R. He declares that he had feared to offend God, as if he possessed an adulteress for a wife. A
Q. 4. Why did He say, “your wife”?
R. As though she were not corrupted. He calls her “wife,” however, because she was betrothed. Just as we are accustomed to call sons-in-law and bridegrooms, suitors.
Q. 5. “And she shall bear a son.” Why did He not say, “She shall bear to you”?
R. Because she was not to bear for him alone, but for the whole world.
Q. 6. “In the days of Herod the king.” Why did He add the dignity, saying, “the king”?
R. Because there was another Herod who killed the Forerunner. But that one was a tetrarch, while this one was a king. B
Q. 7. “Arise, take the child and his mother.” Why did He not say, “Your wife,” but, “His mother”?
R. Because, the birth having occurred, suspicion was lifted, and Joseph was made certain. Therefore, the angel speaks with freedom openly, and no longer calls her his wife.
Q. 8. “And flee into Egypt.” Why, having heard “Flee into Egypt,” was he not disturbed?
R. Because he was a faithful man; therefore he complies and obeys.
Q. 9. Why is he not sent into another country, but into Egypt?
R. That the prophecy might be fulfilled which says, “Out of Egypt have I called my Son.” C
Q. 10. “And having heard that John was delivered up, Jesus withdrew into Galilee.” Why did He withdraw?
R. To instruct us to flee from temptations. For it is no crime not to throw oneself into danger, but rather not to stand courageously when one has fallen into it.
Q. 11. “And seeing the crowds, Jesus ascended the mountain.” Why did He ascend the mountain?
R. Because He avoided ambition and vainglory. For He did not lead them around with Him; but when it was necessary to travel, He Himself went alone everywhere, visiting cities and regions; but when a large crowd had gathered, He sat in one place. D
Q. 12. “And opening His mouth, He taught them.” Why did He say, “Opening His mouth”?
R. So that we might learn that He taught not only by speaking, but also by keeping silent.
Q. 13. “Beware,” He says, “not to do your alms before men to be seen by them.” Why, in regard to almsgiving, did He add this statement, but in regard to prayer and fasting, not at all?
R. Because it is impossible for almsgiving to be entirely hidden, but prayer and fasting it is possible [to hide].
A
Q. 14. "In the beginning was the Word." Why, omitting the Father, does he speak of the Son? R. Because the former was known to all, even if not as Father, yet as God; but the Only-begotten was unknown, and therefore he rightly desired to provide the knowledge of him from the very beginning to those who did not know him.
Q. 15. "And the Word was with God." Why did he not say "in God"? R. First, to declare to us his eternity according to hypostasis; then, advancing more clearly and openly, he reveals to us that this Word was also God. "He was in the world," not as being coeval with the world. For this reason he added, "And the world was made through him."
Q. 16. "And looking up to heaven, he blessed the loaves." Why did he look up, and then bless? R. First, to show that he is from the Father; second, to teach us not to approach the table before we have given thanks to him who provides food for us.
Q. 17. Why does he perform the miracle of the loaves in the desert, and feed five thousand? R. So that the miracle might be beyond any suspicion, and no one might think that something had been brought to the table from a nearby village.
Q. 18. "And they took up of the fragments that remained." Why did whole loaves not remain, but fragments? R. To show that these were fragments from the five loaves, and so that those who were not present might learn what had happened, and so that no one might think it was an illusion.
Q. 19. "Twelve baskets." Why did they fill twelve baskets? R. So that Judas also might carry one. For he could have satisfied the hunger of the crowds [by other means], but the disciples would not have come to know his power.
Q. 20. Why was the vision given not to Pilate, but to his wife? R. First, because she herself was worthy; or rather, because if he had seen it, he would not have been believed in the same way, or perhaps he would not even have told of it. Therefore, by divine dispensation, the wife has the vision, so that the matter might become manifest to all.
Q. 21. "And they crucify with him two thieves, one on the right and one on the left." Why did they crucify him in the midst of the thieves, and why did he give up the spirit having cried out? R. So that he might share in their reputation, or that what was said might be fulfilled: "And he was numbered with the transgressors"; and so that it might be shown that the act was performed by his own authority, just as he himself said, "I have power to lay down my soul, and I have power to take it up."
A Q. 22. "Before the cock crows, you will deny me three times." How is it that Matthew says that Christ said to Peter, "Before the cock crows, you will deny me three times," while Mark says that when he had denied him once, then the cock crowed for the first time, and when he had denied him a third time, then it crowed for the second time? How, therefore, shall both be found to be true? R. Because the cock is accustomed to crow three or four times in each session, Mark, in showing that neither the voice of the cock stopped him, nor did it bring him to remembrance, says this. Thus both are true. For before the cock finished its one session, he denied him three times. And he was so terrified and so utterly deadened by fear that he not only denied him, but did not even remember of his own accord, even though the cock crowed, until the look of the Master became for him as a voice. And Luke, declaring this, says that Christ looked at him. Q. 23. "And going outside, he wept bitterly." Why did he weep after going outside? R. Because he dared not do so openly before everyone, lest he be accused by his tears and discovered to be his disciple. Q. 24. "While they were eating, Christ said to them, 'One of you will betray me.'" Why does he speak to them about the betrayal while they are eating? R. So that by both the time and the table he might show the wickedness of the traitor. For he, too, was present there. Q. 25. "One of you will betray me." Why did he not say, "So-and-so will betray me," but "One of you will betray me," sparing him even in this? B R. Sparing the traitor also in this, so as to give him room again for repentance. And he chooses to strike fear into everyone in order to save this one man. Q. 26. "And there were also women who had followed him from Galilee." Why does he mention the women who had followed him? R. To show their great perseverance, and that they were present even unto dangers. For when his disciples fled, they persisted. Q. 27. "How is it," she says, "that you, being a Jew, ask for water to drink from me, who am a Samaritan?" From where, having recognized him to be a Jew, does she say to him, "How is it that you, being a Jew?" R. From his appearance, and perhaps from his dialect. Q. 28. "And she brought forth her son, the firstborn." Why did he say, "the firstborn"? For the Theotokos did not have another son. R. Because the true God, who was incarnate from her, our Lord Jesus Christ, became our brother through the incarnation, wherefore he was called firstborn, as being preeminent in all things himself. C