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Translation
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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
John Chrysostom
"And the number of disciples was multiplied in Jerusalem." In Jerusalem the multitude increased. But I would have thee remark under what circumstances the multitude increased: after these trials, then it was that the multitude increased, and not before. Mark also how great the mercy of God. Of those chief-priests, of the very men who had indignation and sore displeasure and so cried out and said, "He saved others, Himself He cannot save;" of these same, "Many," it says, "were obedient unto the faith."
Theophylact of Ohrid
"The number of the disciples was greatly multiplied in Jerusalem." He did not simply state this, but did so in such a way as to show how great is the power of almsgiving and of this institution of deacons.
Oecumenius
He says moreover that the word of God was growing through such a kind of descent (showing how great is the power of almsgiving), so that not even the assembly of the priests deviated from the purpose without being taken up together.
Western Saints
Bonaventure
It should be noted that the Church was placed in paradise, like the first man, "to till it," in such a way that no one would say "that anything he possessed" was "his own." For it began in a state of great perfection that is observed today in the religious life, for the love of Christ was still recent, and in those days "a large number also of the priests accepted the faith." This Church, meaning the one that began with the Jews, because they were converted at one time by the three thousand, and at another, by the five thousand, …
Cassiodorus
"A great multitude also of the priests obeyed the faith," etc. One of those who had been chosen for the management of tables, one called Stephen, did great signs and wonders by the power of the Lord Christ; and since none of the unfaithful could withstand his preachings, false witnesses were brought against him to say that he had spoken words of blasphemy against God and Moses. Setting him before the council, they tried to inquire about such statements. …
Translation