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Translation
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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
John Chrysostom
Wherefore did they these things, when they were to put Him to death? What need of this mockery? That thou mightest learn their intemperate spirit by all things, and that having taken Him like a prey, they thus showed forth their intoxication, and gave full swing to their madness; making this a festival, and assaulting Him with pleasure, and showing forth their murderous disposition. But admire, I pray thee, the self command of the disciples, with what exactness they relate these things. …
Theophylact of Ohrid
Then did they spit in His face, and buffeted Him; and others smote Him with the palms of their hands, saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee? When they had condemned Him, then they abused Him and mocked Him, wrapping His face in a cloth, as another evangelist says (Lk. 22:64, Mk. 14:65). They mocked Him in this manner because the people considered Him a prophet. To "buffet" is to strike with the hands with the fingers clenched, or, to put it more plainly, to punch with the fist.
Western Saints
Augustine of Hippo
That, they did spit in his face, signifies those who reject His proffered grace. They likewise buffet Him who prefer their own honour to Him; and they smite Him on the face, who, blinded with unbelief, affirm that He is not yet come, disowning and rejecting His person.
Jerome
Then they spat in his face and struck him with their fists. As it was foretold: I have given my cheeks to those who struck me; I have not turned my face from disgrace and spitting. (Lamentations 3:30)
Thomas Aquinas
Then did they spit in his face etc. After the condemnation of Christ, the mockery is treated. And quite fittingly, because Christ bore our sins, as Isaiah 62. But man through sin was handed over to death, when it was said to him, Genesis 2:17: in what day soever you shall eat of it, you shall die the death. Likewise, he lost his proper honor, because man when he was in honor did not understand; he is compared to senseless beasts, Psalm 49:13. …
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