The Ancient Witnesses

Chapter 6: The Fullness of Time • 203

silence until the whole plan of the dispensation should arrive at a suitable conclusion.” 67 “Since their knowledge was lacking,” I asked, “why did Jesus bother to ask them ‘Who do you say I am?’” “What did the Savior ask before he asked them ‘Who do you say I am?’ None of us knew, and Cyril invited me to the lectern where he pointed out a verse before the passage read by Mentor. “He asked, ‘Who do the people say that the Son of Man is?’” I answered. 68 “Indeed,” said Cyril, “he asked this question in order to deliver them from the wrong thinking that was typical of their day, and to implant in them a correct faith. Just imagine the disciples’ confusion when they see our Lord Jesus Christ working miracles like God but praying like a human. ‘What strange behavior! Should we consider him to be God or man? We could say that he is a man like ourselves or like one of the prophets, yet we see from his inexpressible miracles that he far transcends the limits of human nature, and in many ways he performs wonders as God. If we say he is God, then surely to pray is unnecessary for one who is, by very nature God.’” 69 Cyril was reserved in his manner, but he became animated as he explained the Scriptures. We listened closely as he continued his teaching. 67 Cyril of Alexandria and R. Payne Smith, A Commentary Upon the Gospel According to St. Luke, by St. Cyril, translated into English from an ancient Syriac version , (Oxford: Univ. Press 1859), 219.​Available online at Google books. The translation is modernized.

68 Matt. 16:13, parallel with Luke 9:18b.

69 Cyril of Alexandria and R. Payne Smith, Sermon 49, 214, modernized.