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Translation
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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
John Chrysostom
"And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Hellenists against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration." Not absolutely in those immediate days; for it is the custom of Scripture to speak of things next about to happen, as taking place in immediate succession. But by "Hellenists" I suppose he means those who spoke Greek "against the Hebrews": for they did not use the Greek language. Behold another trial! …
Theophylact of Ohrid
Not on the very same days when the Angel freed the apostles from prison, but several days after those — such a turn of speech is customary for Scripture. And by Hellenists, in my opinion, he means those who spoke Greek. So, the ministry to the widows was a daily matter. He calls the work of almsgiving a ministry. The neglect of the widows arose not from bad qualities, but from the carelessness of the people. Therefore, as soon as the care for them was proposed to the people, their sorrow also ceased.
Oecumenius
Not on the same days, but on certain following ones. Yet, intending to begin the narration in the manner of Scripture, he proceeds in this way even now. He calls those speaking Greek not the religion, but those as Greek speakers. And by the murmuring he proclaims a kind of temptation, not from outside, but from within. For this shows the tested nature of the apostles, borne through being opposed on all sides. …
Western Saints
Bede
There was a complaint of the Greeks against the Hebrews. The cause of the complaint was that the Hebrews preferred their widows, as supposedly more learned, in the ministry over the widows of the Greeks.
Translation