Fathers

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What the Fathers say

Acts 12:8

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

"Rise," says he, "quickly:" this is not to hurry him but to persuade him not to delay. And immediately his chains fell off from his hands. How? answer me: where are the heretics? - let them answer. And the Angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals: by this also convincing him that it is no fancy: to this end he bids him gird himself and put on his shoes, that he may shake off his sleep, and know that it is real.

Homily on Acts 26 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

How is it that Peter acted contrary to the command not to take "neither gold, nor silver, nor copper in your belts, nor a bag for the journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor a staff" (Matt. 10:9–10)? Yet he had both clothing and sandals, although at that time one was supposed to go without sandals, since the particular need for them arises in winter. But Paul too, having written to Timothy, "Make every effort to come before winter," says to him, "When you come, bring the cloak that I left in Troas with Carpus" (2 Tim. 4:13, 21). …

Commentary on Acts ↗

Oecumenius

The Lord having said to the disciples, "Do not acquire gold nor silver, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor a belt, nor a staff," (Matt. 10:9-10, Mark 6:8, Luke 9:3) how did Peter act contrary to the command, having garments and a belt and sandals? Moreover, whenever Paul gives a charge writing to Timothy, "Bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, bring when you come," (2 Tim. 4:13) behold he had a cloak, and one could not say that he had not another which he wore. Did he then disobey Christ? What then is the matter? …

Commentary on Acts ↗

Western Saints

Bede

Gird yourself and put on your sandals. And we read that prophets and apostles used belts, which Peter had loosened for a moment due to the rigidity of the prison, so that, with his tunic lowered around his feet, he could somewhat temper the cold of the night, providing an example to the weak that, when we are tempted by either bodily discomfort or human injury, it is permissible to relax the rigor of our purpose a little. …

Commentary on Acts ↗