05_Eubank_247_268 15/07/14 12:19 Pagina 254 254 NATHAN EUBANK 3. Patristic and Medieval Interpretations In a homily on Matthew, John Chrysostom (c. 347-407), who wrote shortly before Bezae, Freerianus, and Bobbiensis were created, uses John 10,18 to interpret Jesus’ dying cry as a display of power: And Jesus, when he had cried with a loud voice, gave up his spirit. This is what he said, “I have power (evxousi,an) to lay down my life, and I have power to take it again, and I lay it down of myself” [John 10,18]. For on account of this he cried with the voice, that it might be shown that the act is done by power (katV evxousi,an). Mark at any rate says that “Pilate marveled that he was already dead” and [Mark says] that the centurion believed for this reason above all, be- cause he died with power [Mark 15,44.39] 15. Chrysostom uses John 10,18 to interpret Mark precisely the way that many scribes did: it was the miracle of Jesus’ dying cry that brought the centurion to belief 16. Variations on this interpretation were common. Chrysostom’s con- temporary, Ambrose (337-397), wrote that when Jesus gave up his spirit (emisit spiritum) it indicated that he willingly gave up his life: “For that which is sent (emittitur) is voluntary, but that which is lost (amittitur) is necessary” 17. Slightly later, Augustine describes Jesus’ dying yell and speedy death as a miracle that amazed the onlookers: “I have power to lay down my life … [John 10,18].” And as the Gospel says, it greatly amazed those who were present when, after that cry in which he set forth a figure of sin, he immediately gave up his spirit. Those who are hung on the cross were tortured with a prolonged death. Whence the legs of the thieves were broken so that they would die and be taken down from the cross before the Sabbath. But it was a marvel that Jesus was found [already] dead 18. Here again we see the link to John 10,18. In his omnipotence Jesus performed a miracle in his final moments by thwarting the agonizing dilatory death of crucifixion. 15 Hom. Matt. 58.776. 16 Chrysostom goes on to add that it was Jesus’ final scream that tore the temple curtain and opened the tombs (ibid.). 17 Exp. Luc. 10.1186. 18 Trin. 4.13.