαυτοῦ προσεπήνεγκε λό γοις. Καὶ οὐ μέχρι τούτου τὸ παράδοξον·
ἀλλὰ γὰρ καὶ κόφινοι συνελέγησαν κλασμάτων δώδεκα. Καὶ τί τὸ ἐντεῦθεν; Πληροφορία σαφὴς, ὅτι τῆς φιλοξενίας τὸ χρῆμα, πλουσίαν
ἔχει παρὰ Θεοῦ τὴν ἀντέκτισιν. Ἔξεστι δὲ καὶ ἰδεῖν τοῖς ἀρχαιοτέροις θαύμασι τὰ νέα συμβαίνοντα, καὶ μιᾶς ὄντα καὶ τῆς αὐτῆς
δυ νάμεως ἐνεργήματα. Ἔβρεξεν ἐν ἐρήμῳ τὸ μάννα τοῖς ἐξ Ἰσραήλ· "Ἄρτον οὐρανοῦ ἔδωκεν αὐτοῖς· ἄρτον ἀγγέλων ἔφαγεν ἄνθρωπος,"
κατὰ τὸ ἐν Ψαλμοῖς ὑμνούμενον. Ἀλλ' ἰδοὺ πάλιν ἐν ἐρήμῳ τοῖς ἐν ἐνδείᾳ τροφῆς κεχορήγηκεν ἀφθόνως, οἷον ἐξ οὐ ρανοῦ καθιεὶς
αὐτήν. Τὸ γὰρ πολυπλασιάσαι τὸ βραχὺ, καὶ οἷον ἐκ τοῦ μηδενὸς τὴν οὕτω πολλὴν ἀποθρέψαι πληθὺν, οὐκ ἀπεοικὸς ἂν εἴη τῷ πρώτῳ
σημείῳ. 9Ἐπηρώτησεν αὐτοὺς λέγων· Τίνα με λέγου σιν οἱ ὄχλοι εἶναι;9 (A f. 135 b) Πρῶτον ἐκεῖνο καὶ πρό γε τῶν ἄλλων ἄξιον
ἰδεῖν, τί τὸ κεκληκὸς τὸν Κύριον ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦν Χριστὸν ἐπὶ τοῦτο δραμεῖν, καὶ προτεῖναι τοῖς ἁγίοις ἀποστόλοις τὴν πεῦσιν, ἤγουν
τὴν ἐρώτησιν. Οὐδὲν γὰρ ἔξω τοῦ καιροῦ καὶ τοῦ καθήκοντος λόγου, καὶ λαλεῖ καὶ ἐργάζεται. Τί οὖν ἆρα φαμέν; Ἔθρεψεν ἐν ἐρήμῳ
τοὺς ὄχλους οὐκ εὐαριθμήτους ὄντας ἄρτοις πέντε, συνδιαθρύψας ἰχθύδια δύο· πεπλεόνακε δὲ οὔτως τὰ ἐκ μηδενὸς, ὥστε καὶ κλασμάτων
ληφθῆναι κοφίνους δώδεκα. Κατεπλήττοντο τοίνυν ὁμοῦ τοῖς ὄχλοις οἱ μακάριοι μαθηταὶ καὶ Θεὸν ὄντα καὶ Θεοῦ Υἱὸν κατὰ ἀλήθειαν,
δι' αὐτῶν τεθέανται τῶν κατ ωρθωμένων. Εἶτα τῶν ὄχλων ἀποφοιτήσας, καὶ γε γονὼς καταμόνας, εἰς προσευχὰς συνετείνετο, τύπον
ἡμῖν ἑαυτὸν καὶ κατὰ τοῦτο τιθεὶς, μᾶλλον δὲ δι δασκαλικῶν μαθημάτων εὐτεχνίαν διδάσκων τοὺς μαθητάς. ∆εῖ γὰρ, οἶμαι, τοὺς
λαῶν προεστηκότας, καὶ καθηγεῖσθαι λαχόντας τῶν αὐτοῦ θρεμμάτων, ἐν πράγμασιν ἀναγκαίοις εἶναι διὰ παντὸς, κἀκεῖνα δρῶντας
ὁρᾶσθαι, τὰ ἐφ' οἷς ἥδηται Θεός. Καὶ τοῦτο εἰδὼς ὁ θεσπέσιος Παῦλος· "Ἀδιαλείπτως προσ εύχεσθε," φησίν. Οὐκοῦν ὁ μὲν τῶν ὅλων
Σωτὴρ καὶ Κύριος, τύπον ἑαυτὸν, ὡς ἔφην, πολιτείας ἁγιο πρεποῦς ἐποιεῖτο τοῖς μαθηταῖς, καταμόνας προσ ευχόμενος μετὰ μόνων
αὐτῶν. Ἀλλ' ἦν εἰκὸς θορυ βεῖν τὸ πρᾶγμα τοὺς μαθητάς· ἑώρων γὰρ ἀνθρω πίνως εὐχόμενον, ὃν χθὲς τεθέανται θαυματουρ 72.648
γοῦντα θεοπρεπῶς· οὐδὲν οὖν ἄρα τὸ ἀπεικὸς, ἐκεῖνό που τάχα πρὸς ἑαυτοὺς εἰπεῖν, τίνα τοῦτον εἶναι νομίσομεν; ἆρα Θεὸν, ἢ
ἄνθρωπον, καὶ ὡς ἕνα τῶν καθ' ἡμᾶς ἤγουν τῶν ἁγίων προφητῶν; Θαυ ματουργεῖ μὲν γὰρ, ὡς Θεὸς, ἔστι δὲ ἀνάρμοστον αὐτῷ κατὰ
φύσιν Θεῷ τὸ προσεύχεσθαι. Τίνος γὰρ ὅλως δεῖται Θεός; Ἵνα τοίνυν τὸν τῶν τοιούτων ἐν νοιῶν ἀποσοβήσῃ θόρυβον, ποιεῖται τὴν
πεῦσιν· οὐδὲν μὲν ἠγνοηκὼς τῶν περὶ αὐτοῦ θρυλλουμένων παρά γε τοῖς ἔξω· ἀποφέρων δὲ μᾶλλον τῆς τῶν πολλῶν ὑπο νοίας, καὶ
ὀρθὴν αὐτοῖς τὴν πίστιν ἐμφυτεῦσαι θέλων. "Τίνα δὴ οὖν, φησὶν, οἱ ὄχλοι με λέγουσιν εἶναι;" (B f. 91, E f.126 b) Ὁρᾷς τὸ τῆς
πεύσεως εὐτεχνές; Οὐκ εὐθὺς εἶπεν· "Ὑμεῖς τίνα με λέγετε εἶναι;" Ἀποφέρει δὲ μᾶλλον, ἐπὶ τὸν τῶν ἔξω θρύλλον· ἵν' ἐκβαλὼν
αὐτὸν καὶ ἀδόκιμον ἀποφήνας, μετασοβήσῃ λοιπὸν εἰς δόξαν ἀληθινὴν, ὃ δὴ καὶ πέπρακται. Εἰ πόντων γὰρ τῶν μαθητῶν τὴν τοῦ ὄχλου
δόξαν, ἔφη αὐτοῖς· "Ὑμεῖς δὲ τίνα με λέγετε εἶναι; Ὢ πῶς ἐξαίρετον τὸ, ὑμεῖς! Ἔξω τίθησιν αὐτοὺς τῶν ἄλ λων, ἵνα καὶ τὰς ἐκείνων
φύγωσιν ὑπονοίας, καὶ μὴ μικρὰν ἔχωσι περὶ αὐτοῦ τὴν δόξαν. Ὑμεῖς, φησὶν, οἱ ἐξειλεγμένοι, οἱ ψήφῳ τῇ παρ' ἐμοῦ κεκλημένοι
πρὸς ἀποστολὴν, οἱ τῶν ἐμῶν τερατουργημάτων μάρτυρες, "τίνα με εἶναί φατε;" Προπηδᾷ δὲ πάλιν τῶν ἄλλων ὁ
