But those who had the charge of that forbidden sacrificial feast took the man aside, for the acquaintance which of old times they had with him, and privately implored him to bring flesh of his own providing, such as was proper for him to use, and to make as if he did eat of the flesh from the sacrifice, as had been commanded by the king;
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 21. Wicked pity. Their pity was wicked, in as much as it suggested that wicked proposal of saving his life by dissimulation. Challoner.—To feign or make outward shew of consenting to a false religion, is never lawful. Worthington.—Greek “They were set over that wicked feast or sacrifice,” σπλαγχνισμω, ( Bible.) in which the entrails were eaten. Calmet.—In this sense the term is used verse 7 and 8 by the Vulg. Here Pity is preferred, as the man seemed to be actuated by it. Bible.—This generous martyr would not scandalize the weak, by doing a thing in itself lawful, which would have been deemed a prevarication. He was guided by those excellent maxims which Christ, Saint Paul, and S. Saba (Mart. Ap. xii.) have inculcated and practised. Matthew 18:7. Romans 14:14 and 1 Corinthians 8:4. 10. Calmet.