Tractates on the Gospel of John (continued)
222 ST. AUGUSTINE (2) And it is clear that the Lord was killed and rose again after three days. This is now known to all of us; even if it was concealed from the Jews because they stand outside, still it has been opened to us because we know in whom we believe.^^ We are soon to celebrate, in annual solemnity, the destruction and rebuilding of this temple. And we urge you to prepare yourselves for it, if any of you are catechumens, that you may receive grace. Right now is the time; right now let that be in labor which then may be born. Well then, this we know. 11. But perhaps we are asked this question, whether the temple built in forty-six years has any mystical significance. There are indeed many things which could be said about this; but for the time being I say what can be said briefly and understood easily.
(2) Brothers, we have already said yesterday,^^ if 1 am not mistaken, that Adam was one man and that he likewise is the whole human race; for so we said if you remember. As if he had been broken and scattered, he is being gathered together and, so to speak, fused into one by spiritual union and harmony. And Adam himself, as one man, now poor, moans for a time,^" but is renewed in Christ because an Adam has come without sin that he might destroy Adam's sin in his flesh and that Adam might restore the image of God to himself. From Adam, therefore, is Christ's flesh; from Adam, therefore, is the temple which the Jews destroyed and the Lord raised up again in three days. For he raised up again his flesh.
(3) See that he was God, equal with the Father. My brothers, the Apostle says, "who raised him from the dead."^' About whom is he speaking? About the Father. He says, "He became obedient unto death, even to death on a cross. For which cause, God also has raised him from the dead, and has given him the name which is above every name."^^ The Lord was raised up again and exalted. He raised him up again. Who?
47. Cf. 2 Tm 1.12. 48. I.e, at Easter. 49. Cf. Tractate g. 10 and 14. 50. Cf. the opening sentence of the Tractate, referring especially to Ps 34.10 and 14. 51. Cf. Gal 1.1.: Col 2.12. 52. Cf. Phil 2.8-9.