St. John Chrysostom,
Homilies on the Acts of the Apostles,
3. Thursday after Pasha
Acts VIII. 26-39
And the Angel of the Lord spoke unto
Philip, saying, arise and go toward the south unto the way that goes down from
Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. And he arose and went.
It seems to
me, this (Philip) was one of the seven; for from Jerusalem he would not have
gone southwards, but to the north; but from Samaria it was towards the south.
The same is desert: so that there is no fear of an attack from the Jews. And he
did not ask, Wherefore? But arose and went. And, behold, it says, a man of
Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace, queen of the Ethiopians,
who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to
worship, was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet. (v. 27, 28.) High encomiums for the man,
that he, residing in Ethiopia and beset with so much business, and when there
was no festival going on, and living in that superstitious city, came to
Jerusalem for to worship. Great also is his studiousness, that even sitting in
his chariot he read. And, it says, the
Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join yourself to this chariot. And Philip
ran there to him, and heard him reading the prophet Esaias, and said, Do you
understand what you read? And he said, How can I, except some man should guide
me? Acts 8:29-31 Observe again his piety; that though
he did not understand, he read, and then after reading, examines. And he desired Philip that he would come up
and sit with him. The place of the Scripture which he read was this, He was led
as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened
He not His mouth: in His humiliation His judgment was taken away: and who shall
declare His generation? For His life is taken from the earth. And the eunuch
answered Philip, and said, I pray you, of whom speaks the prophet this? Of
himself, or of some other man? Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the
same Scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. Acts 8:32-35 Observe how it is Providentially ordered. First he reads and
does not understand; then he reads the very text in which was the Passion and
the Resurrection and the Gift. And as they went on their way, they came unto a
certain water: and the eunuch said, See,
here is water; what does hinder me to be baptized? Acts 8:36 Mark the eager desire, mark the exact knowledge. And he commanded the chariot to stand still:
and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he
baptized him. And when they had come up out of the water, the Spirit of the
Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his
way rejoicing. (v. 38, 39.) But
why did the Spirit of the Lord bear him away? (Hereby) the occurrence was shown
to be more wonderful. Even then, the eunuch did not know him. Consequently this
was done, that Philip might afterwards be a subject of wonder to him. For, it
says, he went on his way rejoicing.
But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing
through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Cæsarea. Acts 8:40 This (Philip, therefore) was one of the seven; for there in
fact he is afterwards found at Cæsarea. It was well and expedient therefore
that the Spirit caught Philip away; else the eunuch would have desired to go
with him, and Philip would have grieved him by declining to comply with his
request, the time being not yet come.
(a) But at
the same time here was an encouraging assurance for them that they shall also
prevail over the heathen: for indeed the high character (τὸ ἀξιόπιστον) of the (first) believers was
enough to move them. If however the eunuch had stayed there, what fault could
have been found? [But he knew him not]: for this is why it says, he went on his
way rejoicing: so that had he known him, he would not have been (so) delighted.
Recapitulation
And the Angel of the Lord, etc. Recapitulation, Acts 8:26
(b) See Angels assisting the preaching, and not themselves
preaching, but calling these (to the work). But the wonderful nature of the
occurrence is shown also by this: that what of old was rare, and hardly done,
here takes place with ease, and see with what frequency!
(c) An eunuch, it says,
a man of great authority, under Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. Acts 8:27 For there women bore rule of old, and this was the law among
them. Philip did not yet know for whose sake he had come into the desert:
(d) but what was there to hinder his learning all (these
particulars) accurately, while in the chariot? Was reading the prophet Esaias. Acts 8:28 For the road was desert, and there was no display in the
matter. Observe also at what time: in the most violent heat (of the day).
(e) And the Spirit said
unto him. Acts 8:29 Not now the Angel but the Spirit
urges him. Why is this? Then, the
vision took place, in grosser form, through the Angel, for this is for them
that are more of the body, but the Spirit is for the more spiritual. And how
did He speak to him? Of course, suggested it to him. Why does not the Angel
appear to the other, and bring him to Philip? Because it is likely he would not
have been persuaded, but rather terrified. Observe the wisdom of Philip: he did
not accuse him, not say, I know these things exactly: did not pay court to him,
and say, Blessed are you that readest. But mark his speech, how far it is from
harshness alike and from adulation; the speech rather of a kind and friendly
man. Do you understand what you read? Acts 8:30 For it was needful that he should himself ask, himself have
a longing desire. He plainly intimates, that he knows that the other knew
nothing: and says, Do you understand what
you read? at the same time he shows him that great was the treasure that
lay therein. It tells well also, that the eunuch looked not to the outward
appearance (σχἥμα) (of the man), said not, Who are
you? did not chide, not give himself airs, not say that he did know. On the
contrary, he confesses his ignorance: wherefore also he learns. He shows his
hurt to the physician: sees at a glance, that he both knows the matter, and is
willing to teach. Look how free he is from haughtiness; the outward appearance
announced nothing splendid. So desirous was he of learning, and gave heed to
his words; and that saying, He that
seeks, finds, Matthew 7:8 was fulfilled in him. And, it says, he besought Philip, that he would come up
and sit with him. Acts 8:31 Do you mark the eagerness, the
longing desire? But should any say he ought to have waited for Philip (to
speak), (the answer is), he does not know what is the matter: he could not in
the least tell what the other was going to say to him, but supposed merely that
he was about to receive some (lesson of) prophecy. And moreover, this was more
respectful, that he did not draw him into his chariot, but besought him. And
Philip, we have read, ran to him, and heard him reading; even the fact of his
running, showed that he wished to say (something). And the place, it says, of
the Scripture which he read was this: As
a sheep He was led to the slaughter. Acts 8:32 And this circumstance, also, is a
token of his elevated mind, (φιλοσοφίας) that he had in hand this prophet,
who is more sublime than all others. Philip does not relate matters to him just
as it might happen, but quietly: nay, does not say anything until he is
questioned. Both in the former instance he prayed him, and so he does now,
saying, I pray you of whom speaks the prophet this? That he should at all know
either that the Prophets speak in different ways about different persons, or
that they speak of themselves in another person— the question betokens a very
thoughtful mind. Let us be put to shame, both poor and rich, by this eunuch.
Then, it says, they came to a certain
water, and he said, Lo, here is water. Acts
8:36 Again, of his own accord he requests, saying, What does hinder me to
be baptized? And see again his modesty: he does not say, Baptize me, neither
does he hold his peace; but he utters somewhat midway between strong desire and
reverent fear, saying, What does hinder me? Do you observe that he has the
doctrines (of faith) perfect? For indeed the Prophet had the whole,
Incarnation, Passion, Resurrection, Ascension, Judgment to come. And if he
shows exceeding earnestness of desire, do not marvel. Be ashamed, all you as
many as are unbaptized. And, it says, he
commanded the chariot to stand still. Acts 8:38 He spoke, and gave the order at the same moment, before
hearing (Philip's answer). And when they
had come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip; Acts 8:39 in order that the occurrence might be shown to be of God;
that he might not consider it to be merely man. And he went, it says, on his way rejoicing. This hints, that
he would have been grieved had he known: for the greatness of his joy, having
had the Spirit also vouchsafed to him, he did not even see things present— But Philip was found at Azotus. Acts 8:40 Great was the gain to Philip also:— that which he heard
concerning the Prophets, concerning Habakkuk, concerning Ezekiel, and the rest,
he saw done in his own person. Daniel
14:36; Ezekiel 3:12 Thence it appears that he went a long distance, seeing he was found at
Azotus. (The Spirit) set him there, where he was thenceforth to preach: And
passing through, he preached in all the cities, until he came to Cæsarea.