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Translated by John Patrick.
Origen Resources OnLine & in Print
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128 Pages
Page 51
4. The Multitudes and the Disciples Contrasted.
"And straightway He constrained the disciples to enter into the boat, and to go before Him unto the other side, till He should send the multitudes away." [5365] It should be observed how often in the same passages is mentioned the word, "the multitudes," and another word, "the disciples," so that by observing and bringing together the passages about this matter it may be seen that the aim of the Evangelists was to represent by means of the Gospel history the differences of those who come to Jesus; of whom some are the multitudes and are not called disciples, and others are the disciples who are better than the multitudes. It is sufficient, however, for the present, for us to set forth a few sayings, so that any one who is moved by them may do the like with the whole of the Gospels. It is written then--as if the multitudes were below, but the disciples were able to come to Jesus when He went up into the mountain, where the multitudes were not able to be--as follows: "And seeing the multitudes He went up into the mountain, and when He had sat down His disciples came unto Him; and He opened His mouth and taught them saying, Blessed are the poor in spirit," etc. [5366] And again in another place, as the multitudes stood in need of healing, it is said, "Many multitudes followed Him and He healed them." [5367] We do not find any healing recorded of the disciples; since if any one is already a disciple of Jesus he is whole, and being well he needs Jesus not as a physician but in respect of His other powers. Again in another place, when He was speaking to the multitudes, His mother and His brethren stood without, seeking to speak to Him; this was made known to Him by some one to whom He answered, stretching forth His hand not towards the multitudes but towards the disciples, and said, "Behold My mother and My brethren," [5368] and bearing testimony to the disciples as doing the will of the Father which is in heaven, He added, "He is My brother and sister and mother." [5369] And again in another place it is written, "All the multitude stood on the beach and He spake to them many things in parables." [5370]
[5365] Matt. xiv. 22.
[5366] Matt. v. 1-3.
[5367] Matt. xii. 15.
[5368] Matt. xiv. 46-49.
[5369] Matt. xiv. 50.
[5370] Matt. xiii. 2, 3.
Reference address : https://www.ellopos.net/elpenor/greek-texts/fathers/origen/matthew-commentary.asp?pg=51
