Luke 23:31 — Community Reflections

LUKE 23:31 — KING JAMES VERSION 0

“For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?”

For if people do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry — the green tree/dry tree proverb: if the Romans execute an innocent man (the green tree, the living, fruitful) during the relative calm of a subject state, what will they do to the guilty (the dry tree, the flammable, the ready-to-burn) in full rebellion? The proverb anticipates the 70 CE destruction.

Church Fathers on Luke 23:31

Having related the condemnation of Christ, Luke naturally goes on to speak of His crucifixion; as it is said, And as they led him away, they laid hold upon on Simon, &c.
Gloss (Glossa Ordinaria) · medieval compilation

But John relates that Jesus bore His own cross, from which is understood that He was Himself carrying His cross, when He went froth to that place which is called Calvary; but as they journeyed Simon was forced into the service on the road, and the cross was given him to carry as far as the place.
Augustine · 4th century

For no one else accepted to bear the cross, because the wood was counted an abomination. Accordingly upon Simon the Cyrenian they imposed as it were to his dishonor the bearing of the cross, which others refused. Here is fulfilled that prophecy of Isaiah, Whose government shall be upon his shoulder. For the government of Christ is His cross; for which the Apostle says, God has exalted him. And as for a mark of dignity, some wear a belt, others a head dress, so our Lord the…
Theophylact · 11th century

Read all 17 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain

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