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Translation
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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
John Chrysostom
And in another way; Having said that He is on high, he affirms and proves that He is a Priest from every consideration, from Melchisedec, from the oath, from offering sacrifice. From this he also frames another and necessary syllogism. "For if" (he says) "He had been on earth, He would not be a Priest, seeing that there are priests who offer the gifts according to the Law." If then He is a Priest (as He really is), we must seek some other place for Him. …
Theophylact of Ohrid
He further confirms that although He does not have His tabernacle on earth but in heaven, there is nevertheless no obstacle to His being a priest. And notice the wisdom. On the very basis by which someone might especially argue that He is not a priest — I mean, of course, that He does not have a place on earth where He served as priest — on this very basis he most strongly affirms that He is a Priest, and says that He is a Priest precisely because He did not have a place on earth. …
Oecumenius
"For if he were on earth." This was the case, if he had not died, nor had he been taken up after rising. "he would not be a priest at all." For there would be others, even a rebellion would be present. But now he has died, so that he may offer the sacrifice. Rising from the dead, he was taken up, so that he might have a place in heaven, where he must serve as a priest. To serve as a priest means to intercede for us. All these humble words were said, both because of humanity and because of the childishness of those who hear.
Western Saints
Thomas Aquinas
385. – Then (v. 4) he shows that Christ is not a minister of the sacrifices of the Law. In regard to this he does three things: first, he introduces a consequence; secondly, he gives the reason (v. 4b); thirdly, he proves it by an authority (v. 4c). 386. – The consequence is this: If he were on earth (this is the antecedent), he would not be a priest at all (this is the consequent). Hence, the consequence is one conditional proposition. …
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