The Church Fathers on this verse
THEOSIS
Get the app

Deuteronomy 16:6Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

But in the place which the Lord thy God shall choose, that his name may dwell there: thou shalt immolate the phase in the evening, at the going down of the sun, at which time thou camest out of Egypt.

Douay-Rheims

כִּ֠י אִֽם־אֶל־הַמָּק֞וֹם אֲשֶׁר־יִבְחַ֨ר יְהוָ֤ה אֱלֹהֶ֙יךָ֙ לְשַׁכֵּ֣ן שְׁמ֔וֹ שָׁ֛ם תִּזְבַּ֥ח אֶת־הַפֶּ֖סַח בָּעָ֑רֶב כְּב֣וֹא הַשֶּׁ֔מֶשׁ מוֹעֵ֖ד צֵֽאתְךָ֥ מִמִּצְרָֽיִם׃

Hebrew (Masoretic text)

The Church Fathers on this verse

3 Church Fathers comment on this verse

John Chrysostom

4th centuryChurch Father

Do you believe that the Jews possess greater wisdom than the ancestors who have been gathered from across the globe? These Jews have lost their cultural structure and no longer observe their festivals in the proper manner. They neither have unleavened bread nor partake in Passover, with some claiming that the Christian Passover should include unleavened bread. According to the words 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.” This refers specifically to Jerusalem.

Read more (77 words)

Notice how God tied this celebration to a single city and later allowed that city to be destroyed, thereby guiding them away from their previous way of life, even against their will. It is widely understood that God knew what was to come. So, why did He gather them from all parts of the earth if He was aware that the city would be doomed? Isn’t it apparent that His intention was to abolish the feast altogether?

Cyrill of Alexandria

5th centuryChurch Father

The region of Judea was abundant with numerous cities and towns, yet the Almighty decreed that the offerings and observances concerning the Passover should take place solely in the sacred city. This aligns with the essence of the law, illustrating that it is neither appropriate nor acceptable to perform the sacrament of Christ in a manner or location outside the designated place: primarily the holy city, which is the Church. Here, the ordained priest conducts the sacrifice with consecrated hands, and ‘incense is offered to God Almighty, and the sacrifice is pure,’ as the prophet articulated (Malachi 1:11). Those who stray from this truth—the heretics—render the law meaningless; they offer the lamb outside of the holy city and not by the hands ordained by the Spirit for the priestly duty.

Read more (346 words)

As Paul highlights, they presumptuously take this ‘honor’ (Hebrews 5:4) upon themselves to make sacrifices everywhere. Like untamed cattle, they recklessly pursue only their desires. Yet, they shall face stern repercussions from the Judge for such reckless thoughts if they are swayed by their folly and passions. We, however, shall adhere to the established path, reflecting on the divine ordinance outlined, which has been explicitly mentioned: ‘Keep the month of Abib...kill the passover to the Lord thy God of small and large cattle.’ Some might argue that the command to sacrifice a lamb was given only to those in Egypt and that there is no reference to sheep or oxen. Did Moses, therefore, err in his instructions? Not in the least. For in the book of Numbers, the Lord specified that additional offerings of bulls and sheep were to accompany the lamb. It states, ‘In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, the passover of the Lord. And on the fifteenth day of this month it shall be a feast; seven days you shall eat unleavened bread. On the first day, you shall have a holy convocation; you shall work no work; and you shall offer a sacrifice, a burnt offering to the Lord: Of cattle, two bullocks, one ram, and seven yearling lambs; they shall be without blemish. And with them, you shall offer a grain offering of wheat flour mixed with oil, three tenths of an ephah for every bullock, and two tenths of an ephah for every ram, and one tenth of an ephah for each of the seven lambs, and one goat for a sin-offering, for your cleansing; in addition to the morning burnt-offering, which is a continual burnt-offering, you shall present this. And on each of the seven days, you shall offer this sacrifice; it is a bread sacrifice, a pleasing aroma to the Lord; alongside the burnt offering, which is a continual burnt offering, and its libation, you shall offer this. On the seventh day, you shall have a holy convocation; you shall not labor’ (Num. 28:16-25).

Philaret of Moscow (Drosdow)

19th centuryChurch Father

The complete and solemn observance of Israel's Passover was meant to be realized in the promised land, in the designated place of God's presence, Jerusalem, described as ‘the city ... of rest’. Similarly, our Passover will be fulfilled as we conclude our earthly journey. Just as the covenant ark led Israel through the parted waters of the Jordan, the tomb of the risen Mediator of the new covenant will provide us a secure passage through the river of decay to the foundation of our being. We shall shed the remnants of our earthly bodies like a pilgrim discarding a worn garment and ascend to the Jerusalem above. In that moment, the doors of this altar will no longer be opened; instead, the tabernacle of God will be unveiled to us.

Read more (81 words)

The unblemished Lamb, not merely veiled by sacramental forms but manifesting the fullness of its truth, will be revealed. A feast rich in substance but devoid of earthly glory and hunger awaits us! The bread of angels and new wine will grant us not mere existence, but eternal life! It will not be mere joy, but pure bliss. Ultimately, the everlasting Passover will be joined with the perpetual Sabbath, the eternal ascent to God will align with eternal rest in Him.

Cross references

Passages read together with this verse.