Theophany 4.6–4.8

English translation by Samuel Lee (1843); the original is not shown

Thou wilt learn moreover, from the writings of His Disciples,—that it was by their means He was about soon to call in the nations—which are to this effect: ‘ When Jesus passed over a part of the sea of Galilee, he saw two brethren, Simon who is called Cephas, and Andrew his brother, casting nets into the sea :—for they were fishers. —He said to them, Follow me; and I will make you fishers of men. And they, in the same hour, left their nets and followed him. And, when he departed thence, He saw two brethren, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the ship with Zebedee their Father, and He called them; and they, in the same hour, left the ship and their Father, and followed Him.” Another writer too has left it on record, that He spoke to Simon on two occasions, a prediction similar to this: “When a great multitude was standing over against Jesus,” He (this writer) has said, that “ He went up into one of the ships, which was Simons; and, when He had sat down in it, He interpreted to the multitude.” But, after the teaching which was sufficient,—because it was suitable that He should add some Divine work to His words, for the advantage of those who were looking on,—He’ commanded Simon to ‘‘cast forth his net for a draught: and he said to Him, We have toiled the whole night, and have found nothing; nevertheless at thy word, I will cast out the net.” And, what He had been commanded, he did. And, when he had taken a great number of fishes, their nets were breaking,—because they were heavy with the many (fishes),—-and they called to those who were in the ship at their side, to help them. And thus, when they had drawn up the fishes, they filled both their ships, insomuch that they were pressed to sinking; and, upon these things, Simon was astonished and wondered, confessing that he was not worthy, that our Saviour should come near him’. But, when He had thus shewn him a representation of what was about to take place, He also gave its ex planation (thus); “and Jesus said to him, Fear not; Thou shalt henceforth be a fisher of men unto life.” It was to Galileans,—men unacquainted with any thing beyond the Syriac language, and this mean profession and necessity of fishing, by which they were driven,—that our Savicur well promised, that He would “ make them fishers of men,” and preachers of His doctrine. And, He made them (such). Nor did He belie His promise; but He shewed forth the Power of God,” the Doer of a thing, which eclipsed every human excellence! For, had He brought near to Him the Intellectual and the Wise, the Rich, and Illustrious, among the Jews; and had made use of these (as) the Teachers of His words; it would indeed have been likely, that men would have supposed this matter to have been brought about by human means only. For thus are most men usually overcome; (namely), they are either wrought upon by the gifts of the rich, or, they are led astray by excellency of speech, or; by the phantasms of science: or, they fear the power of illustrious personages. But He made use of no such disciples as these: on the contrary, by the poor, the despised ;—by men ignorant as to speech, Syrians in language, and in their character humble and mean,—did He openly manifest His work (of redemption). It was the Divine Power alone, which He made use of ;—that which He evinced when He previously called them, and made them go forth; and so promised that He would make them both “ Fishers of men,” and Preachers ; that, instead of the nets which they then had, they should receive from Him the net, which should comprehend in its texture, an aggregate of the declarations of both the Law and the Prophets, as well as of those comprehended in (all) the Divine teaching. This they should cast into the sea of mankind as existing in the world, and inclose (therein) as many as they could; filling these their rational nets with every sort of the fish that are rational. But these things, which were then heard by word, were words and sounds, and nothing more: it was an effort of the Divine Power itself, which, at no distant time, brought them to pass; and so fulfilled by deeds the things which had been foretold, that, in a short time, He made His own possession — the whole creation of mankind,—congregations innumerable,—by means of these poor and illiterate men; and, that His Churches were every where filled, both with Greeks and Barbarians. For, it was not by that one Divine word of promise, that He would teach His Disciples, but, that He would MAKE them Fishers of men. Nor was it therefore, that He knew only, what should come to pass; nor, that He foretold this; but, that He should also be looked upon (as) the Effectuator of ail this knowledge—He spoke in word, aud He performed and established the deed :— that something (I say), which was to be brought about, (He foretold) by demonstration and representation; and of this He gave the fulfilment in the fact itself! For, to them who formerly toiled throughout the lengthened night, which was dark and destitute of the true light and knowledge of God, and could find nothing which they could take, (leading) to salvation, He arose (as the sun) in His brightness, and commanded those who were in the light and the day,—not by their art, but by trusting in his word,—to cast out their nets into the deep. And they so enclosed this great multitude of fish, that their fishing vessels were pressed to breaking, and the ships themselves to remaining in the deep from their weight. And, because these things were so done, astonishment and great fear came upon Simon. But, our Saviour said (as it were) these things to him, Let not these things alarm thee: they are (but as) recitations for the present, and representations of something hereafter to come to pass: for, these are fish unendued with either voice, or reason; these too, are ships and nets, composed of (earthly) material, and are inanimate; but, not as these things, are those of which these are the representations: for shortly afterwards,—that is, immediately, now, and forthwith,—thou shalt be a fisher of men unto life (eternal). This laborious fishing which returns no profit, thou shalt relinquish; and, thou shalt become a fisherman of reasonable creatures, in place of these which are irrational. Nor shalt thow again draw up those whom thou shalt catch from the depths of the sea, but from the bitterness of the life that is hateful; from the chambers of ungodly darkness and from sin, into the light which is intellectual; and to the elevation of purity. That is, thow shalt catch them for life, by means of that which is of life: it is not death that thou preparest for them. These first indeed, which are drawn up out of the sea, and which formerly enjoyed life in darkness and the deep, perish immediately on their ascending and receiving the light. But, those who shall be caught by thee from among men, shall be caught up out of the darkness of ignorance, and shall be changed to the life that is of God. These things therefore, (namely,) ‘‘ T’how shalt henceforth catch men unto life,” our Saviour foretold by the Divine power: and the same, our Saviour shewed by very deed, were sure and true. This Syrian fisherman therefore, this netcaster,—did by means of his net,—the texture of which was by the Divine power composed of the words of mystery,— catch innumerable multitudes of men. And, “ The visual perception of something hidden, is something visible '.” The things therefore, which the long life of the world,— and which from the first experienced not the rising (as of the Sun) of our Saviour,—could not effect :—the things which neither Moses who gave the law to the Hebrews, nor the Prophets who came after Moses, could; nor yet the multitmdes of others, who from ancient times carried as fishermen the doctrine of God to man, and who toiled throughout the whole night which preceded his manifestation,—could do, this Galilean, this Pauper, this Barbarian, this Simon did, by means of his voice bring to pass. The demonstrations indeed, then given of Simon as to these things, are the Churches which up to this time have arisen, far more in number than the ships (then present), and these, filled with fish that are rational. Such is this of Czsarea of Palestine”, and such is that of Antioch of Syria; and such is that of Rome; for, by these Churches—which Simon set up, and by all those near them,—are these things commemorated. Those too that are in Egypt and in Alexandria itself, did he again, not by his own means, but by those of Mark, his disciple, erect. Of those also, that are in Italy and among the nations adjoining, he was the Steward (Dispenser): and he made his disciple Mark the Teacher and Fisherman of those in Egypt. Now, give thy consideration likewise, to the rest of our Saviour’s Disciples, on those whom He said He would make Fishers of men ;—and this his word He has shewn forth by deeds. For up to this time He did, and caused, that, forthwith, and throughout the whole creation of man,— His rational net should filled with every sort of rational fish, Barbarian and Greek; and that He should draw up from the depths of evil, and the darkness of ungodliness, the souls of men; turning these daily and hourly to the light and knowledge of God which had been delivered by Himself. Which things, seen as they are with our own eyes, establish,—as it appears to me,—beyond (all) doubt, the Divine manifestation of our Saviour.

English translation by Samuel Lee (1843); the original is not shown

Art thou desirous then, of hearing a third declaration of the Divine word, which foretold that His Disciples should arise (as the Sun) throughout the whole world? Hear this also, for it is after this manner: ‘‘ Ye' are the light of the world :” and, ““ A city that is built on a hill cannot be hidden :” ‘‘nor do men light a candle, and place it under a bushel, but upon a candlestick; and it giveth light to all that are in the house. So let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” Here again, these very fishermen, who went forth from Galilee, —a corner of Judea so called, which is situate on the sea; and of which Isaiah,—one of the Prophets,—making known at once its obscurity, and at the same time, the rising (as of the Sun) of our Saviour, which he announced should take place there,—proclaimed (saying), ‘‘ Galilee of the Gentiles, a people sitting in darkness have seen a great light :’—those (I say) who went forth from thence; men, mean, necessitous, — illiterate in speech, and poor in circumstances ;—those very fishermen He said, should be the light of the world; and this promise He confirmed by deed ; (namely), that this same Simon who was called Cephas, (and) who went forth from Capernaum which is a village of Galilee,—should enlighten many souls of men with the light of the knowledge of God; and should himself become known throughout the whole creation, even to the regions of the West : and, that even to this time, his memory should be more celebrated among the Romans, than that of those of former times, so that he should be considered worthy of an honourable sepulchre in the very front of their city ; and, that great multitudes of the Roman Empire should run to it, as to a great asylum and temple of God. How then, Does not the truth bear testimony to Him, who said to his Disciples, “Ye are the light of the world?” So again, the name of John the son of Zebedee also,—who (was engaged) in fishing with his father and brethren, and mending the net, whom He (Jesus) saw, and considered worthy both of this call and promise,—arose (as the Sun) throughout the whole creation; and whose words have, through the Gospel which was delivered by him, also enlightened the souls of men !— which has been translated into all languages, both of the Greeks and Barbarians, and is daily preached in the ears of all nations! And more particularly, the sepulchre of this (Disciple) which is in Ephesus of Asia, does glorious honour to his death, and shews to the world the memorial of that light which cannot be hidden. In like manner also, the writings of the apostle Paul are preached throughout the whole creation, and they enlighten the souls of men. The martyrdom of his death, and the sepulchre which (is erected) over him, are, even to this day, greatly and abundantly honoured in the city of Rome. And, What need is there we should say, that the mode of life set up by means of the Disciples of our Saviour throughout the whole creation,—like the exhibition of a banner of victory,—is as a famous city which has nothing hidden within it? but which is in authority in the midst of all other cities, (and) according to the enouncement of our Saviour, ‘‘ Is like to a city placed upon a hill?” And this is the very word, which they preached respecting their master. It was not, as (if) hidden under a bushel, or given up to error and darkness; but, as upon a lofty candlestick, and lifted up to an exalted eminence, and giving light to all that were in the house of the whole world! And this, (viz.) ‘‘ Let your light so shine before men,” evinced (both) foreknowledge and prophecy; not precept only, but also intimation of what should come to pass. He fully too named them all (here), the light when He said, “Yr ave the light of the world.” Not, that they were many lights; but, that they all together (constituted) one light: as if from an equality' of them all, there should be at once an arising (of light as of the Sun) to the whole world. For, it was His alone to say, “I am the light of the world.” And of Him it has been truly said, that “ He is the light that came into the world, which enlighteneth every man.” But, since these things have been thus foretold, and fulfilled; observe how He again spoke of, and explained, them to His Disciples: ‘ That which I say to you in darkness, speak ye in the light; and, that which ye hear in your ears, preach ye on the housetops. And fear not those who kill the body, but cannot kill the soul. But fear ye Him rather, who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Ue also promised by these things, in the very beginnings (of the ministration) of His Disciples,—when they knew nothing of them, but were as if they had been in the dark,—the knowledge of the light. He prophesied also, to those (then) hearing His precepts, that they should preach openly to all men that which was (now) secret, in darkness, and invisible. He taught them too, not to be perplexed, but to suffer affliction with all their soul; to preach Him in the ears of all; and not to fear those, who would kill the mortal body: the soul not being subject to loss of life by men, because it is incorporeal and immortal. For it is God only, who is able to inflict punishment and death, at once on both body and soul. It may be observed therefore, that He taught by these things, that the soul is incorporeal; and set up, in a few words, the ordinances of (true) philosophy,— In that He foretold at the outset? to His Disciples, that He would make them Fishers of men; and, that they should eventually, openly, immediately, (and) through His power, make Disciples of all nations. From the Gospel of Matthew’.

English translation by Samuel Lee (1843); the original is not shown

After his resurrection from the dead, all of them,— being together as they had been commanded,—went to Galilee, as He had said to them. But, when they saw Him, some worshipped Him, but others doubted. But He drew near to them, spoke with them, and said: “All power (both) in heaven and earth, is given to me of my Father. Go ye and make Disciples of all nations, and baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. And teach them to observe all that I have commanded you. And, behold! I am with you always even to the end of the world.” Observe now, in these things, the consideration and caution evinced by the Disciples: (viz.) that they did not all worship Him when they saw Him. Some of them indeed did this faithfully and devotedly, but others refrained for the present. It was not easily and suddenly, that they gave in to this miracle ; but, it was after much investigation and with every caution they were so at last persuaded, that they went out to all mankind. They became too, the Preachers of His Resurrection; because it had prophetically said in the Scriptures of the Prophets, in His Person, ‘‘ Ask of me, and I will give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and ( for thy) possessions, the uttermost parts of the earth’. Just as the testimony of this prophecy has now been fulfilled in fact, He said to His Disciples; ‘‘ All power is given to me, as in heaven, so in earth.” For, He had possessed the sovereignty of the things which are in heaven from eternity; but now, He said was given to Him, by His Father, those upon earth, in conformity with this (viz.) “ Ask of me, and I will give thee the nations for thy possession. For, from ancient times,—as Moses attests,—‘ The most High, when dividing the nations, appointed the boundary of the people, according to the number of the angels”. So that the Angels of God were, from ancient times, Rulers over all that was on the earth. But, when mankind had been perverted to the error of many Gods, and the Angels, who were the Rulers, were unable to afford any remedy for this; the common Saviour of all Himself taught, by means of His Divine manifestation, and after His victory over Death, that the empire of the nations upon earth, should no more be given by his Father to the Angels, but to Himself. And on this account, He commanded his Disciples, —not frem ancient times—but now, that they should make the circuit, and make Disciples, of all nations. And He . cessarily added the mystery of cleansing’. For it was necessary to those, who should be converted from among the heathen, that they should be cleansed by His power from every pollution and uncleanness; because they had been defiled by the error of Demons, and had been holden by the worship of Idols, and by uncleanness of every sort, but had now first been changed from that life of abomination, and of lawless practices. These very persons then, did He direct to teach,—after this cleansing, which is by the mystery of His doctrine,—not, that they should observe the precepts of the Jews, nor yet the Law of Moses, but all those which He commanded them to observe. And these . are those which the whole of the Disciples,—making severally the circuit of all the nations,—equally delivered to every Church throughout the whole creation. He necessarily therefore, stirred them up, and made them readily to confide,—to undertake the circuit of all nations, and to make Disciples of all races of men, through the promise by which He counselled them, saying: ‘ Behold, I myself am with you. To this word of promise, He also superadded the performance. He was present in the Divine Power with each and every one of them; to the whole of them was He at once present, and with them He acted and wrought. He confirmed too, even to victory, (the promise) constituting them Teachers to all nations, of that fear of God’ which was delivered by Himself. In this promise therefore, they trusted; and forthwith, did they fulfil His words by deeds: nor did they in any thing hesitate; but they (so) went forth with all readiness to the disciplining of all nations, that they engaged in the work. With their eyes they had seen Him who was a little while before dead, then living: and, Him whom they had denied with curs- — ing,—on account of what then happened to them,—they had seen openly, present, and in his own person; and, as His custom was, He had conversed with them, and promised them the things of which we have already spoken. Nor could they disbelieve His promises, because of His appearing (to them); which (appearing) they had investigated. Now in this precept, there must have been (much) that was discouraging to them, knowing as they did in themselves the rusticity and illiterate character which they sustained ; on account of which, they might indeed have sought to be excused, and have well imagined it impossible that those, whose Language was the Syriac (only), and who knew nothing beyond the art of catching fish, could be Teachers both of the Greeks and Romans, of the Egyptians also, the Persians, and the rest of the barbarous nations: and set about to legislate,—in opposition to all other Legislators and Kings throughout the whole creation,—-that which was opposed to the things delivered to them from all ages, respecting the Gods of their Forefathers. But it was not possible for them to think such things, who had heard the voice of God saying to them, ““ Behold, I myself am with you always.” They had too, openly viewed the Godhead of Him who spoke with them. It had been seen to be superior to Death: respecting which however they had entertained fear. On the contrary they (now) hear, that henceforth they shall, with all their soul, undergo afflictions. They had now taken up from their Master, the certainty of life after death; they went out therefore, with confidence to make the circuit of all nations, that they might confirm by fact, the promises of Him their Lord. But He attached to the promises made to them, a more excellent word; and,—what exceeds all wonder,— this He shews forth even to this present time; (viz.) ““ Behold, I myself am with you always.” He added also, “even to the end of the world.” And this applies, not only to them, but also to all those who came after them, and from them received His doctrine; and, thenceforward, even to this time, is He present to all those who have become His Disciples. Hence, His Church, which is kept by Himself, is daily increasing and multiplying to myriads; and by His Power shall it be congregated, even to the end of the world ! On the conversion of all nations to God. From the Gospel of Luke.