Fathers

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What the Fathers say

Luke 1:19

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

That when you hear that I am sent from God, you should deem none of the things which are said unto thee to be of man, for I speak not of myself, but declare the message of Him who sends me. And this is the merit and excellence of a messenger to relate nothing of his own.

Catena Aurea by Aquinas ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

This is why the Angel also tells him of his rank: "I am Gabriel," standing before God, not a deceiving demon, but an Angel of God.

Commentary on Luke ↗

Western Saints

Gregory the Dialogist

For when angels come to us, they so outwardly fulfil their ministry, as at the same time inwardly to be never absent from His sight; since, though the angelic spirit is circumscribed, the highest Spirit, which is God, is not circumscribed. The angels therefore even when sent are before Him, because on whatever mission they go, they pass within Him.

Catena Aurea by Aquinas ↗

Bede

And the angel answered him, saying: I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day these things come to pass, because you did not believe my words. It should be understood that if a man were to promise such things, it would be permissible to demand a sign with impunity; but since it is an angel who promises, it no longer becomes appropriate to doubt. …

On the Gospel of Luke ↗

Bonaventure

And the Angel answering, etc. Here is noted the authority of the messenger with respect to the contemplative power and with respect to the administrative. With respect to the contemplative he says: I am Gabriel, who stand before God: Daniel 7: "Ten thousand times a hundred thousand stood before him"; and among these was Gabriel. …

Commentary on Luke, Chapter 1 ↗