THEOSISAugustine of Hippo
Consequently, as they prepared to accomplish their intention of killing Him, it is revealed that their efforts would ultimately be futile, vainly attempting to eliminate the one destined to rise from the dead. He includes this verse to imply, "What foolishness drives you? Whatever your evil may be is merely a passing fantasy." Yet, He indicates that such profound wickedness will not go unpunished, as shown in the subsequent verses: Even the man who shared my peace, who I trusted and with whom I broke bread, has turned against me (which signifies that he has trampled upon my very being). But You, O Lord, have mercy on me, and restore me, and I will bring retribution upon them (Psalm 40:10, 11).
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Who can deny this, considering that after Christ's suffering and resurrection, the Jews faced devastation in a bloody conflict and were uprooted from their homes? The one who met death has risen and provided them with a temporary enlightenment, as He awaits a more significant judgment for those unrepentant when He will assess both the living and the dead.
Justice rather than retribution Observe how what has been proclaimed is already fulfilled. The Jewish leaders crucified Christ in fear of losing their authority, yet in doing so, they forfeited their position: they were expelled from the kingdom and dispersed. He quickly sought to restore them; His restoration was for their upliftment, not for their condemnation.
This is the identity of the servant; this reflects the life of the destitute and the poor. Blessed is the one who understands the plight of the needy. As it is written, "Have mercy on Me, and exalt Me, and I will repay them." Indeed, this was fulfilled. The Jewish leaders put Christ to death, fearing they would lose their position (John 11:48). The Savior was crucified, leading them to forfeit their standing. They were uprooted from the kingdom and scattered. In His resurrection, He repaid them with trials and offered guidance, but He has yet to bring condemnation. In the city where the crowds roared like a vicious lion, crying, "Crucify Him, crucify Him" (Luke 23:21), the Jewish people were removed, and now Christians occupy that space.
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The church of Christ has been established there, while the thorns of the synagogue have been cleared away. Truly, that fire burned fiercely, like thorns ablaze, while the Lord stood as a thriving tree. He spoke of this Himself when women lamented over His impending death... "For if such things are done to a green tree, what will happen to a dry tree?" When a flourishing tree can be consumed by the fire of thorns, the thorns blazed fiercely. While fire consumes thorns, a living tree resists easily... Yet, to dispel any notion that God the Father was able to raise Christ, meaning the Flesh of His Son, but that Christ, though equal to the Father as the Word, could not resurrect His own Flesh, listen to the Gospel: "Destroy this temple, and I will raise it up in three days" (John 2:19). However, the Evangelist adds, to eliminate any lingering doubt, that He was referring to the temple of His Body. "Raise Me up, and I will recompense them."