Fathers

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What the Fathers say

Luke 1:80

Eastern Fathers

Theophylact of Ohrid

The child "grew" in body and "became strong in spirit," for with the body the spiritual gift also grew; and the more the child grew, the more the powers of the spirit were manifested, since the instrument (the body) was capable of containing them. Why was John in the deserts? …

Commentary on Luke ↗

Western Saints

Ambrose of Milan

Mark also, in how few words Elisabeth prophesies, in how many Zacharias, and yet each spoke filled with the Holy Spirit; but this discipline is preserved, that women may study rather to learn what are the Divine commands than to teach them. And rightly is the time noted during which the prophet was in the womb, in order that the presence of Mary might not be passed over, while they are silent about the time of his childhood, because being strengthened in the womb by the presence of the Mother of the Lord, he knew not the struggles of …

Catena Aurea by Aquinas ↗

Bede

But the child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the deserts till the day of his showing to Israel. It is appropriate and just that he who is to be a future preacher of repentance follows the harshness of solitude; and so that the young man may more freely lift his listeners by instructing them from the allurements of the world, he himself also passes his early life squalid in deserts.

On the Gospel of Luke ↗

Bonaventure

But the child grew, etc. After the origin of the precursor has been described and the thanksgiving for his origin, here thirdly is added his upbringing, in which there is an amplification of divine praise. The upbringing is described with respect to the progress of age in the flesh and virtue in the mind and religiosity in manner of life. …

Commentary on Luke, Chapter 1 ↗