Fathers

Loading…

What the Fathers say

Acts 12:23

Eastern Fathers

Theophylact of Ohrid

Josephus says that Herod, at the arrival of the following day, came to the theater dressed in a royal garment remarkable in its weaving, made entirely of silver. The silver, gleaming at the first fall of sunlight upon it, shone wondrously with a dazzling and awe-striking play of rays of light; and the flatterers immediately began calling him a god, adding: "Be gracious; if until now we feared you as a man, from this time we acknowledge that you are above human nature." Notice how they flattered, but turn your gaze also to the …

Commentary on Acts ↗

Lucius Caecilius Firmianus Lactantius

Then famous physicians were brought in from all quarters; but no human means had any success. Apollo and Aesculapius were besought importunately for remedies: Apollo did prescribe, and the distemper augmented. Already approaching to its deadly crisis, it had occupied the lower regions of his body: his bowels came out, and his whole seat putrefied. The luckless physicians, although without hope of overcoming the malady, ceased not to apply fomentations and administer medicines. …

Of the Manner in Which the Persecutors Died, Chapter XXXIII ↗

Western Saints

Bede

Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him. Consistently also according to Josephus: "While he did not shudder at the wickedness of illicit adulation, shortly after, looking, he sees an angel standing over his head; and immediately he felt him as the minister of his destruction, whom he had previously known as the provider of good things." And shortly after: "Indeed, tortured by continuous pains in his bowels for five days, he violently broke off his life."

Commentary on Acts ↗