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Translation
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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
John Chrysostom
And wherefore did He not say, "Think ye that I cannot destroy them all?" Because He was more likely to be believed in saying what He did say; for not yet had they the right belief concerning Him. And a little while before He had said, "My soul is exceeding sorrowful even unto death," and, "Father, let the cup pass from me;" and He had appeared in an agony and sweating, and strengthened by an angel. …
Theophylact of Ohrid
He did not say, "I can bring to My side twelve legions of angels," but "[I can] pray to My Father," speaking by divine dispensation as a man, out of consideration for their weakness. By sweat, by fear, and in many ways did He show His human nature. …
Western Saints
Jerome
Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen this way? I do not need the help of twelve apostles, even if they all defended me. I could have twelve legions of angelic armies. In ancient times, one legion consisted of six thousand men. In order to keep this brief, I will not go into the exact number for now. …
Thomas Aquinas
Thinkest thou that I cannot ask my Father etc. Here he assigns the reason for calming Peter's spirit, giving him to understand that he was suffering willingly and that he could escape. And because he saw him being presumptuous, therefore he says I cannot ask my Father? And he does not say, I cannot call or bring, but ask: for he speaks the words of a man, because to pray belongs to man. And he will give me presently more than twelve legions of angels? And this was said according to the weakness of Peter's spirit. …
Remigius of Rheims
We might also understand by the Angels the Roman armies, for with Titus and Vespasian all languages had risen against Judæa, and that was fulfilled, The whole world shall fight for him against those foolish men. (Wisd. 5:21.)
Translation