John Chrysostom

4th centuryChurch Father

Do you believe that the Jewish people possess greater wisdom than the forefathers who have come from every corner of the earth? These Jews, who have forfeited their communal structure and fail to observe any feast in a proper manner, lack unleavened bread and do not celebrate Passover. Many, as I hear, assert that the Christian Passover should include unleavened bread. Yet they have none, and listen to the instructions of the lawgiver Moses: ‘Thou shalt not eat the passover in any of thy cities, which the Lord thy God shall give thee: but only in the place which the Lord thy God shall choose, to call upon His name there,’ referring to Jerusalem.

Cyrill of Alexandria

5th centuryChurch Father

The land of Judea was abundant with numerous cities and towns; however, God instructed that the sacrifices and the observance of the Passover law must occur solely in the holy city. This reflects the essence of the law, illustrating that the sacrament of Christ should not be conducted casually or in any location. There exists only one suitable place for this sacred act, which is the holy city, symbolizing the Church, where a valid priesthood is present, and the sacrifices are offered with consecrated hands. As the prophet notes, "incense is offered to God Almighty, and the sacrifice is pure" (Malachi 1:11). Those who deviate from the truth, namely the heretics, disregard this law, offering sacrifices not in the holy city and not through those chosen by the Spirit for priestly service.

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As the Apostle Paul informs us, they presume to take this "honor" (Hebrews 5:4) upon themselves and perform sacrifices wherever they choose. Like unrestrained and unruly oxen, they pursue only their preferences. However, they will face grave repercussions from the Judge for such reckless thoughts driven by their own folly. We will adhere to the well-established path, reflecting upon the law as we have cited, which you have heard articulated, "Keep the month of Abib...kill the Passover to the Lord your God of small and large cattle." Some might argue that while the law of the Passover mandated the sacrifice of a lamb for those in Egypt, it does not mention sheep or oxen. Does this suggest a mistake on Moses' part? Not at all; for in the book of Numbers, God decreed that both oxen and sheep should accompany the lamb, stating, "In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, the Passover of the Lord. And on the fifteenth day of this month, there shall be a feast; seven days you shall eat unleavened bread. On the first day you shall hold a holy convocation; you shall not do any work; and you shall offer a sacrifice, a burnt offering to the Lord: two young bulls, one ram, and seven yearling lambs without blemish shall be offered. Additionally, a grain offering of wheat flour mixed with oil, three-tenths of an ephah for each bull, two-tenths for each ram, and one-tenth for each of the seven lambs shall be included, along with one goat for a sin offering, for your purification. Beyond the morning burnt offering, which is a perpetual burnt offering, you shall include this. Throughout the seven days, you shall offer this sacrifice; it is a bread sacrifice, a pleasing aroma to the Lord; beyond the burnt offering, which is a continual burnt offering, and its libation, you shall present this. And on the seventh day, you shall have a holy convocation; you shall do no labor" (Num. 28:16-25).

Deuteronomy 16:5Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The Church Fathers on this verse

John Chrysostom

Cyrill of Alexandria

Cross references