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On the Theophania
Eusebius of Caesarea, tr. Lee, 1843
On the divisions which are in Houses and Families up to this time, on account of His…
“Think not, that I am come to send forth peace upon earth: I am not come to send forth peace, but a sword. For I am come to divide a man against his Father, and the Daughter against her Mother, and the Daughter in law against her Mother in law: and the enemies of a man (shall be) those of his own house. (Or), as Luke enounced (it); “Think ye then, that I am come to send forth peace on earth? I say unto you, No; but divisions. For, there shall be henceforth five in one house, who (shall be) divided, three against two, and two against three. And the Father shall be divided against his Son, and the Son, against his Father; and the Mother shall be divided against her Daughter, and the Daughter, against her Mother; and the Mother in law, against her Daughter in law; and the Daughter in law, against her Mother in law.” And, Who is not astonished, that the things which should take place in every individual house, in times far removed (from those of the prediction), and even up to this time, did not remain hidden to the foreknowledge of our Saviour? For He foretold to His disciples, the things which up to this time are taking place, just as one present to the things themselves, and making the circuit of the dwellings of all the children of men:—things which hitherto have not existed, nor did they at the period in which He enounced these words. Nor, were there yet any such doings; they were then heard only in the ear. But now, that the prediction has in fact come to its completion, and is visible to the eyes, How can any one, who would think justly, but confess that they are in truth the words of God? And again in these things also,—“For I am come to divide and to send forth a sword, and divisions among the children of men,”—we likewise see with our own eyes, that no word of man, either of philosopher or prophet, whether Greek or Barbarian, ever shewed forth power such as this, that he should so hold the whole creation, that there should be divisions in every house; that he should pass through and distinguish every race, throughout all their families; and, that of these some should be considered as his own, and others as opposed to these! But it was our Saviour alone, and this Word of God, who promised to do this, and He confirmed the promise, in very deed! The cause therefore, of the divisions of soul that came to pass in houses He Himself taught, as we have found in a place in the Gospel existing among the Jews in the Hebrew language, in which it is said: “I will select to myself these things: very very excellent are those whom my Father, who is in heaven, has given to me.” And, one may learn from this, how in every house in which the word of Jesus should prevail, the excellent would be distinguished from the vile. For, if a man make a comparison among brothers, or servants, or in families generally, as to the customs, forms, manner of life, and the purity and meekness of those, who have chosen the doctrine of our Saviour;—for this is what is meant by those who have been selected by Him:—and, of those who have not yet become worthy of Him; —he will perceive what sort of power that is, of which He has made use; and, that He did not only foretel what should come to pass, but that He has, according to the prediction, also brought the works to pass: and, with other things, these also in which it is written that He said, “I will select to myself the very excellent, those whom my Father who is in heaven has given to me.” Nevertheless, (what He) now (said), “I am not come to send forth peace on earth,” with other things, He explained to the Disciples themselves and said; “I leave peace with you, my own peace give I unto you: it is not as the world giveth peace, that I also so give peace.” It was the knowledge and love of God, which He had prepared for His disciples; and this, that the soul should not be perturbed. And in this way, He named the light, and confirmation of the mind. These things therefore He foretold, and also respecting these (men): but, of those which He foreknew and foretold respecting the Jewish People, (the time) is at hand that we should enquire.