Gregory of Nazianzus, Basil of Caesarea and John Chrysostom (Cambridge, University Library, MS Nn.1.23)

Without blemish ἄμωμον: The ritual requirement for a sacrificial animal to have no physical defects, which Gregory applies to Christ's moral and spiritual perfection. and unadulterated; as if shaking off every blemish and the sprout that comes from wickedness, and from cuttings and defilements. He did this so that He might take up our sins and carry our diseases A reference to Isaiah 53:4, a prophecy traditionally seen by Christians as describing Jesus's suffering for humanity., though He Himself suffered nothing that required healing. He deemed it worthy not to be defiled original: "τὸ μὴ ρανίσας." This refers to Christ remaining unstained by the sins He took upon Himself.. For He was tempted according to our every likeness, yet without sin A quotation of Hebrews 4:15.. Just as the Light which, though it shines in the darkness, the darkness did not overcome it A reference to the Prologue of the Gospel of John (John 1:5).. What more? Let Him not keep silence as the "first," but rather as the beginning of months original: "ἀρχὴ μηνῶν." In Exodus 12:2, the month of the Passover is designated as the first month of the year.. Whether this is because He is a "first-fruit" among the Hebrews, or because it is a sacred thing that He became equal [to us]; and receiving from the mystery the status of being "the first." And on the tenth day of the month Exodus 12:3 commands that the lamb be chosen on the tenth day of the month of Nisan.

for this number δεκάτητος: The "decade" or the number ten. In ancient Christian and Pythagorean thought, numbers often held mystical significance; ten was considered a "perfect" and "complete" number. is the most complete; made from units before the perfect unit, and it is the generator of the decade. Therefore, the lamb is kept until the fifth day Exodus 12:6. Gregory counts the days from the 10th to the 14th of the month inclusively as five days.. This is perhaps because the unblemished sacrifice is a purifier of the senses, from which our stumbling comes and against which there is a war, as the senses receive the "sting" of sin. And the sacrifice is chosen, not from the lambs only, but also from the kids original: "χιρονοειδῶν," likely a scribe's error for "χιμαιροειδῶν" (goat-like animals)., and from the portion of the goats on the left hand In Matthew 25, the "sheep" are placed on the right and the "goats" on the left. Gregory suggests that Christ’s sacrifice is so powerful it covers even those represented by the goats.. This is because it is necessary for us that not only the righteous be saved, but also the sinner. Indeed, it is necessary even more for the sinners, as many of us as have need of greater loving-kindness φιλανθρωπίας: Literally "love for humanity." In a theological context, it refers to God's benevolent mercy toward mankind.. And it is no wonder if a "stewardship" original: "κατοικονόμητον." This refers to the "economy" or divine plan of salvation. is sought from us before...