Homilies on the Acts of the Apostles — Homily 3

St. John Chrysostom

1. 0. Greeting

Acts I. 12

Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey.

Then returned they, it is said: namely, when they had heard. For they could not have borne it, if the angel had not ( ὑ περέθετο ) referred them to another Coming. It seems to me, that it was also on a sabbath-day that these things took place; for he would not thus have specified the distance, saying, from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey, unless they were then going on the sabbath-day a certain definite distance. And when they had come in, it says, they went up into an upper room, where they were making their abode: so they then remained in Jerusalem after the Resurrection: both Peter, and James, and John: no longer is only the latter together with his brother mentioned, but together with Peter the two: and Andrew, and Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, and James (the son) of Alphæus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas, (the brother) of James. [[Acts 1.13]] He has done well to mention the disciples: for since one had betrayed Christ, and another had been unbelieving, he thereby shows that, except the first, all of them were preserved.

These were all continuing with one accord in prayer together with the women. [[Acts 1.14]] For this is a powerful weapon in temptations; and to this they had been trained. [ Continuing with one accord. ] Good. ( καλὥς ). Besides, the present temptation directed them to this: for they exceedingly feared the Jews. With the women, it is said: for he had said that they had followed Him: and with Mary the mother of Jesus. [[Luke 23.55]] How then [is it said, that that disciple ] took her to his own home [[John 19.26]], at that time? But then the Lord had brought them together again, and so returned. And with His brethren. [[John 17.5]] These also were before unbelieving. And in those days, it says, Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said. [[Acts 1.15]] Both as being ardent, and as having been put in trust by Christ with the flock, and as having precedence in honor, he always begins the discourse. ( The number of the names together were about an hundred and twenty.) Men and brethren, he says, this Scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost spoke before, [etc.] [[Acts 1.16]] Why did he not ask Christ to give him some one in the room of Judas? It is better as it is. For in the first place, they were engaged in other things; secondly, of Christ's presence with them, the greatest proof that could be given was this: as He had chosen when He was among them, so did He now being absent. Now this was no small matter for their consolation. But observe how Peter does everything with the common consent; nothing imperiously. And he does not speak thus without a meaning. But observe how he consoles them concerning what had passed. In fact, what had happened had caused them no small consternation. For if there are many now who canva