Eusebiusof Caesareaon LukePart 5

Translated by Alex Poulos (http://mapoulos.wordpress.com).

Takenothingon the road,neitherstaffsnor a wallet (Lk 9:3)

Therefore, according to Matthew, the Lord warned them about acquiring gold, silver, and bronze because he knew what was about to happen. He saw that when the apostles healed people and freed them from their incurable sufferings, those who were healed would want to give all of their possessions to the apostles. Thus, because he foresaw this, he ordered them not to make a business of miraculous grace, and exhorted them not to sell the gifts of God. According to the other Evangelists, and Matthew himself, Jesus allowed them to take neither a staff, nor a wallet, nor sandals, nor an extra tunic, nor even bread or silver, even though they were about to be sent to foreign lands. He said that if they obeyed his commands, he would take it as proof of their faith and desire to serve. To obey his commands, they would have to accept a life of utmost poverty, and would have to give no thought at all to their daily food, nor to a second cloak, nor even to using sandals, even though they were about to traverse the entire civilized world. In saying this, he meant that it was necessary for them to have contempt for riches and to not give any thought to the things of this life. [545] He told them that if each of them should endeavor to make their lives worthy of divine gifts, then the gifts of God would be given to them. This was fitting exchange: Because they had received powers from God that would bring both salvation and great benefits to men, in return they would have to show obedience to his commands, that is, a willing and free separation from the desire for worldly things. Rather, since they were both receiving heavenly wealth into their souls, and being provided with a deposit of the kingdom of God, he thought it absolutely necessary for them to scorn earthly things. Neither gold, nor money, nor anything of worldly value was worth comparing with the heavenly wealth that they had been given. Instead, by making them into soldiers of Gods kingdom, he prepared them for battle with the enemies. This was why he exhorted his soldiers to embrace poverty, because No one serving in the army entangles himself in the affairs of this life; otherwise he will not please the one who enlisted him. (2 Tim. 2:4).

Andwhateverhouseyouenter, thereshouldyouremain.(Lk 9:4)

Since he had forbidden them to have any possessions, whether gold, silver, money, or extra clothing, then consequently, according to Matthew, the Lord needed to make clear how their food would come to them. Thus, he says, the worker is worth his food. In saying this, he permitted those who wished to give them gifts to share food alone. He permitted as much food to be shared as was fitting to give a man who was being

rewarded for his daily work. Therefore, it was not permitted for them to receive payment for their good deeds, for he said Freely you have received; freely give. In return for their teaching, sacrifice, and sufferings for the gospel (which they were expected to bear on a journey of such a demanding nature), they could receive only their necessary food. He told them to not share bread with just anyone who happened to be present, nor to take it from those who wanted to give without examination, but to honor with this reception only those who were worthy.1 Furthermore, the disciples were to offer in return the most wonderful payment for their provisions, that is, to announce to them the good news of peace and reconciliation with God. Consequently, he said these things to encourage the soldiers of his kingdom, warning them in advance that they must not desire any wealth, nor any possession great or small, but must press on to the utmost height of poverty. That is, they must share in daily bread not simply with anyone, but only with those worthy. Furthermore, they mustnt take food without paying, but must instead supply and furnish blessings before receiving provision. The Lord thus fortified the disciples with divine powers and philosophic exhortations. He sent them out well prepared for the work of being a soldier for Gods kingdom. They were to be doctors for the Jews, to be heralds and ambassadors of countless good things. They went about doing everything that he said, first as teachers announcing the good news, [548] and then as doctors healing the sick, and thus they gave credence to their words through miraculous signs.

1 The sentence is cloudy in Greek too. The idea seems to be that the disciples should only eat with worthy people. Exactly what makes them worthy is unclear. The phrase without examination () is commonly used by historians and philosophers to denote people believing things without any evidence, and in Christian discourse it can also refer to untried virtue. Evidently, Eusebius would have those who wish to provide provisions for the disciples to display some sort of commitment, intellectual or moral, to the gospel before they are allowed to give.