Christ Opens Their Minds to the Scriptures (Luke 24:44–49)

The texts below are quoted verbatim from public-domain English translations; nothing is paraphrased.

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St. Cyril of Alexandria (c. 376–444)

Commentary on the Gospel of Luke, Sermon 156 (on Luke 24:45) Source: trans. R. Payne Smith, Library of Fathers, 1859. Public domain. Full text: https://www.tertullian.org/fathers/cyril_on_luke_14_sermons_146_156.htm

On "Then opened He their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures":

When He had quieted their reasonings by what He said, by the touch of their hands, and by partaking of food, He then opened their mind to understand, that "so it was necessary for Him to suffer," even upon the wood of the cross. ... and He opens also the eyes of their heart, so as for them to understand the ancient prophecies.

On the promise of the Father and the power from on high:

The Saviour promises the disciples the descent of the Holy Spirit, which God had announced of old by Joel, and power ... from above, that they might be strong and invincible, and without all fear preach to men everywhere the divine mystery.

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St. John Chrysostom (c. 347–407)

As preserved in the Catena Aurea on Luke. Public domain. Full text: https://isidore.co/aquinas/english/CALuke.htm

On why the sign of the resurrection is first displayed in Jerusalem, among the very men who crucified Him:

among the very murderers themselves are the signs of the resurrection displayed, in that very city wherein the frantic outrage burst forth. For where the crucifiers themselves are seen to believe, there the resurrection is most of all demonstrated.

On why the Spirit was not given at once, but awaited:

But why did not the Spirit come while Christ was present, or immediately on His departure? Because it was fitting that they should become desirous of grace, and then at length receive it. For we are then most awakened towards God, when difficulties press upon us.

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Theophylact of Ohrid (c. 1055–1107)

Explanation of the Gospel of Luke (on Luke 24:45–49) As preserved in the Catena Aurea on Luke. Public domain. Full text: https://isidore.co/aquinas/english/CALuke.htm

On the perplexed minds that could not otherwise have grasped the mystery:

Otherwise, how would their agitated and perplexed minds have learnt the mystery of Christ.

On the "repentance and remission of sins" that makes mention of baptism:

But herein that He says, Repentance and remission of sins, He also makes mention of baptism, in which by the putting off of our past sins there follows pardon of iniquity.

On "until ye be endued with power from on high":

That is, not with human but heavenly power. He said not, until you receive, but be endued with, showing the entire protection of the spiritual armor.

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Blessed Augustine of Hippo (354–430)

The Harmony of the Gospels (on Luke 24:44) As preserved in the Catena Aurea on Luke. Public domain. Full text: https://isidore.co/aquinas/english/CALuke.htm

On the Prophets filled with the Divine Spirit long before Christ was born, against those who call Him a magician:

Let those then who dream that Christ could have done such things by magical arts, and by the same art have consecrated His name to the nations to be converted to Him, consider whether He could by magical arts fill the Prophets with the Divine Spirit before He was born.

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St. Bede the Venerable (c. 673–735)

Commentary on the Gospel of Luke (on Luke 24:44–47) As preserved in the Catena Aurea on Luke. Public domain. Full text: https://isidore.co/aquinas/english/CALuke.htm

On His recourse to the Scriptures, that He might not seem to have mocked the human senses:

But after that He was seen, touched, and had eaten, lest He should seem to have mocked the human senses in any one respect, He had recourse to the Scriptures.

On the understanding opened to what was read:

After having presented Himself to be seen with the eye, and handled with hands, and having brought to their minds the Scriptures of the law, He next opened their understanding that they should understand what was read.

On the truth of the body and the unity of the Church:

He then after having commended to them the truth of the body, commends the unity of the Church, adding, And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations.