Fathers

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What the Fathers say

Hebrews 13:8

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

In these words, "Jesus Christ the same yesterday and to-day and for ever," "yesterday" means all the time that is past: "to-day," the present: "for ever," the endless which is to come. That is to say: Ye have heard of an High Priest, but not an High Priest who fails. He is always the same. …

Homily on Hebrews 33 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

For, it seemed, some were distorting the faith and saying that another would come, whom the Jews even now await. So he says that Christ is the same "yesterday," that is, in all past time, "and today," that is, in the present, and "forever," that is, in future and endless times, and another will not come. So do not be led astray. Or: just as He did not abandon your teachers, but helped them in everything, so also will He render help to you. For He is one and the same.

Commentary on Hebrews ↗

Alexander of Alexandria

How, also, can He be changeable and mutable, who says indeed by Himself: "I am in the Father, and the Father in Me," and, "I and My Father are one;" and by the prophet, "I am the Lord, I change not?" For even though one saying may refer to the Father Himself, yet it would now be more aptly spoken of the Word, because when He became man, He changed not; but, as says the apostle, "Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, and for ever."

Epistles on the Arian Heresy - Epistle Catholic ↗

Western Saints

Ambrose of Milan

For in general Scripture speaks of two days, yesterday and to-day, of which it is said, "Jesus Christ the same, yesterday to-day and for ever." On the first day the promise is made, on the second it is fulfilled.

Letter 44 ↗

Thomas Aquinas

He continues: Jesus Christ, yesterday, and today: and the same forever. According to a Gloss this is the way this section is introduced. For he had said before, I will not leave you or forsake you. But they could say: The one to whom this was said can well trust in God's help, but not we to whom it was not spoken. But the Apostle rejects this, saying that Christ remains forever; hence, he says, Jesus Christ, yesterday, and today: and the same forever. …

Commentary on Hebrews ↗