Fathers

Loading…

What the Fathers say

Acts 3:6

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

Such sort of persons were the Jews; lame, and the right thing being to ask for health, these same ask for money, grovelling on the ground: for this it was that they beset the temple-to get money. What then does Peter? He did not despise him; he did not look about for some rich subject; he did not say, If the miracle is not done to some great one, nothing great is done: he did not look for some honor from him, no, nor heal him in the presence of people; for the man was at the entrance, not where the multitude were, that is, within. …

Homily on Acts 8 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

"Silver and gold I do not have." He did not say "I do not have with me," as we usually say, but said "I do not have at all." Look: John is silent everywhere, while Peter speaks on his behalf as well. So then, what? Not having silver, do you leave your petitioner without any attention? No. "What I have, I give to you," says Peter. …

Commentary on Acts ↗

Oecumenius

This demonstrates their complete lack of gold. For Peter does not say, as we often say, "I do not have it in this place or at this time," but rather, "I have neither," indicating that he possesses no gold at all.

Commentary on Acts ↗

Western Saints

Ambrose of Milan

So he gave not money, but he gave health. How much better it is to have health without money, than money without health! The lame man rose; he had not hoped for that: he received no money; though he had hoped for that. But riches are hardly to be found among the saints of the Lord, so as to become objects of contempt to them.

On the Duties of the Clergy, Book 2 ↗

Leo the Great

Hence the blessed Apostle Peter, when he was going up into the temple, and was asked for alms by the lame man, said, "Silver and gold is not mine, but what I have that I give thee: in the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, arise and walk." What more sublime than this humility? what richer than this poverty? He hath not stores of money, but he hath gifts of nature. …

Sermon XCV. A Homily on the Beatitudes, St. Matt. V. 1-9. ↗

Bede

Silver and gold have I none, etc. Indeed, the old tabernacle had the justifications of worship, and the secular sanctuary distinguished by gold and silver, but the blood of the Gospel shines more precious than the metals of the law, because the people who before lay mentally weak at the gilded posts, healed in the name of the Crucified, enter the temple of the heavenly kingdom. Otherwise, the blessed Peter, mindful of the Lord's precept, which says: Do not possess gold and silver (Matt. …

Commentary on Acts ↗