And he went into the synagogue, and spoke boldly for the space of three months, arguing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.
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John Chrysostom
AD 407
(a) See him in every place forcing his way into the synagogue, and in this manner departing thence. For in every place, he wished to have the occasion given him by them. (c) He wished to separate the disciples thence, and to have the beginning for ceasing to assemble with them, given by (the Jews) themselves. And it was not for nothing that he did this (b) which I have said. He was henceforth "provoking them to jealousy." For both the Gentiles readily received him, and the Jews, upon the Gentiles receiving him, repented. (a) This is why he continually made a stir among them, "for three months arguing and persuading concerning the kingdom of God:" for you must not suppose because you hear of his "speaking boldly," that there was any harshness: it was of good things that he discoursed, of a kingdom: who would not have heard him? "But when divers were hardened, speaking evil of the way." They might well call it "the way;" this was indeed the way, that led into the kingdom of heaven. "He...
But why ἐ παρρησιάζετο? It means, he was ready to confront dangers, and disputed more openly, not veiling the doctrines. (a) But when some were hardened, and spoke evil of the way, having departed from them, he separated the disciples.
