Fathers

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What the Fathers say

Ephesians 3:5

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

What then, tell me, did not the Prophets know it? How then doth Christ say, that Moses and the Prophets wrote "these things concerning Me?" And again, "If ye believed Moses, ye would believe Me." And again, "Ye search the Scriptures, because ye think that in them ye have eternal life, and these are they which bear witness of me." His meaning is this, either that it was not revealed unto all men, for he adds, "which in other generations was not made known unto the sons of men, as it hath now been revealed;" or else, that it was not …

Homily on Ephesians 6 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

What then? Did the prophets truly not know? But how then does Christ say: "Moses and the prophets wrote about Me"; and "search the Scriptures..." and "they testify of Me" (Jn. 5:39)? But Paul, first of all, says what was not revealed to all people, since he added: "which was not made known to previous generations of the sons of men." And secondly, what was not revealed even to the prophets in such a way as it has now been manifested in deed itself to the apostles and the New Testament prophets, by the Holy Spirit. …

Commentary on Ephesians ↗

Theodoret of Cyrus

It was made known incrementally to the prophets of old, but not fully then as it is now. For they did not see the whole picture but wrote down words about aspects of it. … Remember that in the apostles' day there were many who had the gift of prophecy. It is in this order that he mentions that the revelation was known to the apostles and then to the prophets.

Interpretation of the Epistle to the Ephesians 3.5 ↗

Western Saints

Thomas Aquinas

It is also eminent since it was revealed to the Apostles alone. Hence he adds which in other generations was not known. For although the mysteries of Christ were revealed to the prophets and patriarchs, they were more clearly revealed to the Apostles. To the prophets and patriarchs they were revealed in vague generality; but they were shown in their singular and determinate circumstances to the Apostles. Other generations admits of a twofold explanation. …

Commentary on Ephesians ↗