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Fragment number Vinzent 4
Klostermann 1
Rettb. 1
Source Eusebius, Against Marcellus 1.2
Modern edition M. Vinzent, Markell von Ankyra: Die Fragmente (Leiden, 1997).
Notes The Greek word “Jesus” is used in the Old Testament to translate the name Joshua, and in the New Testament for Jesus of Nazareth.  Marcellus declares the name Jesus to be the greatest name upon the earth.  To prove this, he quotes the angel’s statement to Mary in Luke as well as a passage in Zechariah.  The Old Testament hero Joshua was given the same name as the Savior because he was a type, i.e. one foreshadowing a future person, in this case Jesus who leads true believers into the heavenly Jerusalem.

For there is no other name on earth greater than that of Jesus, as the Gospel [of Luke] witnesses.  There the angel said to Mary, “Do not fear, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in the womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus.  He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High” (Luke 1.30-32).

It is also evident from the prophecy of Zechariah, who prophesied long ago concerning this name; for he says, “The Lord showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and the Devil standing at his right hand to accuse him.  The Lord said to the Devil, “The Lord, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebuke you!” (Zech. 3.1-2).

When did he rebuke him?  When the man loved by him united himself to his Logos.  The prophecy uses the words “who has chosen Jerusalem.” Clearly, this refers to our Jerusalem, concerning which the apostle says, “But our Jerusalem is above; for this present one is enslaved with her children” (Gal. 4.25-26). For since he was at that time in the great Jerusalem (i.e., our Church), he rebuked the Devil according to the prophecy, saying, “Get away from me, Satan, for you are a stumbling block to me” (Matt. 16:23).

Therefore this is the “great” (i.e. high) priest, who as a type Jesus saved at that time.  For it was impossible for him to be called high priest, for although he was praised by everyone, Moses was not called “great.”  But Moses was great in this way, that he was termed a servant of God, and God himself called him the “god of Pharaoh” [Ex. 7.1]).

But if anyone should like to refer to Joshua as “great” because he was considered worthy to lead the people into the holy land and did many other wonders, let him also know on this account that greatness was not attributed to Joshua for a deed that was a type, but rather to him who in a short time was about to lead his own people into this great Jerusalem.

Translated by Daniel Noonan under the supervision of Prof. Glen L. Thompson

Last updated: 12-6-2010

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