1 And the prynce of prestis seide to Steuene, Whethir these thingis han hem so?
John Chrysostom · AD 407 "Then," it proceeds, "said the high-priest, Are these things so?" Observe, the question is put with mildness, that he may effect some great mischief. For this reason Stephen too begins his speech in a tone of gentleness.
Oecumenius · AD 550 "they saw his face." It even happens that someone who is in a lower rank appears graceful and splendid. Therefore, so that those to whom he was about to speak might be struck dumb by his words, he begins with a facial display, by which his words are more easily received.
Bede · AD 735 Then the high priest said. In the Greek text, it is added to Stephen; and then it is appended: "Are these things so?"
2 Which seide, Britheren and fadris, here ye. God of glorie apperide to oure fadir Abraham, whanne he was in Mesopotamie, bifor that he dwelte in Carram, and seide to hym,
Irenaeus · AD 202 And still further, Stephen, who was chosen the first deacon by the apostles, and who, of all men, was the first to follow the footsteps of the martyrdom of the Lord, being the first that was slain for confessing Christ, speaking boldly among the people, and teaching them, says: "The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham, ...
Oecumenius · AD 550 In another way. See how he leads them away from bodily things, and meanwhile from place, attributing glory to God, not to place. For he himself is the source of glory, not in need of the glory which is by us through the temple.
Theophylact of Ohrid · AD 1107 They themselves did not even consider that they were permitting themselves blasphemous actions, yet they accuse him of blasphemy for his words. Moses was always on their mind – they were not so much concerned with the works of God as with the ordinances of Moses.
3 Go out of thi loond, and of thi kynrede, and come in to the loond, which Y schal schewe to thee.
John Chrysostom · AD 407 "And said unto him, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and come into a land which I shall show thee." "And from thy kindred." How then saith the Scripture, that Abraham's father was willing to go out? Hence we learn, that it was in consequence of Abraham's vision, that his father was moved to join in the migration.
Bede · AD 735 "Leave your country and your kindred and come into the land I will show you." Then he left the land, etc. The land and kindred of Abraham refers to the homeland and race of the Chaldeans, from where he had long since left, who now lived in Mesopotamia, but because he left with hope of returning and longing, he hears from the Lord: "Leave your country." Not to physically move hi…
Theophylact of Ohrid · AD 1107 "Go out of your land and from your kindred." How then does Scripture say that Abraham's father wished to go out (see Gen. 11:31), while here it says that Abraham was told "go out of your land"? From this we conclude that the appearance of God to Abraham influenced his father, and he wished to go out from the land of the Chaldeans.
4 Thanne he wente out of the loond of Caldeis, and dwelte in Carram. And fro thens aftir that his fader was deed, he translatide him in to this loond, in which ye dwellen now.
John Chrysostom · AD 407 "Then came he out," it says, of the land of the Chaldeans: and that if one look closely into the matter, the Jews are of Persian origin: and that, without miracles, one must do as God bids, whatever hardships be the consequence; since the Patriarch left both the grave of his father and all that he had, in obedience to God's command.
5 And he yaf not to hym eritage in it, nethir a paas of a foot, but he bihiyte to yyue hym it in to possessioun, and to his seed aftir hym, whanne he hadde not a sone.
Irenaeus · AD 202 Thus, then, the promise of God, which He gave to Abraham, remains stedfast. For thus He said: "Lift up thine eyes, and look from this place where now thou art, towards the north and south, and east and west.
Oecumenius · AD 550 The first example is taken from Abraham, showing that one ought not to hasten what is delayed by divine promises, for Abraham indeed sought to hasten the departure of his descendants from Egypt: although it was revealed to him that their imprisonment was to be prolonged for four hundred years, and that with much affliction and subjection into slavery, and not merely some subjec…
Theophylact of Ohrid · AD 1107 "And gave him no inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set his foot on." Observe how by his discourse about the promised land he leads them to the truth. Why did the Lord not give an inheritance to Abraham? Because this land was a type of another land.
6 And God spak to hym, That his seed schal be comling in an alien lond, and thei schulen make hem suget to seruage, and schulen yuel trete hem, foure hundrid yeris and thritti;
Tertullian · AD 220 For whence was Noah "found righteous," if in his case the righteousness of a natural law had not preceded? Whence was Abraham accounted "a friend of God," if not on the ground of equity and righteousness, (in the observance) of a natural law?
Bede · AD 735 For his seed shall be a stranger in a foreign land, and they shall subject them to slavery and mistreat them for four hundred years.
Theophylact of Ohrid · AD 1107 "And God said to him that his descendants would be sojourners in a foreign land." See how many years before the promise was given and its type existed, and there was never a type of sacrifice, never a type of circumcision. But by this he also shows how God allowed the Israelites to endure misfortunes, even though there was nothing for which they were guilty.
7 and Y schal iuge the folk, to which thei schulen serue, seith the Lord. And after these thingis thei schulen go out, and thei schulen serue to me in this place.
Theophylact of Ohrid · AD 1107 "But I," said God, "will judge that nation which they shall serve..." Those who afflicted them did not do so with impunity, because the Jews endured bitter and harsh slavery, since the Egyptians regarded them not as slaves, but as enemies and adversaries.
8 And he yaf to hym the testament of circumcisioun; and so he gendride Ysaac, and circumcidide hym in the eiyt dai. And Isaac gendride Jacob, and Jacob gendride the twelue patriarkis.
John Chrysostom · AD 407 "And he gave him the covenant of circumcision: and so he begat Isaac." Here he lets himself down to lower matters. "And circumcised him on the eighth day: and Isaac begat Jacob, and Jacob the twelve patriarchs." Here he seems to hint now at the type.
Theophylact of Ohrid · AD 1107 The promises are given to the descendants, while the calamities are given to the ancestors. And the fathers were commanded by the law to circumcise the foreskin because Abraham came out of the land of the Chaldeans; for the Chaldeans, as well as the Medes and Persians, were permitted by the customs of their fathers to marry their mothers and sisters.
9 And the patriarkis hadden enuye to Joseph, and selden hym in to Egipt.
John Chrysostom · AD 407 "And God was with him"--this also is for them--"and delivered him out of all his afflictions." He shows that unknowingly they helped to fulfill the prophecy, and that they were themselves the cause, and that the evils recoiled on their own selves. And he shows, that the saints were not exempt from tribulation, but that in their very tribulations they obtained help.
Theophylact of Ohrid · AD 1107 "They sold Joseph into Egypt." Not knowing of any fault in their brother, they treated him so badly, and moreover at the time when he had come to them with food for them, and by their action they furthered the prophecy without realizing it, involuntarily becoming the agents of his prosperity, though only after many trials for him.
10 And God was with hym, and delyuerede hym of alle hise tribulaciouns, and yaf to hym grace and wisdom in the siyt of Farao, king of Egipt. And he ordeynede hym souereyn on Egipt, and on al his hous.
John Chrysostom · AD 407 "And God was with him"-this also is for them-"and delivered him out of all his afflictions." He shows that unknowingly they helped to fulfil the prophecy, and that they were themselves the cause, and that the evils recoiled on their own selves.
11 And hungur cam in to al Egipt, and Canaan, and greet tribulacioun; and oure fadris founden not mete.
John Chrysostom · AD 407 "Now there came a dearth over all the land of Egypt and Canaan, and great affliction: and our fathers found no sustenance. But when Jacob heard that there was corn in Egypt, he sent out our fathers first. And at the second time Joseph was made known to his brethren." They came down to buy, and had to depend upon him for everything. What then did he?
12 But whanne Jacob hadde herd, that whete was in Egipt, he sente oure fadris first.
13 And in the secounde tyme Joseph was knowun of hise britheren, and his kyn was maad knowun to Farao.
14 And Joseph sente, and clepide Jacob, his fadir, and al his kynrede, seuenti and fyue men.
Bede · AD 735 Joseph called his father Jacob and all his kin, seventy-five souls. He follows the Septuagint in saying this, but in the Hebrew truth, only seventy souls are found. And if you wish to count the series of souls in Genesis, adding Jacob himself and Joseph with his two sons who were in Egypt, you will find only seventy souls.
15 And Jacob cam doun in to Egipt, and was deed, he and oure fadris;
16 and thei weren translatid in to Sichen, and weren leid in the sepulcre, that Abraham bouyte bi prijs of siluer of the sones of Emor, the sone of Sichen.
Bede · AD 735 And they were placed in the tomb which Abraham bought for a sum of silver from the sons of Hamor, the father of Shechem. For Genesis teaches that Abraham bought the place of the tomb from Ephron, the son of Zohar the Hittite, in Cariatharba, for four hundred silver shekels, in which Abraham himself, Isaac, Jacob, and Adam the first man were buried.
Theophylact of Ohrid · AD 1107 "And he himself died, and our fathers; and they were carried over into Shechem." Abraham with his family and the patriarchs were buried in Shechem, which perhaps was called "Sichem." Abraham bought this place himself in order to bury Sarah. "And were laid in the sepulchre." Having said this, Stephen shows that Abraham even until his burial was not master of the land.
17 And whanne the tyme of biheeste cam niy, which God hadde knoulechid to Abraham, the puple waxede, and multipliede in Egipt,
John Chrysostom · AD 407 "But when the time of the promise drew nigh, which God had sworn to Abraham the people grew and multiplied in Egypt, till another king arose, which knew not Joseph." Then again, fresh disappointment: first, famine, but they came through that: secondly, the falling into the hands of their enemy: thirdly, the being destroyed by the king.
Bede · AD 735 But when the time of the promise which God had confessed to Abraham was drawing near, namely that which was said: And after these things, they will go out and serve me in this place.
Theophylact of Ohrid · AD 1107 The expression "as the time of the promise drew near" indicates not that they multiplied over the course of four hundred years, but that the end had to draw near, since four hundred and more years had already passed in Egypt.
18 til another kyng roos in Egipt, which knewe not Joseph.
Theophylact of Ohrid · AD 1107 "The people grew and multiplied in Egypt." If regarding Joseph it is worthy of admiration that he was sold by his brothers and, having been sold, delivered them from famine, then even more admirable is the fact that the king raised the one who was destined to undermine his power (that is, Moses); the one who was supposed to be put to death by the person who condemned him to dea…
19 This bigilide oure kyn, and turmentide oure fadris, that thei schulden putte awey her yonge children, for thei schulden not lyue.
John Chrysostom · AD 407 "The same dealt subtly with our kindred, and evil-entreated our fathers, that they should cast out their young children, to the end they might not live." "Dealt subtly:" he hints at their not liking to exterminate them openly: "that they should cast out their young children," it says.
Oecumenius · AD 550 Moreover, this season of visitation according to Christ also appears. During which all shadowy and typical things are transferred to the truth according to the Gospel.
Theophylact of Ohrid · AD 1107 "Forcing… to cast out their young children, to the end they might not live." This expression hints that the king did not want the killing of the infants to be carried out openly.
20 In the same tyme Moyses was borun, and he was louyd of God; and he was norischid thre monethis in the hous of his fadir.
John Chrysostom · AD 407 "In which time," it says, "Moses was born, and was exceeding fair." If the former circumstance was wonderful, that Joseph was sold by his brethren, here again is another circumstance more wonderful still, that the king "nourished" the very person who was to overthrow his dominion, being himself the person that was to perish.
Oecumenius · AD 550 At that time, then, Moses was born, it says, and he was pleasing to God, that is, well-pleasing or beloved of God. The word "pleasing" primarily signifies one sinless in body in childhood.
Theophylact of Ohrid · AD 1107 "Moses… was beautiful before God." The parents gave birth and saw that the child was beautiful, because grace was flourishing in him. Having seen that he was beautiful, they spared him, but, frightened by the decree, they hid him.
21 And whanne he was put out in the flood, the douyter of Farao took hym vp, and nurischide hym in to hir sone.
John Chrysostom · AD 407 "And when he was cast out, Pharaoh's daughter took him up, and nourished him for her own son." Not a word of Temple, not a word of Sacrifice, while all these Providences are taking place. And he was nourished in a barbarian house.
Theophylact of Ohrid · AD 1107 And so they cast him in, and God inspires the daughter of Pharaoh, who knew nothing of this, to go out to the river. She went out, knowing nothing, and found what she was not seeking — she received the infant from the ark.
22 And Moises was lerned in al the wisdom of Egipcians, and he was myyti in his wordis and werkis.
Irenaeus · AD 202 Josephus says, that when Moses had been brought up in the royal palaces, he was chosen as general against the Ethiopians; and having proved victorious, obtained in marriage the daughter of that king, since indeed, out of her affection for him, she delivered the city up to him.
Gregory of Nyssa · AD 395 Thus Moses led the people out of Egypt, and everyone who follows in the steps of Moses in this way sets free from the Egyptian tyrant all those guided by his word.
Theophylact of Ohrid · AD 1107 "And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians." Neither Moses, nor Ananias and Daniel with those who were with them, would have received a foreign education if necessity and the violence of despots had not compelled them to it, because it was of no use to them for anything—unless, perhaps, someone might say that receiving an education was good in order to uproot the…
23 But whanne the tyme of fourti yeer was fillid to hym, it roos vp `in to his herte, that he schulde visite hise britheren, the sones of Israel.
John Chrysostom · AD 407 "And when he was full forty years old." Forty years he was there, and was not found out from his being circumcised. Observe, how, being in safety, they overlook their own interests, both he and Joseph, in order that they may save others: "And when he was full forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel."
24 And whanne he say a man suffringe wronge, he vengide hym, and dide veniaunce for hym that suffride the wronge, and he killide the Egipcian.
John Chrysostom · AD 407 "And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended him, and avenged him that was oppressed, and smote the Egyptian: for he supposed his brethren would have understood how that God by his hand would deliver them: but they understood not." See how up to this point he is not yet offensive to them; how they listened to him while he said all this.
Oecumenius · AD 550 For the Savior, seeing that those from Israel endured covetousness terribly (for Satan leapt upon them as though crushing them), had mercy and intended to free them. Having somehow killed the one destined to do wrong, he hid him in the earth, that is, he shut him up among the underworld into Hades.
Theophylact of Ohrid · AD 1107 "Having struck down the Egyptian," Moses avenged the one being oppressed by him. He did not kill the Egyptian out of frenzy or anger, but out of zeal for God. And that which is done out of zeal for God, even if it be killing, is not murder. Here is what Moses heard from the Lord concerning Phinehas, who killed two with one hand: "Phinehas… took a spear in his hand.
25 For he gesside that his britheren schulden vndurstonde, that God schulde yyue to hem helthe bi the hoond of hym; but thei vndurstoden not.
Oecumenius · AD 550 He declares, then, that this ingratitude arose from here, and against the benefactors [εὐεργέτας] it was treacherous among the Jews. For Moses, who in anger once struck down the wrongdoer, his fellow-countryman, is now treated with leniency toward the wrongdoer.
Theophylact of Ohrid · AD 1107 Moses supposed that his brethren understood that God was granting them deliverance through him. Moreover, God's protection was evident from the very deeds themselves — what further understanding was needed? Yet even so, they did not understand.
26 For in the dai suynge he apperide to hem chidinge, and he acordide hem in pees, and seide, Men, ye ben britheren; whi noyen ye ech othere?
John Chrysostom · AD 407 "And the next day he showed himself unto them as they strove, and would have set them at one again, saying, Sirs, ye are brethren; why do ye wrong one to another?" Do you mark with what mildness he addresses them? He who had shown his wrath in the case of the other, shows his gentleness in his own case.
Theophylact of Ohrid · AD 1107 "On the next day, when some of them were fighting, he appeared and urged them toward peace." See how kindly the one who had shown such anger toward the Egyptian speaks: "You are brothers; why do you wrong one another?" But pay attention to the response: "Who made you a ruler and judge over us?" The very same words that were later said to Christ.
27 But he that dide the wronge to his neiybore, puttide hym awey, and seide, Who ordeynede thee prince and domesman on vs?
John Chrysostom · AD 407 "But he that did his neighbor wrong thrust him away, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge over us?" Mark; the very words which they said to Christ: "Who made Thee ruler and judge over us?" So habitual a thing was it for Jews to wrong their benefactors when in the act of receiving benefits!
Bede · AD 735 Who made you a ruler and judge over us? In his entire speech, he convicted them, already then being contrary to the law and Moses.
Theophylact of Ohrid · AD 1107 But pay attention to the response: "Who made you a ruler and judge over us?" The very same words that were later said to Christ. To repay good with insult — that is in the spirit of the Jews.
28 Whethir thou wolt sle me, as yistirdai thou killidist the Egipcian?
John Chrysostom · AD 407 Mark; the very words which they said to Christ: "Who made Thee ruler and judge over us?" So habitual a thing was it for Jews to wrong (their benefactors) when in the act of receiving benefits! And again, mark the atrocious baseness: "As thou didst the Egyptian yesterday!
29 And in this word Moises flei, and was maad a comeling in the loond of Madian, where he bigat twei sones.
John Chrysostom · AD 407 "Then fled Moses at this saying, and was a stranger in the land of Midian, where he begat two sons." But neither did flight extinguish the plan of Providence, as neither did death (i.e. the death of Christ).
30 And whanne he hadde fillid fourti yeer, an aungel apperide to hym in fier of flawme of a buysch, in desert of the mount of Syna.
John Chrysostom · AD 407 "And when forty years were expired, there appeared to him in the wilderness of mount Sinai an angel of the Lord in a flame of fire in a bush." Do you mark that it is not hindered by lapse of time?
Oecumenius · AD 550 Now he calls the Son of God an angel, just as elsewhere he calls him a man. For he is the angel of great counsel. (Isa. 9:6 LXX) Therefore shortly afterwards he shows him speaking to the blessed Moses: "I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob." He is revealed in a flame of fire in a bush.
Theophylact of Ohrid · AD 1107 But his flight did not disrupt God's plans either, because it is said: "when forty years were fulfilled, the Angel of the Lord appeared to him in the wilderness of Mount Sinai" — He appeared when Moses was in flight, when he did not even hope to return, since he already had two sons. But notice: Stephen now calls the Son of God both an Angel and a man.
31 And Moises siy, and wondride on the siyt. And whanne he neiyede to biholde, the vois of the Lord was maad to hym,
Bede · AD 735 And as he came near to observe, the voice of the Lord came: I am the God of your fathers. In the Greek it is written thus: A voice came from heaven saying to him: I am the God of your brothers, remove the sandals from your feet. For the place where you stand is holy ground.
32 and seide, Y am God of youre fadris, God of Abraham, God of Ysaac, God of Jacob. Moises was maad tremblynge, and durste not biholde.
John Chrysostom · AD 407 "I am the God of thy fathers, the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." Lo! how He shows that He is none other than "the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob"--He, "the Angel of the Great Counsel." Here he shows what great loving-kindness God herein exhibits. "Then Moses trembled, and durst not behold.
Theophylact of Ohrid · AD 1107 But his flight did not disrupt God's plans either, because it is said: "when forty years were fulfilled, the Angel of the Lord appeared to him in the wilderness of Mount Sinai" — He appeared when Moses was in flight, when he did not even hope to return, since he already had two sons. But notice: Stephen now calls the Son of God both an Angel and a man.
33 But God seide to hym, Do of the schoon of thi feet, for the place in which thou stondist is hooli erthe.
Gregory of Nyssa · AD 395 It is upon us who continue in this quiet and peaceful course of life that the truth will shine, illuminating the eyes of our soul with its own rays. This truth, which was then manifested by the ineffable and mysterious illumination that came to Moses, is God.
Oecumenius · AD 550 What then is the riddle signified by the sandal? It is necessary to say that the sandal is a sign of death and corruption. For every sandal is a remnant of an animal already dead. Therefore the mind attempting to ascend to the divine contemplations must cast off every dead and fleshly imagination like some pair of sandals, and understand the mystery according to Christ.
Theophylact of Ohrid · AD 1107 "Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you stand is holy ground." The place is holy because of the appearance of Christ and is worthy of greater wonder than that which was in the Holy of Holies, because there was never such an appearance there.
34 Y seynge say the turmentyng of my puple that is in Egipt, and Y herde the mornyng of hem, and Y cam doun to delyuere hem. And now come thou, and Y schal sende thee in to Egipt.
John Chrysostom · AD 407 Prayer is a mighty weapon if it be made with suitable mind. And that thou mayest learn its strength, continued entreaty has overcome shamelessness, and injustice, and savage cruelty, and overbearing rashness.
Theophylact of Ohrid · AD 1107 "Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you stand is holy ground." The place is holy because of the appearance of Christ and is worthy of greater wonder than that which was in the Holy of Holies, because there was never such an appearance there.
35 This Moises whom thei denyeden, seiynge, Who ordeynede thee prince and domesman on vs? God sente this prince and ayenbiere, with the hoond of the aungel, that apperide to hym in the busch.
John Chrysostom · AD 407 Marvel not, he says, if they on whom Christ confers His benefits refuse His kingdom, seeing in the case of Moses it was just the same. "He brought them out;" and rescued them not in a general way, but also while they were in the wilderness. Do you mark that they themselves (Stephen's hearers) are concerned in those old miracles also?
Theophylact of Ohrid · AD 1107 That Moses, who was in danger for his life, whom the Israelites counted as nothing and rejected, God raised up and "sent through the Angel who appeared to him in the burning bush." The one whom Stephen calls an Angel, Moses saw and called God.
36 This Moises ledde hem out, and dide wondris and signes in the loond of Egipt, and in the reed see, and in desert fourti yeeris.
John Chrysostom · AD 407 "Wonders and signs," etc. He shows, that the prophecy must by all means be fulfilled, and that Moses is not opposed to Him. "Which said unto the children of Israel, A prophet," etc. He shows, that the prophecy must by all means be fulfilled, and that Moses is not opposed to Him.
37 This is Moises, that seide to the sones of Israel, God schal reise to you a profete of youre bretheren, as me ye schulen here him.
Pseudo-Clement · AD 400 "But also a witnessing voice was heard from heaven, saying, 'This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear Him.' And in addition to this, willing to convict more fully of error the prophets from whom they asserted that they had learned, He proclaimed that they died desiring the truth, but not having learned it, saying, 'Many prophets and kings desired to see what ye s…
Bede · AD 735 This is Moses who said to the sons of Israel: God will raise up for you a prophet from among your brothers, like me. Like me, visible in the flesh, but more wonderful in majesty and more terrible in majesty than I.
Theophylact of Ohrid · AD 1107 "This is that Moses who said to the sons of Israel: 'The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet from among your brethren, like me,'" that is, like me, counted as nothing for that for which he should much sooner have been deemed worthy of honor. Pharaoh wanted to kill Moses, and Moses fled; and Herod wanted to kill the Lord, and the Lord escaped into Egypt.
38 This it is, that was in the chirche in wildirnesse, with the aungel that spak to hym in the mount of Syna, and with oure fadris; which took words of lijf to yyue to vs.
Irenaeus · AD 202 Luke also has recorded that Stephen, who was the first elected into the diaconate by the apostles, and who was the first slain for the testimony of Christ, spoke regarding Moses as follows: "This man did indeed receive the commandments of the living God to give to us, whom your fathers would not obey, but thrust Him from them, and in their hearts turned back again into Egypt, s…
John Chrysostom · AD 407 "This is he that was in the Church in the wilderness, and, that said unto the children of Israel." Do you mark that thence comes the root, and that "salvation is from the Jews?" "With the Angel," it says, "which spake unto him." Lo, again he affirms that it was He (Christ) that gave the Law, seeing Moses was with "Him" in the Church in the wilderness.
Theophylact of Ohrid · AD 1107 "This is he who was in the congregation in the wilderness with the Angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai." The words before us show that people become better or worse not because of their location, for those spoken of here, though already outside of Egypt in terms of place, were in Egypt in their disposition and did not abandon thoughts of Egyptian customs, as the Gospel also s…
39 To whom oure fadris wolden not obeie, but puttiden hym awei, and weren turned awei in hertis in to Egipt,
Tertullian · AD 220 For, withal, according to the memorial records of the divine Scriptures, the people of the Jews-that is, the more ancient-quite forsook God, and did degrading service to idols, and, abandoning the Divinity, was surrendered to images; while "the people" said to Aaron, "Make us gods to go before us." And when the gold out of the necklaces of the women and the rings of the men had…
John Chrysostom · AD 407 Then follows the charge, in the first instance, against the patriarchs [after], the "signs and wonders," after the receiving of the "lively oracles: To whom," he says, "our fathers would not obey." But concerning those, Ezekiel says that they are not "living;" as when he says, "And I gave you statutes that are not good." It is with reference to those that he says, "Living.
40 seiynge to Aaron, Make thou to vs goddis, that schulen go bifore vs; for to this Moyses that ledde vs out of the lond of Egipt, we witen not what is don to hym.
John Chrysostom · AD 407 "And said unto Aaron, Make us gods which shall go before us." O the folly! "Make," say they; "that they may go before us." Whither? "Into Egypt." See how hard they were to tear away from the customs of Egypt! What sayest thou? What, not wait for him that brought thee out, but flee the benefit, and deny the Benefactor?
Theophylact of Ohrid · AD 1107 "Make us gods." Not God, but gods.
41 And thei maden a calf in tho daies, and offriden a sacrifice to the mawmet; and thei weren glad in the werkis of her hondis.
John Chrysostom · AD 407 "Make us gods"-they did not say, "a God."-And yet one may well wonder at this, that they do not even know.-"And they made a calf in those days, and offered sacrifices unto the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their own hands": for which they ought to have hid their faces.
Theophylact of Ohrid · AD 1107 "And they made a calf in those days." The same is found in David: "and they made a calf at Horeb" (Ps. 106:19). And Horeb is not mentioned without purpose, but in order to show the extreme madness of the Israelites: here God appeared to Moses, and here they made idols and offered sacrifices to them.
42 And God turnede, and bitook hem to serue to the knyythod of heuene, as it is writun in the book of profetis, Whether ye, hous of Israel, offriden to me slayn sacrificis, ether sacrificis, fourti yeris in desert?
John Chrysostom · AD 407 "As it is written in the Book of the Prophets"-and observe, he does not cite the text without a purpose, but shows by it that there is no need of sacrifices; saying: "Did ye offer slain beasts and sacrifice to Me?"-He lays an emphasis on this word (to Me?).
Bede · AD 735 And he handed them over to serve the host of heaven, as it is written in the book of the prophets. He says this in the singular because among the Hebrews there is one book of the twelve prophets, and not twelve books, according to the number of those same prophets.
Theophylact of Ohrid · AD 1107 The expression "gave over… to serve" is used in place of "permitted," just as in the Apostle Paul's words "God gave them over to a debased mind" (Rom.
43 And ye han take the tabernacle of Moloc, and the sterre of youre god Renfam, figuris that ye han maad to worschipe hem; and Y schal translate you in to Babiloyn.
John Chrysostom · AD 407 "Yea, ye took up the tabernacle of Moloch, and the star of your god Remphan: images which ye made to worship them." The cause of sacrifices! "And I will carry you away beyond Babylon." Even the captivity, an impeachment of their wickedness!
Bede · AD 735 And the star of your god Remphan. You have forsaken (he says) the true and living God, and you have taken the star of Remphan, that is, your own creation, as God. But it signifies Lucifer, to whose worship the Saracen people were enslaved in honor of Venus. And because Remphan (as I said) means either your creation or your rest, the prophet subsequently added, and said:
Theophylact of Ohrid · AD 1107 "You took up the tabernacle of Moloch and the star of your god Remphan." The divine Moses went up to the mountain to receive the law, and they, Israelites by blood, stood before Aaron, saying: "Make us a god" (Ex. 32:1). So they made a calf in the wilderness, and this calf was an obvious idol; and gradually they fashioned many other idols as well.
44 The tabernacle of witnessing was with oure fadris in desert, as God disposide to hem, and spak to Moyses, that he schulde make it aftir the fourme that he say.
John Chrysostom · AD 407 "Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as he had appointed, speaking unto Moses, that he should make it according to the fashion he had seen." "But a Tabernacle," say you, "there was (the Tabernacle) 'of Witness.'" (Yes,) this is why it was: that they should have God for Witness: this was all.
Bede · AD 735 The tabernacle of testimony was with our fathers in the desert. Because they said he was acting against the holy place, here he shows that the Lord does not greatly esteem decorated stone but desires the splendor of heavenly souls.
Theophylact of Ohrid · AD 1107 "The tabernacle of witness was with our fathers in the wilderness." They had it in order to have God as a witness. He calls it the tabernacle of testimonies, that is, of miracles and commandments. "As He who spoke to Moses commanded." The establishment of the tabernacle took place on the mountain, and in the wilderness it was portable, not fixed in one place.
45 Which also oure fadris token with Jhesu, and brouyten in to the possessioun of hethene men, whiche God puttide awey fro the face of oure fadris, til in to the daies of Dauid,
John Chrysostom · AD 407 "Which also, our fathers that came after brought in." "As He had appointed, that spake unto Moses, that he should make it according to the fashion that he had seen." Again, it was none other than He (Christ) that gave the fashion itself. "Until the days of David": and there was no temple!
46 that fonde grace anentis God, and axide that he schulde fynde a tabernacle to God of Jacob.
John Chrysostom · AD 407 "Until the days of David," he says: even David, and no Temple! "And he sought to find favor before God": and built not:-so far was the Temple from being a great matter! David "desired to find favor:" and he builded not, he, the wonderful, the great; but the castaway, Solomon.
47 But Salomon bildide the hous `to hym.
John Chrysostom · AD 407 "But Solomon," it says, "built Him an house." They thought Solomon was great: but that he was not better than his father, nay not even equal to him, is manifest.
Oecumenius · AD 550 In the four hundred eightieth year after the exodus of the sons of Israel from Egypt, Solomon began to build the temple in Jerusalem, as the third book of Kings relates.
48 But the hiy God dwellith not in thingis maad bi hoond,
John Chrysostom · AD 407 "Howbeit the Most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet, Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool." Nay, not even these are worthy of God, forasmuch as they are made, seeing they are creatures, the works of His hand. See how he leads them on by little and little (showing) that not even these are to be mentioned.
49 as he seith bi the profete, Heuene is a seete to me, and the erthe is the stool of my feet; what hous schulen ye bilde to me, seith the Lord, ether what place is of my restyng?
Bede · AD 735 Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. This is not to be understood carnally, as if God has members placed in heaven and on earth, as we do when we sit, but to indicate that he is within and above all, he claimed that heaven is his throne and the earth his footstool.
50 Whether myn hoond made not alle these thingis?
51 With hard nol, and vncircumcidid hertis and eris ye withstoden eueremore the Hooli Goost; and as youre fadris, so ye.
Tertullian · AD 220 What is more manifest than the mystery of this "wood,"-that the obduracy of this world had been sunk in the profundity of error, and is freed in baptism by the "wood" of Christ, that is, of His passion; in order that what had formerly perished through the "tree" in Adam, should be restored through the "tree" in Christ?
Oecumenius · AD 550 For what reason, when he had yet been speaking gently, does he now use a harsh tone? Because he saw that they were not paying attention with their minds to the things that were being said.
Theophylact of Ohrid · AD 1107 Why does he who until now had been speaking to the people gently here use harsh words? Because he saw that they were paying no attention to what was being said. "You always resist the Holy Spirit" – not only now.
52 Whom of the profetis han not youre fadris pursued, and han slayn hem that bifor telden of the comyng of the riytful man, whos traitouris and mansleeris ye weren now?
John Chrysostom · AD 407 "Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which showed before of the coming of the Just One:" he still says, "the Just One," wishing to check them: "of Whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers"-two charges he lays against them-"who have received the Law by the disposition of Angels, and have not kept it."
Theophylact of Ohrid · AD 1107 "Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute?" If your fathers killed these foreheralds, then there is nothing surprising that I, who preach the One foretold by them, will be killed by you, who take too much pride in your ancestors.
Bonaventure · AD 1257 The third high reputation concerns merits, miracles and martyrdom. And this certainty of truth appears when a man wills to die for the truth he preaches, such as Isaiah who was cut up, Ezechiel who was killed, Jeremiah and also the other prophets. Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted?
53 Whiche token the lawe in ordynaunce of aungels, and han not kept it.
Tertullian · AD 220 For he, too, says that the world was originated by those angels; and sets forth Christ as born of the seed of Joseph, contending that He was merely human, without divinity; affirming also that the Law was given by angels; representing the God of the Jews as not the Lord, but an angel.
Oecumenius · AD 550 For this is, "certain of you have received the law as commands of angels." And some also say this, that the one who was ordered by angels and entrusted through an angel to Moses, the one who appeared to him in the bush. "As regulations," instead of "according to the commands," just as those gave orders to Moses, having appeared in the bush and on the mountain. [CHRYSOSTOM]
Theophylact of Ohrid · AD 1107 For he says: "You have now become betrayers and murderers… you who received the law through the ministry of Angels and did not keep it," that is, arranged by Angels and delivered by the One who appeared in the bush. He shows that they did not obey and do not obey either God, or Angels, or prophets, or the Spirit.
54 And thei herden these thingis, and weren dyuersli turmentid in her hertis, and grenneden with teeth on hym.
John Chrysostom · AD 407 See, once more, the wrong-doers in trouble. Just as the Jews are perplexed, saying, "What are we to do with these men?" so these also are "cut to the heart." And yet it was he that had good right to be incensed, who, having done no wrong, was treated like a criminal, and was spitefully calumniated. But the calumniators had the worst of it in the end.
Cassiodorus · AD 585 "Now hearing these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed with their teeth. "The unbelieving, unable to tolerate Stephen's preaching, were hastening unanimously to effect his death. Stephen, raising his eyes to heaven, saw the Son standing on the right hand of the Father.
Theophylact of Ohrid · AD 1107 If the Jews wanted to kill Stephen, then why did they not kill him immediately? Because they wanted to present a plausible pretext for their audacity, since the insult he had caused them was not a plausible pretext for killing him; moreover, what they considered an insult to themselves was not his own insult, but rather a rebuke made to the Jews by a prophet.
55 But whanne Steuene was ful of the Hooli Goost, he bihelde in to heuene, and say the glorie of God, and Jhesu stondinge on the riythalf of the vertu of God. And he seide, Lo! Y se heuenes openyd, and mannus sone stondynge on the riythalf of the vertu of God.
Tertullian · AD 220 He is seen by Stephen, at his martyrdom by stoning, still sitting at the right hand of God [Acts 7:55] where He will continue to sit, until the Father shall make His enemies His footstool. [Hebrews 10:12-13] He will come again on the clouds of heaven, just as He appeared when He ascended into heaven. [Acts 1:11]
Theodoret of Cyrus · AD 458 The divine nature is invisible, but the thrice blessed Stephen said that he saw the Lord, so even after the resurrection the Lord's body is a body, and it was seen by the victorious Stephen, since the divine nature cannot be seen.
Gregory the Dialogist · AD 604 We must consider what it means that Mark says: He sits at the right hand of God; while Stephen says: I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing at the right hand of God. What does it mean that Mark testifies he is sitting, while Stephen testifies that he saw him standing?
56 And thei crieden with a greet vois, and stoppiden her eris, and maden with o wille an assauyt in to hym.
Hegesippus · AD 180 The aforesaid Scribes and Pharisees therefore placed James upon the pinnacle of the temple, and cried out to him and said: 'You just one, in whom we ought all to have confidence, forasmuch as the people are led astray after Jesus, the crucified one, declare to us, what is the gate of Jesus.' And he answered with a loud voice, 'Why do you ask me concerning Jesus, the Son of Man?…
Cosmas Indicopleustes · AD 550 This is Stephen the first martyr of the New Testament and the first Deacon, who had for his slayer the great Paul while he was as yet zealous for the law—who alone by himself contended against the whole synagogue and made the Judge of the contest rise from his seat to witness the spectacle.
Bonaventure · AD 1257 If you take a straight look at the leaders of the city, the foremost chief is Christ. In terms of the fight, although the angels and the saints help, yet the principal contender is Christ.
57 And thei brouyten hym out of the citee, and stonyden. And the witnessis diden of her clothis, bisidis the feet of a yong man, that was clepid Saule.
John Chrysostom · AD 407 Just what they did in Christ's case, the same they do here also. For as He said, "Ye shall see the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of God" (Matt. xxvi. 64), and they, calling it blasphemy, "ran upon Him;" just so was it here. There, they "rent their garments;" here, they "stopped their ears." ...
Oecumenius · AD 550 They continued, who had falsely testified against the saint.
Theophylact of Ohrid · AD 1107 When Christ said: "You shall see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand" (Matt. 26:64), the Jews called this blasphemy and attacked Him. So too now: having heard the words of Stephen, they rushed at him. But then they tore their garments, while here they "stopped their ears."
58 And thei stonyden Steuene, that clepide God to help, seiynge, Lord Jhesu, resseyue my spirit.
Arator · AD 544 Insane, rebellious Judea, you hurl stones against Stephen, you who will always be stony because of your hard crime.
Gregory the Dialogist · AD 604 Often one who is seen to come after us surpasses us through the swiftness of good work, and tomorrow we scarcely follow him whom today we seemed to precede. Certainly when Stephen was dying for the faith, Saul was guarding the garments of those who were stoning him.
Theophylact of Ohrid · AD 1107 "And having led him out of the city, they began to stone him." Finding themselves utterly unable to put an end to Stephen's speech, they "began to stone him." Even if he had been speaking falsely, he should have been released as a madman. But if he was speaking the truth, they should rather have marveled.
59 And he knelide, and criede with a greet vois, and seide, Lord, sette not to hem this synne. And whanne he hadde seid this thing, he diede.
Tertullian · AD 220 With this strength of patience, Esaias is cut asunder, and ceases not to speak concerning the Lord; Stephen is stoned, and prays for pardon to his foes. Oh, happy also he who met all the violence of the devil by the exertion of every species of patience!
Arator · AD 544 O martyr, embark on struggles which will cause happy deaths, where punishment is glory and to fall is a rising, and by slaughter is born immortality embracing the rewards of everlasting life. Lo, to have merited thus to die was the beginning of a blessed life without end.
Theophylact of Ohrid · AD 1107 "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit" is a saying that teaches and shows them that he will not perish. "They were stoning Stephen." Since justification is accomplished by faith in Christ, and in Him human nature received innocence in abundance and granted us a new right, by virtue of which our souls no longer go to Hades, but, as before, are sent into the hands of the Living God, kno…