Luke 2 · The Lantern

The Birth of Jesus

And it happened in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

"Away," says he, "with that eternal plaguey taxing of Caesar, and the scanty inn, and the squalid swaddling-clothes, and the hard stable. We do not care a jot for that multitude of the heavenly host which praised their Lord at night.

Christ therefore was born in Bethlehem at the time when Augustus Caesar gave orders that the first enrolment should be made. But what necessity was there, some one may perhaps say, for the very wise Evangelist to make special mention of this?

(Metaphrastes et Alexander ander Monachus.) Christ is born also at a time when the princes of Judah had failed, and the kingdom was transferred to Roman governors, to whom the Jews paid tribute; and then was fulfilled the prophecy, saying, There shall not fail a leader from Judah, nor a prince from between his feet, until he shall come who is to be sent. (Gen.

(And this taxing was first made when Quirinius was governor of Syria.)

This first census was made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own city. This census taken during the time of Cyrenius is also mentioned by the illustrious Hebrew historian Josephus, in the eighteenth book of Antiquities, as follows: "Cyrenius, a man who through the consent of the Roman Senate ascended through various magistracies to…

As for the excellence of wisdom in discerning he adds: This first enrollment was made by the governor of Syria, Cyrinus: because this was, as Ambrose says, the first general enrollment, which was begun by Cyrinus; or: first made, that is, first begun, according to Bede, by him who governed in Syria, which is the navel of the habitable world; and thus the said enrollment was car…

And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

But in order that men might know that it was an enrolment of righteousness, there came up to it Joseph and Mary, the just man and the virgin. He who was to be guardian of the Word and she who was to bring it forth.

Now the registration of property was so appointed by Divine guidance, that every one was ordered to go into his own country, as it follows, And they all went to be taxed, every one to his own city. Which so came to pass, in order that the Lord, conceived in one place, born in another, might the more easily escape the fury of the crafty Herod.

(Irenæus cont. Hær. 1. 3. c. 11.) Now he added, a city of David, that he might declare that the promise made by God to David, namely, that from the fruit of his loins there should go before him a king for ever, (2 Sam. 7:12.) was already fulfilled. Whence it follows, Because he was of the house and lineage of David. (Ps.

To be taxed with Mary his betrothed wife, being great with child.

The sacred Evangelist says that Mary was betrothed to Joseph, to show that the conception had taken place upon her betrothal solely, and that the birth of the Emanuel was miraculous, and not in accordance with the laws of nature. For the holy Virgin did not bear from the immission of man's seed. And what was the reason of this?

Christ is also enrolled together with everyone. It was fitting for the Lord to be enrolled with the whole world, in order to sanctify those being enrolled and to abolish slavery; for just as, by undergoing circumcision, He abolished circumcision, so, by being enrolled as a slave, He abolished the slavery of our nature.

It is shown lastly as fitting to the imperial edict, when it is added: That he might be enrolled with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. For this had proceeded from the imperial edict.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

IF CHRIST WAS BORN OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, THAT IS, IF BY HIS WORKING FLESH WAS MADE FROM MARY, WHY IS IT SAID, “WISDOM, WHICH IS CERTAINLY CHRIST, HAS BUILT A HOUSE FOR HERSELF” (Prov. 9:1)? — The work of the Son is the work of the Father, because the power of the Father and the Son is one. Therefore the work of the Holy Spirit is the work of Christ, because He received from Him.

(Hom. viii. in Ev.) Bethlehem is by interpretation the house of bread. For it is the Lord Himself who says, I am the bread of life which came down from heaven.

Rejoice, O Jerusalem, and celebrate, all who love Zion! Today the ancient bond of the condemnation of Adam is loosed. Paradise is opened to us: the serpent is laid low. Of old he deceived the woman in Paradise, but now he sees a woman become mother of the Creator. Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And if you please, we say that the Word was the first-born of God, who came down from heaven to the blessed Mary, and was made a first-born man in her womb, in order that the first-born of God might be manifested in union with a first-born man.

He who is born not in his parents' house, but on the way, surely showed that through the humanity which he had assumed, he was being born as if in a foreign place. I say "foreign," of course, not according to power, but according to nature. For concerning his power it is written: He came unto his own.

Certain expressions in the evangelical narratives are said to imply that Mary bore other children besides the Lord, and it is even asserted that no unprejudiced person could interpret them otherwise. The justice of this charge may be fairly questioned.

The Shepherds and the Angels

And there were in the same country shepherds remaining in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

Therefore Abraham also, knowing the Father through the Word, who made heaven and earth, confessed Him to be God; and having learned, by an announcement [made to him], that the Son of God would be a man among men, by whose advent his seed should be as the stars of heaven, he desired to see that day, so that he might himself also embrace Christ; and, seeing it through the spirit…

Let me begin my discourse to you with that which is written in the book of Psalms, "Come let us praise the Lord, and sing unto God our Saviour:" for He is the Head of our feast-day, and therefore let us tell His noble doings, and |13 relate the manner of that beautifully contrived dispensation, by means of which He has saved the world, and having placed on each one of us the yo…

As to the vigilance of their own solicitude, it is said: And there were shepherds in the same region, keeping watch. For this pertains to the pastoral office: whence Jacob, the shepherd of Laban's sheep, said in Genesis thirty-one: "By day I was scorched by heat and by frost at night, and sleep fled from my eyes." And to indicate their greater attentiveness, he adds: And keepin…

And, look, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them: and they were greatly afraid.

(ubi sup.) It was in a mystery that the Angel appeared to the shepherds while they were watching, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them, implying that they are thought worthy above the rest to see sublime things who take a watchful care of their faithful flocks; and while they themselves are piously watching over them, the Divine grace shines widely round about them.

The angel did not appear in Jerusalem to the Pharisees or scribes, for they were a receptacle of every kind of malice; but those shepherds, being without guile, were deemed worthy of divine visions.

(Geometer.) They were alarmed at the miracle, as it follows, And they were afraid, &c. But the Angel dispels their rising fears. He not only soothes their terrors, but pours gladness into their hearts; for it follows, For, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, &c. not to the Jewish people only, but to all.

And the angel said to them, Do not fear: for, look, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

That Christ our God should come, the En-lightener and Saviour of the human race. In Isaiah: "Be comforted, ye weakened hands; and ye weak knees, be strengthened. Ye who are of a timorous heart, fear not. Our God will recompense judgment, He Himself will come, and will save us. Then shall be opened the eves of the blind, and the ears of the deaf shall hear.

The angel announced "great joy," which, he said, will be for all the people — specifically, for the people of God. For not all Jews are the people of God. But the incarnation of God was a joy for the entire human race as well.

There is an order of levels intended for enlightenment. Enlightenment through writings of primary importance pertains to the deacons. Wherefore they were also in the habit of preaching, as did Stephen, Lawrence, Vincent. Hence, in Luke the angel says to the shepherds: "I bring you good news of great joy." The deacon is such an angel.

For to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign to you; You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

(in Serm. Nativ. 4.) But if perhaps the swaddling clothes are mean in thy eyes, admire the Angels singing praises together. If thou despisest the manger, raise thy eyes a little, and behold the new star in heaven proclaiming to the world the Lord's nativity. If thou believest the mean things, believe also the mighty.

And this will be a sign for you. You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. The infancy of the Savior and the proclamations of angels and the testimonies of the evangelists have often been impressed upon us, so that it might be firmly fixed in our hearts what He became for us.

And this shall be a sign to you, etc. After the disposition preparing for hearing and the announcement inviting to exultation, there follows here thirdly a confirmation assuring for believing.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

We do not care a jot for that multitude of the heavenly host which praised their Lord at night. Let the shepherds take better care of their flock, and let the wise men spare their legs so long a journey; let them keep their gold to themselves.

This peace has been made through Christ, for He has reconciled us by Himself to God and our Father, (2 Cor. 5:18, 19, Eph. 2:16, Col. 1:20.) having taken away our guilt, which was the ground of offence also. He has united two nations in one man, and has joined the heavenly and the earthly in one flock.

As for the persuasion of credible testimony, it is added: And suddenly there was with the Angel a multitude; that is, there was with him to confirm equally the angelic word and to venerate the little one born, according to that passage in Hebrews 1: "When he brings the firstborn into the world, he says: And let all his Angels adore him." And it is pointedly said multitude, acco…

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Let the diligent reader of Scripture inquire how the Savior can say: "I came not to send peace upon the earth, but a sword", while now the angels at his nativity sing: "on earth peace". For in another place too it is said in his own person: "My peace I give to you, peace I leave to you: not as this world gives peace, do I give peace".

Look not upon him who was laid in the manger as a babe merely, but in our poverty see him who as God is rich, and in the measure of our humanity him who prospers those in heaven, and who therefore is glorified even by the angels.

Heaven and earth are united today, for Christ is born! Today God has come upon earth, and humankind gone up to heaven. Today, for the sake of humankind, the invisible one is seen in the flesh.

And it happened, as the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even to Bethlehem, and see this thing which has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.

"And it came to pass", he says, "when the angels had departed from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another: Let us go over as far as Bethlehem, and let us see this word that has come to pass, which the Lord has shown to us. And they came in haste, and found Mary and Joseph and the child".

These shepherds are a type of the spiritual shepherds — the bishops. Thus, bishops must guard their flock and play, that is, sing something spiritual and teach the people, and then they will be deemed worthy of divine visions and hearings.

(Geometer.) The shepherds were filled with astonishment at the things that they saw and heard, and so they left their sheep-folds, and set out by night to Bethlehem, seeking for the light of the Saviour; and therefore it is said, They spoke one to another, &c.

And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

But because they came in haste, and not with loitering steps, it follows, They found Mary, (i. e. her who had brought Jesus into the, world,) and Joseph, (i. e. the guardian of our Lord's birth,) and the babe lying in the manger, (i. e.

And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. The shepherds hasten to Christ whom they recognize, desiring with all the intent of their mind to see His coming. For Christ's presence is not to be sought with idleness.

As for the promptness of execution, it is added thirdly: And they came with haste. And this is what is said in Proverbs 9: "Teach a just man, and he will hasten to receive." This haste was a sign of interior promptness, by which they wished to be presented before the divine sight; Proverbs 22: "Have you seen a man swift in his work?

And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

It seems to succeed in due order, that after having rightly celebrated the incarnation of the Word, we should at length come to behold the actual glory of that Word. Hence it follows: But when they saw it, they made known the word which had been spoken to them.

And because this sign was given by the Angel, therefore it is added: But seeing, they recognized concerning the word that had been spoken to them about this child, namely, that it was true.

(Photius) Beholding with hidden faith indeed the happy events which had been told them, and not content with marvelling at the reality of those things which at the very first they saw and embraced when the Angel told them, they began to relate them not only to Mary and Joseph, but to the others also, (and what is more they impressed them on their minds,) as it follows, And all…

And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

And all who heard were amazed at what was spoken to them by the shepherds. By the shepherds, the people are driven to the reverence of God. Do not consider this example of faith to be trivial, nor the person of the shepherds to be insignificant. Certainly, the less they are esteemed for their prudence, the more precious they are for their faith.

Not only was it approved with certitude, but also swiftly made known: wherefore it is added: And all who heard marveled, namely at the little child born, and at the things that were told them by the shepherds, which they had heard from the Angel.

Not only do they marvel at the mystery of the incarnation, but also at so wonderful an attestation of the shepherds, men who could not have devised these unheard of things, but were with simple eloquence proclaiming the truth.

But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

Esteem not the words of the shepherds as mean and despicable. For from the shepherds Mary increases her faith, as it follows: Mary kept all these sayings, and pondered them in her heart. Let us learn the chastity of the sacred Virgin in all things, who no less chaste in her words than in her body, gathered up in her heart the materials of faith.

What words did the Virgin "keep"? Some say those which the Angel spoke to Her, and those which the shepherds told Her. She preserved them and "pondered them in Her heart," that is, she considered them and found in all of them one harmonious thought: that Her Son is God.

(Metaphrastes) Whatever the Angel had said unto her, whatever she had heard from Zacharias, and Elisabeth, and the shepherds, she collected them all in her mind, and comparing them together, perceived in all one harmony. Truly, He was God who was born from her.

And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told to them.

(non occ.) But every one rejoiced in the nativity of Christ, not with human feelings, as men are wont to rejoice when a son is born, but at the presence of Christ and the lustre of the Divine light. As it follows: And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for every thing they had heard, &c.

The shepherds returned with thanksgiving to God for all things; for they were not envious like the Jews.

And the shepherds returned etc. Here the diligence of the shepherds is commended on account of the gratitude of devotion. For devotion to be acceptable to God, it is necessary that the hand, the mind, and the tongue resound and harmonize together: the hand by working, the tongue by praising, the mind by recognizing.

Jesus Presented at the Temple

And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;

And still further does Luke say in reference to the Lord: "When the days of purification were accomplished, they brought Him up to Jerusalem, to present Him before the Lord, as it is written in the law of the Lord, That every male opening the womb shall be called holy to the Lord; and that they should offer a sacrifice, as it is said in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtle-dov…

Therefore the Evangelist has well observed, that the days of her purification were come according to the law, who since she had conceived of the Holy Spirit, was free from all uncleanness. It follows, They brought him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord.

First, therefore, with respect to the appointed time, it says: And after the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were fulfilled. Leviticus 12: "If a woman, having received seed, shall bear a male child, she shall be unclean seven days.

(As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)

They [heretics - disciples of Valentinus] moreover affirm that the Saviour is shown to be derived from all the Aeons, and to be in Himself everything by the following passage: "Every male that openeth the womb." For He, being everything, opened the womb of the enthymesis of the suffering Aeon, when it had been expelled from the Pleroma.

For no union with man disclosed the secrets of the virgin's womb, but the Holy Spirit infused the immaculate seed into an inviolate womb. He then who sanctified another womb in order that a prophet should be born, He it is who has opened the womb of His own mother, that the Immaculate should come forth.

Third, with respect to the written commandment, it is added: As it is written in the law of the Lord, that every male opening the womb shall be called holy to the Lord: Exodus 13: "Sanctify to me every firstborn that opens the womb among the children of Israel, as well of men as of beasts." But this does not seem to apply to the Virgin Mary, who is the closed gate before birth…

And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.

The Prophecy of Simeon

And there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the comfort of Israel: and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

And if these blessings accrue through Christ, they will not have been prophesied of another than Him through whom we consider them to have been accomplished.

The prophet Isaiah says, "Beautiful are the feet of them that bring good tidings of good:" and what could there be so sweet to learn as that God has saved the world by the mediation of the Son, in that He was made like unto us?

As to reputation, it is said: And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; which city was royal and priestly, where the worship of God according to the observance of the Law most especially flourished, whence it is called holy. From this it is given to understand that a man who had a reputation in such a city was of great integrity.

And it was revealed to him by the Holy Spirit, so that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.

The salvation of God here signifies Christ; for thus also Symeon, when he took up Christ in his arms, prayed God to be allowed to depart from this life, since his eyes had seen the salvation of God, namely Christ himself for it had been revealed to him by the Spirit that he should not see death, until he had seen the Lord Christ

To see death means to undergo it, and happy will he be to see the death of the flesh who has first been enabled to see with the eyes of his heart the Lord Christ, having his conversation in the heavenly Jerusalem, and frequently entering the doors of God's temple, that is, following the examples of the saints in whom God dwells as in His temple.

And he had received an answer. Here secondly he is commended by the Spirit of truth as leading him to wait upon a divine response; with respect to which it says: And he had received an answer from the Holy Spirit, namely through revelation: Isaiah 30: "At the voice of your cry, as soon as he shall hear, he will answer you." He had received a consolatory answer, according to Zec…

And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,

If thou wilt touch Jesus and grasp Him in thy hands, strive with all thy strength to have the Spirit for thy guide, and come to the temple of God. For it follows, And when his parents brought in the child Jesus, (i. e. Mary His mother, and Joseph His reputed father,) to do for him after the custom of the law, then took he him up in his arms.

This Simeon, moved by the Holy Spirit, went up to the temple when the Mother brought the Lord.

Secondly he is also commended by the Spirit of truth as leading him to meet in the temple; with respect to which it is said: And he came in the Spirit into the temple; he came indeed as one led by the Holy Spirit: Romans 8: "Whosoever are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." He came indeed to serve and venerate the Lord, so that he could say that word of the Psa…

Then he took him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,

They say, too, that Simeon, "who took Christ into his arms, and gave thanks to God, and said, Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy word," [Luke 2:28] was a type of the Demiurge, who, on the arrival of the Saviour, learned his own change of place, and gave thanks to Bythus.

Observe then that this just man, confined as it were in the prison house of his earthly frame, is longing to be loosed, that he may again be with Christ. (Phil. 1:23.) But whoso would be cleansed, let him come into the temple;—into Jerusalem: let him wait for the Lord's Christ, let him receive in his hands the word of God, and embrace it as it were with the arms of his faith.

And he himself received him into his arms. Behold, the devotion of the old man in embracing the little child, by which he offered his whole self to Christ, so that he could say that word of the bride in Song of Songs 1: "My beloved is a bundle of myrrh to me; he shall abide between my breasts." For he wished to fulfill that word of the last chapter of Song of Songs: "Set me as…

Lord, now let you your servant depart in peace, according to your word:

(ubi sup.) For since Christ has destroyed the enemy, which is sin, and has reconciled us to the Father, the removal of saints has been in peace.

(Photius.) Simeon blessed God also, because the promises made to him had received their true fulfilment. For He was reckoned worthy to see with his eyes, and to carry in his arms the consolation of Israel. And therefore he says, According to thy word, i. e. since I have obtained the completion of thy promises.

For my eyes have seen your salvation,

Which you have prepared before the face of all people;

(ubi sup.) But Christ was the mystery which has been revealed in the last times of the world, having been prepared before the foundation of the world. Hence it follows, which thou hast prepared before the face of all men.

But this salvation was not particular, but universal; and therefore he adds: Which you have prepared before the face of all peoples, according to that word of Isaiah 52: "All the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God." He already saw verified that word of the Psalm: "The Lord has made known his salvation; in the sight of the nations"; there follows: "All the ends…

(Photius.) Mark the wisdom of the good and venerable old man, who before that he was thought worthy of the blessed vision, was waiting for the consolation of Israel, but when he obtained that which he was looking for, exclaims that he saw the salvation of all people.

A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.

The cleansing of the Syrian rather was significant throughout the nations of the world of their own cleansing in Christ their light, steeped as they were in the stains of the seven deadly sins: idolatry, blasphemy, murder, adultery, fornication, false-witness, and fraud.

(ubi sup.) But Christ coming was made a light to them that sat in darkness, being sore oppressed by the power of the devil, but they were called by God the Father to the knowledge of His Son, Who is the true light.

And as to the light of wisdom: on account of which he adds: A light for the revelation of the Gentiles: Isaiah 9: "To those dwelling in the region of the shadow of death, a light has risen for them." And this light will reveal the glory of God to the nations: Isaiah 40: "The glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God"; Daniel 2: "He reveal…

And Joseph and his mother marveled at those things which were spoken of him.

"And", he says, "his father and mother were marveling over these things, which were said of him". Let us gather together into one the things that were said and written about Jesus at his birth, and then we shall be able to know that each single one is worthy of wonder.

And his father and mother were marveling at what was said about him, and Simeon blessed them. He calls Joseph the father of the Savior, not that he was truly his father according to the Photinians, but since he was considered by all to be the father for the preservation of Mary's reputation.

(Photius.) The knowledge of supernatural things, as often as it is brought to the recollection, renews the miracle in the mind, and hence it is said, His father and mother marvelled at those things which were said of him.

And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother, Look, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;

(Yes, a sword shall pierce through your own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

Then Simeon says: "and a sword shall pierce through your own soul". What is this sword, which pierced not only through the hearts of others, but even through the heart of Mary? It is plainly written that in the time of the passion all the apostles were scandalized, the Lord himself also saying: "you shall all be scandalized in me this night".

(de Nov. ac vet, Test. c. 73.) Or by this is signified that Mary also, through whom was performed the mystery of the incarnation, looked with doubt and astonishment at the death of her Lord, seeing the Son of God so humbled as to come down even to death.

As to the martyrdom of maternal compassion, it is said: And your own soul a sword shall pierce, that is, your very own, the sword of compassion; whence that verse of the Psalm applies to her: "The iron pierced through his soul." Damascene: "The pains which she escaped in giving birth, she endured at the time of the Passion." And Bernard: "While your Jesus is pierced by the lanc…

The Prophecy of Anna

And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity;

They also assert that by Anna, who is spoken of in the gospel [Luke 2:36] as a prophetess, and who, after living seven years with her husband, passed all the rest of her life in widowhood until she saw the Saviour, and recognised Him, and spoke of Him to all, was most plainly indicated Achamoth, who, having for a little while looked upon the Saviour with His associates, and dwe…

(ubi sup.) Or because at that time there were several others who were called by the same name, that there might be a plain way of distinguishing her, he mentions her father, and describes the quality of her parents.

And there was Anna, a prophetess, etc. After the testimony of the male sex, there follows here the testimony of the female sex. For it was fitting that the coming of Christ should have testimony from every kind of person, so that those who do not believe the Gospel may be without excuse.

And she was a widow of about eighty and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.

And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise to the Lord, and spoke of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

But because Anna's words were nothing remarkable, and of no great note respecting Christ, the Gospel does not give the particulars of what she said, and perhaps for this reason one may suppose that Simeon anticipated her, since he indeed bore the character of the law, (for his name signifies obedience,) but she the character of grace, (which her name is by interpretation,) and…

And coming up at that moment she gave thanks to the Lord and spoke about him to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. [Simeon prophesied, the one joined in marriage prophesied, the virgin prophesied, and the widow should also prophesy, so that no state of life or sex should be wanting.

And she, at that very hour, etc. Here thirdly is described the solemnity of the testimony, both by reason of the fitting time and by reason of the consenting multitude.

The Return to Nazareth

And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.

And the child grew, and grew strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.

Since some who seem to believe the holy Scriptures deny the divinity of the Savior, as though for the glory of the almighty God, it seems just to me that they should be taught from the authority of those very Scriptures that something divine came into a human body, and not only into a human body, but also into a human soul.

We must observe the distinction of words, that the Lord Jesus Christ in that He was a child, that is, had put on the condition of human weakness, was daily growing and being strengthened. Wisdom truly, for in Him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily, (Col.

But the child grew etc. Above the Evangelist described how the Savior was made subject to the ceremonial law; here he describes how he was made subject to the moral law.

The Boy Jesus at the Temple

Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the Passover.

"And so his parents went according to custom to Jerusalem to the solemn day of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old". Observe carefully, that before he was twelve years old, he was being filled with the wisdom of God and with the other things that are written of him.

And his parents went every year to Jerusalem, at the feast of Passover. You see this evangelist, among the four creatures, not without reason compared to the calf, which, as if designated for sacrifices, revolves around the temple and Jerusalem with the course of his narrative.

And his parents went etc. Here is described the reverence of the divine majesty, which consists in the worship of religion, and is shown in Christ according to the guidance of the parents and according to his own instinct. As for the guidance of the parents it is said: And his parents went every year to Jerusalem.

And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.

And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.

When therefore, as we have said, he was twelve years old, and the days of the solemnity had been completed according to custom, and his parents were returning, "the boy remained in Jerusalem and his parents did not know it". And here understand something more sublime than human nature undergoes.

Jesus goes to Jerusalem together with His parents, in order to show in everything that He neither opposes God nor resists the requirements of the Law. When they had fulfilled the days, that is, the seven days of Passover, He "remained... in Jerusalem."

(Metaphrastes vel Geometer.) The feast having been celebrated, while the rest returned, Jesus secretly tarried behind. As it follows, And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and his parents knew not of it. It is said, When the days were accomplished, because the feast lasted seven days.

But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.

And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.

And it happened, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.

And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.

"And all", it says, "were amazed". At what were they "amazed"? Not at his questions, although these too were marvelous, but "at his answers". For it is one thing to ask, another to answer. He was questioning the teachers, and because at times they could not answer, he himself answered them concerning the things about which he had asked.

For from His tongue there went forth divine wisdom, while His age exhibited man's helplessness, and hence the Jews, amid the high things they hear and the lowly things they see, are perplexed with doubts and astonishment. But we can in no wise wonder, knowing the words of the Prophet, that thus unto us a Child is born, that He abideth the mighty God. (Is. 9:6.)

And they were astonished, etc. Here after the humiliation he adds the clarification: when it is said: And all who heard him were astonished at his understanding and his answers: because he answered most wisely, beyond estimation.

And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said to him, Son, why have you thus dealt with us? look, your father and I have sought you sorrowing.

And he said to them, How is it that you sought me? knew you not that I must be about my Father’s business?

Some passages, also, which occur in the Gospels, receive from them a colouring of the same kind, such as the answer which He gave His mother when He was twelve years of age: "Wist ye not that I must be about My Father's business?" Thus, they say, He announced to them the Father of whom they were ignorant.

He says this then by way of showing that He surpasses all human standards, and hinting that the Holy Virgin was made the handmaid of the work in bringing His flesh unto the world, but that He Himself was by nature and in truth God, and the Son of the Father most high.

(Metaphrastes et Geometer.) But the Lord Himself sets every thing at rest, and correcting as it were her saying concerning him who was His reputed father, manifests His true Father, teaching us not to walk on the ground, but to raise ourselves on high, as it follows, And he says unto them, What is it that you ask of me?

And they understood not the saying which he spoke to them.

Or they knew not whether when He said about my Father's business, He referred to the temple, or something higher and more edifying; for every one of us who doeth good, is the seat of God the Father; but whoso is the seat of God the Father, has Christ in the midst of him.

"But they did not understand" what He said to them, for this was a mystery.

And because the word was hidden, it is added: And they did not understand: First Corinthians 2: "We speak wisdom hidden in mystery"; and Tobit 12: "It is good to hide the secret of a king." In this, however, that Christ, when he was corrected, humbly excused himself, and when he was invited by his Mother to perform a miracle, responded harshly, he gave us an example and pattern…

And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.

And at the same time attend to this: that, as long as he was in the possession of his Father, he was above. And because Joseph and Mary did not yet have full faith, for that reason they could not remain above with him, but he is said to have come down with them.

It is written that before His baptism He was subject unto His parents; "He went back with them to Nazareth, and was subject unto them." But observe that, after the baptism, when He was delivering a rule of life which was more perfect than this to the children of men, He was not persuaded to acknowledge parents after the body.

(ubi sup.) All that time of the life of Christ which He passed between His manifestation in the temple and His baptism, being devoid of any great public miracles or teaching, the Evangelist sums up in one word, saying, And he went down with them.

And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.

I blush not at an error which I have ceased to hold, because I am delighted at having ceased to hold it, because I recognise myself to be better and more modest. No one blushes at his own improvement. Even in Christ, knowledge had its stages of growth; through which stages the apostle, too, passed.

And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. This passage refutes both the Manichaeans and the Apollinarians alike, showing that the Lord truly had flesh and a true soul. For as stature pertains to the body, so wisdom and favor pertain to the soul.

That besides uncreated wisdom Christ had also created wisdom is argued thus: Jesus advanced in wisdom and age and grace before God and men; but this could not be through uncreated wisdom. Therefore, besides that wisdom he had created wisdom.

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