THEOSISJohn Chrysostom
Do you see his readiness? Do you see his zeal? Then, “as they went on their way, they came to some water; and the eunuch said, ‘See, here is water.’” This is the sign of a soul burning intensely.
“What prevents me from being baptized?” Do you see his readiness? He does not say, “Baptize me,” and he does not keep silence. He says something between the two, expressing both desire and reverence: “What prevents me from being baptized?”
See how he had already received perfect knowledge of the doctrines. The prophecy contained everything: the Incarnation, the Passion, the Resurrection, the Ascension, and the coming judgment. This especially produced in him a strong desire to be baptized.
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Be ashamed, you who still remain unenlightened. You who are distinguished with honors, listen and imitate his humility and piety.
Though he was returning home, he did not say to himself, “I am returning to my country; there I will receive the washing of baptism,” as many indifferent people would say.
He did not demand signs or miracles. He believed from the prophet alone.
Therefore Paul, grieving over himself, says, “But for this reason I obtained mercy.” “He counted me faithful, appointing me to service, though formerly I was a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man. But I obtained mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief” (1 Tim 1:12-13, 16).
Indeed, this eunuch is worthy of wonder. He did not see Christ. He did not see signs. He saw Jerusalem still standing intact, and he believed Philip.
Why did he become such a man? He cared for his soul, attended to the Scriptures, and practiced reading them.
The thief also saw signs, and the Magi saw a star. But he saw nothing of this kind, and believed. How profitable is the reading of the Scriptures!