THEOSISGregory the Great
Verses 24 and 25 describe how individuals transform the hearts of the leaders among the people, causing them to stray aimlessly in desolation, like wanderers in an unlit wilderness, lost and staggering as if intoxicated. In verse 30, it is noted that the hearts of the rulers of the earth were altered when the chief priests and elders of Judah opposed Him, regardless of their earlier proclamations regarding His coming. As they attempted to erase His name through persecution, driven by their malice, they found themselves futilely wandering in darkness where no path exists, for it was inconceivable that 'the Way' could be revealed through acts of cruelty against the Creator.
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They had witnessed miraculous events and yet were filled with fear of His authority but chose to remain in disbelief, continually asking, 'What sign will You give us to show that we should believe in You?' (John 6:30). Thus, it was rightly observed that they wandered in darkness without guidance. For those who doubt amid such an abundance of clear miracles are like ones fumbling in the dark, unable to discern the objects of their touch. Each person who stumbles struggles as if being moved aimlessly back and forth, having once affirmed their faith—as when they declared, 'If He were not from God, He could do nothing' (John 9:33)—but later questioning His divinity, asking, 'Is this not the carpenter's son? Are not His mother and brothers among us?' (Matthew 13:55, 56).
This leads to the assertion that they staggered as if intoxicated. They witnessed Him revive the dead, yet could not reconcile this with their perception of His mortality. Who among them would not believe in His divinity when they observed His divine power to restore life? Conversely, when faced with His humanity, they rejected the belief in Him as the everlasting God. Thus, because the Almighty revealed Himself through both divine signs and human suffering, their pride led them to reject the mystery of the Incarnation, even as they marveled at His divine power. As they stood witness before the prophetic vision of blessed Job, it is rightly stated: