30 On the Transfiguration of Jesus. * From Saint John the Bishop of Constantinople

59￣ Why does he choose these disciples? Because they were superior to all the others:
Peter showed his superiority by the great love he had for him, John by being
greatly loved, and James from the answer which he gave when he said:
“We can drink the cup.” * It was not only from the answer, but also from his
deeds, both the others and from those which fulfilled what he said: for he was so
vehement and severe to the Jews that even Herod thought that he would grant the
Jews a very great gift if he were to remove him.❧
* From Origen
59 Let us seek how Luke says, “It happened around eight days after these sayings,” * but
Mark says it was after around six days. * Inasmuch as for the statement “there passed

would say, summarising the argument, that not without cause did the Saviour not immediately
do what he promised, but after six days. The six days are a symbol of the creation of the world.
After six days, after this world, then Jesus will make you ascend the lofty mountain,
if you are Peter, if you are James or John. For no-one else ascends besides the three in
order to see the transfiguration of Jesus with those who were seen in glory, Moses and Elijah.❧
* From Severus of Antioch, from the Letter to
Sergius the Chief Physician who asked why the Lord only took
Peter and James and John with him.❧
59￣ It seems to me that he chose them instead of the others because they rather had a keener
intelligence, and they went up to the height of divinity with the one who for our sake willingly