Understanding Matthew 8:34

Frankl

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I have hard time to understand this verse, Matthew 8:34
"And behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus. And when they saw Him, they begged Him to depart from their region".

According to Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture
8:34 They Begged Jesus to Leave:

Unworthy of the Lord’s Presence. Jerome: They entreat him to leave their district, not out of pride on their part (as many believe) but out of humility. They judge themselves unworthy of the Lord’s presence, just as Peter after the catch of fish fell before the Savior’s knees and said, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” Commentary on Matthew 8:34

Begging the Lord to Leave. Chromatius: The town from which they came to meet the Lord, asking him to leave their district, represents the synagogue, which did not want to receive the Lord and Savior of the human race even after witnessing his divine power. He therefore returned to his own town. Because he was rejected by the synagogue, he came to his church, which is properly called the city of Christ. On seeing him, the Gerasenes entreated the Lord to depart from their district. Such people are also found among us. Out of faithlessness they compel the Lord and Savior of the world to depart from the district of their hearts, for according to Scripture, “the Holy Spirit will not enter a perverse soul or dwell in a body enslaved to sin.” Tractate on Matthew 43.7

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These two comments from St.Jerome and Chromatius contradict each other, they explain the towns behavior differently. I'm confused, which one is the right explanation?
 

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I have hard time to understand this verse, Matthew 8:34
"And behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus. And when they saw Him, they begged Him to depart from their region".

According to Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture
8:34 They Begged Jesus to Leave:

Unworthy of the Lord’s Presence. Jerome: They entreat him to leave their district, not out of pride on their part (as many believe) but out of humility. They judge themselves unworthy of the Lord’s presence, just as Peter after the catch of fish fell before the Savior’s knees and said, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” Commentary on Matthew 8:34

Begging the Lord to Leave. Chromatius: The town from which they came to meet the Lord, asking him to leave their district, represents the synagogue, which did not want to receive the Lord and Savior of the human race even after witnessing his divine power. He therefore returned to his own town. Because he was rejected by the synagogue, he came to his church, which is properly called the city of Christ. On seeing him, the Gerasenes entreated the Lord to depart from their district. Such people are also found among us. Out of faithlessness they compel the Lord and Savior of the world to depart from the district of their hearts, for according to Scripture, “the Holy Spirit will not enter a perverse soul or dwell in a body enslaved to sin.” Tractate on Matthew 43.7

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These two comments from St.Jerome and Chromatius contradict each other, they explain the towns behavior differently. I'm confused, which one is the right explanation?
Luke 8:
35 Then they went out to see what had happened, and came to Jesus, and found the man from
whom the demons had departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind.
And they were afraid.
36 They also who had seen it told them by what means he who had been demon-possessed was healed.
37 Then the whole multitude of the surrounding region of the Gadarenes asked Him to depart from them, for they were seized with great fear. And He got into the boat and returned.

It is frequently helpful to check parallel accounts, especially before going to commentaries.
And practice asking the Holy Spirit! He reminded me that they were in great fear, I just had to
find which account mentioned this fact.
Grow in Grace, and the knowledge of our Lord! 2 Peter 3:18
 
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All4Christ

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I have hard time to understand this verse, Matthew 8:34
"And behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus. And when they saw Him, they begged Him to depart from their region".

According to Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture
8:34 They Begged Jesus to Leave:

Unworthy of the Lord’s Presence. Jerome: They entreat him to leave their district, not out of pride on their part (as many believe) but out of humility. They judge themselves unworthy of the Lord’s presence, just as Peter after the catch of fish fell before the Savior’s knees and said, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” Commentary on Matthew 8:34

Begging the Lord to Leave. Chromatius: The town from which they came to meet the Lord, asking him to leave their district, represents the synagogue, which did not want to receive the Lord and Savior of the human race even after witnessing his divine power. He therefore returned to his own town. Because he was rejected by the synagogue, he came to his church, which is properly called the city of Christ. On seeing him, the Gerasenes entreated the Lord to depart from their district. Such people are also found among us. Out of faithlessness they compel the Lord and Savior of the world to depart from the district of their hearts, for according to Scripture, “the Holy Spirit will not enter a perverse soul or dwell in a body enslaved to sin.” Tractate on Matthew 43.7

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These two comments from St.Jerome and Chromatius contradict each other, they explain the towns behavior differently. I'm confused, which one is the right explanation?
St John Chrysostom also had a negative view of the towns behavior.
For it is evident from the event that the inhabitants of that city were a sort of senseless people; for when they ought to have adored and marvelled at His power, they sent Him away, and "besought Him that He would depart out of their coasts." [1204]
 
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Dan1988

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I have hard time to understand this verse, Matthew 8:34
"And behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus. And when they saw Him, they begged Him to depart from their region".

According to Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture
8:34 They Begged Jesus to Leave:

Unworthy of the Lord’s Presence. Jerome: They entreat him to leave their district, not out of pride on their part (as many believe) but out of humility. They judge themselves unworthy of the Lord’s presence, just as Peter after the catch of fish fell before the Savior’s knees and said, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” Commentary on Matthew 8:34

Begging the Lord to Leave. Chromatius: The town from which they came to meet the Lord, asking him to leave their district, represents the synagogue, which did not want to receive the Lord and Savior of the human race even after witnessing his divine power. He therefore returned to his own town. Because he was rejected by the synagogue, he came to his church, which is properly called the city of Christ. On seeing him, the Gerasenes entreated the Lord to depart from their district. Such people are also found among us. Out of faithlessness they compel the Lord and Savior of the world to depart from the district of their hearts, for according to Scripture, “the Holy Spirit will not enter a perverse soul or dwell in a body enslaved to sin.” Tractate on Matthew 43.7

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These two comments from St.Jerome and Chromatius contradict each other, they explain the towns behavior differently. I'm confused, which one is the right explanation?
The second one fits the narrative, the Gerasesnes were Pagan Gentiles. They didn't want to hear what Christ has to say or teach as they were entrenched in their idolatry and Christ was a threat to their way of life.

It's exactly the same in America, Europe and most of the world today, people don't want to hear about Christ because they hate what He stands for. Mankind has always loved his sin, he organizes his whole life around fulfilling the lusts of his heart. The last thing man wants to do is serve God, because God is good and we are wicked from birth.

Christians are the most hated people in the world, thousands are martyred every month and you will never hear about it on the news but the whole world stopped for a month when 50 Muslims were killed in a mosque. Jesus warned us that we would be hated by all men, persecuted and many killed for His Name sake.
 
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Hermit76

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I'm not sure where Jerome is coming from here. It might have been superstitious fear instead of flat out rejection. There would be a difference. Superstitious fear would also fit with the commentary of St. John's. Either way they made a terrible mistake.
 
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AMM

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yes, provided it doesn't conflict with the Patristic consensus.
So for example would someone be free to believe either St Jerome or Chromatius, even though they contradict? Especially since this is more of a historical question that a strict dogmatic/doctrinal question
 
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ArmyMatt

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So for example would someone be free to believe either St Jerome or Chromatius, even though they contradict? Especially since this is more of a historical question that a strict dogmatic/doctrinal question

it depends on which side of the Patristics consensus they fall on. any single saint can be wrong. but if through the centuries the Church has taught A, and an early saint taught B, then the answer is A.
 
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