Commentary on Isaiah

Alexander of Alexandria (250–328)

Christ suffered shame for humanity's sake in order to set people free from death. This he exclaimed, as in the words of the prophet, "I have endured as a woman in childbirth." In very deed Christ endured for our sakes sorrow, ignominy, torment, even death itself, and burial. For thus he says himself by the prophet, "I went down into the deep." Who made him thus to go down? The ungodly.… They suspended him on the tree—the One who stretches out the earth. They transfixed him with nails who laid firm the foundation of the world. They circumscribed him who circumscribed the heavens. They bound him who frees sinners. They gave him vinegar to drink who has enabled them to drink of righteousness. They fed him with gall who has offered to them the bread of life. They caused corruption to come on his hands and feet who healed their hands and feet. They violently closed his eyes who restored sight to them. They gave him over to the tomb who raised their dead to life both in the time before his passion and also while he was hanging on the tree.

See also

• More works by Alexander of Alexandria

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