Fathers

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What the Fathers say

Matthew 20:32

Western Saints

Augustine of Hippo

Jesus therefore, the same who said, To him that knocketh it shall be opened, hearing them, stands still, touches them, and gives them light. Faith in His temporal incarnation prepares us for the understanding of things eternal. By the passing by of Jesus they are admonished that they should be enlightened, and when He stands still they are enlightened; for things temporal pass by, but things eternal stand still.

Catena Aurea by Aquinas ↗

Jerome

And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What do you want me to do for you? They said to him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened. They were blind, not knowing where to go, and unable to follow the Savior. There were many pits in Jericho, many rocks and cliffs plunging into the deep: therefore the Lord stands, so that they can come and be called, lest the crowds hinder them: and he asks as if ignorant of what they want, so that from the blind men's answer their manifest weakness may be revealed, and the power …

Commentary on Matthew ↗

Gregory the Dialogist

But when we persist intensely in our prayer, we fix Jesus as He passes by in our mind. Behold, He who was passing by before now stands still, because while we still suffer the crowds of phantasms in prayer, we perceive Jesus as somewhat passing by. But when we persist intensely in prayer, Jesus stands still to restore our sight, because God is fixed in the heart, and the lost light is restored. Yet in this matter the Lord suggests something else to us, which can be usefully understood concerning His humanity and divinity. …

Forty Gospel Homilies, Homily 2 ↗