The Demons’ Plea. John Chrysostom: For [the demons] said, “Did you come here to torment us before the time?” You see, they could not deny that they had sinned, but they demanded that they not suffer their punishment before the time. Because [Jesus] had caught them in the act of perpetrating those horrors so incurable and lawless and deforming and punishing his creature in every way, and because their crimes were so excessive they supposed that [Jesus] would not delay in punishing them, they besought and entreated him. They who had not even endured bands of iron came bound. And they who ran about the mountains went forth into the plain. And they who hindered all others from passing stood still at the sight of [Jesus] blocking the way. The Gospel of Matthew, Homily 28.2

In: Simonetti, Manlio: Matthew 1-13. Downers Grove, Ill. : InterVarsity Press, 2001 (Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture NT 1a), S. 171

Meditation by Archpriest David Petras