THEOSISJohn Chrysostom
Indeed, their unyielding fury could not be subdued. Following his unexpectedly gentle remarks, akin to offering his beloved ones, what do they exclaim? “Come here.” What overwhelming intoxication! What sheer madness! Such is the nature of this sinful and insatiable desire: once it conquers reason, it obliterates any sense of propriety, shrouding all in the profound darkness of night. “Come,” they say, “here is a stranger, and he dares to judge us? Now we will treat you even worse than them.” Observe how the just man responds with humility, contrasted against their brazen defiance!
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It seems as if the adversary himself has incited them to madness, prompting them to rise against the righteous one, declaring, “Here is a foreigner, wanting to judge?” They proclaim, “We welcomed you as an outsider, and now you seek to arbitrate over us?” What utter audacity! They ought to feel shame, touched by the words of a righteous soul; yet like lunatics attacking their healer, they threaten the just man, saying, “We will do even worse to you than to them.” If you wish to survive, they insist, stay silent; understand that your pleas on our behalf will bear no fruit, except for your own peril. “And they pressed upon Lot with great intensity.” Witness the valor of the righteous man as he strives fiercely against such a multitude. “And they approached to break down the door.” Knowing their madness, he had secured the door behind him after stepping out to confront them; yet, these shameless, lawless individuals, dismissing the righteous man’s entreaties, moved toward him and attempted to force their way inside. Now that both the integrity of the righteous man and his concern for the supposed strangers have been made evident, alongside the collective yearning for evil among the crowd, at last, the true nature of the strangers becomes apparent.