Patristic Wisdom: Looking to the Fifth Sunday of Easter

So the eunuch answered Philip and said, “I ask you, of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man?” Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?” Then Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. (Acts 8:34–-38)

But, as I said, for the present let us take shame to ourselves (when we think of) the eunuch, both in his baptism and his reading. Do ye mark how he was in a station of great authority, how he was in possession of wealth, and even on his journey allowed himself no rest? What must he have been at home, in his leisure hours, this man who rested not even on his travels? What must he have been at night? You who are in stations of dignity, hear: imitate his freedom from pride, his piety. Though about to return home, he did not say to himself: “I am going back to my country, there let me receive Baptism:” those cold words which most men use! No need had he of signs, no need of miracles: from the Prophet merely, he believed. But why is it that he does not see Philip before he goes to Jerusalem, but after he has been there? It was not helpful that he should see the Apostles under persecution. Because he was yet weak, the Prophet was not easy yet catechized him. For even now, if any of you would apply himself to the study of the Prophets, he would need no miracles. And, if you please, let us take in hand the prophecy itself. He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened He not His mouth: in His humiliation, His judgment was taken away: and who shall declare His generation? for His life is taken from the earth. It is likely he had heard that He was crucified, that His life is taken away from the earth, and the rest: that He did no sin, nor deceit in His mouth: that He prevailed to save others also: who He is, Whose generation is unutterable. It is likely he had seen the split rocks there, and heard how the veil was rent, and how there was darkness, and so forth: and all these things Philip mentioned, merely taking his text from the Prophet. It is a great thing, this reading of the Scriptures! That was fulfilled which was spoken by Moses, Sitting, lying down, rising up, and walking, remember the Lord your God.

John Chrysostom, Homilies on the Acts of the Apostles 19