Translation from the Book

Ὁ Θεός στήν ἱστορία τῆς Ἐκκλησίας, Βοήθημα Κατωτέρου Κατηχητικοῦ Γ΄,

ἐκδ. «Χριστιανική Ἐλπίς» Ὀρθόδοξη Ἀδελφότητα, Θεσσαλονίκη 2016, σσ. 159-163

  Have you ever seen a desperate man? It’s easy to tell them apart because of their gloomy face and the way they struggle to talk or walk.
  Miserable and disappointed two of Christ’s students were walking towards their village named Emmaus. They were walking slowly because they felt their legs heavy but their heart was heavier. For a long time they were silent. After a while they started discussing something but they were whispering as if they were afraid to be overheard. They were talking about their teacher, Jesus, Whom the teachers of the Law and the archpriests arrested, judged, and condemned to death by crucifixion overnight. These events had caused them great pain and were the reason for their gloom.
  At some point they heard footsteps behind them. They turned around and saw a Stranger walking. In a minute he caught up with them and was walking beside them.
  - What are you discussing that makes you look so sad?
 - What else? The events of the past few days.
  - Which events?
  - Have you not heard what happened in Jerusalem these days? Haven’t you heard of Jesus from Nazareth? No prophet has ever spoken as He did. His words filled our hearts with strength, light, and joy! No one has done such great miracles! He made blind people see and paralyzed people walk, He cured lepers and brought dead people back to life. He even resurrected Lazarus in Bethany, who had been in the tomb for four days!
  - Nevertheless, the archpriests and the rulers arrested Him secretly at night, sentenced Him and crucified Him! We hoped that he was Jesus the Messiah, our savior. Now our dreams are ruined and our hopes are dead!
  - Today is the third day since all that happened. Some women of His disciples startled us early in the morning. They had gone to his tomb to offer their myrrh but they didn’t find His body! They supposedly saw angels who told them that He lives.
  - Some of His disciples run to the tomb and found it empty. We no longer hope to see Him again.
  Then the Stranger spoke.
  - How slow you are in mind and heart! Why didn’t you think that in this way the prophecies are fulfilled? Shouldn’t the Messiah suffer before he was glorified?
  He began explaining the prophecies of the Old Testament about the Messiah. His words soothed their pain and gave them strength.
  - But I must leave you now. I’m going farther.
  They were close to their village. What a pity! They didn’t want to part ways with Him! They started pleading: “Stay with us!”. They tried to find a reason or a solid argument to keep Him around.
  - It’s getting dark, stay with us!
  - We will put you up, stay with us!
  - Your words helped us relax, you consoled us, stay with us!
  They said it several times: “Please, stay with us!”. The Stranger accepted their offer to stay in their place.
  The two students were really happy! They set the table to offer Him a meal. Although they couldn’t explain it, they felt so nice in the company of that Stranger. The pain and melancholy that pressed their heart were gone. Before they started eating the Stranger took the bread, blessed it and divided it. There was something familiar in His movements. Who else used to bless the bread and divide it that way?
  Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Him; it was Jesus, their beloved teacher! How did they not realize it sooner? They felt a light, a fire in their heart as He was talking to them!
  They couldn’t tell any of those thoughts to their teacher because he vanished. He was resurrected so he could appear and disappear whenever He wanted.
  They two students immediately set off to return to Jerusalem. Now they weren’t walking slowly with heavy legs. Now they were running! Their faces were glowing of happiness. They wanted to meet the other students and tell them that Christ had really risen and they had seen Him!
 

Stay with us

  This is the great truth, our Christ has risen and the Christians can’t help spreading the word. The Resurrection assures us that Christ, who had the power to come back to life from the dead, is the real God! After Easter and until the celebration of Ascension the Christians greet each other with the words:
  - Christ is risen!
  - Indeed He is risen!
  There is no greater joy; our most feared enemy Death is dead! The resurrected Christ is beside us all the time.
  In order for Christ to stay at our side, we need to ask Him. He is the kindest and most polite visitor. He comes close only if we ask Him to. Remember the two students who pleaded “Stay with us!”. They said it many times and they meant it because they didn’t want to be deprived of His company. It’s a sweet prayer which we can say all the time:
• on the way to our school or job
• when we study
• before we fall asleep at night
• when we pray
• whenever something bothers us
• when our family deals with a serious problem
• when our country faces difficulties or dangers
  We should insistently ask Christ to stay with us and then we will enjoy His sweet company.

I have nothing to fear when almighty Christ is near!
Your presence, Christ, beside me is my safety and joy!

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Dr Despoina M. Kalogeraki, Bth, Mth, PhD

The Value of Pedagogy

  Pedagogy for the eminent father of the 4th century, is “an art above all arts” and “a science superior to all other”¹. Every art is useful and every piece of knowledge is necessary. Nevertheless, to know how to form young people’ soul is the ultimate task. If a coppersmith or a goldsmith, St. Chrysostom explains, fashion their pots and vessels with great effort, the teacher, “has a far mightier craft (than theirs)”, namely, “he is beating into shape not vessels of gold, but the soul, which is more precious than all gold, even as the smith hammers out his vessel. For it is no material vessel that he is working at, but he is freeing their soul from all imaginations belonging to this life”².
  Moreover, the work of a pedagogue is greater than the work of even, a king. For, the latter is in charge of ruling his town with justice, but the former is expected to lead the soul of youth, which happens to be not an ordinary town but a “golden town”³. Thus, the fact that the soul of a child is a “golden town”, makes the work of a pedagogue valuable and superior to all other professions. Besides, St. Chrysostom exhorts us, “you should consider everything of secondary importance in relation to the care of children”⁴. For, if we managed to solve all social problems but we failed to solve the issue concerning the pedagogy of children, we would succeed nothing. On the contrary, if we managed to take care of the upbringing of our children, there would be no unsolved problem⁵. Thus, for St. Chrysostom, the value of the agogi is as much as the value of the soul· and, needless to say, there is nothing equal to soul. For, it is written, “what will it profit (us) if (we) gain the whole world but forfeit (our) life? Or what will (we) give in return for (our) life?” (see Matt 16:26)⁶.
  At this point we should point out what we have already mentioned above namely, the fact that the basis of St. Chrysostom’s pedagogy is his theology. The prototype of the “good and virtuous” (Gk καλός κἀγαθός)⁷ that was set forth when John Chrysostom studied in Athens near famous teachers and philosophers, who happen to be idolaters, was not enough for him⁸. Ηis pedagogical ideas were not limited to the human categories. The task of agogi becomes priceless when one acknowledges the value of human life, the value of humans’ soul. Having as starting point that “humans are an icon of God”⁹ and they are worthy of honor “more than anything in God’s creation”¹⁰, Chrysostom as an anthropologist, underlines both the greatness and at the same time, the tragedy of human nature. He teaches that human nature can only be comprehended if proper attention to its origin is to be paid. All humans are God’s live icons. And among all people, children represent “the great legacy”¹¹ that humans have. Hence, the task of pedagogy is the highest one· in Chrysostom’s words, “the art of the arts”¹².

.................................................

1. “For teaching (ruling spiritually) is an art, not merely a dignity, and an art above all arts. For if the rule of those without is an art and science superior to all other, much more this. For this rule is as much better than that, as that than the rest· rather, even much more”. See, On Corinthians, PG 61, 506· See also, St. Sakkos, “The art of the arts”Pedagogical courses by St. John Chrysostom, ed. Christianiki Elpida, Thessaloniki 2014.

2. On Acts, PG 60, 204.

3. About vanity and how are the parents supposed to raise their children 54, ΕΠΕ 30, 674.

4. On Ephesians, PG 62, 151.

5. Chrysostom, On Ephesians, PG 62, 151.

6. It has to be noted that in this article the NSRV edition of the Bible is to be followed.

7. See M. Siotis, Christianity and Humanism, Athens 1969.

8. The use of the phrase “καλόςκἀγαθός” is attested since Herodotus and the classical period. The phrase is adjectival, composed of two adjectives, καλός (beautiful) and ἀγαθός (good in the sense of virtuous), the second of which is combined by crasis with καί (and) to form κἀγαθός. There is thematic discussion of kalokagathia (καλοκαγαθία noun) in Aristotle’s Eudemian Ethics (Book VIII, ch. 3 (1248b).

9. “For if men for making statues and painting portraits of kings enjoy so great honor, shall not we who adorn the image of the King of kings, (for man is the image of God,) receive ten thousand blessings, if we effect a true likeness?”. See, On Ephesians, PG 62, 154.

10. On the Gospel of John, ΕΠΕ 14, 32.

11. On Ephesians, PG 62, 546.

12. On Corinthians, PG 61, 506.

 Copyright © 2021 by Orthodox Christian Association «ΧΡΙΣΤΙΑΝΙΚΗ ΕΛΠΙΣ» ΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΗ ΑΔΕΛΦΟΤΗΤΑ. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

 From the Book

The Catechetical Homilies of St. Cyril Archbishop of Jerusalem
Edited by Despoina M. Kalogeraki, Ph.D.
Published by Orthodox Missionary Fraternity of Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki 2011

  St. Cyril, bishop of Jerusalem and one of the “Fathers of the Church”, was born most probably in Jerusalem about 316 A.D, just about the time the emperor Constantine legalized Christianity in the Roman Empire (313 A.D.) and reposed in peace probably 18 March 386 A.D, shortly after the Second Ecumenical Council of Constantinople (381 A.D) which completed the Creed often known as the Nicene Creed. In the East his feast is observed on the 18th of March. Little is known of his life. We gather information concerning him from his younger contemporaries, Epiphanius, Jerome and Rufinus, as well as from the fifth-century historians, Socrates, Sozomen and Theodoret.
  He spent his whole life in Jerusalem where was consecrated bishop of the Holy City of David about 348 A.D by Acacius of Caesarea. St Cyril was banished from his Jerusalem see a total of three times for his bold proclamation of faith in Christ’s full divinity during a time when many bishops and emperors were in favour of various forms of the Arian¹ heresy. Being zealous for the Orthodox faith, he was exiled three times by the Arian Emperors Constantius and Valens.
  St. Cyril attended the great Council of Constantinople in 381 A.D, the Second Ecumenical Council, at which Theodosius ordered the Nicene faith (the one of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea in 325 A.D), now a law of the empire, to be promulgated. According to the Second Council of Constantinople Cyril proved himself to be one of the greatest fighters against Arianism.
  The extant works² of St. Cyril of Jerusalem include a sermon on the Pool of Bethesda, a letter to the emperor Constantius describing a wonderful cross of light extending from Golgotha to the Mount of Olives, a cross which appeared in the air during the celebration of Pentecost in 351 A.D, four small fragments of other homilies of his, and the famous “Catecheses”, which are presented in this book and which are among the most precious remains of Christian antiquity.

............................

1. Arianism is the theological teaching of Arius (250-336 A.D.), a Church priest, who was deemed a heretic at the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea in 325 A.D. and pronounced a heretic again after his death at the Second Ecumenical Council of Constantinople in 381 A.D. According to the heretic Arius, God the Father and the Son did not exist together eternally. The Son was not God himself but he was created by the Father in time.

2. See Patrologia Graeca 33, 331-1180.

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Dr Despoina M. Kalogeraki, Bth, Mth, PhD

  It is a fact that St. Chrysostom, “the great ecumenical teacher”, as the Orthodox Church chants, has not written a, let us say, systematic pedagogical piece of work, in the strict sense of the word. However, if we were to study his hermeneutical works thoroughly, we would gather a treasure of teaching elements about pedagogy (Gk παιδαγωγία). He actually belongs to the chorus of founders of Christian pedagogy. Since his pedagogy is being based on theology, it has undoubtedly a timeless value. St. Chrysostom was not a philosopher¹. On the contrary, he was a theologian whose teaching was first and foremost, a living experience. It is said that St. Chrysostom was the stubborn champion of assiduous Bible reading, even among the laity. This very fact makes his pedagogical principles part of his theology.
  Being an eminent pedagogue and, as a matter of fact, excellent connoisseur of human psychology², St. Chrysostom with his teaching has introduced a timeless, integrated pedagogical system.
  The period that Chrysostom lived (344/354-407), was a rather difficult time in many aspects. That is why Christian teaching was accepted by people from every social class. During this very period, spiritual fathers of the Church, apart from St. John Chrysostom, having as a starting point the teaching of the Holy Scripture and simultaneously, based on the Holy Tradition (Gk Παράδοσις)³, have studied fundamental issues of the education (Gk ἀγωγή “agogi” meaning the act of leading), in other words, issues concerning pedagogy (Gk παιδαγωγία meaning leading young people-παῖδες- by teaching). Thus, the foundation of what we call “Christian pedagogy”⁴ has been laid by a number of Christian teachers of that period.
  All these enlightened teachers were inspired by the teaching of the foremost teacher, the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. We also have to mention the pedagogical concepts of St. Paul⁵ who was the most eminent pedagogue in Christ (Gk ἐν Χριστῷ), as well. His teaching exemplifies the connection and interdependence between theology and pedagogy in Christ. For, as St. Paul confesses “it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me” (Gal 2:20)⁶. Thus, he is the one who embodies the teaching of Jesus Christ the Teacher and our Savior.
  Let us briefly refer to the pedagogical works of the teachers of the first Christian centuries, during which fathers of the Church have actually formed the pedagogical system of the Church. It has been accurately said that Christianity is a “religion of pedagogy”⁷. I esteem that it is a very proper characterization as its ultimate goal is to lead all people who are God’s children, to their final destination, namely near God. For, God “desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth (1Tim 2, 4).
  Moreover, during that “golden” period of the history of the Christian Church, there were people who have written relative works. Firstly, Clement of Alexandria (2nd century), has written the “Pedagogue”⁸, Basil the Great (+379), John Chrysostom (+407), as an ecclesiastical teacher and preacher at the same time⁹, Jerome (+420) and St. Augustine (+430). Additionally, St. Cyril of Jerusalem (+386) has written the Catecheses¹⁰, St. Gregory of Nyssa (+394) and Kassianos the Roman (end of the 4th century)¹¹ as well. All the above mentioned, have put together the axioms that form the Christian pedagogy, which is not a secular approach to the issue of counseling young people but an approach through the prism of Christian theology. These axioms and principles stay unchanged in our spiritual tradition and remain valid till today. Contemporary teachers, ascetics like St. Prorfyrius, Paisius the Athonite, Sofronios of Essex and many others have continued to espouse and underscore the principles of pedagogy that have been laid on the basis of Orthodox theology.
  Specifically, the pedagogical and phycological principles of the teaching of St. Chrysostom, are embedded in many of his pieces of work¹² but there are some of them that would be of special interest to our subject matter¹³. Namely, homily “to a widow must be said that…”, homily “to Anna…”, homily 21st “on Ephesians”, homily 9th “on the first letter to Timothy”, homily 27th “about children’ upbringing”, Logos 3nd “to a faithful father”, homily 21st “on the Gospel of Matthew” and homily “About vanity and how are parents supposed to raise up their children”¹⁴.
  Let us have a look at some of John Chrysostom’s fundamental pedagogical ideas. We will explore some ideas concerning the value and the purpose of “agogi” and the profile of a pedagogue as well, according to Chrysostom’s pedagogical system. Examining these aspects of St. Chrysostom’s pedagogical ideas, we will witness the interrelation between theology and pedagogy in his thought.

To be continued

....................................

1. As he actually notes in his exegesis “you teach by words? But this is easy, to philosophize in words: teach me by your life· that is the best teaching. You say that it is right to be moderate, and you make a long speech about this thing, and play the orator, pouring forth your eloquence without a check?” St. Chrysostom, On Acts, Homily XXX.

2. A. Danassis, Johannes Chrysostomos, Pädagogisch – Pshychologische Ideen in seinem Werk, PhD work, Bonn, 1971, Bouvier Verlag Herbert Grundmann. Also, see S. Seidlmayer, Die Pädagogik des Johannes Chrysostomus, München, 1923, Münster, 1926.

3. Gk ἹεράΠαράδοσις, meaning the teaching of the Holy Scripture as it is interpreted by the very life of the Church. There are four main sources, the Word of God laid down in the Holy Scripture, the definitions of the Councils, the liturgical texts and the writings of the Fathers. For the Orthodox Church, the Holy Scripture on the one hand and the Holy Paradosis (tradition) on the other are the two pillars of its faith.

4. J. Kogoulis, Catechetical and Christian Pedagogy, ed. Kyriakidis, Thessaloniki 1990.

5. A. Mpitsakis, The education of man according to St. Paul, ed. Gregory, Athens 1968

6. References from the Bible, as well as abbreviations of them (see pp. xxvii-xxviii) follow New Standard Revised Version of the Bible.

7. D. Moraitis, Pedagogical ideas of the three Hierarchs, ed. Gregory, Athens 1968.

8. Clement of Alexandria, All works, The Pedagogue, 1 EΠΕ, 112, ed. “Gr. Palamas”, 1992.

9. See P. Mpratsiotis, The revival of the Three Hierarchs through the centruries, ed. Ap. Diakonia, Athens 1972.

10. St. Cyril of Jerusalem, Catecheses, ed. “Etoimasia”, Kareas 1991.

11. Abbas Kassianos, Talking with the fathers of the desert, ed. “Etoimasia”, Kareas 2004 (vol. A), 2006 (vol. B).

12. See bibliography

13. For the English translation in this article, Philip Schaff’s translation is followed wherever necessary.

14. Concerning this homily there is a dispute among the interpreters with regard to its fraternity. See D. Moraitis, John Chrysostom’s pedagogy, About vanity and how are the parents supposed to raise their children, Library “Papyrus”, n. 96, Athens 1940. With regard to the fraternity issue see pp. 3-20.

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Translation from the Book

Ὁ Θεός στήν Καινή Διαθήκη, Βοήθημα Κατωτέρου Κατηχητικοῦ Β΄,

ἐκδ. «Χριστιανική Ἐλπίς» Ὀρθόδοξη Ἀδελφότητα, Θεσσαλονίκη 2015, σσ. 102-107

Mt 14:1-12

  Do you know who is the greatest man of all ages? Among women, it is Virgin Mary, the Mother of God. Among men it is Saint John the Baptist. He is so great that Christ himself praised him! He is the greatest prophet, the one who pointed to Christ with his hand and was worthy of baptizing Him in the Jordan River. He is the greatest (askitis) monk, who lived for many years in the desert with strict fasting and prayer. He had such an ascetic life that he is presented as an angel in the icons.
  This great man lost his life - not just died but he had a horrible martyrdom - because of a dance. You all know Herod, the king, who slaughtered the infants of Bethlehem, because he feared the newborn Jesus. This Herod had a son who, after his father’s death, became a King and was called Herod the tetrarch.
  The new king was not at all a good example for his people. His life was covered in sin and immorality. He had even taken his brother’s wife, named Herodias. This was too immoral and illegal! But no one dared to speak to the king about this dishonesty. Everyone wanted to be on good terms with him. All? Only one dared to raise his voice without fear. And this was John the Baptist. "King," he told him, "it is not lawful for you to have her!"
  And what did the king do? Did he realize his mistake? Did he regret it? No! Instead, he sent soldiers to arrest John and threw him into a dark prison. He would also wish to kill him, but he was afraid that the people who loved John, might revolt against him. So, in the prison of Machairous, the most courageous and holy person was rotting away.
  But even from prison John did not stop criticizing the immoral Herod: "King! You are not allowed to do what you do". Herodias, his illegitimate wife, however, was disturbed by John’s criticism more than Herod himself. She could not bear to hear the voice of John the Baptist. She wanted to get him out of the way. “How dare he speak such words about the royal couple!” So, she was looking for an opportunity to get rid of him and the opportunity soon appeared.
  On the day Herod had his birthday, he invited all the officials of the area for a feast. So, when everyone had started getting drunk, they were left speechless by an impressive spectacle: A young girl, Salome, showed up. She was the daughter of Herodias. She was provocatively dressed, loaded with jewelry and excessive make-up and she started dancing in a very sinful way.
  But the half-drunk Herod, instead of being ashamed, was proud of her. As soon as the dance was over, blinded by drunkenness, he called her close to him and said: "Ask me what you wish! I will give you up to half of my kingdom!".
  What should Salome ask for? She ran and asked her mother, the wicked Herodias. Here was the opportunity she was waiting for! There was no need for her to think much about it. She advised her daughter “You will ask for John's head on a platter”! Salome without wasting a moment ran into the dining hall and while the food was being served to the guests, she asked for John's head on a platter!
  Did the king hear well? Did she ask for John's head? Yes! Herod, as he had sworn in front of his guests that he would give Salome whatever she would ask for, gave the order. Ηe sent his soldier to behead John in the prison. Since then, king Herod had not been able to calm down. Saint John was no longer alive but his name created remorse and fear to the King. He feared that one day he would be resurrected and avenge his death.
  In Orthodox Church there is a period called "Triodion". During this period, the Church invites us to prepare ourselves with prayer and fasting to welcome the great days of the Passion and the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. On the contrary, what do many people do these days? They go to parties and feasts. Various clubs, associations and schools organize their annual dance during this period. In many cities, during these days of the Triodion, the carnival is celebrated with various events and parades of the masked people.
  a. In the dances that take place during this period, people are used to masquerading. Masquerade parties are held. And what is wrong with that? This custom starts from an infamous pagan custom. The history of masquerade has its roots in ancient times, when people worshiped the god Dionysus with drunkenness and masquerading. Hiding behind a mask, they could commit any sin they would otherwise be ashamed to commit.
  b. The beautiful dances of our homeland have grace and cultural value. Do they dance in this way at masquerade parties? Unfortunately, no! Other dances that are foreign, furious and provocative. Some of them reminds us of Salome’s dancing! People get used to them, of course, because they watch them on screens. But, what we watch on TV is not always right and moral.
  c. When people get drunk, they do not know what they are doing. They usually do things they later regret. All their sinful desires awaken in their drunkenness and they are unable to resist. They willingly give in to what is wicked and sinful. Remember Herod! He did not hesitate, drunk as he was, to hand over, to that corrupt girl, the head of the greatest Saint on a platter!
  It is helpful to know all these, now that you are still young, so that as you grow older you can keep yourselves safe. Christ wants his children to rejoice, but with genuine joy! And there are, indeed, so many ways to have fun and rejoice in the pure, true joy of our Christ! For example, in Christian summer camps you can find: games, dances, great fun, endless joy ... In this way, "entertainment" guides our soul in a correct path and raises it higher and higher!
  Please Lord, give me strength to resist to any kind of fun that is sinful.

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Translation from the Book

Ὁ Θεός στήν Καινή Διαθήκη, Βοήθημα Κατωτέρου Κατηχητικοῦ Β΄,

ἐκδ. «Χριστιανική Ἐλπίς» Ὀρθόδοξη Ἀδελφότητα, Θεσσαλονίκη 2015, σσ. 46-50

  All children feel happy when parents go to school to check on their progress and they get praised. They feel happy when the teachers say how well they do at class and how well-behaved they are. Imagine how much happier we all would feel if we got praised not by any man but by Christ Himself!
  Our Lord Jesus Christ started his public ministry in Capernaum. That's where he spoke highly of a Roman army officer in front of the crowds that followed Him. “He surpasses all Israelites” Jesus said! What did He see in that man that caused His admiration?
  Upon Jesus entering the city of Capernaum, a centurion approached Him. At that time a centurion in the Roman army was like a captain, who commanded a force of a hundred soldiers. There were a lot of Roman soldiers in Palestine because it was a region conquered by the Romans.
  What could a centurion possibly want from Christ? Was he suffering from a disease and therefore needed His help? Christ had already been widely known for His miracles. The news about Him were spreading fast, His reputation was constantly growing. Everyone was talking about how He had healed a lot of people with serious illnesses.
No, the centurion didn't come to Christ to help himself. He was asking Him for something, he was even begging, but not for a personal problem. That is what he was pleading about: “Lord, my servant has fallen seriously ill. He lies at home paralyzed and he is suffering terribly.”
  Everyone was surprised. A centurion was pleading on behalf of his servant! Servants were deprived of freedom and human rights. The only purpose of their existence was to serve their masters by working hard all day long. They were considered to be their masters' property that could be sold or mistreated. A master had the right to kill his servants if they got sick or caused trouble, like people did with their livestock.
  This is why everyone was astonished by the centurion's imploring words for his servant. Christ was the only one that wasn't stunned, since He saw so much love in that man's heart. The centurion loved and cared for everyone, even the pitiful servants. He felt compassion for his servant who was suffering, ready to die.
  “I will come and heal him” our Lord assured the centurion. It was impossible to deny to a man with so much love and kindness. The centurion's eyes sparkled with joy and gratitude. But why did he look hesitant? What was bothering him?
  Apart from love, the centurion's heart was filled with humility. Although he was in the high ranks of the Roman army, he didn't think high of himself, he wasn't arrogant. “Lord”, he said humbly to our Christ, “I'm not worthy of your coming under my roof”. He believed he didn't deserve to receive the holy Teacher in his house!
  How could Christ heal his servant then? We admired his love. We also admired his modesty. But what deserves our greatest admiration is his faith. “My Lord” he told Him with complete confidence “Just say a word and my servant will be healed. For I myself obey the officers who are over me, and I give orders to my soldiers. I tell this one, 'Go' and he goes, and that one 'Come' and he comes. I say to my servant 'Do this' and he does it.”
  What great faith was hidden behind those words! He believed that Christ could heal his paralyzed servant, who couldn't even get out of bed, just with one word from afar! How could Christ disregard these words and not praise him? He declared in front of the crowd: “Truly I tell you, not even among Israelites have I found such great faith....” Then he turned to the faithful centurion and said: “Go and let it be done, just as you believed it would”. So, what the centurion believed with all his heart happened. At that moment his servant was healed!

The three great virtues of the soul

  The centurion didn't earn Christ's admiration because of his rank. Christ admired him for the virtues of his soul. Three bright stars adorned him like medals:
  a) Love
  How did he express his love? He did it by showing interest in his servant's health. He took the trouble to come and meet Christ, to beg Him for his servant's problem, even though servants were underrated. Is our soul adorned with love? Or do we only care about ourselves and our problems? Christ likes it so much when He sees us care for others.
♦ At home. Does mother need any help? We could make it easier for her by doing the shopping or taking care of little brothers and sisters.
♦ At school. Could we be of use to our classmates in case they have difficulties with their schoolwork? Some of our classmates might be in need of things we have plenty and could share.
♦ Relatives or neighbours. Is anyone sick and needs someone to keep them company? Our grandparents, who live alone, would be happy if we visited them!
We can think of many ways to show our love. Christ will be so happy for us!
  b) Modesty
  What does modesty mean?
♦ Not to brag about our talents and abilities.
♦ Not to think that the others are inferior to us.
♦ Not to get stubborn and all things to be done our way.
  A child who is modest
♦ Can comply
♦ Speaks politely to everyone
♦ He thinks that everything good he has is a gift from God.
  How dear is that child in the eyes of God (Isaiah 66,2)!
  c) Faith
  How did the centurion show his faith? (Children's own answers) He told Christ “Just say a word and my servant will be healed”.
  We should believe that, too, with all our heart: our God can do anything and nothing is impossible to Him. He created the universe with a word! He healed so many people with a word! When we face a problem, when we find ourselves in difficulties, let's ask for His help trustfully, faithfully, feeling certain that nothing is unsolvable for our God, no difficulty is insuperable!

Modesty, love and faith,
three stars bright
let my soul adorn,
pleasant to God's sight!

Copyright © 2021 by Orthodox Christian Association «ΧΡΙΣΤΙΑΝΙΚΗ ΕΛΠΙΣ» ΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΗ ΑΔΕΛΦΟΤΗΤΑ. All rights reserved.

Translation from the book:

Στεργίου Ν. Σάκκου, Ἑρμηνεία στό κατά Λουκᾶν Εὐαγγέλιο, τόμ. Α΄, 

ἐκδ. «ΧΡΙΣΤΙΑΝΙΚΗ ΕΛΠΙΣ» ΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΗ ΑΔΕΛΦΟΤΗΤΑ, Θεσ/νίκη 2008, σσ. 200-204

(Stergios N. Sakkos [Read CV], A Commentary on the Gospel according to St. Luke, vol. A', pp. 200-204)

4,40. Δύνοντος δὲ τοῦ ἡλίου πάντες ὅσοι εἶχον ἀσθενοῦντας νόσοις ποικίλαις ἤγαγον αὐτοὺς πρὸς αὐτόν· ὁ δὲ ἑνὶ ἑκάστῳ αὐτῶν τὰς χεῖρας ἐπιτιθεὶς ἐθεράπευσεν αὐτούς.
4:40 Now when the sun was setting, all those who had any that were sick with various diseases brought them to him; and he laid his hands on every one of them and healed them.

  The news of the healing of the demon-possessed man and Peter's mother-in-law spread like lightning. Mark notes that the whole city gathered outside Peter's house (see 1:33). After the sun had begun to set “when the sun was setting”, those who had sick eagerly approached the amazing physician who visited them. Since it was the Sabbath, in order not to violate the established holiday, they waited for the sunset, which meant the beginning of the new day.
  Usual diseases are characterized as “diseases” by Luke and are distinguished from the morbid manifestations due to demonic possession and are mentioned in the following verse. The same clear distinction between "those who were diseased” and those who were "possessed with devils" is made by the other two synoptic evangelists (see Mt 8:16; Mk 1:32).
  Why did Jesus lay his hand on the sick, “he laid his hands on every one of them”, when he could heal them from afar with a word? He seeks personal contact for the following reasons;
a) To show his special interest and affection.
b) To enable the patient's faith to contribute in the healing.
c) To show with this symbolic gesture the transmission of the divine healing power. He did not raise his hands to heaven to pray for the sick or to ask for help, but he put them on them, showing that he had the authority by his own power to give healing.

4,41. Ἐξήρχετο δὲ καὶ δαιμόνια ἀπὸ πολλῶν κραυγάζοντα καὶ λέγοντα ὅτι σὺ εἶ ὁ Χριστὸς ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ Θεοῦ. Καὶ ἐπιτιμῶν οὐκ εἴα αὐτὰ λαλεῖν, ὅτι ᾔδεισαν τὸν Χριστὸν αὐτὸν εἶναι.
4:41 And demons also came out of many, crying out and saying, “You are Christ the Son of God!” But he rebuked them, and would not allow them to speak, because they knew that he was the Christ.

  The “demons” experienced the Lord's power both from his confrontation with Satan in the wilderness (see vv. 3-13) and from the healing of the demon-possessed man in the synagogue of Capernaum (see vv. 33-35). They also knew the prophecies of the Old Testament. So, seeing them fulfilled in Jesus, they concluded that he would be the prophesied Christ. This explains their confession and Luke’s word; “they knew that he was the Christ”. This does not mean, of course, that they understood his divine nature and his mission (see comments on 4:3).
  For “he rebuked them” see comments on 4:35.

4,42. Γενομένης δὲ ἡμέρας ἐξελθὼν ἐπορεύθη εἰς ἔρημον τόπον· καὶ οἱ ὄχλοι ἐπεζήτουν αὐτόν, καὶ ἦλθον ἕως αὐτοῦ καὶ κατεῖχον αὐτὸν τοῦ μὴ πορεύεσθαι ἀπ᾿ αὐτῶν.
4:42 And at daybreak he departed and went into a desert place. And the people sought him and came to him, and detained him that He might not leave them;

  When the next day dawned, "at daybreak" according to Mark the evangelist (1:35), the Lord withdrew into the wilderness. He wanted to avoid the crowds, because he wished to make use of this day, the "one of the Sabbaths", in isolation, silence and prayer (see Mk 1:35). Thus, he both taught his disciples to avoid the ostentation and glory of the world and not to irritate his enemies’ envy.
  But the people “sought him”, they sought him persistently, until they found him. And then they “detained him”, made a living wall around him and tried to hinder him so that he could not depart from them. St. Chrysostom asks: Who would not want, to see his face? The Lord was not only admirable when he worked miracles; his face was so extraordinarily graceful that he attracted people. It was prophesied, moreover, that he would be "fairer than the children of men" Ps 45:2(44:3). The unique beauty of his face will also be seen by those who will be worthy to meet him in heaven (see 1 Jn 3:2).

4,43-44. Ὁ δὲ εἶπε πρὸς αὐτοὺς ὅτι καὶ ταῖς ἑτέραις πόλεσιν εὐαγγελίσασθαί με δεῖ τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ Θεοῦ· ὅτι εἰς τοῦτο ἀπέσταλμαι. Καὶ ἦν κηρύσσων εἰς τὰς συναγωγὰς τῆς Γαλιλαίας.
4:43-44 But he said to them, “I must preach the gospel of the kingdom of God to the other cities also; for I was sent for this purpose.” And he was preaching in the synagogues of Galilee.

  To the disciples, who were the first to find the Lord in his place of prayer and informed him of the persistent search of the multitude (see Mk 1:37) and to the inhabitants of Capernaum, who then surrounded him and begged him to stay in their city, he replied that he should preach the kingdom of God in other cities as well. The verb “must” indicates that his work had been predetermined and planned according to the divine will, according to which he would voluntarily live throughout his earthly life (cf. Lk 9:22; 13:33; 17:25; 19:5; 22:37; 24:7; 26; 44; 46).
  In the synagogues of Galilee, Jesus preached the joyful news that God's promises of the coming of His kingdom, which the Jews had been eagerly waiting for centuries, were now being fulfilled. His preaching was confirmed and validated by the miraculous signs he was performing (see Mt 4:23; Mk 1:39).

Copyright © 2021 by Orthodox Christian Association «ΧΡΙΣΤΙΑΝΙΚΗ ΕΛΠΙΣ» ΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΗ ΑΔΕΛΦΟΤΗΤΑ. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Translation from the book:

Στεργίου Ν. Σάκκου, Ἑρμηνεία στό κατά Λουκᾶν Εὐαγγέλιο, τόμ. Α΄, 

ἐκδ. «ΧΡΙΣΤΙΑΝΙΚΗ ΕΛΠΙΣ» ΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΗ ΑΔΕΛΦΟΤΗΤΑ, Θεσ/νίκη 2008, σσ. 197-200

(Stergios N. Sakkos [Read CV], A Commentary on the Gospel according to St. Luke, vol. A', pp. 197-200)

4,38. Ἀναστὰς δὲ ἐκ τῆς συναγωγῆς εἰσῆλθεν εἰς τὴν οἰκίαν Σίμωνος. Πενθερὰ δὲ τοῦ Σίμωνος ἦν συνεχομένη πυρετῷ μεγάλῳ, καὶ ἠρώτησαν αὐτὸν περὶ αὐτῆς.
4:38 And he arose and left the synagogue, and entered Simon’s house. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was ill with a high fever, and they besought him for her.

  After the synagogue the Lord “entered Simon’s house”, went into Peter's house. He did not avoid visits to the houses of the disciples; St Chrysostom notes “was not ashamed to enter their huts”. Commenting on the event, the holy Father points out that Jesus honored the disciples by his visit. He moved their hearts and made them more sensitive. Moreover, he taught to all of us a lesson of humility, simplicity and tolerance.
  Peter came from Bethsaida in Galilee, an insignificant town on the east bank of the Jordan, near the point where the river emptied in the Lake Gennesaret. Before his call to the apostolic office, he had made a family of his own and lived in the neighbouring city of Capernaum with his brother Andrew (see Mk 1:29).
  “Simon” is the Hellenized form of the Hebrew "Simeon" (Acts 15:14). At that time the Greek language was very widespread in Palestine. Most of the Jews spoke Greek in addition to their mother tongue. That is why they also took Greek names (e.g., Philippos, Andreas) or Hellenized their Hebrew names (e.g. Jacob-Iakovos, Matatha-Mattheos, Mariam-Maria, Saul-Savlos). Simeon was called by the Lord "Cephas", a Hebrew word meaning Peter i.e., rock (see Mt 16:18). So, the Hebrew "Simeon the Cephas" is in Greek "Simon the Peter" (see Mt 10:2;16,17-18; Jn 1:41-43; 2 Pet 1:1).
  The expression “was ill with a high fever” is a medical term. It is found in the writings of the physicians Hippocrates and Galen. Luke the physician also uses it in the Acts of the Apostles (see 28:8). The high fever determines the severity of the illness. Galen makes a clear distinction between "high" and "low" fevers. Luke's observation that the woman suffered from a high fever indicates that her condition was serious, posing a risk of death.
  It is not mentioned who “besought him for her”, who begged the Lord for her healing. Apparently, her family and the disciples who were present - James and John, the sons of Zebedee, fellow countrymen and partners of Peter (see Mk 1:29) - begged Christ to heal her. When a sick person could not approach the Lord because of his sickness or even because of his ignorance or age, if he was not unbelieving, the Lord accepted for his sake the pleas of others. He accepted, for example, the request of a woman of Canaan for the healing of her daughter (see Mt 15:21-28).
  St Chrysostom praises Peter's "modesty". While his mother-in-law had a high fever, he did not hurry to take Jesus home, but waited to complete his teaching and heal everyone else first. His attitude showed his respect for the Master and his kindness; he did not put his own needs before those of others.

4,39. Καὶ ἐπιστὰς ἐπάνω αὐτῆς ἐπετίμησε τῷ πυρετῷ, καὶ ἀφῆκεν αὐτήν· παραχρῆμα δὲ ἀναστᾶσα διηκόνει αὐτοῖς.
4:39 And he stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her; and immediately she rose and served them.

  Jesus approached the sick woman, not to make a diagnosis, but to show his affection. The fever was rebuked and subdued, as the demon was rebuked before (see v. 35). Matthew (see 8:15) and Mark (see 1:31) note that the Lord also touched the hand of the sick woman (see comments on v. 40).
  The sick woman was healed “immediately”. In fact, “she rose and served them”. This shows that Jesus healed her right away and perfectly, so that no time was needed for recovery. St. Theophylact observes "Not only does he heal her of the disease, but he also gives her strength and power to serve them".

Copyright © 2021 by Orthodox Christian Association «ΧΡΙΣΤΙΑΝΙΚΗ ΕΛΠΙΣ» ΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΗ ΑΔΕΛΦΟΤΗΤΑ. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Translation from the book:

Στεργίου Ν. Σάκκου, Ἑρμηνεία στό κατά Λουκᾶν Εὐαγγέλιο, τόμ. Α΄, 

ἐκδ. «ΧΡΙΣΤΙΑΝΙΚΗ ΕΛΠΙΣ» ΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΗ ΑΔΕΛΦΟΤΗΤΑ, Θεσ/νίκη 2008, σσ. 191-196

(Stergios N. Sakkos [Read CV], A Commentary on the Gospel according to St. Luke, vol. A', pp. 191-196)

  After his visit to Nazareth Jesus went to Capernaum. This city was an important trading center. In addition to the many residents, people from all over the province came there daily for various jobs. Capernaum thus provided suitable conditions for the preaching of the gospel to spread over a wide area. The evangelist Matthew describes it as his "own city" (9:1), because the Lord settled there and made it his base (cf. Mt 4:13. 23). During the three years of his preaching ministry, he was mainly confined to the region of Galilee, based in Capernaum, while he went to Judea only on the great feasts (see Jn 2:13; 5:1; 7:10; 10:22-23; 12:12), when many other Galileans went up there.

4,31-32. Καὶ κατῆλθεν εἰς Καπερναοὺμ πόλιν τῆς Γαλιλαίας, καὶ ἦν διδάσκων αὐτοὺς ἐν τοῖς σάββασι· καὶ ἐξεπλήσσοντο ἐπὶ τῇ διδαχῇ αὐτοῦ, ὅτι ἐν ἐξουσίᾳ ἦν ὁ λόγος αὐτοῦ.
4:31-32 And he went down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee. And he was teaching them on the sabbath days; and they were astonished at his teaching, for his word was with authority.

  Luke uses the phrase “went down” for the passage from the one city to the other, for Nazareth was built on the mountain (see v. 29), while Capernaum was built at a lower elevation, by the lake of Gennesaret, on the borders of the tribes of Zabulon and Nephthalim (see Mt 4:13). Addressing the Gentile Christians, who did not know the geography of the region, he also gives the information that Capernaum was also a “city of Galilee”.
  Jesus in the beginning was teaching in the synagogues “on the Sabbath days”, keeping the relevant commandment of the Decalogue; "Remember the Sabbath day, sanctify it" (Ex 20:8). Later, of course, he did not speak only in synagogues or only on the Sabbath day; he took advantage of every opportunity in every place, always causing the surprise and admiration of his audience for the power and authority of his sayings (see comments on 4:15).

4,33. Καὶ ἐν τῇ συναγωγῇ ἦν ἄνθρωπος ἔχων πνεῦμα δαιμονίου ἀκαθάρτου.
4:33 And in the synagogue there was a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon.

  The word "spirit" in the Holy Bible has many meanings. It means the air, the soul, the mind, evil spirits, angels, the Holy Spirit, God. In this particular verse it is made clear that it refers to the “spirit of an unclean demon”. Demons are unclean spirits who rejoice in vile deeds and pollute the minds of men with evil thoughts. They have lost their first purity since they sided with Lucifer and opposed the works of the holy God. They completely dominate the human being whom they conquer by abolishing his personality and his will. They speak with his mouth. They act and manifest their power with his limbs, even performing miracles, such as oracles or cures. The possessed under the influence of demons behave like madmen, they are wild and dangerous.
  In the days of Jesus' public ministry there were many demon-possessed people in Palestine. The Son of God came into the world "he might destroy the works of the devil" (1 Jn 3:8), and Satan used his powers to prevent him. Especially after his humiliation in the wilderness, he seemed that he had gathered all his troops in order to overcome his invincible opponent. The final frontal conflict, of course, took place on the cross.

4,34. καὶ ἀνέκραξε φωνῇ μεγάλῃ λέγων. ῎Εα, τί ἡμῖν καὶ σοί, Ἰησοῦ Ναζαρηνέ; Ἦλθες ἀπολέσαι ἡμᾶς; Οἶδά σε τίς εἶ, ὁ ἅγιος τοῦ Θεοῦ.
4:34 and he cried out with a loud voice. “Ah! What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.”

  It may cause some concern that a man with an unclean spirit was present in the synagogue. Probably he had entered without being noticed or perhaps he had no demonic manifestations for a long period of time, giving the impression that he was healthy. Jesus’ presence, however, disturbed the demon and under its influence, the possessed man “cried out with a loud voice”, burst into loud cries.
  The word “ἔα” (imperative of the verb "ἐάω-ῶ", which means "to leave") was used as an exclamation of surprise or displeasure, like the one we use “a!” or “ah!” Here denotes the displeasure of the demon. He was disturbed by the presence of Jesus, he was afraid and cried out. The expression “what have you to do with us” is stereotypical (cf. Judg 11:12; 2 Sam 16:10; 1 Kings 17:18; 2 Kings 3:13; Mt 8:29; Jn 2:4). Its meaning is determined by the relationship, affinity or difference that exists between the persons involved. In this case the demon with terror asked, "Is there any problem between us, Joshua Nazarene? We do not hurt you, we do not bother you. Why do you bother us? Have you come to destroy us?" Although the demon knew that Jesus was not born in Nazareth, he called him “Nazarene”, wanting to mislead the people who were waiting for the Messiah from Bethlehem. As noted elsewhere (Mt 8:29; Mk 5:7; Lk 8:28), the demons considered it a disaster not only to be destroyed but also to be removed from the possessed man. Because they would be no longer able to harm him and would be deprived of their greatest satisfaction. For the exact Messianic title, the Son of God, by which the demon addressed Jesus, see the comments on the corresponding "Son of God" of verse 4:3.

4,35. Καὶ ἐπετίμησεν αὐτῷ ὁ Ἰησοῦς λέγων· φιμώθητι καὶ ἔξελθε ἐξ αὐτοῦ. Καὶ ῥῖψαν αὐτὸν τὸ δαιμόνιον εἰς τὸ μέσον ἐξῆλθεν ἀπ᾿ αὐτοῦ, μηδὲν βλάψαν αὐτόν.
4:35 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” And when the demon had thrown him down in the midst, he came out of him, without doing him any harm.

  Jesus rebuked the demon, and commanded it to be silent and depart. He did not accept his revelation. Luke writes below that the Lord, as the absolute master of his work and plan, would not allow the demons to "advertise" Him; and would not allow them to speak" (v. 41). The same tactics were subsequently followed by the apostles. They did not accept the slightest service from the demons (see Acts 16:16-18).
  The evangelist emphasizes that the demon left, without harming the man at all. This, indeed, had made a very vivid impression on those present, for they had expected to see the possessed man dead or even wounded. The evangelist Mark, who also described the incident, noted that the demon "threw down the man and made him roll" (1:26) and came out of him. The Lord let the demon's wickedness show, but did not allow it to harm the man in the least, thus revealing his power and mercy.

4,36-37. Καὶ ἐγένετο θάμβος ἐπὶ πάντας, καὶ συνελάλουν πρὸς ἀλλήλους λέγοντες· τίς ὁ λόγος οὗτος, ὅτι ἐν ἐξουσίᾳ καὶ δυνάμει ἐπιτάσσει τοῖς ἀκαθάρτοις πνεύμασι, καὶ ἐξέρχονται; Καὶ ἐξεπορεύετο ἦχος περὶ αὐτοῦ εἰς πάντα τόπον τῆς περιχώρου.
4:36-37 And they were all amazed and said to one another, “What is this word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out.” And the fame of him went out into every place of the country round about.

  The people were astonished and talked among themselves about the miraculous authority and power Jesus’ word; he commanded the unclean spirits and they immediately obeyed and departed!
  After the demon-possessed man was healed, the fame of Jesus spread like lightning; “And the fame of him went out”. His word that had driven away the demon echoed like a resounding echo “into every place of the country round about”, in every town and village of Galilee.

Copyright © 2021 by Orthodox Christian Association «ΧΡΙΣΤΙΑΝΙΚΗ ΕΛΠΙΣ» ΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΗ ΑΔΕΛΦΟΤΗΤΑ. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Translation from the book:

Στεργίου Ν. Σάκκου, Ἑρμηνεία στό κατά Λουκᾶν Εὐαγγέλιο, τόμ. Α΄, 

ἐκδ. «ΧΡΙΣΤΙΑΝΙΚΗ ΕΛΠΙΣ» ΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΗ ΑΔΕΛΦΟΤΗΤΑ, Θεσ/νίκη 2008, σσ. 183-191

(Stergios N. Sakkos [Read CV], A Commentary on the Gospel according to St. Luke, vol. A', pp. 183-191)

  Jesus' visit to Nazareth is recounted in detail by the evangelist Luke, while the other evangelists mention it briefly (see Mt 13:53-58; Mk 6:1-6).

4,16. Καὶ ἦλθεν εἰς τὴν Ναζαρέτ, οὗ ἦν τεθραμμένος, καὶ εἰσῆλθε κατὰ τὸ εἰωθὸς αὐτῷ ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῶν σαββάτων εἰς τὴν συναγωγήν, καὶ ἀνέστη ἀναγνῶναι.
4:16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up; and he went to the synagogue, as his custom was, on the sabbath day and he stood up to read.

  Jesus was born in Bethlehem, but after his return from Egypt he settled and lived in Nazareth; for this reason, he was given the nickname "Nazarene" (Mt 2:23). At the beginning of his public ministry, and after having previously preached and worked miracles in the greater region of Judea and Galilee, “he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up”. He wished to visit his countrymen, to pay tribute to the place where he had been brought up; St. Theophylact writes "that he may teach us, first to benefit and teach our familiar persons and then to pour out charity to others.".
  In Nazareth he went to the synagogue, “as his custom was”, on the Sabbath day. It was Jesus’ custom, all the time he was in Nazareth, to go to the synagogue every Sabbath. This habit of his shows that it is a God-pleasing act to attend the sacred assemblies of the believers.
  In the synagogue the speakers read the passage standing up, thus expressing their respect for the sacred text. Jesus, who for years had been a mere listener and learner in that place, rose as a teacher this time to read, “he stood up to read”, and then he boldly preached to his countrymen.

4,17. Καὶ ἐπεδόθη αὐτῷ βιβλίον Ἠσαΐου τοῦ προφήτου, καὶ ἀναπτύξας τὸ βιβλίον εὗρε τὸν τόπον οὗ ἦν γεγραμμένον.
4:17 And there was handed to him the book of the Prophet Isaiah and opening the book, he found the place where it was written.

  The books of that time were in the form of a roll, which was kept in a scroll. The whole Old Testament was contained in twenty-two scrolls. The servant of the synagogue gave to the Lord “the book of the Prophet Isaiah”, that is, the corresponding scroll. The Lord unrolled the roll and found the scheduled passage of the day; it was the first two verses of the 61st chapter of Isaiah's prophecy.

4,18-19. Πνεῦμα Κυρίου ἐπ᾿ ἐμέ, οὗ εἵνεκεν ἔχρισέ με, εὐαγγελίσασθαι πτωχοῖς ἀπέσταλκέ με, ἰάσασθαι τοὺς συντετριμμένους τὴν καρδίαν, κηρῦξαι αἰχμαλώτοις ἄφεσιν καὶ τυφλοῖς ἀνάβλεψιν, ἀποστεῖλαι τεθραυσμένους ἐν ἀφέσει, κηρῦξαι ἐνιαυτὸν Κυρίου δεκτόν.
4:18-19 "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He has anointed me. He has sent me to preach the gospel to the poor, to heal the brokenhearted, to announce release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to send away free those whom tyranny has oppressed, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord”.

  The passage which Jesus read in the synagogue of Nazareth concerned the person of the Messiah, the salvation and the glory which he would offer to God's people. The Messiah spoke with the mouth of the prophet Isaiah and said, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He has anointed me.” In him the Holy Spirit rests and makes him the above all and sole "Christ". His mission was summarized as follows:
  a) “He has sent me to preach the gospel to the poor”; he brings a message of happiness to the poor, that is, to the humble and despised who seek God and await divine redemption.
  b) “to heal the brokenhearted”; he gives healing to those who are broken-hearted, to the desperate and disappointed.
  c) “to announce release to the captives”; he preaches deliverance from the yoke of the captivity of Satan and sin.
  d) “recovery of sight to the blind”; he gives to the blind a light, both natural and spiritual.
  e) “to send away free those whom tyranny has oppressed”; he gives forgiveness, healing and restoration to the broken and weary, to the failed people. He gives them hope and opens a way out of their deadlock.
  It is noteworthy that the Lord formulates the fifth goal of his mission using a passage from an earlier chapter of Isaiah (see 58:6) and not from the specific passage (Is 61:1-2), which he used for the other goals. As the owner and possessor of the Holy Scriptures, he could, of course, use them freely. Finally, in the next sentence he summarizes all the aims of his mission.
  f) “to preach the acceptable year of the Lord”; He preaches the jubilee year of God. Every fifty years the Jews proclaimed with trumpets and drums the beginning of the jubilee year, during which debts were cancelled, slaves were freed, and fields were left uncultivated (see Lev 25:8-13). The purpose of this feast was to maintain equality among the Israelites and to keep the land fallow. It was a foretaste of the Messianic era, when the faithful would enjoy fatherly goodness, which forgive sins, free them from their passions, give them light and spiritual restoration, true rest and peace.

4,20. Καὶ πτύξας τὸ βιβλίον ἀποδοὺς τῷ ὑπηρέτῃ ἐκάθισε· καὶ πάντων ἐν τῇ συναγωγῇ οἱ ὀφθαλμοὶ ἦσαν ἀτενίζοντες αὐτῷ.
4:20 And rolling up the book, he returned it to the attendant, and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him.

  After the reading of the passage, the Lord “rolling up the book”, rolled up the roll-book, and “he returned it to the attendant” after returning it to put it back to its place (see comments on 4:15), “sat down”; only during the reading was the reader to remain upright. Jesus' stature, the way in which he read the passage - his fame had already preceded him - attracted the attention of all. Thus “the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him”, all fixed their gaze on him.

4,21. ῎Ηρξατο δὲ λέγειν πρὸς αὐτοὺς ὅτι σήμερον πεπλήρωται ἡ γραφὴ αὕτη ἐν τοῖς ὠσὶν ὑμῶν.
4:21 And he began to say to them, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your ears.”

  With clarity and simplicity, the Lord interpreted the prophecy he read, assuring that it is fulfilled “today” in his person. He is not merely "the Lord's anointed" but "Christ the Lord" (see Lk 2:11); he does not need to be anointed, because - already from the hour of his incarnation - he has all the Holy Spirit as a God-man, equal and of the same substance to the Father and the Paracletus (see comments on 4:1). Isaiah's prophecy is the Messiah’s proclamation. As Jesus applies it to himself, he reveals that he is:
  a) the teacher who by his wisdom will teach the truth and deliver men from ignorance, fallacy and pain;
  b) the high priest who by his sacrifice will redeem the world from sin, decay and death;
  c) the king who by his power will create an eternal kingdom, in which the faithful will enjoy the happiness of the Messianic age.

4,22. Καὶ πάντες ἐμαρτύρουν αὐτῷ καὶ ἐθαύμαζον ἐπὶ τοῖς λόγοις τῆς χάριτος τοῖς ἐκπορευομένοις ἐκ τοῦ στόματος αὐτοῦ καὶ ἔλεγον· οὐχ οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ υἱὸς Ἰωσήφ;
4:22 And all were attesting about him, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth; and they said, “Is not this Joseph’s son?”

  In the synagogue of Nazareth the reputation which Jesus had as an admirable teacher was confirmed. All those present testified for Him, giving their testimony that they were amazed at what they heard and saw. The verb "wondered" expresses their astonishment. They recognized the grace, the sweetness of his words. However, they also strongly expressed their question: “Is not this Joseph’s son?” According to the custom of the time, the patronymic "Joseph’s son" occupied the position of a surname. The inhabitants of Nazareth knew Jesus’ family. They also knew that he grew up among them, without having received any special education. They could not, therefore, explain the wisdom and courage that characterized his teaching. Moreover, it was not easy for them to admit that what Isaiah had prophesied was applied to their fellow countryman.

4,23. Καὶ εἶπε πρὸς αὐτούς· πάντως ἐρεῖτέ μοι τὴν παραβολὴν ταύτην· ἰατρέ, θεράπευσον σεαυτόν· ὅσα ἠκούσαμεν γενόμενα ἐν τῇ Καπερναούμ, ποίησον καὶ ὧδε ἐν τῇ πατρίδι σου.
4:23 And he said to them, “Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, ‘Physician, heal yourself; what we have heard you did at Capernaum, do here also in your own country.’”

  The Lord who sees in the hearts knows the meditations of his countrymen. They were ready to tell him the parable, “the proverb” which was common among the Jews, but also among the Romans and the Greeks: “Physician, heal yourself”. If you cannot perform also in Nazareth some of the signs you did in Capernaum, so that you may help yourself and free yourself from the contempt of your countrymen, how do you claim that you will heal others by applying to yourself "heal the brokenhearted"?
  The Lord, however, performed signs only for the believers, who could reap some benefit from them. He refused to make a sign in his village because he discerned the unbelief of the Nazarenes; he did not want to win their faith in a dynamic and impressive way. He confined himself to reminding them of the prophecy, so that by combining it with what they knew of his person, they might understand who he really was. On the other hand, while they had all the evidence that should lead them to sincere admiration, they expressed contempt for him. Thus, the wickedness of the inhabitants of Nazareth was revealed (cf. Jn 1:47).

4,24. Εἶπε δέ· ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν ὅτι οὐδεὶς προφήτης δεκτός ἐστιν ἐν τῇ πατρίδι αὐτοῦ.
4:24 And He said, “Truly, I say to you, no prophet is acceptable in his own country”.

  Beginning with “Truly” Jesus gives solemnity to his word. The proverb he mentioned, "no prophet is acceptable in his own country," was also applicable to the prophets of the Old Testament (see Jer 11:21). In a small society it is easier for the personality of a stranger to stand out. A well-known and familiar person is usually deprived of the honour due to him, because his superiority is not recognised, but on the contrary he provokes envy.

4,25-27. Ἐπ᾿ ἀληθείας δὲ λέγω ὑμῖν, πολλαὶ χῆραι ἦσαν ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις Ἠλιοὺ ἐν τῷ Ἰσραήλ, ὅτε ἐκλείσθη ὁ οὐρανὸς ἐπὶ ἔτη τρία καὶ μῆνας ἕξ, ὡς ἐγένετο λιμὸς μέγας ἐπὶ πᾶσαν τὴν γῆν, καὶ πρὸς οὐδεμίαν αὐτῶν ἐπέμφθη Ἠλίας εἰ μὴ εἰς Σάρεπτα τῆς Σιδωνίας πρὸς γυναῖκα χήραν. Καὶ πολλοὶ λεπροὶ ἦσαν ἐπὶ Ἐλισαίου τοῦ προφήτου ἐν τῷ Ἰσραήλ, καὶ οὐδεὶς αὐτῶν ἐκαθαρίσθη εἰ μὴ Νεεμὰν ὁ Σύρος.
4:25-27 But in truth, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when there came a great famine over all the land; and Elijah was sent to none of them but only to Sarepta, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Eliseus; and none of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian.”

  Jesus wanted to bring his countrymen to consciousness and repentance. That is why he talked to them severely, using two examples from the Old Testament, which interpreted his attitude towards them.
  The first incident refers to the prophet Elijah (see 1 Kings 17:1-16; cf. Jas 5:17-18). In his days the sky closed and it did not rain for three years and six months. The drought affected the crops and there was a famine throughout the land. So then, while the foreign queen Jezebel was trying to mislead the Israelite people into idolatry, God sent the prophet Elijah “to Sarepta, in the land of Sidon”; he stayed in the house of a foreign widow and by a miracle he made the family's flour and oil not to run out. That was a turn towards the nations at the time of the strict nationalistic mindset of the Old Testament.
  The second example concerns the prophet Elisha (see 2 Kings ch. 5). In his time there were many lepers (see 2 Kings 7:3), but of all of them only Naaman the Syrian, an idolater, was healed. God is just and is not influenced by persons. He makes miracles to those who show faith in his power, even if they are Gentiles. Jesus also met Gentiles with great faith. He admired and rewarded them (see Mt 8:10-15:28).
  The two examples from the O.T. point out that;
  a) The inhabitants of Nazareth were unworthy to see miracles, because of their stubborn disbelief.
  b) The preaching of the gospel would embrace the Gentiles, not to be corrupted by them, but in order to convert them into believers, to Christianize them. This is the message which the evangelist Luke conveys with particular emotion and perseverance.
  c) After his resurrection the Lord will leave not only his countrymen but also all Israelites and will turn to the Gentiles. The same is the meaning of "the sign of the prophet Jonas" (Mt 12:39-40; Lk 11:29-30), with which the Lord later threatened the hard-hearted scribes and Pharisees, who demanded a sign from him. This proclamation not only frightened but also angered the Jews, because they considered themselves to be the only and exclusive recipients of God's blessings.

4,28. Καὶ ἐπλήσθησαν πάντες θυμοῦ ἐν τῇ συναγωγῇ ἀκούοντες ταῦτα.
4:28 When they heard this, all in the synagogue were filled with anger.

  Hearing Jesus’ last words, the Nazarenes were very angry. They could not bear his scrutiny. They demanded an exceptional favour from their countryman. Their behaviour proved that the Lord had dealt with them in a very right and just way. Zigavinos comments "From what they tried to do they showed themselves not to be worthy of signs and confirmed the Savior’s word".

4,29-30. καὶ ἀναστάντες ἐξέβαλον αὐτὸν ἔξω τῆς πόλεως καὶ ἤγαγον αὐτὸν ἕως ὀφρύος τοῦ ὄρους, ἐφ᾿ οὗ ἡ πόλις αὐτῶν ᾠκοδόμητο, εἰς τὸ κατακρημνίσαι αὐτόν· αὐτὸς δὲ διελθὼν διὰ μέσου αὐτῶν ἐπορεύετο.
4:29-30 And they rose up and led him out of the city, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their city was built, that they might throw him down the cliff. 30 But passing through the midst of them he went his way.

  The anger of the Nazarenes was so intense that, although they were impressed by Jesus' teaching (see v. 22), they decided to avenge him immediately for the insult he gave them. So, they took him out of the city and led him “to the brow of the hill’, to the top of the mountain on which Nazareth was built, so that they could throw him down from there.
  How the Lord escaped from certain death is not mentioned. Most likely, when they carried him to the edge of the cliff, their hands were paralyzed. Then Jesus passed “through the midst of them” and went away, like a king among the guards who made way for him, or like a victor among his defeated opponents.
  Jesus was "guarded by the divinity united with him". He had the power to "lay down" his life or to "take it" when he himself wished (see Jn 10:18). He was, moreover, in the beginning of his preaching. He had not preached the word of truth yet, so it was not time to be led to death. Later on, there were some other attempts by his enemies to arrest him, but they failed, “because his hour was not yet come” (see Jn 7:30). Jesus marched towards his voluntary passion keeping a predetermined plan. He delivered himself into the hands of his enemies, when he felt it was the right time and finally, he gave up his spirit on the cross, saying, "It is finished" (Jn 19:30).

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